Richmond selectboard pauses Bridge Street sidewalk, pursues shorter-term safety fixes and asks state about re-using grant funds

The Richmond Selectboard on July 1 reviewed the fallout from its recent decision to halt a planned Bridge Street sidewalk project and directed staff to pursue near-term safety measures while asking the Vermont Agency of Transportation to allow remaining sidewalk grant funds to be redirected to other pedestrian-safety work.

The board’s discussion followed a public outcry from business owners and residents who said they learned late in the design process that the sidewalk could remove several on-street parking spaces — including designated accessible spaces — and might adversely affect the Richmond Community Kitchen. The board also cited concerns about potential disturbance of human remains near the Richmond Village cemetery after experts presented ground-penetrating radar limitations.

“This is not about stopping safety; it’s about making sure we don’t put someone out of business and that we follow the right process,” Selectboard members said at the meeting. Town staff told the board that the state has asked the town to return specific grant reimbursements already paid and that a portion of the grant could be retained if VTrans allows the money to be used for other Bridge Street pedestrian improvements.

Business owner Amy (last name not stated in the record), whose operation would have been affected by the proposed sidewalk, said she and other owners were told parking could be removed and that designs had been presented to staff or engineers without clear committee or owner review. “We were told you're going to have to be without your parking,” she said, describing how that perception led to a petition asking the board to pause the project. Board members and transportation committee representatives acknowledged communication and outreach failures and proposed clearer, certified-notice steps for future projects.

Board members and residents largely agreed on several “quick wins” that do not require full engineering: repainting crosswalks and stop bars, installing flexible delineators, placing two compact‑car parking signs near a key crosswalk to preserve sightlines and moving forward with a flashing illuminated crosswalk device the town has already purchased. The board asked Highway staff (Pete) to review specifications and feasibility and to report back on what can be implemented quickly.

Selectboard members also edited and approved a draft letter to the Secretary of Transportation that outlines the town’s reasons for stopping the sidewalk — potential loss of four parking spaces including accessible spaces near the bank and community kitchen, truck turning‑radius concerns and the cemetery issue — and asks VTrans whether the remaining Transportation Alternatives funds can be used for other Bridge Street pedestrian and safety improvements.

The selectboard emphasized process changes going forward: certified notifications to adjacent property owners, written testimony as part of public outreach to reduce inconsistent verbal testimony, clearer committee-to‑board reporting, and prioritizing small, visible safety measures while larger projects are paused for further review. The board said it will also seek input from the town transportation committee and the highway department on what can be implemented without full design work.