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Weston Selectboard advances Lawrence Hill Road Bridge grant application despite objections
Summary
The Selectboard voted to advance an application to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the Lawrence Hill Road Bridge; the motion passed 3–0 with one abstention after library representatives raised concerns about entrance and ADA impacts and consultants said the library’s plans would not need to change.
The Weston Selectboard voted Feb. 25 to advance an application to the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program under the RIVER project to replace the Lawrence Hill Road Bridge. Jim Linville moved and Howie Brosseau seconded the motion; the board recorded three "Yay" votes and one abstention and passed the motion to proceed.
The application is intended to fund final design and project implementation, with Stone Environmental and the Windham Regional Commission coordinating with the town and Vermont Emergency Management. The application must be submitted by the April 30, 2025 grant deadline and, if awarded, final design choices will remain subject to Selectboard approval. The motion text recorded in the minutes states: "The Weston Selectboard approves advancing an application for the Lawrence Hill Road Bridge Upgrade project to the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program under the RIVER project. Stone Environmental and Windham Regional Commission will coordinate with the town to finalize HMGP application materials for submission to Vermont Emergency Management. The application will be submitted to obtain funding for final design and project implementation. The Town understands that should the application be awarded; final design choices will be subject to approval and implementation by the Weston Selectboard."
Library concerns surfaced during the discussion: Deborah Granquist read a statement on behalf of the Wilder Memorial Library noting potential effects on the library entrance, driveway, pedestrian traffic flow and the proposed ADA ramp and patio at the northeast corner of a planned addition. Representatives from Stone Environmental (Meghan Arpino and Branden Martin) responded that the library’s project plans would not need to change as a result of the bridge proposal. Selectboard member Lisa Yrsha said she felt rushed by the timeline and worried there had been insufficient time to gauge public sentiment following a public meeting at Walker Farm the day before. Chair Denis Benson said he opposed a new bridge and voiced concerns about access and sight lines that a truss bridge might create.
With the motion passed, Stone Environmental and Windham Regional Commission will coordinate with town staff to finalize materials for submission to Vermont Emergency Management; the Selectboard will retain final approval authority over design choices should funding be awarded.
