Select Board vows to push for temporary bridge after weight limit cuts off ~89 households

The Select Board pledged to press state officials for a temporary bridge to restore vehicle access for roughly 89 households and multiple businesses cut off by a weight-restricted span.

Why it matters: Chair said the west-side residents “are limited on services” and cannot receive basic deliveries or heavy-service vehicles because the bridge is rated at 24,000 pounds. Board members described immediate hardships including limits on fuel deliveries, school-bus routing and deliveries to local businesses.

What was said: Chair summarized recent coordination with state staff and a local liaison, saying the town will "build a case and present it back to VTrans" and intends to gather evidence about impacts. The board discussed creating a petition, seeking letters from affected households and businesses, and convening a dedicated bridge meeting on the 21st to pull materials together. A board member suggested a single point of contact for residents and businesses who want to provide testimony or documentation; the Chair asked residents to email materials to the select board office for compilation.

Board action and next steps: The board did not take a binding vote to fund a bridge but reported a commitment to pursue a temporary solution and to continue negotiations with VTrans. Chair said the town would explore renting a temporary bridge if necessary and noted the state-controlled inventory of temporary bridges is limited. The board scheduled a follow-up meeting (noted in the record as on the 21st) to finalize petition language and outreach roles.

Context and background: Board members said they are coordinating with a state representative and town staff; several members observed that temporary bridges are currently concentrated north of Route 4 and that the town must make a clear, documented case for urgent deployment. The discussion emphasized collecting resident statements and specific, practical examples (e.g., inability to receive oil deliveries or to permit house additions) to demonstrate hardship.

What’s next: The board asked staff to collect written statements and circulate a petition draft ahead of the bridge meeting. No formal funding decision was recorded; the board said it would return with cost estimates and detailed materials after the follow-up meeting.