State, local paving projects big part of town agenda

It is planning on paving the Class 1 highways in Stowe in 2020. Class 1 highways include Main Street, Maple Street, Pucker Street and from Main Street to Dump Road.

The state is tentatively planning on paving Route 100 from Pucker Street to Morrisville in 2022.

Paving of Route 108 (Mountain Road) is not currently on the state paving plan.

By law, the state is responsible for paving Class 1 highways and state highways.

The town is planning on replacing the sidewalks and curbing along the Class 1 highways in 2019 and the roadway could also get impacted if the voters approve the Main Street overhead utility relocation project. All of this work will involve cutting into roadways.

In terms of local roads, the town continues to increase the amount of money devoted to paving. When I arrived in Stowe in 2006, the town budgeted $214,050 for paving. In the current fiscal year, the town budgeted $349,000. The recently approved fiscal year 2019 highway budget includes $433,110 for paving.

Preliminary plans include includes paving portions of South Hollow Road and paving Lower Sanborn Road. We are planning to pave the gravel portion of Lower Sanborn Road because of its steep grade and to help control sediment runoff, both to the adjacent stream and down-gradient properties as part of our stormwater management efforts.

In addition to maintaining our existing paved roads, new stormwater regulations may put increasing pressure on municipalities to pave some gravel roads, particularly if they are hydrologically connected to an adjacent waterway, in order to control sediment runoff into the streams. This will further stretch our local paving dollars while local state aid for highways is not increasing to keep up with inflation or new regulatory requirements.

Potholes: Money is also budgeted to fix potholes as they arise. The Town uses cold patch in the winter. However, it doesn’t hold as well as heated asphalt. When the asphalt plants open up, we will change over to hot mix, which adheres better and lasts longer.

Sidewalks: There was also discussion at the annual meeting regarding the condition of the town’s sidewalks. The voters approved money for the final design to replace the curb and sidewalks along Stowe’s Class 1 highways.

The intent is to prepare plans and a cost estimate for a November 2018 bond vote in order to install them in 2019 before the state paves. The remainder of the sidewalks in the village will have to be replaced over time, either through the capital budget or another bond vote.

Main Street overhead utilities: Harry Shepard, public works director, presented conceptual plans to the select board to relocate or place underground the overhead utility lines on Main Street. Detailed planning with the utility companies and property owners must occur to determine the cost of the project and if we are in a position to move the project to a vote. If so, the intent is to hold a bond vote in November 2018 in order to do the work in conjunction with the Class 1 sidewalk project.

Public safety website: Stowe Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Police, Mountain Rescue and Emergency Management worked together to develop a new website (dps. stowevt.gov). There is considerable information regarding public safety resources, contact information, how to join, and police logs. It is great to see our public safety agencies working together.

Town clerk/treasurer: Lisa Walker has been appointed as the town clerk/treasurer/delinquent tax collector. Lisa is a longtime resident of Stowe who has served in the capacity on an interim basis. Thank you, Lisa, for your continuing service to Stowe.

Retirement: Bruce Emerson is retiring from the Stowe Police Department after 26 years of service. Among other things, Bruce spearheaded the DARE program for many years. Please join me in extending appreciation to Bruce for his many years of service to Stowe.

Keep up-to-date and provide input throughout the year: You can have select board agendas sent right to you by signing up on the town’s website (townofstowevt.org) by clicking “Stay Connected,” then “Selectboard Agendas.”

Charles Safford is the Stowe town manager.