LONDONDERRY, Vt. – At the Feb. 17 meeting, town administrator Aileen Tulloch announced to the Londonderry Selectboard that the town is in the process of recording all the easements for the South Village wastewater project, to go out to bid likely in early March. Tulloch reported they are the closest to bidding of all the other projects in the state.
Tulloch also announced that there is a vacant position on the parks board, and that town clerk Allison Marino has been accepted to the New England Municipal Clerks’ Institute & Academy to become a master clerk. Marino anticipates that her scholarship will be fully funded, and intends to have her full accreditation in three years.
Tim Jones from Green Mountain Power (GMP) then spoke to the board about the culverts being replaced, and the roadwork that is in progress. Jones noted he had heard from residents concerned with the state of the roads, but after a conversation, people understand the scope of the project, and the intent to “build resiliency” by rebuilding Route 121 from the intersection of Route 11 to Winhall Hollow Road.
Board member Taylor Prouty thanked GMP for their work, adding that there may be some challenges during mud season, but “what was set out to be accomplished got done.”
A public thank-you was granted to selectboard member Martha Dale for her “years of service to the board and to the housing commission.” Dale appreciated the commentary, and offered her own honorable mention of Olympic silver medal winner Ben Ogden, expressing that it is amazing what our small towns can achieve and produce.
The board then discussed the regional shortage of road salt supply. The town is awaiting delivery of an order of salt, but during the wait, they caution that salt usage on roadways will be reduced, and that they will consider other options or solutions if they feel the supply is getting too low. Dale and Prouty discussed road brine, which is liquid applied to roads before winter storms to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the surface, reducing salt usage. Prouty said the town has done so in the past, but received many complaints about its increased corrosion of vehicles.
Marino shared that the Vermont Historical Records Program (VHRP) recently had a site visit to the Londonderry town offices. As their first time at the location, VHRP were pleased with the renovations and the quality of vault inventory, storage, organization of records, and historic pieces. Dale mentioned the historic railroad piece that they were excited about. Marino described the piece as pencil on linen, so though she wanted to display it, VHRP cautioned that it should remain rolled into a light-lock storage. Marino expressed that she wanted to investigate options to have it scanned or replicated for display.
The board then approved the minutes and agenda procedure, which was a document requested by the board at the previous meeting. This document breaks down the criteria and deadlines for town staff to assist in posting meeting minutes and agendas, and will be shared with all of the town’s boards and committees. Dale added, “I ask that you be as accommodating as you can to get people into compliance.”
The next selectboard meeting will be on Monday, March 2, at 6 p.m. There will be a public hearing for the bylaws on Monday, March 9, at 6 p.m., at the town office.