Isle La Motte hears Better Roads coordinator on hydrologically connected-road requirements

The Town of Isle La Motte Selectboard met Sept. 11 for an informational session with Better Roads coordinator Dan Judkins to review state road-improvement guidelines aimed at protecting nearby water bodies.

Road Commissioner Robin Guiterrez opened the Q&A by saying the meeting’s purpose was to understand the state standard that requires towns to improve a portion of their hydrologically connected road network. Dan Judkins confirmed that hydrologically connected roads must meet state standards to protect the lake and noted the present 7.5% annual-improvement requirement is slated to change when the current compliance cycle ends in October 2027.

Judkins defined a hydrologically connected road as “any road that leads to another road that leads to a body of water,” and said most roads on Isle La Motte meet that definition. He emphasized that the rules are meant to promote steady progress; he told the board that towns demonstrating year-to-year improvement would not be subjected to fines or penalties under the upcoming standard.

Next steps identified by Judkins included prioritizing which road segments to upgrade, performing annual culvert checks, keeping the town’s MRPG map current, and using available grant programs for funding. Judkins said he would send map access instructions and links to the Grants in Aid and Better Roads grant materials for the town to review.