CRAFTSBURY – The last meeting, March 17, saw the select board finalize a number of ongoing projects, discuss safety issues on the Common, as well as review municipal finances.
According to minutes, whether for public or school use, parking is an issue. This past weekend, vehicles parked in the road created basically one-lane traffic flow. This makes access difficult in an emergency. The board considered if the town needs to create some sort of parking system. Another safety concern that arose was speeding. The school board seems to be unaware of this issue based on initial discussions.
Planning commission members Reed Holden and Dave Rowell were present, to discuss updates to the building notification form. Questions were brought to the board, with minutes highlighting three main themes: the fee ($25), the necessity of the form and its contents.
The board said the purpose of the form is to collect the information that’s important for the town to obtain: to ensure anyone new to the area understands requirements related to wastewater compliance, 911 addresses, road safety, emergency vehicle access, etc. The form is intended to assist with the checks and balances required to ensure compliance. The planning commission will continue to review and provide feedback to the board, who thanked them for their efforts.
The town clerk’s report saw finances take precedence. The board approved borrowing $100,000 from the preservation fund to be moved to the general fund for operating expenses for an interim period. The town has made payments related to MERP (Municipal Energy Resilience Program) and awaits reimbursement.
The board approved closing the ARPA checking account with the remaining balance of $600 moved to the operating account. A new checking account was opened for the energy committee, which will make reconciling books easier; high dollar grant proceeds will remain in the main town account but smaller grants can go in to easily manage balances.
In other business, interim financing for the town garage was discussed. The town needs $750K for up-front payment, to be later reimbursed. Requests will be sent to three banks to obtain quotes.
The board signed the following weight permits: CAMP Precast Concrete Products Inc; Packard Fuels LLC; Blanchard Oil; EC Morrison Trucking & Excavation; Vaillancourt Transport LLC; S.D. Ireland Concrete Construction Corp.; Irving Energy; Barrett Trucking Co. Inc.; Scott Brown Trucking.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
