Reappraisal update
GUILFORD — GUILFORD - Lister Jeremiah Sund appeared before the Selectboard at their July 11 regular meeting to keep them updated on the townwide property reappraisal process.
The Listers hired ARGI, a state-approved appraisal firm, to conduct the inspections.
Because the appraiser, Daniel Beaudoin, will seek entry into people's homes, the town posted a picture of Beaudoin and his vehicle on their website, guilfordvt.net. Beaudoin drives a white Pontiac Vibe with Massachusetts plates, number 3GR570.
Beaudoin has examined the interiors of about 42 percent of Guilford properties and about 91 percent of the exteriors, Sund told the Board.
The Listers call and send letters to property owners, notifying them of the reappraisal. Sund said a property owner can refuse Beaudoin entry, but they must tell town officials they are making that choice.
Board member Gabrielle Ciufredda asked Sund what happens if the Listers and Beaudoin cannot reach a property owner.
Sund said the Listers and Beaudoin can perform a sort of “drive-by” appraisal of the property's exterior and compare it with building permits the town issued for that property.
“Most people don't have an objection to us going around [the outside] of the home,” Sund said, adding “we'll be getting more data even if we don't get inside."
“Vermont is one of the few states that still goes inside” homes and buildings for reappraisals, Sund noted.
Although Sund remarked on the reappraisal's slow process, he still expressed confidence in its completion within about seven months.
Community Center gets grant writer
GUILFORD - The local group pushing for a community center in town recently cleared one hurdle: getting the Selectboard to support contracting with a grant-writer. [See “Board backs grant proposal for community center,” The Commons #354, April 27, 2016]
After Community Center for Guilford issued a request for proposals, the group's Selection Committee met to review the submissions on July 5 and chose Wagner Development Partners.
But the group must secure a grant match of $6,000 before they can move forward.
“So, this is a grant match to hire a consultant to write the grant?” Board member Gabrielle Ciufredda asked.
“Correct,” said Town Administrator Katie Buckley.
The community center group must “show there's enough interest in the community to hire the consultant to go ahead with the feasibility study,” Board Chair Sheila Morse said, explaining that the group must come up with the initial $6,000.
“Fifty-percent... of the cost of [Wagner's] writing the grant can be recouped if the grant is actually awarded,” Buckley said, adding the remaining half can come from donations.
Buckley suggested the Board give the group a deadline to raise the $6,000 before signing the contract with Wagner, but to make a motion on it so she can tell Wagner officials the town accepted their bid.
Ciufredda made that motion, to which the Board unanimously voted “yea."
Davis appointed to Senior Solutions' board
GUILFORD - The Selectboard unanimously voted to appoint Richard Davis to the Board of Senior Solutions, the agency formerly known as the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont.
At the Guilford Board's July 11 regular meeting, Town Administrator Katie Buckley noted the town has no representative to the Senior Solutions Board, the Selectboard is responsible for appointing members, and that Davis expressed interest.
Covered Bridge Project update
GUILFORD - Town Administrator Katie Buckley reported the Green River Covered Bridge replacement project is on schedule.
At the July 11 regular Selectboard meeting, she announced one surprise: during construction, the contractors discovered the bridge's siding needs full replacement.
Because the bridge is considered historic, the siding replacement needed approval from the Agency of Transportation's Historic Preservation Officer and the Covered Bridge Committee, Buckley said, noting the town received the sign-off from both entities.
Now, the contractor is working on a change-order, Buckley said. The cost will likely come from the project's budget, which included a contingency for unexpected repairs like this, Buckley said.
Buckley, members of the Board, and Road Commissioner Danny Zumbruski all reported very few complaints about the resulting detour - possibly none, according to some.
All agreed the construction and detour plans were well communicated, and people are tolerating and accepting the change.