CRAFTSBURY – The town garage bridge, animal control, the neighbor-to-neighbor group, a new truck and reviewing town committee assignments took up most of the March 12 select board meeting
courtesy photo
Bruce Urie’s FEMA update suggested a price for the town garage bridge approaching $1M with a 2026 timeline for construction of a roughly fifty foot long bridge with abutments raised to allow drainage from a roughly 25 square mile watershed. FEMA could cover design services of about $110,000 and construction at 90%. Other options were discussed, but Urie will keep pursuing replacement of he town garage bridge.
Abbie LeBeau’s animal control officer update identified the need to establish a way to house stray dogs. She can care for cats but the kennel situation must be worked out with the county office who can handle three to five animals, depending on availability and the size of the animals, She will reach out to neighboring towns about handling problematic dog situations.
Kris Coville and Penelope Doherty are working on putting together a strong neighbor-to-neighbor (N2N) group, adding Deborah McKinley and Maddox Wilson, bringing the total to 11. They are working on alternative storage locations, with the town hall available for smaller storage and minimal supply bins coordinated with the Red Cross. They are working on safety-net locations as alternatives to opening the shelter.
Three weight permits were signed, for SD Ireland Concrete Construction Corp; RK Miles and Vermont Outdoor Services.
Town committee members shown in the town report were reviewed
Road Foreman Steve Marckres shared quotes on a new truck, with a Mac or Western Star preferred. No decision was made.
Future projects for discussion include working on unclaimed parcels; the Freedom & Unity Task Force; establishing triggers for opening the emergency shelter, providing assistance, activating N2N; and a Vt. Rte. 14 slow-down sign request from Karen Lapoint
The next meeting is April 1, 7 p.m. at the town hall.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
