Woodstock Conservation Commission members were awarded The Spirit of America Award by Town Manager Vern Maxfield. Marcel Polak, from left, Jim Chandler, Jane Chandler, Ed Rosenberg, Carla Phillips, Select Board and Conservation Commission member Bob McQueeney, Maxfield, Select Board member Jeffrey Campbell Jr., and former Select Board member Shawn Coffin. (Select Board member Ron Deegan not pictured) Rose Lincoln
WOODSTOCK — Sean Coffin and Bob McQueeney traded places Tuesday night.
After two years of watching from the audience, new Woodstock Selectman Bob McQueeney sat at the front table. He was sworn in at the town meeting on March 27. Jeffrey Campbell Jr. and Town Manager Vern Maxfield were there, too. Chairman Ronnie Deegan was absent. Coffin was the only resident present.
The group discussed the cost of a plow truck and the possibility of buying a smaller one because of the high cost, as high as $318,000.
They were pleased with an estimate from Pine Tree for the paving of Old County Road.
Maxfield was concerned with Gordon Construction’s work on North Main Street in front of the post office where the state design has called on the contractor to add more shoulder, creating a narrower street on the sharp corner.
“We had quite a conversation about the corner and the new pole right in the middle of the road,” Maxfield said.
“That’s a target,” McQueeney said.
The inspector is not happy with it, Maxfield said. Referring to the pole getting hit, he said, “They really should bring in a pile of poles, so they don’t have to get one every time.”
Of the town’s new firetruck that Fire Capt. Coffin and Deputy Chief Jay Ross will be driving home from Indianapolis, Coffin said, “She’s passing pump tests and she’s ready to rock.”
The Cemetery Committee decided that the Newt Cemetery was not the best location for green burials. Committee member Marcel Polak is hoping Mahoosuc Land Trust can offer space.
Five heat pumps are to be installed at the Town Office.
The Concord State Park parking lot needed to be measured, and Coffin offered.
McQueeney, Coffin and Maxfield attended a kickoff for the downtown renovation plan.
“I’m anxious to see what they do,” Maxfield said. “They talked about the common and how they could make it better. They want to add something decorative on the lawn outside the Town Office. There will be gateways (to denote that you are coming into a village area) on either side of the downtown that will start traffic calming.”
Aug. 26 is the date set for Hazardous Waste Day at the Bethel Transfer Station.
An electric vehicle charging station is being installed at Buck’s Ledge next week. It is one pole with two stations.
Following adjournment, members of the Conservation Commission arrived to receive their Spirit of America Awards. These had been announced at Town Meeting. The presentation was on the lawn outside.
“That’s appropriate for conservation, isn’t it?” Maxfield asked.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
