BYRON — The town stopped plowing Garland Pond Road this month, after selectmen recently learned that voters discontinued the practice nearly 10 years ago.
Residents of the road were sent notices of the discontinuance Dec. 11. The discontinuance is effective until March 2019.
At Thursday night’s board meeting, residents vented their frustration at the decision.
“I can’t supersede this,” Selectman Linda Joyal said. “If the town voted that we are closing that road to winter maintenance, then that’s what we have to do.”
State Rep. Fran Head, R-Bethel, said one Garland Pond Road resident has serious health issues. “This is about someone’s health and access to emergency vehicles,” she said.
In order for the town to resume plowing, selectmen would have to receive a petition calling for the 2009 article to be revoted, Joyal said.
But what about Friday’s storm, Head asked.
Joyal said she would consult with the town’s lawyer after the meeting.
At about 11:30 a.m. Friday, Ruthe Knapp-Veilleux, who said she is the resident to whom Head was referring, said the husband of a selectman plowed the road that morning.
The selectmen are Joyal, James Ramey and Rick Comstock.
In other business, selectmen:
• Learned that Med-Care fees will increase $3 per capita;
• Scheduled a public meeting in early January to determine whether there is enough interest to have broadband internet service brought to town;
• Announced they have not received information about town audits from the accounting firm of RHR Smith & Co.; and
• Announced the next board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the Town Office.
aaustin@sunjournal.com
In this May 2018 file photo, Byron Board of Selectmen Chairwoman Linda Joyal and board member James Ramey review meeting minutes. (Sun Journal file photo)
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