Derry board unhappy with state delay in repaving Route 11 east

By Bruce Frauman
© 2016 Telegraph Publishing LLC

In a response to a letter of apology received by Rep. Oliver Olsen, the Londonderry Select Board on Oct. 17 voted to send a letter to Agency of Transportation Secretary Chris Cole expressing its “dissatisfaction” of the agency for not repaving Route 11 from Londonderry to Chester for three or four years.

Board member Paul Gordon will draft a letter asking Cole to reconsider and provide a list of state roads that take priority over Route 11.

Gordon noted that in March former AOT administrator Mark Pickering promised a shim coat this year from Tater Hill (Horsenail Hill Road) to the Chester line. Gordon wants to know what has changed since then.

The letter to Cole will be presented for approval at the next board meeting.

The moisture problems at the Town Office building remains a priority. Marble Valley Engineering President Kevin Smith presented a color coded drawing to clarify proposed solutions. Smith and project manager Steffanie Bourque discussed the solutions with the board at length.  Board member Will Reed said, “The board’s intent is to make this building dry.”

Measures to achieve this include a perimeter drain, water proofing exterior walls, and building a wall 4 feet above grade to cut off water streaming down from the hill behind the building. The board voted to approve the creation of engineering drawings, but no decision has yet been made regarding the actual work.

In other action

• Resident Irwin Kuperberg agreed to sign an agreement with the board allowing him to keep a stone wall he had built along Beattie Road last year without a permit. In return Kuperberg agreed to take responsibility for any damage done to town equipment by the wall, which was built within the town’s right-of-way. Board Chair Steve Prouty voted against the motion to “make sure everyone has proper permits,” though he holds no malice toward Kuperberg.
• Based on a recommendation from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, which carries the property and casualty insurance for the town, volunteers helping out the town of Londonderry will be asked to sign a volunteer application and waiver and agree to follow appropriate personnel policies. The board approved the forms.
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  Hubert Schriebl expresses dismay over cutting trees on Parsons Lane

  Parson’s Lane resident Hubert Schriebl strongly objected to plans to cut trees on the lane because of requirements for a driveway access permit. Schriebl called the cutting of the trees on the “very scenic road … total nonsense.” Prouty defended the decision “in keeping with our policy” of requiring adequate site lines from the proposed driveway to potential on-coming traffic. Prouty told Schriebl, ”You have been heard.”

• In anticipation of a potential 400 people, including “150 kids,” attending the upcoming Champion 5 Fire Company Halloween and the First Baptist Church Trunk or Treat event, the Board agreed to close a small portion of Main Street in South Londonderry from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. First Baptist pastor Chris Blackey told the board that Port-a-Potties will be brought in for this year. Road Foreman Duane Hart said the Highway Department will participate this year for the first time, providing “goodies” for the kids.