LONDONDERRY, Vt. – The Londonderry Selectboard gave updates on the storm damage at the Aug. 21 meeting. Town administrator Shane O’Keefe noted that he would be having a phone discussion with FEMA, and has scheduled an in-person meeting for Aug. 30 to go over the requirements for the town. The board also designated Bill Kearns as their FEMA representative, stating he “jumped right in” to the work.
Board member Martha Dale wanted to go over matters that are urgent beyond FEMA and road and bridge repair. She said this is the time for the town to “take advantage of this unfortunate situation to think about how we might rebuild better.” Dale noted there was a Main Street study done previously by Stevens & Associates, an architecture, civil and structural engineering, and landscape architecture consulting firm in Brattleboro. Dale suggested using the study and research as a basis for new plans and redesigns.
Dale urged that the status quo isn’t working in terms of business locations and their safety and protection against future floods and damages. “Not doing anything isn’t an option at this point,” Dale stated. The town needs to guarantee lower flood risks, stating local businesses help generate a robust tax base for the town, and they need to keep their business owners in mind.
Dale suggested the town is going to need outside help, in addition to FEMA funding, and suggested getting a consultant who knows where the money is and where to apply it. A consultant who has worked in Vermont, who knows the systems of the state, and knows the background of the town and what their needs are. She wants to see the town explore more possibilities for funding, and construct a better 100-year flood plan.
The board also agreed to direct all funds received for flood relief to Neighborhood Connections for their disposition.
The board was then updated that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of Vermont paid for the pickup and disposal of hazardous waste from the flood, 75% EPA and 25% state funding. The town won’t be collecting any more waste until the Oct. 7 hazardous waste collection.
The town had slated a flood recovery day for Aug. 26, but pushed for another date, suggesting Sept. 16 might be more suitable. Board member Taylor Prouty offered a few locations that had minimal things that needed cleaning, and suggested looking along river banks.
Londonderry received a VTrans structures grant, and hired HGA as the engineer for the Spring Hill Road culvert replacement project. The scope of the project and preliminary plans are in place to construct a temporary culvert, and later get a permanent structure in place. The replacement requires historical and archaeological assessments, addressing the footprint and impacts, cam revisions in spring of 2024, a permitting process, obtaining any necessary easements, with the final temporary design completed in the summer of 2024. The town would then accept bids in the winter for the long-term design, and the construction and completion of the permanent replacement would take place during the summer of 2025.
O’Keefe said there would be a two or three month closure in the summer of 2025, and also noted that although the town received grants, they will likely need more funding to complete the project, though they won’t know final costs until they get bids. They reviewed bids for the temporary replacement project; Hunter Excavation at $70,000, and Ameden Construction at $55,000. The board accepted the bid from Ameden Construction.
The board also reviewed construction firms to contract for assistance with engineering and road repairs, and accepted Hammond Engineer. They said Everett Hammond has done right by the town, and has the engineering experience needed. He is close by, a member of the Springfield Selectboard, almost always available, familiar with the town, and the least expensive.
Residents Bill Sinsigalli and Jennifer Ogden of Under The Mountain Road were in attendance, seeking information on the town’s short-term rental (STR) ordinance. They were concerned that there is a loophole in the ordinance on the limitations of STRs being owner or non-owner occupied, as well as how many STR dwellings one person could own and operate. They don’t want to see the rural area become overwhelmed with short-term tourists. The board agreed the couple had raised a good question about numbers and regulations, and put it on the next agenda in order to have the full board in attendance.
The town plans to have an inspection and plan for the repairs of Williams Dam for the safety and welfare of the community. They have to show FEMA the plan and get it approved before moving forward with any repairs.
The town clerks and treasurers office will be closed Sept. 12 and 13 for training, and the board will not be meeting on Labor Day. The next selectboard meeting will be Monday, Sept. 18.