DUMMERSTON — Voters are warned to meet at Evening Star Grange on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m. to decide whether Dummerston should grant tax-exempt status to the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department.
According to the text of this special town meeting's warning, posted at www.dummerston.org, the proposal is for five years pursuant to the provisions of Title 32, section 3840.
Arrive by 6 to catch the Selectboard at its Sept. 3 meeting, also at the Grange.
The Selectboard put in approximately 70 minutes of work at its Aug. 20 meeting, confirming that during prior negotiations the Learning Collaborative offered to give the town $3,338 annually in lieu of property taxes, meeting minutes show.
Also covered were an update on the West River Trail project; the road foreman's report, which discusses Renaud activity and residents' concerns; hearing fee increases and an opening at the Development Review Board; and schedule updates and housekeeping items.
Progress on West River Trail, Rice Farm Road
At the Aug. 20 meeting, Jason Cooper detailed plans for the continuation and improvement of the West River Trail.
His presentation was in response to a letter that the Friends of the West River Trail (FOWRT) and the Selectboard had received from Sigrid Pickering, and an e-mail that the town clerk had received from Hakan and Jennifer Demir.
“In an effort to separate users of the trail from vehicular traffic along Rice Farm and Quarry Roads, FOWRT has proposed a route following the former railroad bed across four properties from Rice Farm Road to The Nature Conservancy parking lot on Quarry Road,” read the minutes.
“This will entail building a 25-foot bridge over a brook, grading the trail, applying Surepack, and installing warning signs where the trail crosses Rice Farm Road,” the unapproved notes continue.
As the trail extension would pass through a flood hazard area, FOWRT said it has submitted a zoning permit application to the town's zoning administrator.
“- and the State of Vermont's jurisdiction is invoked,” read the minutes.
Pickering had expressed concerns about the proposed crossing of Rice Farm Road at a blind spot in the road, and the speed of traffic along that road.
Minutes show she questioned the source of funding for the proposed extension, the lack of facilities, impact of the trail and the proposed extension upon her property, and the potential for vandalism, ”saying that it amounted to a taking.”
Cooper said that the FOWRT will continue to work with adjacent property owners “to address their concerns and be good neighbors.”
“The trail benefits our community, and studies have shown that similar trails enhance property values,” minutes say he noted.
Glenn Annis asked whether ownership of a right of way for the trail has been established, and Peter Doubleday asked why there is no tax parcel for the trail.
According to Cooper in the minutes, FOWRT has opinions from several attorneys stating that they own the property along the trail route.
Board member Joe Cook reportedly noted that opinion is not shared by town attorney Bob Fisher, “and that the Board would not be the authority that establishes the ownership of land along the trail or a right of way.”
Charlotte Annis is recorded as saying that the zoning permit application is incomplete in that it lacks parcel numbers and was not signed by affected property owners.
“If all of those signatures are not obtained, and the permit therefore is not issued, FOWRT may appeal the matter to the Development Review Board,” the minutes, submitted by Cook, show.
Renaud takes on safety mantle; complaints come up
In his highway report, Road Foreman Lee Chamberlin said that the responsibility for compliance with federal safety standards at the Renaud gravel pit had been transferred from the town to Renaud.
During a recent inspection there “only minor safety violations were found,” minutes report he said.
Meanwhile, the town has received a new blasting plan from its contractor, Key Drilling and Blasting Services of Keene, N.H.
In related news, board chair Zeke Goodband noted he will be meeting with Alan McBain and Duane Fletcher to address ongoing concerns expressed by residents of Poplar Commons.
In response to concerns expressed by a resident, Lee said that grading will take place on Rice Farm and Quarry roads “in September or October.” He said that the Quarry Road project may take longer than expected due to delays in acquiring a culvert.
Conservation Commission offers to help
The Selectboard has received a letter from the Conservation Commission asking to be involved with town construction projects so that they can suggest ways to protect natural features.
Goodband noted that Vermont's Agency of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are already involved with many town projects, but Chamberlin “nevertheless agreed” to take the Conservation Commission up on its proposal, the minutes say.
DRB hearing fees increase
Under new business Aug. 20, Charlotte Annis proposed increasing Development Review Board hearing fees to offset increased notice publication costs. As approved 4-0, variance, waiver, conditional use, right of way, and appeals feels rise to $100; site plans rise to $60; Planned Unit Development fees increase to $130.
Board member Gurudharm Khalsa was not present at the meeting.
Board seeks candidate to replace Steve Jarosak on DRB
Speaking of the Development Review Board, there is a vacancy here. The Selectboard is preparing to appoint a new DRB member to serve out the remainder of Steve Jarosak's one-year alternate term, which expires in March 2015.
Anyone interested in serving on the DRB is invited to send a letter of interest to the Dummerston Selectboard at [email protected] or 1523 Middle Rd., East Dummerston, VT 05346.
For more information, contact the Town Office.
Highway position open
The town is posting for a full-time highway position. The hire date is given as Oct. 1. Applicants are asked to submit a résumé and completed application by Sept. 10 to the Town of Dummerston, 1523 Middle Rd., E. Dummerston, VT 05346.
On Aug. 20 selectmen also approved a job description for a laborer, truck driver, and equipment operator. The motion passed 4-0.
Get involved...
Mark your calendar for the following meetings:
• Monday, Sept. 8, Energy Committee at Town Office, 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Sept. 11, Conservation Commission at Town Office, 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Sept. 17, Social Services Advisory Committee at the Historical Society, 4:30 p.m.; Selectboard at Town Office, 6 p.m.