Tucker Reed Road Bridge project begins
DUMMERSTON — DUMMERSTON - A.S. Clark & Sons of West Dummerston, the contractor working on the Tucker Reed Road Bridge replacement, began construction the week of Aug. 15, Highway Foreman Lee Chamberlin told the Selectboard at their regular Aug. 17 meeting.
Town officials closed the bridge on May 13 after a resident reported an abutment fell into the brook.
Chamberlin said A.S. Clark completed the bridge's footings during the first week, and the following weeks would start the abutments and complete the concrete portion of the project.
During their Aug. 5 meeting, the Selectboard awarded the bid to A.S. Clark.
In email correspondence with The Commons, Selectboard Chair Zeke Goodband said A.S. Clark submitted the low bid at $150,400 and was awarded the contract.
“The contract states that the work is to be completed by Oct. 1,” Goodband said.
Park Laughton Road work nearly finished
DUMMERSTON - A nearly monthlong project to replace a large culvert on Park Laughton Road is nearly finished.
The road was closed near the junction of Spaulding Hill Road in mid-July, but reopened on Aug, 19 to vehicular traffic. Through traffic to Spaulding Hill and Evans roads had been detoured via Bunker Road while the culvert was being installed.
Highway Foreman Lee Chamberlin said drivers should exercise caution, the guard rails have not yet not been installed.
Crack sealing bid awarded
DUMMERSTON - The Selectboard awarded the crack sealing bid for the town's highways to Sealcoating, Inc. of Braintree, Mass.
At the Aug. 17 regular Board meeting, Highway Foreman Lee Chamberlin and members of the Selectboard reviewed two bids. Sealcoating's bid was for $1.35 per pound or $7,455 per day.
Board member Steve Glabach noted company officials submitted “a lot of documentation and references” with their bid, and they estimated they would complete the project in two days. Still, Glabach asked Chamberlin to research their references.
Chamberlin noted crack sealing of roads extends pavement longevity and the practice is becoming more common in the state.
Selectboard Assistant wanted
DUMMERSTON - Town Clerk Laurie Frechette told the Selectboard she can no longer be their assistant. Her resignation, effective Sept. 28, was announced at the Aug. 17 regular Board meeting.
Frechette, who held the position for 11 years, said in her resignation letter to the Board that maintaining both the assistant and town clerk positions prevented her from doing both jobs “the justice they deserve.”
Frechette will continue on as town clerk.
Board member Joe Cook made a motion to accept Frechette's letter with regret, and his colleagues unanimously voted in agreement. Board member Jerelyn Wilson noted Frechette “is a tough act to follow.”
Interested parties can request a job description at the town offices, and applicants are invited to send letters of interest to the Selectboard at selectboard@dummerston.org, by mail to 1523 Middle Rd., East Dummerston, VT 05346, or in person at the town offices. The deadline for application is 5 p.m. on Sept. 14.