Vote Counting Machines and Paving Near
Bridges Discussed at Selectboard Meeting
by Melissa Eyre

Things were spirited at the November 10 meeting of the Selectboard as community members spoke of preserving the scenic and historic nature of and best maintenance practices for the Quinlan and Rule bridges. The issue at hand was whether or not to lay approximately 20 feet of pavement at the exits and entrances to the two bridges.
Holly Sullivan, a member of the Charlotte Conservation Commission, read a statement that came as a result of monitoring the conditions at each of the bridges, the summary of which was straightforward: Pavement can be avoided in favor of improved drainage design.
One by one folks who live near and clearly care deeply about the bridges stood and spoke against paving. Matthew Hough, of Monkton Road, told the assembled group that this was the first time he had been moved to speak at a Selectboard meeting. “We don’t want paving,” he said, “it takes away from the historical elements…it’s beautiful, rustic Vermont.”
Jim Sheldon-Dean, pointed out that paving increases speed and could increase the amount of damage done to the bridges. “People drive faster and that means there’s a greater chance that there will be an accident on the bridge.” In addition, he noted that paving doesn’t solve the pothole problem. “It just means that the potholes will form in a different location. There are always potholes where pavement meets dirt.” He recommended the installation of grates to control the amount of gravel that is deposited on the bridges, that the bridges be cleaned regularly and that weight limits are posted (as per state regulations).
Kathy Blume, a resident of Roscoe Road, said that she felt that grates added to the bridges seemed like a smart idea, and added that “20 feet of pavement seems excessive.” In the spirit shared by so many of those who came to speak, Kathy even offered to keep a broom beside her mailbox and sweep the bridge in order to help prevent damage to the boards.
The conversation in the end turned to the idea of forming a Covered Bridges Committee that would work closely with Road Commissioner Junior Lewis, alerting him to any problems, finding means to fund major repairs and monitoring reports from the state for specific recommendations for best maintenance practices.
Also discussed at Monday’s meeting was whether or not the town should consider purchasing vote counting machines—a suggestion that could be put before voters at Town Meeting in March. According to Town Clerk Mary Mead, the issue has come before the town twice in the past and both times is was resoundingly defeated. “But there may have been some confusion about what was being proposed,” she said. “The question being raised was whether or not to acquire machines that would count votes, not machines for the actual voting process.” The board decided to conduct further research regarding cost and then return to the question in January.
In other business that evening, a representative from Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom petitioned the board for the right to replace old wires laid in the 1970s, in an area along Lake Road. Old telephone wires will be replaced with new copper cable. The board approved and work has begun in the area near the intersection with Whalley Road.