Cavendish Update 12/28/18: 103/Recycling Christmas/News

This issue of the Cavendish Update has been made possible in part by a donation from Liz Bammerito. Thank you for your continued support.

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

12/28/18 Cavendish Update

1.Cavendish Related News

2. Recycling Christmas Cavendish Style

3. What’s Going on with Route 103?

4. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Olive Kingsbury: It is with sadness that we note the passing of Olive Kingsbury, the last of the Kingsbury family of Chubb Hill. Olive Esther Kingsbury was born Aug. 19, 1926, to Alfred and Ellen Kingsbury in Cavendish, Vermont, and passed away at the age of 92 on Dec. 11, 2018. After attending schools in Cavendish and Chester, Olive graduated from Nyack College and earned her nursing degree (RN) from Laconia (New Hampshire) Hospital School of Nursing in 1950. From 1952 to 1975, Olive served with the Christian and Missionary Alliance as a nurse in Vietnam, caring for leprosy patients in Ban Ma Thuot. After leaving Vietnam, Olive was assigned to the Philippines where she taught at a Bible school in Davao City until 1990, when she retired from mission work. Olive returned to the home farm in Cavendish, where she lived until two months before her death. Olive was very active in her local church, Ludlow Baptist, and in the surrounding community. She kept in close touch with many missionary friends, family members and neighbors, and was able to live alone at her home because of the kindness and caring of church family and neighborhood friends. Olive was preceded in death by her brothers Paul and Ansel, and her sister, Miriam. She is survived by her nieces Ellen (Rob) Stearns, Grace (Mike) Muzzo, Esther (Peter) Sexton and Alice Kingsbury. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Ludlow Baptist Church in Ludlow. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to Compassion & Mercy Associates, 8595 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, or www.CAMA.org.

After Outcry, Vail Reinstates Reduced Prices at Okemo for Low Income Kids: After a week of public outcry and scrutiny, Vail Resorts has reinstated discounted prices for low-income schoolchildren participating in snow sports programs at Okemo Mountain Resort. Vail Resorts had told snow sports coordinators at public schools in the Ludlow area that the mountain would charge all children a standardized price of $35 for the pass, and $65 for equipment rentals for a total of $100 for the eight-week program. After a week of online fundraising and public outcry, Vail reversed its decision.  Vail officials said they were continuing to learn about the Okemo community and feel strongly about “promoting a passion for the outdoors amongst kids.” VT Digger

 Russian Ambassador Sends Letter of Appreciation to the People of Cavendish: On Christmas Eve, the Cavendish Historical Society received a letter of appreciation from Anatoly Antonov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the USA. In response to the letter sent to the People of Russia from the People of Cavendish in honor of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's 100th birthday, Antonov noted, "On our part, we are grateful to the citizens of Cavendish for supporting the prominent writer, philosopher and patriot of his Motherland for many years that he spent in your town. Taking good care of the Solzhenitsyn family was itself a contribution to preserving and promoting of the great visionary." Both letters appear at the CHS blog.

 State Approves GMP Rate Hike for Fall 2019: Green Mountain Power customers will pay slightly less for their electricity next year before rates rise 5.43 percent in September, according to a ruling from state utility regulators. The Public Utility Commission said the rate hike is justified because the state’s largest power company faces increasing costs, including wholesale transmission charges. But GMP’s 265,000 customers will not see the increase until September. Until then, a windfall from corporate tax cuts will actually result in a nearly 1 percent decrease. VPR

2. RECYCLING CHRISTMAS CAVENDISH STYLE: Real Christmas trees can be recycled at the Cavendish Transfer Station along with plain wrapping paper (a little tape is okay) along with plain cards and cardboard boxes. Anything with metallic, glitter or velvety flocking, Styrofoam, as well as bows, ribbons and anything stringy needs to go in the regular trash compactor. Left overs from Christmas dinner can be composted in the marked bin at the Transfer Station. Broken lights go to the electronics shed along with dead batteries and other electronic devices. Learn more about what can be recycled and what goes where at The Dish.

3. WHAT’S GOING ON WITH 103?: Many people are complaining about the condition of Route 103. Lines are melting, potholes are appearing and in some places, it seems the road is worse than before the repaving project began.

In response to the Cavendish Connects Facebook posting on route 103- Friday, December 21-there were over 100 comments, with the primary concerns being:

• Can’t see the lines and that creates a dangerous situation particularly when the weather is bad or if it’s dark.

• 103 isn’t as bad as 131.

• Asphalt is not supposed to be paved at temps below 35, the last coat put down was done when it was below freezing. The temporary pavement is coming up faster than they laid it down.

• Who’s going to be responsible for all the damage to vehicles and accidents? Pike? Vtrans?

• By the tracks 103 & 131 do not line up. Several people stated they have come close to accidents in this location. Lining up with driveways and other roadways to a problem.

Pike Industries was awarded a contract by Vermont’s Agency of Transportation (Vtrans) to repave 103 from Rockingham to Rutland starting in the late spring of 2018 and ending by Oct. 2018. Established in 1872, this is the largest asphalt and aggregate producers in New England, with corporate offices in New Hampshire.

Vtrans has used Pike for various projects. However, this year, Pike “botched” four jobs in Vermont, including the 103 project.

In October it was announced that the Route 103 project would have to be halted because of the approaching winter and it would begin a new in the spring of 2019. While the reason given was rainy weather, the actual cause was due to paving equipment being pulled from the job for another project. For six weeks, during prime summer construction season, nothing took place.

While Pike has put in temporary road lines, people are complaining that the recent sleet/rain and snowstorm is causing the lines to basically disappear. Many are very concerned that the last ditch efforts are making the roads worse instead of better.

According to Vtrans, two state inspectors were sent out Dec. 21 to compile a list of problems Pike must correct in order to secure road safety for the winter. It is important to note that Pike has a signed contract with the state. This is a set fee so it’s not costing the taxpayer anymore because of the over runs.

4. EVENTS

DECEMBER 31 (MONDAY): NEW YEAR’S EVE

JANUARY 1 (TUESDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR

JANUARY 8 (TUESDAY): GMUSD Finance Committee Meeting, 5:30 pm at CTES

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

RECYCLING CHRISTMAS CAVENDISH STYLE

Christmas Trees/Wreaths/Greenery: Real trees, wreaths and greenery are biodegradable, which means that can be easily reused or recycled for mulch and other purposes. Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Pines, firs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils.  Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and risk a chimney fire.

 After you've removed the tinsel, lights and decorations consider the following:

• Take it to the Cavendish Transfer Station during normal business hours.

 • Cut it up for mulch in your garden or a neighbors.

 • Set it up for the birds. Spread small branches with margarine or peanut butter and dip in birdseed.

 • Even if you live on a small property, you can place your old Christmas tree at the edge of your yard. This makes a small wintertime wildlife habitat for rabbits, birds, and squirrels. Some may even build their nests in the pine boughs!

 • Cut up and save for an outdoor fire pit. Never use for indoor fires.

 • Make a sachet with the tree’s needles and store in various rooms in your house that could use a Christmas pick me up.

 • Large branches have a natural curve. Because of this, they can be stacked to save perennial flowers including, but not limited to, rose roots and berries. This will help protect these tender plants during this winter's icy storms! Can also use them for indoor plants.

 • Cut off boughs and lay them over perennial beds to protect them from snow and reduce frost heaving.

What goes in the Recycling Compactor

• Non metallic wrapping paper-a little tape is okay but not the ribbons and bows

• Cardboard boxes (remove Styrofoam). Please take a minute and break them down so they’ll fit better in the compactor

• Plain Christmas cards

What Needs to Go in the Trash

• Ribbons, bows, twine and anything that’s long and stringy.

• Shiny Christmas cards printed on photo paper; those with metallic embossing, glitter

• Metallic, glitter, velvety flocking wrapping paper

• Styrofoam

Can be recycled just not in the compactor

• Plastic bags: The following plastic bag items can be recycled at various local stores- grocery bags, bread bags, case overwrap, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, wood pellet bags, Ziploc & other re-sealable bags, produce bags, bubble wrap, salt bags, and cereal bags. All materials must be clean, dry and free of food residue. The following local stores participate in the Trex recycling program: Market Basket, Hannaford, Price Chopper, Shaw’s, Target, and Whole Foods.

• Compost: Look for the special compost bin near the trash compactor

• Electronics, Batteries, Lights: Electronics Shed

• Styrofoam Peanuts: Please have them securely sealed in a container so they don’t blow around. Give them to the attendant who will recycle them locally.

Learn more about the Cavendish Transfer Station

Cavendish Update 12/21/18: SB Mtg/News/Events

This issue of the Cavendish Update has been made possible in part by a donation from Liz Bammerito. Thank you for your continued support.

CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

12/21/18 Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Select Board Meeting 12/10/18

2. Cavendish Related News

3. Events

1. CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD MEETING 12/10/18: Select board (SB) meetings are recorded by Okemo Valley TV and are available at their website and on Comcast Television.  Written minutes are available at the town’s website.

Action Taken

• Agreed that the $4,966 VT Community Development Program refund check could be earmarked for the rehabilitation of the space vacated by the old Town Highway Garage.

• Accepted Mike Ripley’s letter of resignation as Emergency Management Coordinator with regret and appointed Robert C. Glidden as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the remainder of Ripley’s term, which expires in March 2019

Items Discussed

• Presentations were made by the following organizations seeking to receive funds from Cavendish in the FY20 budget: HCRS, Black River Good Neighbors, The Current, The Council on Aging/Senior Solutions, Black River Senior Center, Visiting Nurse & Hospice, SEVCA, Green Mountain RSVP, American Red Cross, Okemo Valley TV, Windsor County Youth Services and the Women’s Freedom Center.

• Due to lack of membership and a failure to meet on a regular basis, town manager Brendan McNamara is recommending that consideration be given to dissolving the Board of Water Commissioners and having the SB take over this function. This will possibly be voted on at the January meeting depending on further discussion and additional investigation.

•  In response to an article in the Eagle Times, which indicated Cavendish had a crime problem, McNamara provided VT Sate Police statistics from 12/1/17-12/1/18. Of 378 calls, only 25 could be categorized as crime related with the remainder being 911 hang-ups, motor vehicle accidents, juvenile response calls, home security alarms or other non crime related incidents. Contrary to the Eagle Times article, Weathersfield is not expanding coverage to Cavendish at this time. The Weathersfield proposal would provide 24 hours per week of police coverage for $84,500. Currently the Windsor County Sheriff spends 12 hours per week in town for a net cost of $18,000 per year.

2. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

Ski Programs at CTES and CAES Mount Fund-Raisers: As a preface to this article from The Chester Telegraph thank you to Jarrod Harper for acting so quickly to protect the snow sports program for CTES students and a special thank you to all those who contributed to the Go Fund Me campaign or sent in donations. We're an amazing community.

Winter sports program coordinators have scrambled to set up Go Fund Me campaigns to ensure that children at Cavendish Town and Chester-Andover elementary schools can participate, after Okemo Mountain Resort raised prices from $19 to $47 a child and eliminated lower fees for families qualifying for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program. The fund-raising efforts are intended to pay for the hikes and keep the prices that families pay level with last year. The Cavendish Campaign has exceeded its goal and has been halted.  In the past, said Cavendish Snow Sports coordinator Jarrod Harper, Cavendish families who could afford it had been paying $80 for the entire program: $15 to participate in the program and $65 for the equipment rental. Families qualifying for reduced priced school meals had been paying $55: $15 for the program fee and $40 for the equipment rental. And families with significant need were charged a flat $20. Between 62 and 64 Cavendish children sign up for the snow program, with slightly more than half participating in the federal lunch program, Harper said.

Required Spending Vexes GMUSD Finance Committee: After the Green Mountain Unified School District’s Finance Committee elected to punt last Thursday night. Staring down a nearly 6 percent increase for the 2020 fiscal year (which begins on July 1, 2019) the board sent the budget back to the administration with the directive to cut the increase approximately in half. With the holidays just ahead and a mid-January deadline for printing the budget for Town Meeting looming after New Year’s Day, the pressure is increasing on the committee. See the Chester Telegraph’s article for a good recap of where things are. The next GMUSD Finance Committee Meeting will Jan. 8 at 5:30 pm at CTES.

Update on Chester-Andover Elementary School: Originally the school was scheduled to open in mid-November, but due to various problems, the project has been delayed, with the new move in date being January 3rd. VT Journal

Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) Update: Springfield Hospital board has issued an update. “We recognize the urgency of our situation and are moving quickly to complete a thorough assessment and make timely improvements,” said George Lamb, Chairman of the SMCS board of directors. “While this is a challenging time for our organization, we have never been more united in our commitment to ensuring that SMCS and Springfield Hospital remain viable and continue to fill a critical need in the communities we serve. The board is most appreciative of the commitment of our employees and especially for their extra effort during this time.” According to Lamb, the appointment of an interim chief executive officer and chief financial officer are being finalized. The selected candidates will bring extensive experience working with critical access hospitals and federally qualified health centers, as well as a successful history of improving financial operations. Chief of Practice Operations Josh Dufresne will continue to serve as the primary administrative contact for SMCS and Springfield Hospital until the appointments are finalized. Eagle Times

Governor cites Serious situation at SMCS Appoints Monitor: Governor Phil Scott today announced that he has appointed Tom Huebner, the former chief executive officer of the Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), to evaluate, monitor and assist Springfield Hospital as it confronts serious financial challenges.

3. EVENTS

DECEMBER 21 (FRIDAY): Movie Night Fundraiser -6-8 pm-The Polar Express at the Ludlow Town Hall. All donations for this evening will for Tedy’s Team and the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge in support of the fundraising efforts of Proctorsville resident Lisa Marks and Lora Miele for cancer research and stroke awareness. Parents can drop their children off at 6 and pick them up at 8. Santa will arrive for a reading of Twas’ the Night Before Christmas and pictures at 7:40.

DECEMBER 24 (MONDAY): Christmas Eve Services

• Gethsemane Episcopal Church: 89 Depot St. Proctorsville. Service is at 5 pm. FMI 226-7967

• Cavendish Baptist Church: Christmas Eve Candle lighting, 6 pm, 2258 Main St., Cavendish

• Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church: Proctorsville, 7 pm; note that Annunciation in Ludlow will have services at 5 pm on Christmas Eve and 9 am on Christmas Day

• Okemo Mountain Resort: 8 pm at the Jackson Gore in Ludlow-service lead by Abe Gross of Cavendish Baptist Church

DECEMBER 25 (TUESDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS!

DECEMBER 31 (MONDAY): NEW YEAR’S EVE

JANUARY 1 (TUESDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR

JANUARY 8 (TUESDAY): GMUSD Finance Committee Meeting, 5:30 pm at CTES

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 Update 12/14/18 News/Events

This issue of the Cavendish Update has been made possible in part by a donation from George Thomson. Thank you for your continued support.

 CHECK THE CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY FOR THE LATEST NEWS You don’t have to be a Facebook subscriber to see this page.

12/7/ Cavendish Update

1. Cavendish Related News

2. Events

1. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS

No Crime Problem in Cavendish: There is no “crime problem” in Cavendish, said Town Manager Brendan McNamara at Monday night’s Select Board meeting. “The article (in The Eagle Times) did not portray Cavendish accurately,” he added. McNamara told the board that between Dec. 1, 2017 and Dec. 1 of this year, Vermont State Police responded to 378 calls from Cavendish. Of those calls, according to McNamara, about 25 were for crimes such as burglary (1), assault (4) and theft (12). Most of the calls were for matters like 911 hang-ups (25), agency assist (21), alarm (25), citizen assist (37), directed patrol (21), motor vehicle complaint (25), suspicious person (43) and welfare check (19). Motor vehicle accidents were also included in those totals. Morris and Weathersfield Police Chief William Daniels, have proposed to hire additional help for Weathersfield’s Police Department to patrol Cavendish and Baltimore. Select Board minutes from Weathersfield’s Nov. 19 and Dec. 3 meetings paint a less-than-clear picture about whether Baltimore and Cavendish want the service or have even responded to the Weathersfield’s proposal. Even so, minutes show that Weathersfield board members were concerned with issues like whether Cavendish would provide space for an officer to work and a restroom. McNamara said that he had received a proposal for policing by a Weathersfield officer for 25 hours per week for $84,000 per year or $65 per hour. Currently, the town pays $18,000 per year for the Windsor County Sheriff to do traffic patrols for 12 hours per week or $28.85 per hour. “They gave us a proposal,” said McNamara. “Is it something we are looking at attacking right now? No.” “But whether it’s in six months or six years, police coverage is going to have to be addressed,” said McNamara, noting that the Vermont State Police are having recruiting problems that make covering towns more difficult, “and having information is better than not having it.” Chester Telegraph

Cavendish Honors the 100th Anniversary of Solzhenitsyn’s birth: In honoring the 100th birthday of the famous writer, who lived 18 years in Cavendish, the Cavendish Historical Society hosted an event that included the screening of Solzhenitsyn’s farewell address to Cavendish in 1994. In addition, the letter that was sent to the people of Russia from the people of Cavendish was read. For a copy of the letter, go to the CHS blog.

Cavendish Streetscapes Seeking Sponsors for Flags: In the spirit of celebrating our small villages of Proctorsville and Cavendish, a small committee called Cavendish Streetscapes was formed this past spring. The committee was able to fund many flags in Proctorsville this summer with aspirations of continuing on Depot Street and Cavendish. We are also looking forward to launching other beautification projects in both villages. Streetscapes is a tax-deductible 501(c)(3). In the spirit of the holidays, please sponsor a flag in honor or memory of someone. Please send to CCCA-Streetscapes, P.O. Box 465, Cavendish, VT 05142. For more information, please contact Bruce McEnaney at 802-226-8045.

Five Hearings on Telecommunications: Vermonters have a chance to tell state officials what they think needs to be done when it comes to broadband and cell service in the state. Members of the Department of Public Service are holding hearings as part of the process to put together the Vermont Telecommunications Plan. The plan will include major developments in the telecommunications industry, including broadband and cellular infrastructure and policy. Two hearings have already been held. The remaining three are as follows:

• Monday December 17th, at 6 p.m. at the Rutland Free Library in the Fox Room at 10 Court Street in Rutland, VT

• Wednesday December 19th, at 6 p.m. at the Brooks Memorial Library at 224 Main Street in Brattleboro, VT

• Thursday December 20th, at 2 p.m. at the John J Zampieri State Office Building at 108 Cherry Street in Burlington, VT

Springfield Hospital Can’t Pay Its Bills: For the past year or so, doctors said they haven’t been able to get supplies needed to run their offices. Some say the hospital is months behind on health insurance payments. Several businesses in Springfield and doctors in the area have stopped doing business with the hospital. At least three doctors are leaving Springfield out of frustration about the hospital paying its bills late, or not paying them at all (two declined to be named in this article). Springfield Hospital CEO Tim Ford informed hospital employees on Dec. 3 that CFO Scott Whittemore left his position. Ford told employees of the abrupt departure in an email that afternoon, but Ford never gave a reason. “2018 has been a challenging year in many respects,” Ford said in the letter to employees. “We missed several of our financial targets, primarily due to declining revenues and increasing benefits and locum expenses (on temporary physicians).” It’s not unusual for Vermont hospitals to incur deficits: Green Mountain Care Board documents show that, from fiscal year 2015 through fiscal year 2017, 10 of the state’s 14 medical hospitals had operating deficits at least once. During those three years, Springfield’s fiscal 2017 operating deficit of $3.8 million was the largest such shortfall of any hospital. Despite the addition of more than $2 million in nonoperating revenue that year, Springfield’s bottom line was $1.78 million in the red. About 75 percent of the medical staff at Springfield Hospital recently signed a vote of “no confidence” in the hospital under Ford’s leadership. VT Digger

Springfield Medical Center Announces Leadership Changes: The Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of CEO Tim Ford, effective immediately. Chief of Practice Operations Josh Dufresne will serve as the primary administrative contact for SMCS and Springfield Hospital until an interim CEO and CFO are named. Valley News

2. EVENTS

DECEMBER 14 (Friday): Quilt Raffle Drawing at the Cavendish Library. Raffle tickets are for the quilt made by Gloria Leven are $1 each or a book of 6 for $5. The quilt, which measures 74” by 56” is hand tied and made of batik cloth.  It can be seen online at www.cavendishlibrary.org or at the library.  FMI: 226-7503. 

• Last day of the Fletcher Library’s 19th Annual Silent Auction. The  Ludlow library serves Cavendish as well as Ludlow. Lots of great items Red Sox Tickets, 2 hours of Interior Design, Get your name in an upcoming Archer Mayor book, local Gift Certificates, Scrap Book and materials to create your own memories, Local Jelly and Jams, Holiday Slates, Pine Cone Wreath, and so much more . Auction ends @ 6 PM

DECEMBER 20 (THURSDAY): GMUSD Board Meeting, 6 pm at GM in Chester

DECEMBER 21 (FRIDAY): Movie Night Fundraiser -6-8 pm-The Polar Express at the Ludlow Town Hall. All donations for this evening will for Tedy’s Team and the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge in support of the fundraising efforts of Proctorsville resident Lisa Marks and Lora Miele for cancer research and stroke awareness. Parents can drop their children off at 6 and pick them up at 8. Santa will arrive for a reading of Twas’ the Night Before Christmas and pictures at 7:40.

DECEMBER 25 (TUESDAY): MERRY CHRISTMAS!

DECEMBER 31 (TUESDAY): NEW YEAR’S EVE

JANUARY 1 (WEDNESDAY): HAPPY NEW YEAR

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