Cavendish Update 9/22/17 Town Garage/News/Events

                                Today is the first day of fall.

Today’s Cavendish Update and coverage of the Select Board meeting was made possible by Mary Jane & Glimmerstone Mansion and the Cavendish Green Mountain Snow Fleas. Thank you for your support.

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 9/22/17 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 9/19/17

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Events

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 9/19/17: The special Select Board (SB) meeting was not recorded by LPCTV. Written minutes will be available at the town’s website.  The purpose of the meeting was to continue the discussion on the location of the town garage. Members of the SB, two former town managers-Rolf van Schaik and Rich Svec, along with Cavendish resident and landscape architect Stephen Plunkard, the engineering firm Cavendish uses Weston & Sampson, town manager Brendan McNamara and assistant town manager Bruce McEnaney have spent the last week evaluating two sites for the future of the town garage-the village site, which was torn down in August, and the upper sandpit across from the town’s wastewater treatment plant off of Route 131. All of those involved agreed that:

• Whatever site is selected, it will be the location of the town garage for generations to come and therefore multiple options must be considered.

• Neither site is ideal

• The existing village site provides little to no room for expansion and the proposed modular steel building would not fit with the more historical aspects of the village, impacting esthetics and potential worth of surrounding property.

• The sandpit site would require more site modifications, including locating sand to lower pit. However, this option does provide room to grow. It is also feasible that by digging into the bank, a lot more room could be made quickly available. In addition, the extracted material could easily be sold.

• Both projects can be brought in at or under the $400,000 maximum that voters are being asked to approve on Sept. 26. The sandpit option would be the more expensive as additional site prep and paving would be needed. There are additional town paving funds that could be used for the sandpit location.

• The village site has the better shot at being ready for occupancy by Nov. 15. However, it is recognized that because of the various holdups with insurance etc., it’s a late start for getting the building completed, regardless of location.

The board and members of the audience appeared to be favoring the sandpit site. However the SB will not make its decision about the final location of the garage until after the boring test results are in. These tests will be done at both sites on Friday, Sept. 22.

An informational meeting will take place on Sept. 25, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) in Cavendish. Australian Ballots will be cast on Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 10-7 at CTES’s Art’s Room. For more information, contact the town office 802-226-7292.

For the full report, please see The Dish.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

CTES School Board Member Needed: The Cavendish Town Elementary School Board seeks a Cavendish Town resident interested in serving as a member of our local school board.  The term of this position will be until Town Meeting Election Day held on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.  The Board meets regularly, the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. and others as necessary. Members may fulfill additional responsibilities including, but not limited to, board committee and possible service on the Two Rivers Supervisory Union Board.

Please submit a letter of interest to the Two Rivers Supervisory Union in care of: Meg Alison Powden, TRSU Superintendent of Schools, 609 VT Route 103 South, Ludlow, Vermont 05149

RiverSweep-From tires to tin cans, flip-flops to fast food cups, the Black River Action Team hauled it all. Recently the group conducted their 18th Annual RiverSweep, a large-scale cleanup of the bed and banks of the Black River and areas that lead to the water. Whether diving for tires mid-stream or wrangling weed-bound junk on shore, the intrepid BRATs kept bringing the action. Sixteen students from Cavendish Elementary School and a handful of adults (including the town manager) ventured out a couple of days after the official Sweep to collect trash from a stretch of the river near their school, netting six bags of trash, a very rusty folding chair, and a variety of sports balls.

VT Wildlife Biologists Seek Help Spotting Snakes: Biologists are asking for your help to track the state's snake population. They want people to snap photos of any snakes they see and send the pictures to the Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas. This is the time of the year when snakes begin to move toward their winter denning sites. Wildlife experts say you can typically find the reptiles on quiet back roads and in dry rocky hardwood forests. If you see any snakes, click here to report them.

 3. EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 22 (FRIDAY): Cavendish Historical Society trip to hear Dr. Goodby’s talk, “Digging Into Native History in New Hampshire”  at the Walpole Town Hall, 7 pm. If interested in attending, and wanting to carpool, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

SEPTEMBER 21-23 (FRIDAY-SUNDAY): Black River Good Neighbor Rummage Sale, Fletcher Farm off Route 103 on the Cavendish/Ludlow border.

SEPTEMBER 25 (MONDAY): Informational meeting regarding the bond vote on Sept. 26 to spend up to $400,000 to replace the town garage. The meeting will take place at 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary school.

SEPTEMBER 26 (TUESDAY): Town voting 10-7 pm regarding the replacement of the Cavendish Garage at the Cavendish Town Elementary School Arts Rooms

For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.  

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Select Board Mtg 9/19/17

The special Select Board (SB) meeting was not recorded by LPCTV. Written minutes will be available at the town’s website.  

The purpose of the meeting was to continue the discussion about the location of the town garage. Members of the SB, two former town managers-Rolf van Schaik and Rich Svec, along with Cavendish resident and landscape architect Stephen Plunkard, the engineering firm Cavendish uses Weston & Sampson, town manager Brendan McNamara and assistant town manager Bruce McEnaney have spent the last week evaluating two sites for the future of the town garage-the village site, which was torn down in August, and the upper sandpit across from the town’s wastewater treatment plant off of Route 131.

Those involved in this provess agreed that:

• Whatever site is selected, it will be the location of the town garage for generations to come and therefore multiple options must be considered.

• Neither site is ideal

• The existing village site provides little to no room for expansion and the proposed modular steel building would not fit with the more historical aspects of the village, impacting esthetics and potential worth of surrounding property.

• The sandpit site would require more site modifications, including locating sand to lower pit. However, this option does provide room to grow. It is also feasible that by digging into the bank, a lot more room could be made quickly available. In addition, the extracted material could easily be sold.

• Both projects can be brought in at or under the $400,000 maximum that voters are being asked to approve on Sept. 26. The sandpit option would be the more expensive as additional site prep and paving would be needed. There are additional town paving funds that could be used for the sandpit location.

• The village site has the better shot at being ready for occupancy by Nov. 15. However, it is recognized that because of the various holdups with insurance etc., it’s a late start for getting the building completed, regardless of location.

It should be noted that taking this past week to examine alternative locations did not impact the timeline for getting the building constructed.

In view of the shortening construction season, the town has already talked to M & M Construction (owners of the old Black River Produce Building) about the town leasing bays from them this winter. In short, the town does have a contingency plan if construction isn’t completed before “snow flies.”

Concerns were raised about safety of town crew obtaining sand during the winter months as well as concerns about trucks entering onto 131. Lowering the speed limit to 35 MPH and posting “caution” signs in addition to widening and paving the road to the lower sandpit could adequately address safety issues. It should be noted that municipal and commercial trucks are already entering and exiting in this area and signage and lowering speed limits should be adopted regardless of final location of the town garage.

The board and members of the audience appeared to be favoring the sandpit site. However the SB will not make its decision about the final location of the garage until after the boring test results are in. These tests will be done at both sites this coming Friday, Sept. 22.

The SB plans to meet prior to the informational meeting on Sept. 25 and make a decision about location if enough information is available. It is important to note that the town vote will be for expenditure of funds not location.

There was a brief discussion about what would happen with the existing space if the garage was relocated. Ultimately, it’s a bit premature for that discussion though it is recognized that the Museum is almost 200 years old, on the Historic Register and whether the town sells the land or not, whatever would replace the garage needs to fit with its surrounding and not jeopardize the oldest building in Cavendish village.

An informational meeting will take place on Sept. 25, 7 pm at the Cavendish Town Elementary School (CTES) in Cavendish. Australian Ballots will be cast on Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 10-7 at CTES’s Art’s Room. For more information, contact the town office 802-226-7292.

Cavendish Update 9/15/17: SB Mtg/News/Events/Golf

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 9/15/17 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 9/11/17

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Mini Golf Tournament to Benefit CTES 6th Grade

4. September is Archeology Month

5. Cavendish Community Fund Accepting Grant Applications

6. Events

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 9/11/17: Select board (SB) meetings are recorded by LPC-TV and are available at their website and on Comcast Television.  Written minutes are available at the town’s website.  The following action was discussed/taken at Monday night’s meeting:

• Discussed the possibility of an alternative site for the Cavendish Town Garage. Reasons given for relocation included: site barely meets existing needs let alone future demands; esthetics-a metal building doesn’t fit with the historical buildings in the Cavendish Village; this is a unique opportunity to think about the best place for a garage and shouldn’t be driven by timelines and costs, since the building will stay in the same location for many generations to come. Though alternative locations had been considered in May, the SB agreed to take another week to explore options.

• Approved the Road Crossing Agreement with Coolidge Solar I, LLC. (Crossing on Quent Phelan Road)

• Town Clerk updated SB on the scheduled hearing on September 14th regarding Castle Hill and Cavendish Pointe Condominiums Property Assessment Appeals. The listers reduced the assessment in 2016 by about 10%, thereby reducing tax revenue to the town by$1.9 million. The condo owners appealed to the Board of Civil Authorities for further reductions, who, after various site visits, agreed with the listers. The condo owners than appealed to the state, thus the hearing on Sept.14.

• Postponed Aeration System Replacement until the next construction season as the chief water operator, Randy Shimp, is on a leave of absence.

For a more in-depth report go to The Dish

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Memorial for Stan Hart: While Cavendish was Stan’s second home, he brought his incredible talents as a writer to our town plays as well as performing with his wife Jane Hart in various FOLA productions in Ludlow. He made millions laugh through his writings for the Carol Burnett Show and Mad Magazine, he also became a friend to many locally. During Irene, he and Jane both volunteered in the shelter, and it was hard not to smile as he grinned and made funny comments while serving so many that were in need. A special memorial will be held on Sept. 17 (Sunday), 1 pm at the Proctorsville Fire Hall.  As his family notes, this is not a formal service, but rather a gathering of good friends to share stories. Please bring “finger foods” to share. If you like too coordinate what type of food to bring, please e-mail Lisa Marks at runninginvt@yahoo.com

Congratulations to Murdock’s & Chef Pete Dickinson: This was the first year Murdock’s on the Green competed in the 5th Annual Mac & Cheese Challenge hosted by Vermont Farmstead Cheese Co. and Castleton Crackers, and they came out a winner. Of 20 competitors, the Murdock’s entry, crafted by Chef Pete, took first place Peoples’ Choice Award. If you go to Murdock’s on the Green, be sure to check out the Mac & Cheese Bites.

Fall Foliage Supper at Cavendish Baptist Church: On Saturday, Sept. 30, the Cavendish Baptist Church’s Helping Hand Class will be hosting their Fall Foliage Supper from 5:30 to 7:00 pm featuring the following menu served buffet style: Pork roast, gravy, applesauce, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, coleslaw, pickles, rolls, homemade pies, decaf coffee, tea, cider or punch. Tickets are adults $10; children 6 to 12 $5 and under 6 are free. Take out meals are available. FMI (802) 226-7724 (after 9:00 a.m.)

Fletcher Farm School  Offering Evening Classes: Fletcher Farm School will now offer weekday evening classes, starting Sept. 22.  These classes are designed to provide introductions to some of the popular arts and craft subjects offered by the school.  For those people who work or are not available for longer multi-day classes, each class will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on mid-week evenings.  Most classes include the tools and materials for a nominal fee, to give students the opportunity to try a new skill without a large investment of time or money. Cavendish residents and property owners please note that classes are half price but you will need a letter from the town office indicating your status. VT Journal

Vermonter's Happiness Levels: Results from the 2017 Vermont Happiness study are in, and 78% of Vermonters say they’re happy.  This study explores Vermonters’ dispositions across 11 life domains including social connectedness, physical health, material wellbeing and more.  The intent is to provide Vermonters with holistic metrics that compliment traditional indicators and broaden our understanding of factors influencing Vermonters’ overall wellbeing. Vermont is the only state collecting state-level happiness data.

VT Opioid Epidemic Costs: Although state law has recently been adjusted to limit exposure to and distribution of opioids, the public cost remains high. In 2016, the state’s cost was at least $84,000,000, including costs associated with health care, criminal justice, and loss of workplace productivity—a significant increase from $38,109,065 in 2007. Beyond fiscal losses, the epidemic also imposes a slew of health consequences on non-users—Vermont is home to the nation’s second highest rate of infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome after prenatal exposure to opioids.
 

3. MINI GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT CTES 6TH GRADE: To help fund their trip to Keewaydin, the first ever Mini Golf tournament is being held as a fundraiser by the Cavendish Town Elementary School’s 6th grade class. It will take place on Oct. 1, from 2-5 pm at the Okemo Mountain’s Lumberin’ Cal Miniature Golf course. Putt your way through local history and the folklore of larger-than-life characters who once roamed the forests of Ludlow with axe in hand. A variety of hole types means some are more difficult than others. And a few incorporate the course designer’s unique concept of “intentional luck.” This concept enables children and less-skilled players to score as well as the adults... and often better. Looks like an opportunity for families to compete or some of our more seasoned golfers who want to work on their putting skills. However you choose to do it, it’s sure to be fun and a very memorable day.

The cost is $20 per team of 4 if registered by Sept. 28, and $25 thereafter. To register your team, go to https://goo.gl/forms/47fMOk1o66z0tSRs1 You can pay in cash or by check. All checks should be payable to CTES. Cash and checks can be dropped off at the school. Checks can be mailed to CTES, 6th grade, PO Box 236 Proctorsville, VT 05153.

Sponsors are needed for each of the 18 holes. The cost is $50. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please e-mail Robin Bebo-Long robin.bebo-long@trsu.org

 4. SEPTEMBER IS ARCHEOLOGY MONTH: To honor archeology month, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) is sponsoring two trips, which are free and open to the public. On Sept. 16 (Saturday), the trip will be to the West Haven, VT site of the South Champlain Historical Ecology Project (SCHEP) dig where CHS has been providing volunteers for the last two years. This is also the site where the Cavendish Elementary School 4th and 6th grade classes participate in the dig. If you are interested in attending, meet at the CHS Museum (1958 Main St, Route 131) at 9 am. Learn more at the CHS Blog.

On Friday, Sept. 22, Dr. Robert Goodby, the archeologist responsible for overseeing the Paleo-Indian dig in Keene, NH, will be speaking at the Walpole Town Hall at 7 pm. His talk will be “Digging Into Native History in New Hampshire.” If interested in attending, and wanting to carpool, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

 5. CAVENDISH COMMUNITY FUND ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS: The Cavendish Community Fund is now accepting grant applications for fall 2017 grant awards. The deadline for applying is October 15th. Applications that miss that date will be considered in the spring.

This is the tenth year in which the Fund has provided support for educational, artistic, or cultural programs, projects, or events that benefit the Cavendish community in some way. The Fund has helped finance plays, workshops, and classroom events. It has contributed to the renovation of library and classroom spaces for better learning environments. It helped the tropical Storm Irene recovery by supporting a fund raising concert. It helped clean gravestones, dig for archeological artifacts, conduct open studios, show films, coordinate summer concerts, organize health training, and more.

Grants are available for projects, programs or events that directly benefit the Cavendish community in some way. A panel of local citizens reviews the applications and recommends awards based on the quality and feasibility of each proposal. The number of grants and the amount of each depend on how many applications are received.

Application guidelines are available at the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association’s website: under the Community Fund tab.  Hard copies are also available at Crow’s Bakery in Proctorsville and at the Cavendish town office.

For further information on applying, on eligibility or on any other aspect of the grant program, or for help completing the application, please call Barbara Dickey at 226-7187 or Peter LaBelle at 226-7250.

 6. EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 16 (SATURDAY): Cavendish Historical Society Archeological trip to W. Haven site of the South Champlain Historical Ecology Project (SCHEP) dig. Meet at the CHS Museum at 9 am. Check out the CHS blog for more information.

• Hazardous Waste Collection: Goodyear Building in Windsor
SEPTEMBER 16 (SATURDAY)-17 (SUNDAY): Chester Fall Craft Festival. Stop by the GMUHS booth.  www.chesterfallfestival.org

 SEPTEMBER 17 (SUNDAY): Memorial for Stan Hart, 1 pm at the Proctorsville Fire Department.

SEPTEMBER 19 (TUESDAY): CTES School Board Meeting

• Composting workshop, 6:30 pm at the Cavendish Town Office.

SEPTEMBER 22 (FRIDAY): Cavendish Historical Society trip to hear Dr. Goodby’s talk, “Digging Into Native History in New Hampshire”  at the Walpole Town Hall, 7 pm. If interested in attending, and wanting to carpool, call 802-226-7807 or e-mail margocaulfield@icloud.com

For information on upcoming events, go to the Cavendish Connects Calendar. For area events, check the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce calendar.  

IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 9/11/17

Select board (SB) meetings are recorded by LPC-TV and are available at their website and on Comcast Television.  Written minutes are available at the town’s website.  The following action was discussed/taken at Monday night’s meeting:

A. Town Garage Location: Rolf van Schaik raised the issue of moving the town garage to the sandpit across from the Waste Water treatment plant or to another location. He and Stephen Plunkard, a landscape architect living in Cavendish village, noted that this building will be here a long time-50 years- and it is prudent to make sure the building is capable of not only meeting today’s needs but trends and changes in the coming decades. The current location does not lend itself for expansion. Plunkard also noted that a metal building with big doors does not fit with the esthetics of the village and could in fact detract from the appeal of the village.

In May, the town manager, Brendan McNamara and assistant town manager, Bruce McEnaney, did consider other sites, which were discussed by the SB as well as the town crew. At that time, the existing location was considered to be the best option as the “sandpit” location could pose a problem entering and exiting route 131.

There are various pros and cons to changing location. However, one of the over riding concerns is time, with the hope that the garage would be built before snow flies. Because of all the delays with the project, McNamara has met with the current owners of the old Black River Produce building in Proctorsville and it would be possible for the town to rent bays for the winter season if need be.

In order to make an accurate assessment, including costs, the SB will take the next week to make a site visit. Plunkard would be willing to do a site analysis for free of both sites.

A vote on whether the town should spend up to $400,000 to replace the garage will take place on Sept. 26 at CTES from 10-7. Where the building would be located is not specified in the warning. An informational meeting will be held on Monday, Sept 25, 7 pm at Cavendish Elementary School. A copy of the legal warning is available on-line.

Note that this discussion took almost an hour of the SB meeting and it is recommended that anyone interested in this topic watch the meeting at the LPCTV website or on Comcast TV.

B. Road Crossing Agreement with Coolidge Solar I, LLC. (Crossing on Quent Phelan Road): The SB approved the agreement.  

C. Assessment Appeals: Diane McNamara, Town Clerk updated SB on the scheduled hearing on September 14th, 2017 regarding Castle Hill and Cavendish Pointe Condominiums property assessment appeals. The listers reduced the assessment in 2016 by about 10%, which reduced tax revenue to the town by about $1.9 million. The condo owners appealed to the Board of Civil Authorities for further reductions, who, after various site visits, agreed with the listers. The condo owners than appealed to the state, which is what the hearing will be about on Sept.14.

A contract starts in July for a town wide appraisal, which will take several years. D. McNamara pointed out that the task of lister has become so specialized and complicated that it really needs to be done by people who are trained to do this job

D. Construction Postponement of Aeration System Replacement: Weston and Sampson have suggested postponement of this project because there isn’t a chief wastewater operator due to Randy Shimp’s leave of absence. Nate Rose, who is working seven days a week, is doing an excellent job, but this construction project would be just more than he can handle at this time. They recommend waiting for next construction season. Funding will not be impacted by the postponement. The board voted to postpone until next year.

E. Other projects

• Hydrant flushing is underway this week

• Paving project on Bont’s Hill is complete

• Site visit with interested contractors for the bridge construction projects on East Rd and Greenbrier took place with 21 contractors attending.  Bids are due Oct. 10 with an award to be made at the November SB meeting.

• Electronics building at transfer station being torn down this week and will be replaced with a prefab building from LaValley’s.

• 53 Depot St complaint filed by North Country Condo. Site visited by McNamara and health officer, Doris Eddy, did not find rats to be coming from this building as reported by the condo association. They thought the source of the rats was a nearby chicken coop. The condo association would like to see the building removed. However, this appears to be a civil matter.

• Leak in valve on Maple St. If it were fixed now, water would need to be shut off in all of Proctorsville. Basically are looking into the best way to repair this  problem, with minimal impact on the community, as well as how to manage the situation if it should occur again.