Spring Meeting with VTrans

Selectboard members Lewis Sumner and Brad Rafus met with VTrans representatives Meghan Brunk and Chris Berg at 8:00 a.m. in the Town Office Conference Room to discuss the annual budget, grant applications, and plans for the coming year. Mitch Green was not able to attend. Robbin Gabriel was also present.

Board members signed the yearly codes and standards compliance certificate, and Rafus submitted applications for structures and paving grants. While Halifax is not at the top of the list for either of these grant types this year, Rafus puts in applications every year in case funds are available. Rafus said the town has budgeted monies for a Class 3 paving project this year (Collins Road). Class 3 roads are not eligible for state grants. Improvements to Branch Road bridge at Hubbard Hill are also on this summer’s schedule.

Meghan Brunk calculated the town’s non-winter highway maintenance budget to determine how much assistance the town would be eligible for in an emergency situation. In such an event, the town is responsible for 10% of costs while the state covers 90%. Brunk also spoke briefly about new state Complete Roads requirements and the proper way to document damage and repairs in flood events.

Rafus will be attending the Better Back Roads meeting in Putney on Wednesday; grants and Act 64 requirements, permits, and fees will be among the agenda topics.

The meeting concluded at 9:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Robbin Gabriel
Selectboard Secretary