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Residents press Selectboard for Raceway Road fixes; town outlines $350,000 estimate for base work
Summary
Residents described long‑standing drainage, safety and emergency‑access problems on Raceway Road; Highway staff estimated a spring cost of about $350,000 for the needed ditching, cutting and base work and said full paving could cost up to $1 million.
Residents of the Foothills neighborhood told the Selectboard July 16 that Raceway Road’s condition — berms, poor drainage, dusty gravel and narrow lanes — poses safety risks and property damage, and can slow emergency vehicles. Jim Bentlage said seniors and the Jeri‑Hill senior living community live on the worst section and that the road has not been upgraded since the neighborhood was developed.
“People sometimes drive in the opposite lane to avoid potholes,” Bentlage said, adding that braking and dust add wear and tear on vehicles. Vince Comegno said water is pooling at driveway tops and described the consequences to neighbors. Several residents urged reducing the posted speed to 25 mph, installing more visible speed signs and studying traffic‑calming options used on other local roads.
Jacob Johnson of town highway staff told the board that Raceway Road needs to be cut down about six inches, have a better base installed and receive drainage and ditching work before any paving. He recounted a prior spring estimate of roughly $350,000 to complete major base and drainage work; contracting out the full road build could bring the total closer to $1 million. Jacob recommended phasing the work — for example, $125,000 in one year and $125,000 the next — and said the highway crew’s schedule and other priorities affect timing.
Board members asked for a multi‑year paving and gravel‑road plan so the public can see priorities and timing. Jacob recommended working on continuous road sections rather than scattered short repairs. No final commitment to a specific multi‑year funding plan was made at the meeting.
