The Cabot Selectboard voted to update the town's zoning fee schedule during a June 2 meeting, with the most significant change doubling the fee for after-the-fact permits. Board member Brittany Butler noted the new structure would generate more revenue but still not fully cover the zoning administrator's salary. The board also approved a $17,000 Better Back Roads grant for Sawmill Road, covering ditching and culvert work.
Road Foreman Sid Griggs reported that stop signs and all three road name signs at the intersection of Bothfeld, West Hill Pond, Coits Pond and Cabot roads had been stolen again. He plans to combine road name signs with stop signs and add a yield sign on the Bothfeld Road approach.
At the June 2 meeting, a resident raised concerns about an inoperable lock at the wastewater treatment plant, which contains combustible chemicals. By the June 4 meeting, Chair Jen Miner confirmed the lock had been replaced. The same resident noted that meeting minutes and recordings had not been posted to the town website since April 21, a potential open meeting law violation. Butler said the issue had been addressed.
The board voted to authorize NEK Broadband to install underground lines to five residences along Walbridge, Houston Hill and Coits Pond roads. It also voted to list a 3.3-acre town-owned parcel on Route 2 at a starting price of $100,000.
Other actions at the June 4 meeting included reducing the dog impoundment period from 10 to 5 days, scheduling a Knox Box ordinance update, and tabling a proposed trash and littering ordinance for further research. An ethics ordinance will be converted to an internal policy.
The board discussed pending state legislation (H.935) that would require permits for open burns and shift authority to fire chiefs. A cracked two-inch water line at a school property on Danville Hill was discovered during meter installation work.
NEK will be looking into whether other towns in the region have faced similar delays in posting meeting minutes, a requirement of Vermont's open meeting law.
Originally reported by North Star Monthly.
Photo: Beniam via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.
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