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June 13, 2015
Published by New Market Press, Inc.
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Fatality Police, family, community on U.S. discuss fatal Route 7 Route 116 crash FERRISBURGH Ñ On June 2, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Vermont State police troopers at the New Haven Barracks responded to a report of a single motor vehicle accident with injuries located at 5371 U.S. Route 7 in Ferrisburgh. The Vermont State Police and Vergennes Police Department responded to the scene along with Ferrisburgh and Vergennes Fire and Rescue personnel. Shortly after first responders arrived on scene, the operator the vehicle motor vehicle, Dana Philips, 55, of Vergennes was pronounced dead. Joseph Mischik, 37, of Monkton was a passenger in the motor vehicle and was transported to UVM Medical Center for minor injuries. An investigation revealed the motor vehicle was traveling northbound on Route 7 when it traveled off the roadway. The motor vehicle struck several culverts before coming to rest. Green Mountain Towing removed the vehicle from the scene. This case is still under investigation and no criminal charges are pending at this time.
By Gail Callahan gail4kidsire@burlingtontelecom.net HINESBURG Ñ A public forum was held last week to discuss the aftermath of a crash which claimed the lives of a local teenager and a cyclist. The forum intensified the discussion that has polarized the town, focusing on excessive speed, personal responsibility and the loss of two, promising lives. Hinesburg Chief of Police Frank Koss came up with the idea to hold the forum, held at Hinesburg Town Hall. The forum was organized to let Joseph MarshallÕ s family respond to a commentary Koss penned in a local newspaper. Joseph Marshall, 17, was killed April 26, along with Richard Tom. Both men lived in Hinesburg and died following a crash on Route 116. According to initial police findings, Marshall was driving his Honda Civic at least CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
THREE BOYS AND A DOG (HOUSE) — Three boys from Bristol Elementary School delivered a dog house they built to Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society. The builders—David Norton, Forrest Tillotson, and Walker Bartlett—worked on the shelter for five weeks week with the supervision of school counselor Jere Urban. The boys chose Homeward Bound as the beneficiary of their service project and will be present the dog house at the Positive Change Expo held in Bristol.
Rutland bike lanes still an issue By Bruce Parker
Vermont Watchdog Report
Alleged assault in Salisbury SALISBURY Ñ On June 5, at approximately 9:08 p.m., the Vermont State Police responded to a residence on Leland Road in Salisbury for an ongoing domestic incident. Based on an investigation, police said that it was determined Amy Forbes, 20, had physically assaulted her partner. Forbes was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the New Haven barracks for processing. Forbes was released on a citation to appear in Addison County Criminal Court.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation has approved a grant for Rutland to repair Dorr Drive, but questions remain about the cost of adding bike lanes. Photo by Bruce Parker
RUTLAND CITY Ñ The Vermont Agency of Transportation has given preliminary approval of $175,000 for repairing Dorr Drive in Rutland City, but final approval may yet hinge on adding costly bike lanes. In a letter to RutlandÕ s city engineer, VTrans district project manager Brian Sanderson announced pre-approval of a Class 2 Roadway grant to help the city fix a pressing infrastructure need. The one-mile stretch of road between River Street and the town line has a failing road bed and is in grave need of repair. Ò I have recommended for approval your grant application in the amount of $175,000.00 State Funds. My recommendation is being forwarded to Montpelier for final approval,” the letter states. While the preliminary thumbs-up is good news for residents of Rutland City, Clarendon and Rutland Town who drive the corridor, city CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
officials may have more work to do, according to VTrans. Ò It is my understanding that in receiving the $175,000 grant, the City will be pursuing options regarding Complete Streets compliancy. I am hopeful that you will be sending me additional correspondence and associated documents as you delve into the Complete Streets Act of 2011 and consider its applicability to the Dorr Drive reconstruction project,” the letter from VTrans states. Since the enactment of VermontÕ s Complete Streets Law in 2011, municipalities must consider bike lanes and pedestrian access for every road repair project. In the case of Dorr Drive, adding three-foot-wide bike lanes to the current road could turn a $263,910 repair into a $418,078 project. The cityÕ s entire annual highway paving budget is $500,000. Jeff Wennberg, RutlandÕ s commissioner of public works, says he plans to bid the project with and without bike lanes. However, he added that Rutland taxpayers are heavily burdened and might not appreciate the higher costs.