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Richmond board says petition's intent met, weighs VTrans grant options for Bridge Street sidewalk
Summary
After hearing petitioners and staff, the Select Board concluded the Bridge Street sidewalk petition achieved its intent and will pursue alternative pedestrian measures. Staff warned pausing the sidewalk could trigger return of design reimbursements and administrative fees to VTrans unless the town proposes a clear plan or scope change.
The Richmond Select Board discussed a citizen petition opposing the planned Bridge Street sidewalk and several related grant and safety items during its June 17 meeting.
Petition background and board finding: Residents presented a petition (reported to have roughly 307 signatures) opposing construction of the Bridge Street sidewalk as proposed. Several select board members said the petition had been heard and recommended acknowledging that its intent had been satisfied; in a nonbinding motion the board moved to "find that in collaboration with the petitioners the intent of the petition has been fulfilled and no vote is now required." The motion passed by recorded voice vote.
VTrans grant implications: Staff told the board that the Transportation Alternatives planning grant that partially funded design work requires either a clear schedule for completion or, if the project is terminated, the town may need to return approximately $8,100 already reimbursed and pay about $2,000 in administrative fees. Board members discussed asking VTrans for flexibility, requesting a re‑scoped project or filing formal justification that the project was paused for reasons (unmarked graves near the cemetery, loss of parking, and other impacts) discovered during scoping and design.
Short-term pedestrian safety: The board and staff discussed immediate, lower‑cost measures to improve safety in the village, such as illuminated crosswalks, signage, pavement markings and enforcement. Pete (highway/operations) noted the town already purchased an illuminated crosswalk in this fiscal year; the board agreed to wait until the special meeting on village pedestrian safety (scheduled for June 24) to finalize location and related enforcement/parking measures.
What's next: The board will draft a letter to VTrans seeking clarification and possible relief or scope change, and it will take final action on sidewalk funding and project direction after additional public outreach and next week's special meeting dedicated to village pedestrian safety.
