Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Maintenance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident questions grader use on George Hill Road; Road Agent says crews prepared banks for more snow
Summary
A George Hill Road resident told the Select Board he didn’t understand why a grader was used near his driveway; Road Agent Neal Huntoon said crews pushed snowbanks and prepared roads for additional snowfall and visibility concerns. The Board noted town right‑of‑way rules and deferred to crew judgment on safety.
At the March 23 Select Board meeting resident Sam Vidal raised concerns about the town’s use of a grader and other heavy equipment on George Hill Road, saying he did not understand why the grader was used and asking that crews limit heavy equipment and instead keep plows closer to the pavement.
Road Agent Neal Huntoon replied that the road slopes away at the Vidal property and that crews push snowbanks back to prepare for more snow and maintain consistent treatment across town roads. "The visibility from the end of their driveway to the crest of the hill is minimal," Neal said, explaining that removing snow from some driveways in the past was done to provide a visible line for vehicles.
Select Board Chair Jen Roberts read from a 1986 ordinance noting that "no street right of way shall be less than 50 feet in width," and the Board discussed measured pavement and right‑of‑way dimensions; Neal said the pavement is approximately 22 feet and the overall right of way is 33 feet. The Board said it generally defers to the road crew’s judgment on safety and operational needs.
Resident Catherine Delage told the Board she did not believe the work was done to ensure safety and said thawing had reduced the need for heavy equipment. Mr. Vidal also suggested the Board consider a not‑through‑trucking restriction after seeing large trucks and propane tankers on George Hill Road.
The Board thanked the residents for bringing the concern to the public meeting and asked residents to route complaints through the Board rather than confronting staff directly. No formal policy change or road restriction was decided; the Board will research options related to trucking and scenic‑road or no‑through‑truck designations.
