SPRINGFIELD, Vt. – At the Sept. 28 selectboard meeting, Springfield Town Manager Scott Pickup presented the costs to date for the rehabilitation of several properties with municipal actions and complaints.
Pickup asked for the board’s suggestion about how best to pursue recapturing the expenditures for cleanup efforts, which included hiring contractors, disposing of garbage, removing vehicles, and managing miscellaneous solid waste.
Specifically, Pickup referred to three properties: 10-12 Central Street, 482 Seavers Brook, and 78 Valley Street. Currently, the collective cleanup cost stands at $29,677.14, according to Pickup’s report, with the largest price tag being $16,342.32, for 10-12 Central.
“The one that I think is the most intriguing is 78 Valley,” Pickup said, referring to repayment potential. “I suggest that we pursue reimbursement for expenditures…from the town Opioid Settlement Fund.” Pickup added that he was checking with the fund administrator to see if money could be used in this way, but felt that, due to circumstances, it seemed appropriate.
With regards to the other properties, Pickup reported that they were communicating with the Central Street owner, and, though no one is living on the property at this time, there has still been trash dumped there, and the neighbors are anxious for resolution.
Regarding Seavers Brook, the selectboard voted to instruct the town’s attorney to initiate probate proceedings.
Board Chair Kristi Morris addressed a family of Seavers Brook residents in attendance who stated that they had been down this road before, and the property owner had never been identified.
“I think that’s what this board is looking to have probate decide is, ‘who is the owner?’ if there is an owner. And, if not, then [the town] would like to acquire ownership,” Morris said.
Further along in the manager’s report, Pickup informed the board that several grants the town had applied for were not accepted, including funding for the Chester Road Bridge sidewalk repair, and the Toonerville Trail rehabilitation project. Additionally, the selectboard had authorized a Park Street sidewalk replacement project, but the town’s grant application was unsuccessful.
Pickup said the Wall Street sidewalk and wall stabilization project will continue as planned, with the installation of a pair of solar, rapid-flashing beacons to assist pedestrians and cyclists in crossing near Riverside Park and the Riverside Middle School. The other projects will remain stalled pending reapplication for grant funding.
In other infrastructure project news, Pickup reported that the Autumn Street stormwater project, previously authorized by the selectboard, was reviewed by engineers, who estimated the cost to fix this problem would be $800,000. Given the cost and other higher-priority stormwater projects, Pickup said he expected the work to be delayed, and subsequently, the board took no action.
The selectboard voted to enter into an agreement with the Town of Ludlow to provide police dispatch services for a term of four months, with the possibility of an extension. Pickup told the board the police chief and lieutenant believed the police department could provide the service.
Finally, the selectboard authorized an event permit to the Springfield Chamber of Commerce to host the Vermont Apple Festival and Craft Show on Oct. 10, at Riverside Park.
The Springfield selectboard is scheduled to meet next on Monday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.