Cavendish Update 10/16/20: Voting/131 Construction/Covid
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10/16/20
1. Cavendish Info
2. Construction Update for 131
4. Covid-19 Update
5. Events
VOTING: All voters registered to vote by 09/02/2020 should have received their ballots by now from the Secretary of State's office. All voters registered to vote after that date have been mailed ballots by the Town Clerk. If anyone has not received a ballot by this time, and feels they should have, call the Town Clerk's office. If anyone is concerned whether their ballot has been received, they are free to call the office and we can confirm this for them. Ballots can be mailed, dropped at the Town Clerk's office, or brought to the polls on 11/03.
1. CAVENDISH INFO
• How Phineas Gage's Freak Accident Changed Brain Science: Reporters from Wisconsin Public Radio came to Cavendish this summer to learn about Gage and were surprised to learn Solzhenitsyn had lived here as well. Nice intro to Cavendish history.
• From virtual contests to drive thru trunk or treat, communities push for ‘normal’ Halloween: Run down of local Halloween activities from the Chester Telegraph.
• Moratorium on utility disconnections set to expire Thursday
2. CONSTRUCTION UPDATE 131: For the remainder of this week and next week, crews will continue to install the last of the underdrain runs connected to the recently installed catch basins (storm drains). As drainage work continues, the traveling public should expect new areas of gravel crossings until the week of 10/26 when the next round of paving is scheduled. A crew is expected onsite starting next week to work on shoulder reconstruction and widening at various locations throughout the project. This work is anticipated to last for several weeks.
Traffic Impacts: One-way alternating traffic patterns should be expected in the vicinity of drainage and shoulder widening operations. Traffic control personnel will be onsite to assist with the flow of traffic . Minor delays should be expected.
3. COVID UPDATE : Vermont’s state of emergency was extended yesterday to Nov. 15. This is the 8th month of the order, which was first declared on March 13th.
Eight members of the Vermont Air National Guard have tested positive for Covid-19, causing the Guard to temporarily ground F-35 flights. A dozen new cases of coronavirus have been linked to a youth and adult hockey league in the Montpelier area. Cases in schools included South Burlington, Williston, Windsor, Manchester, Essex and Montpelier. There have been no instances of in school transmission.
With fall, re opening of schools and colleges, plus increased tourism for foliage, VT Department of Health (VDH) has warned Vermonters that we’d see blips of increased cases. As of Oct. 15, VT has 1,903 cases with no hospitalizations. This is an increase of 65 cases in the past week. There have been no Covid related deaths since July 23rd. VT continues to rank number one for fewest new cases and lowest incidence in the country.
VDH’s town map continues to show that Cavendish has had no cases of Covid. On Oct. 11 Neal’s, which has been incredibly supportive of our community, posted “Temporarily Closed. One of my family members tested positive for COVID. We will temporarily close until all staff on site have confirmed negative test results before returning to work. Thank you for your understanding. The safety of our team and customers are our top priority!” Our wishes for a speedy recovery to the Neal’s family member, and looking forward to Neal’s reopening in the near future.
Former New Jersey Governor Christ Christie has spent 7 days in the ICU with Covid and has taken a very different stance than the President. “As a former public official, I believe we have not treated Americans as adults, who understand truth, sacrifice and responsibility,” he noted. He also warned that the virus is “something to take very seriously,”
Press Conferences
• Cases across the Northeast continued to trend upward this week, a 3% increase, a worrying sign even as Vermont remains relatively low compared to its neighbors. The states weekly total of new cases is running higher than it did this summer. The Governor is now asking that Vermonters limit out of state travel.
• Flu shots are being highly recommended, not only to avoid a twin pandemic, but to also insure there are hospital beds for Covid patients should they be needed. Note-Be sure to call ahead if you plan to get a flu shot at a pharmacy. Some locations are now out of certain vaccines.
• It’s now possible to visit indoors at VT nursing homes. New rules went into effect on Monday. Some of the additional rules include mask wearing, physical distancing, and screening for symptoms. Only two visitors will be allowed at a time, and staff must collect contact information for visitors in the event contact tracing is needed.
• Adult day programs have new guidelines. The state is planning a “soft launch” for programs to allow them time to figure out what works for them.
• Scott says a new federal stimulus package is needed to boost the state’s budget and to help businesses struggling because of the pandemic.
Cancelled/Shutdown: Broadway has extended its closure until May 30, 2021; Killington 2020 World Cup and Brattleboro Harris Hill Ski Jump
4. UPCOMING EVENTS:
OCTOBER 19 (MONDAY): Cavendish Select Board meeting will take place at 6:30 via Zoom.
OCTOBER 24 (SATURDAY): Drug Take Back Day from 10-2. Closest drop-off sites: Chester Police Department; 556 Elm St.; Weathersfield Transfer Station (operated by the Weathersfield Police Department); 5024 Vt. Rt. 106 in Perkinsville; Springfield Police Department; 201 Clinton St.; Ludlow Police Department; 19 West Hill Road. FMI: (802) 457-5211. PLEASE NOTE: The following having “drop boxes” that are available year round: Ludlow Police Dept., Ludlow Pharmacy; Chester Police Dept., Springfield Pharmacy, Green Mountain Pharmacy and Springfield Police Department.
OCTOBER 31 (SATURDAY): HAPPY HALLOWEEN
NOVEMBER 30 (MONDAY): Deadline for the GMP Covid 19 assistance. FMI: Department of Public Service website.
CA❤︎ENDSH-A SAFER SIX COMMUNITY
Covers mouth & nose
Always masks in public
Vermonters keep each other safe
Elbow coughs
Never forgets to wash hands
Disinfects common surfaces
Is alert for symptoms
Stays 6 feet apart
Has respect for personal space