Cavendish Update 4/11/25: Ditches/Warning/News/Events
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CAVENDISH CONNECTS LINKS: CAVENDISH VT FACEBOOK PAGE
cavendishconnects.bsky.social or www.cavendishconnects.com
Tomorrow (Saturday) from 10-noon is the Cavendish Historical Society’s free workshop on Paper Flower making and other Easter crafts at the Cavendish Library in Proctorsville.
4/11/25
1. The Community/Town Partnership-Caring for Cavendish Culvert, Ditches and Drains
2. GMUSD board votes down Cavendish Select Board Candidate
3. Cavendish Fire District #2 Annual Meeting Warning
4. Cavendish Related News
5. Events Calendar
1. THE COMMUNITY/TOWN PARTNERSHIP: CARING FOR CAVENDISH CULVERT, DITCHES & DRAINS: In order to help reduce flooding risks in Cavendish, it’s important that there is a community/town partnership. With over 750 town culverts, spread over 39.7 miles, our small town crew can’t check every one each year, let alone clear out the ditches that feed into the culverts and drains.
Note: If a ditch or culvert is on your property, it is your responsibility to maintain them.
Please review the basics below and either download a copy of Be Storm Savvy, or pick up a copy at the town office or from the Cavendish or Ludlow Libraries.
Don’t Pitch in the Ditch: Keep ditches clear of items that can prevent water from moving including: snow; sand; dirt; grass clippings leaves & branches; trash; hazardous materials (e.g. pet waste, oil & gas, paint and pesticides & fertilizers.
Instead:
• Clear out culverts/ditches every spring and fall
• Look through your culvert with a flashlight to make sure it’s clear
• Take household hazardous waste to HHW Depot at the Alva Waste Transfer Station in Springfield (1050 Charlestown Road) .This service is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, from 9am to 12pm, from May through September. All appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Call 802-674-9235
Check for Damage: Look for wear or damage to culverts on, or next to, your property. If you see any damage, make repairs or contact the town (802-226-7291) to clarify your responsibility.
• Check for cracks, misalignment and blockages
• Openings should be free of sediment, rubbish and debris
• Remove any obstructions you can see including large branches, overgrown fencing and any other barriers
• Be safe and smart. Don’t enter water higher than your ankles if you can’t see the bottom, only use hand tools (rake, shovel, broom)
• Work in pairs or teams when you can.
IF YOU NEED HELP CLEARING A CULVERT/DITCH: The Black River Action Team (BRAT) now has a free service-Culvert Crawlers to assist those in need of help. The Crawlers are organizing a work day on Green Up Day-May 3 (Saturday) to help where it’s needed with culverts, ditches and drains. Please e-mail culvert.crawlers@gmail.com by April 25 if you are in need of help.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you’d like to help by being part of the Culvert Crawlers, e-mail culvert.crawlers@gmail.com
GREEN UP DAY IS A GOOD TIME TO CHECK DITCHES, CULVERTS AND DRAINS
2. GMUSD BOARD VOTES DOWN CAVENDISH SELECT BOARD CANDIDATE: The recent town vote in March did not yield enough votes for a candidate to fill the Cavendish vacant position on the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) board. Wendi Doust McNaughton, a teacher and a mother to two students at CTES, filed an application to fill the vacancy. Donovan Nichols also filed an application. At the recent Cavendish Select Board (SB) meeting on April 7th, Nichols said that he was running for the position as he thought a lot of misinformation was being given out. He said that he works supporting disabled adults, and grew up in the special education system and was concerned about the program. While recognizing that both were outstanding candidates, the board voted unanimously in favor of McNaughton. However at the GMUSD board meeting, that followed shortly after the SB decision, the board approved Donovan by a vote of 5-4. SB unapproved minutes are available at the Town Website.
3. WARNING ANNUAL MEETING OF CAVENDISH FIRE DISTRICT 2: The legal voters of Cavendish Fire District #2 are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Cavendish Volunteer Fire Department station on Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 6:00 pm to act on the following:
Article 1: To hear and act on the Auditor’s report
Article 2: To approve the minutes from 2024
Article 3: Election of committee members. Currently serving members are:
Moderator for one year: Abraham Gross; Prudential Committee Member- Staci Bishop (2025); Prudential Committee member Scott Ranney (2026); Prudential Committee Member Stu Lindberg (2027); Town Manager Tax Collector (2025)
Article 4: To see if the legal voters of Fire District 2 will allow Cavendish Fire District 2 to borrow funds to cover both expected and unforeseen expenses in the year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
Article 5: To see if the legal voters of Cavendish Fire District 2 will raise money and in what amount for the purpose of defraying Fire Department expenses for the year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026
Article 6: To conduct any other fire district 2 business to come before the meeting.
4. CAVENDISH RELATED NEWS
• Time to vote for your favorite Cavendish photos: Voting is now open for next year’s community calendar at the Cavendish Fletcher Memorial Library. The calendar is produced by the Cavendish Community and Conservation Association and features beautiful photographs taken (and chosen) by area residents. Next year’s calendar theme is the Natural World Around Us. You can vote throughout April at the library during normal library hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• HeartSaver First Aid/Adult-Child CPR: This is an American Heart Association Heartsaver® First Aid Adult & Child CPR AED course. The Heartsaver® Total course covers the following topics: Scene Assessment & Safety Medical Emergencies (asthma, allergic reactions, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and seizures). Injury Emergencies (bleeding, shock, wounds, spinal inquiries, broken bones, and sprains) Environmental Emergencies (bites, stings, temperature-related injuries, and poison emergencies). Adult & Child CPR (Compressions and Breaths). AED Use (Automated External Defibrillator). Adult & Child Relief from Choking Optional: Infant CPR & Relief from Choking. This program will be offered April 29, 2025, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM at the Ludlow Town Hall, 37 Depot Street, Ludlow. REGISTER via VLR Website or REGISTER via LMS
• Residential Assistance in Solar Energy Program: Vermont’s Solar for All program needs your help! The Residential Assistance in Solar Energy (RAISE) Program will provide financial support to help Vermonters with low incomes install small solar panels on their homes, saving money on energy bills. In April, the Vermont Department of Public Service is hosting four focus group discussions (virtual 4/17, Barre 4/22, Newport 4/23, Bennington 4/24) to get feedback on how to make the RAISE program a success. Gift cards and light refreshments will be available in recognition that your time and expertise is valuable! Learn more hereand register today to secure you spot here.
• Firings at federal heating program could impact more than 23,000 Vermont households: Next winter could be a lot harder for hundreds of households in Windsor and Windham counties — and more than 23,000 statewide — if the federal program (LIHEAP-Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) that provides seasonal and emergency heating assistance for low income households is not restored by the Trump administration. Chester Telegraph
• Benson Car Child Car Seat Safety Check: On April 26 (Saturday), Benson’s Chevrolet in Ludlow will be conducting free child car safety checks from 10-1.
• Vermont towns will lose millions in disaster preparedness funding in federal FEMA cuts: VT Public
• Trout Season Kicks Off this Weekend
• Cabot Creamery butter recalled in 7 states over possible fecal contamination
5. EVENTS
APRIL 12 (SATURDAY): 10-Noon Cavendish Historical Society workshop on Paper Flower making and other Easter crafts at the Cavendish Library in Proctorsville. This event is free and open to the public, with projects suitable for all ages. This workshop is made possible in part, thanks to a grant from the Cavendish Community Fund.
APRIL 19 (SATURDAY): FREE Easter Dinners cooked by members of the Ludlow and Proctorsville Fire Departments. 125 Dinners will be provided. They can be picked up on April 19 from 12-2 at the Ludlow Fire Department. The menu includes ham, potatoes, gravy, corn, roll and dessert. Call Angela 802-356-3823 by April 17 to reserve your free dinner.
- Great Ludlow Egg Hunt at the Ludlow Community Center starts at 10 am. Mini games and Guessing jars start are from 9-10.For ages 2-12
APRIL 20 (SUNDAY): HAPPY EASTER
APRIL 30 (WEDNESDAY): Last day to vote for your favorite photographs at the Cavendish Fletcher Memorial Library. Winning photos will be featured in next year’s Cavendish community calendar.
MAY 3 (SATURDAY): GREEN UP DAY!
MAY 12 (MONDAY): Demystifying Healthcare in Our Region from 8:30-10 at the Ludlow Community Center, 37 Main St. Ludlow. Registration is requested but not required FMI: www.northstarfqhc.org/communityforum