New street in town
PUTNEY — PUTNEY - The Selectboard unanimously approved a request from Landmark College officials to add a street to the town map.
The college recently purchased property at 76 River Road South, including a building the school plans to keep. Plans are in the works to immediately add another structure to the site.
These developments create a conflict with the Vermont E-911 regulations, which require each structure to have its own address.
To bring the college into compliance, Fire Chief Thomas Goddard requested the Selectboard, via written correspondence, approve Landmark representatives' request to name the existing driveway Determination Drive.
In his letter, read into the record at the June 15 regular Board meeting, Goddard noted the new address would satisfy the E-911 regulations, and create no conflict with existing street names.
Town changes traffic laws
PUTNEY - Although most motorists won't notice any difference, there's a new traffic law in town taking effect on Aug. 15.
At the suggestion of Town Manager Cynthia Stoddard, the Selectboard voted to amend the municipal traffic ordinance at the June 15 regular Board meeting. The following was attached to Section 1: Speeding Restrictions, in Article IV: Operation of Vehicles.
“The maximum speed limit permitted for any vehicular traffic on U.S. Route 5 within the Town of Putney shall be the same as those limits established and posted by the State of Vermont and enforceable under this ordinance as shall be all other regulations of this ordinance.”
This change will provide extra revenue for the town. Before the amendment, when law-enforcement ticketed a driver for speeding on Putney's stretch of Route 5, the fines went to the state because the driver broke state motor vehicle law - there was no town ordinance covering speed on that road.
After Aug. 15, Putney can collect on those tickets, too. “We're not changing the speed limit,” Stoddard said, adding, “we're just saying our town abides by those speed limits.”
Pool's open!
PUTNEY - The Putney Pool opened June 18 and is open from noon to 6 p.m. daily.
“We have plenty of lifeguards,” Town Manager Cynthia Stoddard told the Selectboard at their June 15 regular Board meeting. She noted the junior lifeguards are shadowing senior lifeguards as part of their training.
Swimming lessons are available, as are memberships, and forms for both are posted on the town's website, www.putneyvt.org. Residents also can come to the Town Offices to sign up, Stoddard said.