Winds howled. Trees fell. Wires snapped. Roads were blocked. A winter storm on Jan. 13 — the third in a week — delivered a little bit of snow and a lot of headaches. The gale-force wind gusts set this one apart from its 2024 predecessors.
ST. JOHNSBURY—Six Vermont State Troopers assigned to the St. Johnsbury barracks have been placed on paid administrative leave while they are investigated for conduct during an ongoing incident while on-duty last month. State Trooper David Garces was initially placed on paid leave Dec. 27 concerning a police case that spread into New Hampshire and back into Vermont just before Christmas.
BRADFORD—A state mandate for property reappraisals and the appointment of an assistant health officer were two of several agenda items addressed by the selectboard at the Jan. 11 meeting. Listers Doug Miller and Bob Wing requested board authorization to get bids for the state-mandated reappraisal. There are 157 towns on the state’s list to undergo reappraisal.
WOODSVILLE—The Haverhill Selectboard fielded a proposal on Jan. 2 to open all town-maintained roads to ATV access. The proposal excludes state highways, such as Route 10 or Route 116. Board members said they are open to the proposal and plan to hold a public hearing in the future.
BRADFORD—The Orange East Supervisory Union Board voted to approve a $10.8 million budget for the 2024-2025 school year which begins on July 1.
WOODSVILLE—The Haverhill Selectboard voted on Jan. 2 to purchase two devices manufactured by VotingWorks.
The board formally voted to make the purchase after hearing a recommendation from Haverhill Town Clerk Christina Hebert.
FAIRLEE—Nearly 200 people have signed a petition submitted by David Adams that called a special meeting to repeal the short-term rental ordinance approved by the selectboard in November.
BRADFORD—Repairs at Elizabeth’s Park could run into the tens of thousands of dollars after a hammer-wielding vandal went on a three-minute spree of mayhem just before Christmas. The incident happened shortly after midnight on Dec. 22. Video surveillance captured a small truck entering Elizabeth’s Park off Fairground Road in Bradford.
NEWBURY—The Vermont Supreme Court’s 4 to 1 decision on Dec. 21 upheld the state’s plan for a secure treatment facility for youth on Stevens Place off Fish Pond Road in Newbury. The fate of the project, proposed for a site which housed a former bed and breakfast, was in the hands of the courts for months.
ORFORD—A committee formed to study the municipal acquisition of a church has recommended that the town move forward. Selectboard members will consider warning a special article for a vote at town meeting in March.