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Town appeals court ruling

NORTH HAVERHILL—The town of Haverhill has appealed a Grafton County Superior Court ruling made in the lawsuit between the town and precinct of Woodsville over how the two entities share highway revenue. Last year, Woodsville sued Haverhill alleging it had illegally withheld funding under state law in 2019 and 2020. Haverhill countersued claiming it had […]

Historic signs get a makeover

ORFORD—They were old, rusty and difficult to read, but two historical markers in Orford are looking like new thanks to some motivated residents and the expertise of a metal artisan. Ann Green and Orford Town Administrator Esther Dobbins-Marsh spearheaded the restoration. “The town is very fortunate to have historic iron signs,” Green said.

Lyme man arrested for Orford murder

ORFORD—Lance Goodrich, 35, has been accused of killing his 25-year-old cousin, Brooke Goodrich, who was found dead at her home in Orford on Saturday. Lance Goodrich, of Lyme, pleaded not guilty on Monday afternoon to second degree murder after he allegedly shot Brooke Goodrich at her Route 10 home. He will remain in custody after […]

Precinct audits reveal lapses

WOODSVILLE—Six years of precinct audits are in the books. At a public presentation last week, Woodsville residents touted the audits as exonerating the precinct from whispered accusations of fraud and ushering in a new era of responsible fiscal management. Still, the audits detailed extensive lapses over the last six years, which may have ramifications for […]

Pratt home is past Covid outbreak

BRADFORD—The Margaret Pratt Center has won a COVID-19 battle. When the virus came to call, it was no match for the prepared. Thirteen breakthrough cases were discovered in fully vaccinated staff and residents who suffered only mild symptoms in an outbreak which began on Oct. 29. The center currently has 46 residents with a 40-member […]

DCF plans court challenge

MONTPELIER—The Vermont Department for Children and Families will appeal to the Environmental Court to overturn the Newbury Development Review Board’s decision to deny the proposed Covered Bridge juvenile detention facility. DCF Commissioner Sean Brown told legislators during a hearing on Nov. 19 of the Joint Legislative Child Protection Oversight Committee. DCF will appeal the decision […]

DRB rules against detention center

NEWBURY—The Newbury Development Review Board has rejected the site plan application for the proposed Covered Bridge juvenile detention center. In a 7-0 decision issued on Nov. 12, the board found that the development could not satisfy the town’s zoning regulations in the rural district where Stevens Place is located. Covered Bridge would be owned and […]

Budget prep now underway

BRADFORD—Selectboard members will start reviewing a proposed 2022 budget in earnest at their meeting on Nov. 23. The board, which typically meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, moved its next meeting to Tuesday, Nov. 23 so as not to conflict with the Thanksgiving holiday. A preliminary draft of the budget prepared […]

Court says town owes precinct

NORTH HAVERHILL—Haverhill has been ordered by a court to repay highway money it withheld from Woodsville. The ruling comes as the two entities appear headed for trial in February over a lawsuit filed in 2020. But at least for now, Woodsville has been given a major boost as it seeks to claw back money it […]

State rep holds Town Hall

WEST FAIRLEE—Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas, D-Bradford, led an evening Town Hall forum hosted by the selectboard at the West Fairlee Community Building on Nov. 10. She reviewed several issues relevant to West Fairlee, such as broadband expansion, roads and bridges, housing, in light of the American Relief Plan Act and infrastructure funds. “Sarah Copeland Hanzas […]