town government Dummerston Selectboard Board Reorganizes, Seeks Volunteers

By Terri Chapman

The selectboard would like to welcome our new member Alex Wilson to the board, and thank departing member Rebecca Lotka for her service. We have reorganized and Zeke Goodband is chair, Terry Chapman vice-chair, and Maria Glabach is clerk. Over the past couple of months we have received resignations from both the planning commission and the development review board. We are desperately seeking volunteers for these positions and other positions that need to be filled. We need volunteers to function as a town and we greatly appreciate those who have stepped up to volunteer.

The town has recently received the last major payment for FEMA reimbursement from the July 2021 storm. We are currently waiting on the state’s portion of five percent and administrative costs which we hope to receive in the next few months.

The town received $525,647 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. These funds need to be authorized for use by December 30, 2024 and paid out by December 30, 2026 or they will have to be sent back to the U.S. Treasury. We met last summer with various organizations and committees and continue to do so. As of this writing in mid-March we have authorized $201,808.34 and paid out $125,124.84 in warrants. There are projects still being worked on and are awaiting bills.

The following is a breakdown of what the selectboard has used or approved for the use of ARPA funds:

Town Office

• The generator failed late last winter and has been replaced and the propane tank filled (12,306.61).

• Upgrades have been made to the computer/firewall/server setup (5,410.50).

• Two mini-splits have been installed in the meeting room and upstairs ($8,160.83).

• We’ve installed a new door handle ($103), and authorized the office floors to be stripped and waxed ($1,000).

• There are projects that have not been authorized but are on the list, including replacement of the sewer pipe (spring/ summer 2023), removal of bat guano and insulation in the attic (out to bid spring/ summer 2023), new signage, and digitization of town records.

Highway Department

We have authorized three engineering projects for Leonard Road ($7,000), Johnson’s Curve ($8,500) and Park Laughton Road ($9,200). The outside boiler has recently failed and we are in the process of awarding a bid for replacement. The covered bridge decking is in need of replacement earlier than expected. We are currently in the bidding process for the decking project and expect to put out bids for actual work this fall with work done in summer of 2024. We also have a request of $118,070 to cover any FY23 highway expenses that go over budget due to inflation.

Fire Department

We have authorized and paid out new lighting at the West Station ($16,905), West Station Bay doors ($17,951.43), ten pagers ($4,358) and center station generator ($14,768.80).

Historical Society

We have authorized funds for basement insulation ($7,765) and attic insulation ($3,480). Currently half has been paid out as we are awaiting completion of the work. Further approval has been given for exterior wash/paint ($1,800), mini-splits ($11,410), and a new door ($2,710).

Evening Star Grange

We authorized and expended for repair and

Sponsors

Gordon & Linda Evans

Heather & Gene Rostov

Akara Draper & Linnie Jones

Elizabeth Catlin & Jared Flynn

Cliff Adler & Lynn Levine replacement of slate roof ($6,163.10), ceiling repair ($2,540) and interior painting ($12,000).

Recreation Board

We have authorized and expended soccer goals ($4,355) and ice-skating rink ($6,919.57). We have authorized but not expended the following: recreation shed electricity ($2,317.50), shelving for the recreation shed ($760), and updated sports equipment ($1,000).

Community Center

We authorized and expended funds to help offset the increase in fuel costs ($3,500). The town owns the building but leases it to the Community Center. We authorized and expended for a full building inspection ($1,350). The water heater and pressure tank were a top priority to be replaced, and we authorized ($5,874.90) for this repair. The Community Center and selectboard will be meeting to discuss funds for other repairs.

We have also gotten requests from Dummerston Cares ($45,000), Green Mountain Camp ($86,563), DV Fiber to assist residents with internet costs, and the energy committee for a proposed West Dummerston village wastewater system. These requests have not been acted on.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact a board member. We are still meeting at the Community Center every other Wednesday at 6 p.m. if you would like to attend.

Compliments of Priscilla Svec, P.T.

Practicing Holistic Physical Therapy

126 Main Street, Putney 387-4799

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