BOLTONVILLE—Plenty of advance notice will herald the closure, demolition, and reconstruction of the old 1946 Boltonville Bridge. The work is to begin June 12 with a crossing over the Wells River slated to reopen on Aug. 18.
The bridge, which the state of Vermont labels as Newbury Bridge 15, is owned by the town of Newbury and is located approximately 500 feet north of the intersection of Boltonville Road and Route 302.

WOODSVILLE—There is another entry in what has been an unusual town meeting season after accusations of unlawful electioneering were reported to the New Hampshire Department of Justice, which enforces state elections laws.
The first complaint made to the DOJ has been addressed. The DOJ determined that a letter written and mailed to Woodsville residents constituted two counts of unlawful electioneering by Woodsville Fire District Administrator Kevin Shelton.
On March 3, NH Deputy Attorney General Jane Young sent a letter ordering the Woodsville Fire District to “cease and desist” engaging in further electioneering activities. According to the letter, the DOJ received a complaint that Shelton violated New Hampshire’s electioneering statute.

WOODSVILLE—A New Hampshire House of Representatives committee will hold a public hearing next week on a proposed bill that would change state law on the highway department revenue-sharing formula between the town of Haverhill and the precinct of Woodsville.
Though dating back to the 19th century, the niche provision is at the center of a very big 21st century dispute that has driven a wedge in the community and prompted Woodsville to file a lawsuit against the town.

WOODSVILLE—On Friday evening, Chelsea Anderson of Warren was one of several people waiting in line at Sunny Garden restaurant for takeout. She and the others in line were all wearing masks and observed the recommended 6 feet of social distancing.
It was the same day that New Hampshire statewide mask mandate, in place since Nov. 20, expired. On April 15, Gov. Chris Sununu said a reduction in the state’s seven-day average of daily deaths to the lowest level since before the mask mandate warranted the decision. He added that hospitalizations were at manageable levels and over 70% of those 65 and older have been vaccinated.