Board Acts on Issues Important
to Town

by Gail Callahan

The Charlotte Selectboard took action on a number of issues that impact the town’s future as it grapples with concerns about crime and the future of the village area.
The board discussed the request from the Garvey family to discontinue the Class IV certification of a portion of Baldwin Road. The family asked the Selectboard to stop the classification on the section of the road that is contained on the family’s farm. There is a right-of-way on the road, but it hasn’t been used. The request stems from the Garvey family’s wish to build a house on a lot near the road, according to board Vice Chairman Jennifer Cole.
The board took no action on the request, but decided to ask for more information and to reopen the hearing on November 3 at 7 p.m. at Charlotte Town Hall.
 Cole also pointed out that the board tackled a blueprint for so-called “high priority” items facing the town. Among the categories the panel discussed were village waster-water planning, Burns property, traffic ordinance, finance committee and meeting with other town panels and commissions to discuss how to deal with residents’ concerns.
 Cole indicated that this agenda would likely take a “long time” to disseminate and that nothing would be decided overnight. “We talked about a schedule,” she said. She pointed that there is no firm “start date” for the beginning of the forums to tackle issues, but suggested that the board could begin discussions on traffic ordinance in November. Another discussion on ancient roads could start early next year, and Selectboard members could begin a discussion with the town Planning Commission on affordable housing,” she said.
For more information about issues before the selectboard, visit charlottevt.org.