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Committee presses VELCO for larger trail‑repair payment, asks town attorney to negotiate
Summary
Richmond committee discussed a draft easement with VELCO, safety measures and signage, and debated whether VELCO's $2,500 increase is adequate for repairing ATV damage; members asked Josh and the town attorney to pursue higher compensation and insisted on written documentation to preserve town interests.
Members received an update on negotiations with VELCO covering five points: an insurance certificate naming the town as additionally insured, fencing and signage at a concrete bridge, signage on the old VAST trail prohibiting off‑road vehicles, a draft easement and compensation for trail repair.
The presenter said VELCO offered an additional $2,500 — described as increasing an earlier $8,000 figure to $10,500 — to allow trail repairs on the old VAST trail that VELCO crews have been using with ATVs. Committee members said that amount is insufficient. One member summarized the committee position as preferring an $8,000 plus $10,000 split (totaling $18,000) to remedy damage and maintain the trail in perpetuity.
Members agreed to ask Josh to take the matter to the town attorney and to copy the townforest@gmail address so there is a public record of the committee’s position. The presenter noted the town already has documentation on typical repair costs from veteran youth conservation crews and suggested using those figures to make the committee’s case.
No formal agreement with VELCO was signed during the meeting; committee members described the next step as having Josh and the select board negotiate with VELCO and return with final terms.
