BRADFORD—On June 24, the Bradford Selectboard approved two new ordinances to address fire department reimbursement and false alarms. The reimbursement ordinance identifies incidents, like an unpermitted burn, where the Bradford Fire Department can bill businesses or individuals after a response. The false alarm ordinance states that the fire department will bill businesses and individuals with […]
FAIRLEE—The Fairlee Selectboard is considering measures to lower traffic speeds around Lake Morey and improve pedestrian safety. The town may lower the speed limit on Lake Morey Road from 30 to 25 mph during summer, add more speed limit signs, or install speed bumps in order to make the area safer for summer crowds, according […]
NORTH HAVERHILL—A Grafton County operating budget for the next 12 months in excess of $48.7 million was overwhelmingly approved by legislators on Monday morning. Meeting mostly in person at the county complex, the delegation of state representatives voted 25-1 to approve the spending plan. Rep. David Binford, R-Bath, was the lone dissent. Ten other Republicans […]
BRADFORD—There is a new development in municipal trash collection in downtown Bradford. Earlier this year, garbage receptacles and recycling bins from several sidewalk locations on Main Street and Barton Street and one in Denny Park were removed after voters approved a budget in March that essentially defunded trash and recycling collection in the downtown and […]
WEST FAIRLEE—Mailing address issues are causing West Fairlee’s COVID-19 vaccination rate to appear lower than it actually is. The Vermont Department of Health website shows a vaccination rate between 21 and 30% for West Fairlee and a rate greater than 90% for Fairlee, with a disclaimer saying that the vaccination rate in West Fairlee may […]
BRADFORD—Over $10 million in federal funding will come to Orange East Supervisory Union as part of various federal coronavirus relief packages. The district has begun asking for public input on how to spend the money. The funds have been or will be distributed through three separate acts. The initial disbursal came through the CARES Act […]
WAITS RIVER—One of the most photographed sites in Vermont is Pike Hill Road’s approach to the New Hope Methodist Church in Waits River. There are barns on either side of the road and in the foreground is a small bridge with wooden railings. New England photographer and blogger Jeff Folger calls it “an iconic location.” […]
NORTH HAVERHILL—Why is there an inmate labor shortage on the Grafton County Farm? Last week’s story, “County farm turns to cover crops in 2021,” about the temporary closure of the Grafton County farm stand spurred questions about the lower numbers of incarcerated at the Grafton County House of Corrections. The lack of farm help started […]
As Vermont reached an 80% vaccination rate, eligible residents of Bradford and surrounding communities are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at a pace comparable to the rest of the state. According to data from the Vermont Department of Health, Bradford’s vaccination rate was between 81 and 90%, as was the rate in Thetford. Fairlee’s vaccination rate […]
THETFORD CENTER—The one-lane covered bridge over the Ompompanoosuc River on Tucker Hill Road was temporarily closed for several hours midday on June 17. But this time the closure was not due to damage caused by an oversized truck striking the wooden frame, an all-too common occurrence at the site. Instead, a throng of neighbors, Thetford […]