Hartland
Town officials said the petition, which garnered 143 signatures, was invalid because state law requires it to be filed within 30 days of the vote.
In a letter to petitioner Patricia Rosson, the board said it researched the “petition extensively” and consulted with the Secretary of State, the town attorney and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.
“We conclude that the board cannot accept the petition,” the Oct. 17 letter states.
The board cited state law that requires reconsideration of a town meeting vote to be filed within 30 days from the date of the meeting, meaning the petition would have had to been filed by April 4, 2014.
Rosson explained Wednesday her reason for submitting the petition.
“There was a lot of talk around town saying it was ridiculous to spend that much money when we could use it for other things,” Rosson said in a phone interview. She lives on Jenneville Road, which is not near the intersection.
Voters approved the expenditure, 91-39, and the project now in the hands of engineers with the state Agency of Transportation for permitting, Town Manager Bob Stacey said on Wednesday.
Stacey said the money will be borrowed from a capital reserve fund that was set up using funds the town received in a suit from a gasoline spill on Quechee Road. It will be paid back in five years but, Stacey said, the tax rate impact has not yet been determined. He said the latest estimate from the engineers is $400,000 for the project, which will create a four-way stop and reduce the number of stop signs at the intersection from seven to four. Additionally, parking will be improved and green space and crosswalks around the intersection added.
“A true four-way STOP intersection is one that all drivers recognize and know how to negotiate — it is probably the simplest design for an intersection,” the Selectboard wrote in its letter to Rosson.
The letter goes on to explain the confusion that currently exists with signs such as “oncoming traffic does not stop,” the board called “rare and confusing” that some drivers don’t understand. That situation goes away with the realignment and all drivers entering the intersection will have to stop.
Rosson said there have not been many accidents at Three Corners and doubts the four stop signs instead of seven will make much of a difference.
Another reason for the petition were grumblings from “disgruntled” people who are unable to attend town meeting, which is held during the day, Rosson said.
Though the petition was denied, Rosson said she wants to explore the possiblity of requiring Australian ballot votes on “large expenditures” but does not want to end the traditional town meeting format in Hartland, where most articles are debated, possibly amended, then voted from the floor.
“I would hate to give up town meeting,” she said.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com
