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Highway Building Advisory Committee urges Selectboard to fund draft plans, DES permit and septic design
Summary
The committee voted unanimously to recommend the Selectboard expend funds for a $2,000 draft building plan, DES permitting for a wetlands culvert, and a septic design; members also debated bond timing and whether to separate sitework from a building bond for the 2026 Town Meeting.
The Highway Building Advisory Committee voted on Aug. 13, 2025 to recommend that the Selectboard expend funds to pay for a draft building plan, Department of Environmental Services permitting for a culvert at a wetlands crossing, and a septic system design.
Chair Jim Hoyt opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and the committee approved the July 30 draft minutes before taking up project updates. William MacDuffie Jr. moved the recommendation to the Selectboard; Brett Walker seconded the motion, which passed unopposed.
Committee discussion and the motion centered on getting preliminary designs and permits in hand so the town can obtain cost estimates. Hoyt said he sent a draft plan to a drafter who quoted $2,000 for the initial plan; the drafter flagged a structural constraint on the mezzanine that would require either a central support beam to allow two 40-foot trusses or a redesign to accommodate a single 60-foot truss.
Members stressed that securing permits and a septic design would clarify siting and pricing before asking voters for money. Cheryl Bentley, who consulted with committee members on permitting, said DES permit pricing is driven by wetland impact area and associated surveying and engineering. Bentley estimated consultant lead times of one to two months and said a DES permit would remain valid for five years.
On financing, committee members debated whether to ask for a bond at the 2026 Town Meeting. Brett Walker said asking for a bond requires both reliable cost estimates and a campaign to persuade voters; he noted a bond would require a two-thirds majority at Town Meeting. Members agreed the driveway and sitework should be considered as a separate warrant article from any building bond to limit risk if a bond question fails.
The committee set a tentative follow-up meeting for Sept. 10, 2025 if draft plans are funded and completed. The recommendation is a referral to the Selectboard; the Selectboard will decide whether to appropriate the money or place a bond question on the warrant.
