NEWBURY—Newbury residents seized on a meeting with state officials last week to voice their fears over a proposed juvenile detention facility in a former bed and breakfast. Chief among those concerns: What happens if there’s an escape or another emergency in a town without its own police or emergency responders? “This proposed detention facility threatens […]
WEST FAIRLEE—Fire officials said a family of three barely escaped with their lives after a fast-moving fire destroyed their historic split-level home at 3207 Blood Brook Road on Feb. 8. The fire was called in at 10:19 p.m., and within minutes dozens of firefighters and equipment from at least nine mutual aid communities had converged […]
TOPSHAM—The location for the town’s new garage is once again the top issue for voters. Topsham has been looking to build a new town garage for over a decade. The current building, located along Tabor Branch in East Topsham, is cramped and underequipped. Several initial proposals were rejected by voters or vetoed by state regulators. […]
BRADFORD—In an atmosphere charged with anticipation, the Bradford Armory was abuzz with chatter, tears and hugs on Saturday as Vermont National Guard soldiers departed for a year-long deployment abroad. Approximately 80 soldiers were given the big send-off by well-wishers at the armory and beyond. Flags, horns and sirens, balloons and “thank you” signs and banners […]
BRADFORD—It’s a town meeting season unlike any other in the past. With COVID-19 upending traditional practices, municipalities have been given some flexibility on how to conduct their annual town business meeting. But Zoom meetings and Australian ballots are not the only features for town meeting this year. In several area towns, there will be competitive […]
WELLS RIVER—Several positive COVID-19 cases in the community prompted pre-k-12 Blue Mountain Union School to move to remote learning on a full-time basis for the next three weeks. At least five people with Covid were within the school building last week. In a letter posted on Facebook, Orange East Supervisory Union Superintendent Emilie Knisley said […]
ORFORD—It appears that changes implemented over the past two years have resolved budgeting problems that led to an $800,000 deficit in 2018-2019. Early on in the Rivendell Interstate School District’s Feb. 4 board meeting, professional auditor Tyler Paine briefed the board on the district’s finances for the year ending June 31, 2020. In that period, […]
NEWBURY—Less than two years after the Oxbow Senior Independence Program celebrated its 30th anniversary, its day program has had to call it quits. The adult daily services program is yet another victim of the coronavirus pandemic. OSIP was founded in 1987 with a dual mission. The organization provides subsidized, independent housing for older adults and […]
WELLS RIVER—The governing body of Wells River Village is bereft of a quorum after the resignation of one member and the sudden passing of another. The village, incorporated in 1888, is an independent subdivision within the town of Newbury. It maintains a municipal water and wastewater system and its own highway department serving a village […]
NORTH HAVERHILL—Grafton County’s new administrator will be a familiar face to some in the area. After serving as Littleton Town Manager for 5.5 years, Andrew Dorsett will start his new position on Feb. 16. He succeeds Julie Libby, who will become the county’s finance manager. Previously, Dorsett was a town administrator on both sides of […]