Meeting Planned for Thursday On Saint-Gaudens Road Trees

Cornish — The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has scheduled a public informational meeting next week on the proposed reconstruction of Saint-Gaudens Road.

Some Cornish residents have raised concerns that the project will remove some historic trees and change the aesthetics of the road, which runs from Route 12A and past the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, the home of 19th-century sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a key figure in the Cornish Colony.

The DOT meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Cornish Town Hall on Townhouse Road.

DOT officials said in a news release that the purpose of the meeting is to provide information about the proposed project “and to solicit public input in order to ensure that project decisions meet public transportation needs, community goals, and protect and enhance the environment.”

Vt.’s Scott Nominee Skips Tunbridge Debate

Tunbridge — Republican gubernatorial nominee Phil Scott declined to take part in the Tunbridge World’s Fair debate, leaving Democratic nominee Sue Minter to take the stage solo.

The Burlington Free Press reported the lieutenant governor decided to skip Thursday’s debate because the moderator failed to invite Liberty Union candidate and former major league baseball player Bill “Spaceman” Lee.

The Scott campaign released a set of criteria for the candidate’s participation in debates last month. Among the stipulations included a condition that all candidates appearing on the November ballot must be invited.

Despite the absence of Scott, Minter still plans to speak for about an hour. Debates between candidates for other officers will follow.

Minter and Scott have agreed to take part in 10 upcoming debates.

Hartford GOP to Host Candidates’ Forum

White River Junction — Hartford Republicans are holding a forum next week to introduce voters to several candidates from Windsor County.

Among the expected attendees are Vermont Senate candidates Mark Donka, Randy Gray and Jack Williams, along with House candidates Kevin Stuart and Charlie Davenport, of Hartford.

The candidates night will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Hotel Coolidge.

Audit: Vermont Owed $1.8 Million In Improper Welfare Payments

Montpelier — A state audit has found that Vermont made more than 1,000 payments for improper welfare claims over the last three years and is owed $1.8 million as a result of those payments.

The audit released on Wednesday by State Auditor Doug Hoffer’s Office examined fraud cases between Jan. 1, 2013, and April 21 of this year to determine whether the state Department of Children and Families prevents and detects eligibility fraud.

It found that the department’s Economic Services Division conducted investigations of potential fraud but didn’t record or track every allegation.

— Staff and wire reports