By Wendy Reese
U.S. Forest Service presentation
Jay Strand and Christopher Mattrick of the U.S. Forest Service, Rochester Ranger District, shared information on the proposed Robinson Integrated Resource Project (IRP). In the upcoming months, public meetings will be held to take comments, questions, and requests for the management plan that will begin in 2018.
Electric car charging stations proposed
Suana Rubin, Planning Commission chairperson, reviewed and resubmitted to the Select Board the grant application for two electric car charging stations with her recommendation and the support of the planning commission to pursue it further. The grant requires two specially marked parking spaces. The charging stations can be metered. The grant has a 25 percent match that can be in-kind. The town’s Park and Ride spaces can be used. Public comments may be submitted to townofpittsfield@myfairpoint.net.
The news from Town Hall
The Select Board is taking bids on insulating the town hall to increase energy efficiency. The town also appointed Bruce Shaw to the Planning Commission and Clairetta Corron as service officer, as well as made a recommendation to the state to appoint Sue Wuerthele as health officer.
Proposed Tweed River park
Bill Leimgruber submitted in July 2015 a petition with approximately 40 names and signatures to stop the proposed park. The Select Board asked Town Clerk Patricia Haskins to contact the Vermont League of Cities and Towns for guidance on what to do when receiving a petition outside of issues for Town Meeting. She was advised by Gwen Zakov of the Municipal Assistance Center, who stated that there is no state law that allows a petition to contest this and require a town vote. The properties are now town properties and the town cannot restrict access to them. The petition is not supported by a state statute that the Select Board has to honor. Ms. Zakov suggested the Select Board hold a meeting to hear concerns (which happened on Aug. 4, 2015) and then decide if it will go to a townwide vote. The Select Board has discussed allowing a town vote after DuBois & King, the awarded contractor for the project, holds its public hearings before finalizing the draft(s) for the proposed park.
The Board invites public comment on the proposed park (an original rough draft plan is in the town offices) to be emailed to townofpittsfield@myfairpoint.net.
All select board members have reviewed this communication prior to publication.
