Quarry operators query Selectboard on safety requirements

HALIFAX — The Selectboard took up a variety of topics at its March 10 meeting at the town office, including an inquiry from attorneys for the designers of the proposed quarry regarding emergency services at the project site.

According to draft meeting minutes, the attorney for Denison Logging and Lumber and Ashfield Stone wanted to know whether whether municipal emergency services will be provided, and whether an access permit is required.

An Act 250 municipal impact questionnaire was also included with the request, Selectboard Secretary Jessica Bruno noted.

The companies are designing a seeping system that includes two sediment ponds on an 11-acre quarry area. (The excavated part of the quarry will be smaller.)

In hearings and notes to officials during comment periods, residents expressed concern over native trout, wetland disturbances, sediment control, and other feared environmental impacts at the quarry.

According to minutes taken at the Selectboard's Feb. 18 meeting, Denison's attorney indicated via e-mail that they were setting up a website detailing information regarding the project and were preparing local and Act 250 applications.

Also recorded in March 10 meeting minutes, posted at http://halifaxvermont.com:

• The Selectboard is in receipt of a bill from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns for what Bruno referred to as “an additional $1,000 (approx.) due to the new fire truck.”

• The Selectboard would like an updated bridge and culvert inventory. Road Commissioner Brad Rafus will work on it over the next few months.

• The Selectboard received a new report for the monitoring wells, the report having been amended to include a road name change: Branch Road to Brook Road.

• Keith Stone of the road crew reported that he is certain that a town vehicle did not damage a mailbox on Hale Road Guilford, and provided details on where the grader was when a mailbox there was reported damaged.

Stone reportedly spoke to the affected homeowner and explained that the town's grader was not in his area that day. Bruno noted that the homeowner had contacted the Guilford Highway Department as well.

• Town Clerk and Treasurer Patricia Dow presented an insert that the Windham & Windsor Housing Trust wanted to include with the tax bill mailing. The Selectboard expressed that it did not want the insert to go out with the tax bills, but that the town could make the information available at its office and on its website.

No visitors spoke at the meeting. Board members in attendance were Earl Holtz, Edee Edwards, and Lewis Sumner.

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