Town of Colchester Selectboard
Press Release
October 11, 2017
For more information: Nadine Scibek, Selectboard Chair - 860-9536
For Immediate Release
At their October 10 meeting the Colchester Selectboard voted unanimously to discontinue winter maintenance on those private roads that are currently maintained by the Town to become effective in next year's winter season. The Selectboard decided to allow the winter maintenance of private roads currently plowed to continue through this upcoming winter season, to allow private road owners the time needed to contract for private plowing services by the Fall of 2018.
The decision was made after many months' study of the issue, comparison of the private road plowing policies of other communities in Chittenden County, consultation with the Town Manager, Colchester Department of Public Works, Governance Committee, the Town's attorney and insurance provider, as well as the review and consideration of over 120 pages of public comments and numerous public meetings. The Selectboard members agreed that it is their responsibility to represent the collective interest of the entire Town. Chair Nadine Scibek stated that: "The decision reached by the Board tonight was based on much thought, consideration and deliberation after taking into account all of the comments and suggested alternatives proposed by citizens, staff, the Governance Committee, the Town's attorney and many others. However, in the end after reviewing all the available information, the Board is tasked with making a decision that is in the best interest of the Town as a whole to ensure fairness and equity through the Town, as well as to address the Town's liability, risk and other concerns that were brought to the Board's attention that warranted the stopping of this practice."
The Selectboard has requested staff to draft a policy for Board review by the next Board meeting on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 with approval of the policy to take place at a subsequent meeting.
You can see the scan of the Press Release (PDF) at the link.