Town applies for Village Sanitation Pilot Study
DUMMERSTON — DUMMERSTON - A group of 11 West Dummerston residents living on or near West Street recently submitted their application to participate in the Village Sanitation Pilot Study.
On May 23, the Selectboard unanimously voted to support the residents' application.
The study, a collaboration between the Windham Regional Commission and the Rich Earth Institute, will assess the conditions of each household's septic system and drinking water in a village, neighborhood, or cluster, and explore options for improvement.
The WRC and Rich Earth will choose only one location for the study, and residents apply by sending a letter, indicating their interest.
In April, when the study was announced, Kim Nace, executive director of Rich Earth, told The Commons, “We'll do site visits on each household.”
She noted the study isn't about compliance or regulation. “It's about assessment of the current situation only,” Nace said.
Once the study is complete, village residents will receive data on their systems and options for improving their septic and drinking water systems.
“I think it's a great project and if we are awarded it, it will be really valuable information to have about options for that part of Dummerston,” said Selectboard member Rachel Glickman.
Selectboard signs Rescue Inc. contract
DUMMERSTON - At their May 23 regular meeting, the Selectboard unanimously voted to sign the Fiscal Year 2019 contract with Rescue Inc. for comprehensive emergency medical services.
Board Chair Zeke Goodband noted Town Meeting already voted to accept the contract and the assessment in March. “This is the finalizing of the contract,” he said.
Goodband noted Rescue Inc. is asking for a small rate increase, and they alerted the town of the new amount in December. For FY19, the town will pay $43,449.84.
Rescue Inc. calculates a town's assessment by population, and Dummerston's rate is just over $23 per person. The town pays the fees monthly, and the amount has gone up by about $87 per month compared with last year's rates.