GUILFORD — In a peaceful transaction, Vernon recently handed over some of its land to its neighbor to the west.
Guilford and Vernon officials received notice from the Mapping Section of the Agency of Transportation Policy, Planning and Intermodal Development Division, informing them the Agency had reviewed and adjusted the boundary between the two towns that lies on Lowry Road, also known as Guilford Town Highway 36 and Vernon Town Highway 8.
According to Selectboard Chair Sheila Morse's report at the Nov. 14 regular Board meeting, “they've taken 0.18 miles of Class 3 town highway from Vernon and added it to Guilford's Town Highway 36."
According to the Agency's website (vtrans.vermont.gov), the Mapping Section Division produces the Town Highway Maps. “These maps are updated annually based on information supplied by municipalities on an annual Mileage Certificate. The chief purpose of these maps is to document classification and mileage of town highways for purposes of calculating payment to towns of State Aid for town highway maintenance,” the website says.
At the Nov. 14 meeting, Morse said she showed the document to Road Commissioner Dan Zumbruski, and he confirmed its data. The Board unanimously voted to approve the change.
Vernon Town Administrator Michelle Pong confirmed her town's Selectboard also approved of the remapping, and already received confirmation of the change from the Agency of Transportation.
“The 0.18 miles in question was always assumed to be in Guilford, but [the Agency's] map didn't reflect that. Other than paperwork, nothing will change in regards to residences, taxes and plowing etc.,” Pong said in an email to The Commons.
Because both towns' Selectboards signed off on the switch, the Agency will include the new information on each town's 2017 mileage certificate.