Cavendish Update 6/25/21: July 4th activities/construction/News

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              Fireworks/4th of July activities listed in the Events Section

6/25/21

1.    Cavendish Info

2.    Covid update

 3.   Events

1. CAVENDISH INFO

• Duane Teft: CVFD EMT and firefighter passed unexpectedly. To help his wife with funeral expenses, a Go Fund Me Page has been set up by fire chief, Rebecca Nareau. Donations can be dropped off at the CVFD fire station Mon-Sat from 8-4.

• Cavendish Waste Water Impacted by Road Construction:  "At approx. 3pm on Tues. June 23, 2021, a call was received from Pike Industries foreman that one of their machines had hit a covered SMH [sewage manhole], broken the frame and gravel had gone into the MH [manhole] blocking the invert. Cavendish staff was at the site in about 5 min. Noted that damaged MH was receiving MH for 4" force main from Midway pump station. Ass't Operator sent to shut down pumps and monitor level at pump sta. Pike had a vacuum truck nearby and sent it to the damage MH. Flow was handled by the vac truck and manual operation of the pump station with NO SURCHARGE from the MH or sewer system. While at the site, a leak developed [sic] at the rear hatch of the vac truck. This water leaked onto a gravel surface, and was contained at the rear of the truck with gravel berms. When MH was cleaned of gravel and debris, truck dumped the contents at the Cavendish WWTF. Lime was spread over the effected gravel at the spill site. " VT Agency of Natural Resources-Watershed Management

•  131 Road Construction: Vtrans is now sending updates for the upcoming week on Fridays after the Cavendish Update is published. This information is posted immediately to the Cavendish VT Facebook page. While we have not heard whether Vtrans has certified both villages as “no vibrations zone,” the rollers being used yesterday in Cavendish village were considerably smaller and did not cause the level of vibration previously experienced. However, it appears that the larger equipment is being used between the villages.

• Water Testing on the Black River: Wednesday’s water testing looks good for recreating. Note that Tolles Power Dam in Weathersfield was not tested this week. For other locations on the Black River, please go to Is it Clean? When visiting Greven or the Gorge area in Cavendish, or any of the sites on the Black River being tested, please check the chart posted on-site to get a sense of the trends. Look for consistency in the numbers and stay out of the water for 24 hours after a heavy rain or any time it appears cloudy.

• Cavendish Select Board Meeting 6/14/21: Minutes from the Select Board meeting are now available at the municipal website.

• Congratulations to Cavendish Librarian Kata Welch: Congratulations to Cavendish Librarian Kata Welch, on receiving the Youth Programming award from Okemo Valley TV, for her production of the ongoing Story Time series.

• Cavendish Summer Concerts Presents The Break Maids; The 2021 summer music series kicks off with a concert by The Break Maids on Proctorsville’s Svec Memorial Green, Wednesday, July 7th at 6:00 pm. The Break Maids are celebrating 10 years of riotous glam-stomp music that spans genres and breaks hearts at 70 paces. Seven Days calls their three-part harmonies “ethereal like a Greek Tragedy.” The Maids are Faith Wood on bass, Ida Mae Specker on percussion and Emily Burkland on guitar.  All concerts are free and open to the public. Murdock’s Restaurant and Outer Limits Brewery will each be serving food and drink, including takeout so please support your local businesses. Wearing masks at the concert and physical distancing are only required for those who are not vaccinated. The Green is large and the band will be loud enough to be heard throughout, so please spread out and maintain distancing. In case of rain, alternative plans will be announced on the Cavendish Facebook page. For more information on the concerts please call Robin at 226-7736.

• GMUSD Board Wrangles Over Approval of Minutes from Hill Appointment: At its first in-person monthly meeting in more than a year, the Green Mountain Unified School District Board on June 17 continued its rumpus over the minutes taken during the  meeting in which Keith Hill was named high school principal.  For 45 minutes, the members wrangled over parliamentary procedures and multiple votes before approving the minutes of April 15 meeting. Chester Telegraph

• Cavendish Fire District #2 (Cavendish Village) Annual Meeting: Reported in last week’s Update -the budget was passed-a video of the meeting is now available at the Okemo Valley website and The Vermont Journal’s lead story this week is on the meeting.

• 'Absolute Nightmare Scenario': Caterpillar Outbreak Defoliating Northeast Trees

• US Canada Land Border Will Stay Closed for Another Month but loosens restrictions: The border is closed to all nonessential travel, but fully vaccinated Canadian may have an easier time traveling to the US by air.

2. COVID UPDATE: Cavendish had no new cases this past week. According to the state’s modeling, cases are down 97% since April 1 and 20% in the last week. Vaccinations are now close to 82% for those 12+. VT continues to rank number one in the country for vaccinations.

Alpha, Delta & Gamma Variants: If the names of the Covid variants appear to be changing they are. The Alpha variant, better known in the press as the UK variant or B.1116, is being replaced by the Delta variant, the strain first seen in India. The Gamma variant refers to the Brazilian strain. The Delta variant is now spreading so rapidly that it’s a matter of weeks before it will be the predominant strain in the US. It is more contagious and may trigger more illness in more people than other variants do. That said, if you are fully vaccinated, you are protected. Unfortunately, there are major portions of the US where the vaccination rates are low and the Delta variant is already making itself known. In short, a surge in Covid cases, in low vaccinated areas is being projected to occur later this summer. For additional information, read The Delta Variant is a Grave Danger to the Unvaccinated

Vaccinations: Find the closest walk in clinics (no appointments necessary) on-line ; make an appointment for your free vaccine on-line or call 855-722-7878. The VDH Facebook page  also provides notifications of pop up and walk in clinics.

3. UPCOMING EVENTS:

JUNE 26 (SATURDAY): Birds in Bloom, market gathering of local art, decorated bird houses, and plants sponsored by Cavendish Streetscapes from Noon to 5 on the Proctorsville Green.

JULY 3 (SATURDAY): Fletcher Farm Craft Sale. Vendors and volunteers needed. FMI: Festival Director Sue Carey at SueSmyserCarey@hotmail.com.

• Plymouth Coolidge Foundation: Dinner & Fireworks. Fireworks begin at dusk (around 9)

• Stratton Mountain: 9:30 pm Main base area.

JULY 4 (SUNDAY): HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

• Ludlow will have their usual fireworks and other activities starting at 4 pm.

• Claremont 4th of July Celebration at Monadnock Park, 190 Broad St 6-9:30 pm\

• Hartland Old Home Day 11 am-10 pm at Hartland Rec

• Rutland

• Plymouth Coolidge Foundation: Coolidge was the only president born on the fourth of July.

• Saxtons River will also be holding a special fireworks celebration

• Woodstock: 9 pm at Woodstock Union High School

JULY 5 (MONDAY): Fireworks, Crown Point Country Club, Golf Course Rd, Springfield

JULY 7 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists Break Maids (glam-stomp music)

JULY 14 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Yankee Chank (Cajun/Zydeco

JULY 21 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Silverbacks (blues and rock)

JULY 28 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Rick Davis and friends

JULY 31 (SATURDAY): 11th Annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale

AUGUST 4 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Gypsy Reel (Irish/Celtic)

AUGUST 11 (WEDNESDAY):  Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Gully Boys (Rock/Jam)

AUGUST 21 (SATURDAY: Fletcher Farm Craft Sale. Vendors and volunteers needed. FMI: Festival Director Sue Carey at SueSmyserCarey@hotmail.com.

SEPT. 11 (SATURDAY): VT Golden Honey Festival 10-4 at the Golden Stage Inn, Proctorsville Depot St. Free

CA❤︎ENDSH VACCINATES TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

Cavendish Update 6/18/21: 131 Vibration Concerns/News/Covid/Events

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ALERT: CATALYTIC CONVERTER THIEVES HIT TARBELL HILL YESTERDAY!

6/18/21

1.    Route 131 Road Construction Vibrations

2.    Cavendish Info

3.    Covid update

 4.   Events

1. ROUTE 131 ROAD CONSTRUCTION VIBRATIONS: At Monday night’s Cavendish Select Board meeting (6/14), there was an extensive discussion on the impact of vibrations from the 131 road construction project, particularly from vibrating rollers designed for highway construction. Since that meeting Pike Industries has applied to VTrans to change the work order, making the villages “no vibrations zone,” which would eliminate the use of these heavy rollers. A decision should be made within seven days by Vtrans. If you live on 131, take pictures as you will need to be able to document before and after should the construction impact your property. A full report on this topic is available at the Dish.

 The weekly update for next week’s construction project has yet to be posted by VTrans. It will be posted to the Cavendish VT Facebook page as soon as we receive it. If you have questions about the 131 project, check the VTrans handout.

2. CAVENDISH INFO

• Fire District 2 (Cavendish Village) Annual Meeting 6/15/21: While the election of members of the Prudential Board (the governing body of the fire district) were duly elected for the coming year and a change was made to move the annual meeting from Feb to the third Tuesday of May, the bulk of the meeting once again focused on having one fire department for the town. This year’s effort for a merger was spearheaded by Rolf van Schaik who proposed an amendment that would reduce the budget amount request of $97,450.00 to approximately $37,000. He pointed out that all of the strategies tried in previous years had failed so it was time for a new approach-basically eliminate the bulk of the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) budget-which would in effect close it. The chair of the meeting, and CVFD volunteer, Abe Gross noted that since the state doesn’t allow fire districts to close- they are required to merge- that would appear to leave CVFD in the position to either fundraise more money or borrow it to continue. Either way it would push the tax burden down the road but not necessarily reduce it. Van Schaik’s amendment was defeated by a 21 to16 vote, with the requested budget passing by 21 to 14 votes. A more in-depth report is available at the Dish.

• Black River Water Testing: Results for 6/16 for Cavendish Gorge are 112 CFU and 61 CFU for Greven Field making both locations suitable for boating and swimming. For other locations on the Black River, please go to Is it Clean? When visiting Greven or the Gorge area in Cavendish, or any of the sites on the Black River being tested, please check the chart posted on-site to get a sense of the trends. Look for consistency in the numbers and stay out of the water for 24 hours after a heavy rain or any time it appears cloudy.

• Congratulations to Proctorsville’s Red Vault Productions: Red Vault productions recently won two 2021 Craft Beer Marketing Awards-Harpoon Brewery, USA Best original video/cause related and Harpoon Brewery, USA Best Original Video cause-related. Vermont Biz

• Where is Vermont’s newly approved $7.32 billion budget going?

• Vermont Temporary Broadband Subsidy Program: The New Vermont Temporary Broadband Subsidy Program that provides eligible Vermont households with up to a $40 monthly credit March through December 2021 to assist with Internet service subscriptions, has opened. Consumers who received this benefit in 2020 will need to fill out a new application, even if they applied in 2020.  However, they may use their same user name and password as last year. To register, click here.

• As State of Emergency Ends, Gov. Scott acts to ensure continuity in select services: To ensure continuation of federal funding for certain programs, the Governor has signed an Executive Order issued under his general powers. This order does the following: Maintains the National Guard’s Active Services status to allow, and ensures continued State agency coordination, for ongoing support and management of the response. Extends Vermont’s access to federal funding for expanded emergency non-congregate housing and feeding programs. Allows bars and restaurants to continue pick-up and delivery of alcoholic beverages for the two-week period between the expiration of the Emergency Declaration and July 1, when recently enacted legislation makes it permanent.

3. COVID UPDATE: Vermont reached the 80% vaccination mark on Monday and the state is reopened. The pandemic State of Emergency sunset June 15, after being in place for the last 16 months. However, both free walk in vaccinations and testing will continue.

New guidelines have been issued by the VT Secretary of State, which requires physical posting of notices, and in person meetings, though the public can attend remotely.

Delta Variant: In mid-May, the first case of the Delta variant, identified in India, was detected in VT. That number has now risen to three cases. It is rapidly spreading in the United States and will soon be the dominant strain. The CDC has officially classified the delta variant of the coronavirus as a "variant of concern" to monitor in the U.S. It is 40% more transmissible than the original strain and appears to remain more contagious for longer periods of time. . The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines appear to be about 88% effective against the delta variant after two shots. The Johnson & Johnson is estimated to be about 60% effective, but more studies are needed. Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine is urging eligible Vermonters, who haven’t been vaccinated to do so to avoid the spread of this new variant.

According to Tuesday’s modeling cases are down 97% since April 1 and 41% since last week.

Vaccinations: Find the closest walk in clinics (no appointments necessary) on-line ; make an appointment for your free vaccine on-line or call 855-722-7878. The VDH Facebook page  also provides notifications of pop up and walk in clinics.

4. UPCOMING EVENTS:

JUNE 18 (FRIDAY): GMUHS Graduation-will be held outside

JUNE 19 (SATURDAY): Happy Juneteenth, just signed into law as a US Federal Holiday. It is the country’s oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the US. Learn more.

• Mid-Summer Night’s Eve Ghost Walk of Cavendish Village. Sponsored by the Cavendish Historical Society, meet at the CHS Museum on Main St. 131 at 8pm. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight. In the case of rain, please check the Cavendish VT Facebook page for rescheduling information and/or if it will be held in-doors at the Museum. FMI: margocaulfield@icloud.com or 802-226-7807

JUNE 19-20 (SATURDAY-SUNDAY): Vermont Art Council’s Open Studio Weekend. Fletcher Farm School will be one of the spots.

JUNE 26 (SATURDAY): Birds in Bloom, market gathering of local art, decorated bird houses, and plants sponsored by Cavendish Streetscapes from Noon to 5 on the Proctorsville Green.

JULY 3 (SATURDAY): Fletcher Farm Craft Sale. Vendors and volunteers needed. FMI: Festival Director Sue Carey at SueSmyserCarey@hotmail.com.

JULY 4 (SUNDAY): HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! Ludlow will have their usual fire works and other activities starting at 4 pm.

JULY 7 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists Break Maids (glam-stomp music)

JULY 14 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Yankee Chank (Cajun/Zydeco

JULY 21 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Silverbacks (blues and rock)

JULY 28 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Rick Davis and friends

JULY 31 (SATURDAY): 11th Annual Cavendish Town Wide Tag Sale

AUGUST 4 (WEDNESDAY): Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Gypsy Reel (Irish/Celtic)

AUGUST 11 (WEDNESDAY):  Concert in Svec Park (Proctorsville Green), 6pm, free and open to the public. Artists: Gully Boys (Rock/Jam)

AUGUST 21 (SATURDAY: Fletcher Farm Craft Sale. Vendors and volunteers needed. FMI: Festival Director Sue Carey at SueSmyserCarey@hotmail.com.

SEPT. 11 (SATURDAY): VT Golden Honey Festival 10-4 at the Golden Stage Inn, Proctorsville Depot St. Free

CA❤︎ENDSH VACCINATES TO PROTECT SELF & OTHERS

    IF YOU READ THIS PLEASE HELP SUPPORT CAVENDISH CONNECTS

FIRE DISTRICT # 2 (CAVENDISH VILLAGE) ANNUAL MEETING 6/15/21

While the election of members of the Prudential Board (the governing body of the fire district) were duly elected for the coming year and a change was made to move the annual meeting from Feb. to the third Tuesday of May, the bulk of the meeting once again focused on having one fire department for the town.

This year’s effort for a merger was spearheaded by Rolf van Schaik who proposed an amendment that would reduce the budget amount request of $97,450.00 to approximately $37,000. He pointed out that all of the strategies tried in previous years had failed so it was time for a new approach-basically eliminate the bulk of the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) budget-which would in effect close it.

The chair of the meeting, and CVFD volunteer, Abe Gross noted that since the state doesn’t allow fire districts to close- they are required to merge- that would appear to leave CVFD in the position to either fundraise more money or borrow it to continue. Either way it would push the tax burden down the road but not necessarily reduce it.

As was discussed at length at the Feb. 21, 2019 Fire District #2 meeting, the steps for a merger, as laid out in the VT League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) Handbook for Vermont Select boards, are as follows:

a) The legislative bodies of each party to the merger must prepare a plan of merger, which must be approved by a majority of each body. 24 V.S.A. § 1482. A plan of merger includes, among other things, provisions relating to structure, organization, functions, operation, finance, and property of the fire district. (per 24 V.S.A. § 1483)

 b.) The plan of merger must be approved by a majority vote by Australian ballot of each municipality concerned at a meeting duly warned for that purpose and held in each such municipality. 24 V.S.A. § 1485(a). Not fewer than 30 days prior to the meeting, copies of the plan of merger must be posted in three or more places in each of the areas involved.

In addition, two public hearings in each of the areas involved must be held, at intervals of two weeks, the last of which shall be held not less than five days before the meeting at which the vote will be held. Notice of the hearings must be advertised in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 1484.

c.) Within ten days after the municipalities have voted to adopt a plan of merger, the clerk or equivalent officer of the municipality into which merger has taken place must notify the Secretary of State of the merger. 24 V.S.A. § 1486.

Van Schaik’s amendment was defeated by a 21 to16 vote, with the requested budget passing by 21 to 14 votes.

The idea of a single fire department for Cavendish has been discussed, petitioned and met on since at least 2005 if not earlier. The closest it came to being a possibility was at the 2019 Annual meeting, where CVFD members were clear that concerns of losing rank, name of the fire department and other issues that had blocked merger discussions in the past, were no longer of concern. Rather they wanted to do what was in the best interest of the town. This was also a year where they were having difficulties finding volunteers, and had actively explored closing, only to find that this wasn’t an option allowed by the state.

In the last two years, changes have occurred with CVFD. They now have two paid part time Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)s; have become a first response department that makes them an EMS (Emergency Medical Service) unit that doesn’t transport; appointed a new chief; and recruited new volunteers. They also sponsored a very effective Covid-19 vaccine clinic.

While many in the audience Monday night would agree that it makes sense to have one town fire department, little attention was given to the fact that the firefighters role has significantly shifted away from their core service of putting out fires.

Thanks to prevention efforts, as well as changes in building codes, requirements for smoke and radon detectors, and other measures, the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) found that nationally only 4% of responses are fire related, with almost two-thirds (64%) of the reported calls to fire departments being for emergency medical services (EMS) and rescue services.

At the 2020 meeting, CVFD responded to that need with the hiring of two part time EMT/fire fighters, each working 20 hours a week for a total of 40 hour coverage.

Unfortunately, the type of data needed to assess the effectiveness of the changes CVFD made in 2020 wasn’t available at the meeting.

With nearly 20 years of discussion around the issue of one fire department, maybe it’s time for a new approach. No drama, no politics just clear data that shows what the town’s need is for EMS, fire and rescue, how it’s being met, costs, and, given changing demographics of the town as well in the field of fire and rescue, what’s going to be needed down the road.

The town budget currently includes $47,000 for services from Ludlow Ambulance with the likelihood of increases in the coming years. A lot can be learned from studying the fire departments medical calls to see if some could be eliminated or reduced by prevention programs, such as “Fall Prevention,” and using other methods for transport only calls.

Having this type of information will help voters understand what they are voting on, which they will need to do several times before progress can be made in creating a town wide fire and rescue service.

CONSTRUCTION IMPACT ON PROPERTIES

A growing concern for property owners along 131 is the type of equipment being used that causes considerable vibrations and noise, and appears to have had some impact on at least three properties.

At last night’s Select Board (SB) meeting-June 14- this issue was discussed at length.

Selectmen Stephen Plunkard, a Cavendish Village homeowner and landscape architect, noticed sand pouring into the stone basement of his house when the interstate highway rollers were being used. The mortar between the stones had turned to sand and was being pushed out by the vibrations. Consequently, he had a list of questions for his fellow board members:

• Was there a public hearing to discuss the scope, duration and cost of the project? If so, were notes taken and any actions recommended?

• Was there a publicly warned preconstruction meeting? If so, was the historic character and liabilities of the villages discussed?

·• Was there a cost benefit analysis performed to determine the advantages to using larger highway construction equip versus smaller more appropriate road construction equipment?

• Was there a pre-construction assessment of the historic buildings in both villages ever carried out? Was the existing condition of buildings along the roadway ever examined and documented?

• Would it be possible to process a change order to possibly downsize the size of the equipment used to the densely populated villages and only use the larger size equipment for the open highway stretches of Route 131? If so, what would be the cost and benefit to village property owners in terms of time and money?

• Was traffic calming in the villages given the same considerations as to widening the road in the villages? Are any traffic calming measures being considered in the village areas at all.

• Is Route 131 a designated east-west designated truck route, if so, who decided it, and when was it decided? Was the Town consulted?

Plunkard has submitted letters to the editor of local newspapers on this topic stating, For many families living in the villages their equity in the homes represents the largest portion of their net worth…If the property will no longer pass a home inspection or needs extensive and expensive repairs before it can be disposed of it is essentially cash out of the pocket of the owners or inheritors.

This past weekend, the Cavendish Historical Society (CHS) conducted a house by house survey of the two villages in order to provide information to Pike Industries and VTrans on the age, historical significance and potential impact of the current 131 road construction on these properties.

There are three structures that are listed on the National Historic Registry- the Cavendish Universalist (Stone) Church, the Cavendish Historical Society Museum and the Castle Hill Resort & Spa. In addition, Cavendish has a number of snecked ashlar buildings (stone houses), most built in the 1840s, including two by the famous architect Lucious Paige-Glimmerstone and Hickernell House. There are also a number of Victorian houses, some built as early as 1869, as well as examples of Queen Ann, Georgian, and Gothic architecture.

By walking from property to property, it was possible to observe that a number of these places, while substantially modified over the years, are sitting on stone foundations. In addition, the remains of horse barns, slate roofs and chimneys indicates that a high percentage of both village properties have been here for over 100 years with a number considerably longer.

This survey has been shared with Pike Industries and VTrans with the recommendation that the villages be declared “No vibration zones” so different equipment can be used. The following e-mail was received today from Natalie Boyle of VTrans, “Vtrans is working with Pike on these locations and potential issues/impacts and I was told that they drove both Cavendish and Proctorsville yesterday and are working on an appropriate plan of action that still ensures proper construction of the roadway.”

While using larger highway equipment can save money and time, the potential damage to homes and historic structures could far outweigh its use. Pike Industries recognizes this and has submitted a change order to create a “no vibrations zone,” for the villages which would allow equipment to be used that minimizes the potential for damage.

VTrans will be making the decision to allow that change in the next seven days. During that time, no work will be done in the villages.

Those with property along 131 would be wise to take time dated pictures and keep an eye on foundations, chimneys etc.