Letters to the Editor

Hinesburg trails committee chair urges residents to support scoping study

I would like to provide a correction and some amplification to The Citizen’s coverage of my presentation to the Hinesburg Selectboard on Nov. 17. As yet, there are no “plans to begin a scoping study on the land offered to the town by David Carse.” First, Mr. Carse has generously offered, and the Hinesburg Selectboard has now accepted, a pedestrian easement along approximately a mile of the Hinesburg-Charlotte Road. Mr. Carse is not selling or donating the underlying land to the town.

Second, in January 2015 the Hinesburg Trails Committee hopes to submit an application to the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) for a scoping study of potential bike and pedestrian safety improvements along portions of the Richmond Road and the Hinesburg-Charlotte Road. The latter would include the Carse easement but cover additional land as well. The result of the scoping study would be the identification of a safer alternative (and its associated costs) along each of these two routes. Safety along these narrow, busy roads has become an increasing concern to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists and is identified as a priority in the Hinesburg Town Plan. By applying for a scoping study through the CCRPC, Hinesburg would be responsible for only 20 percent (rather than 100 percent) of the study costs.

I urge Hinesburg residents who would like to see progress toward the safer sharing of our paved roads to let Selectboard members know they support such a scoping study.

Lenore Budd, Chair, Hinesburg Trails Committee

State Senator thanks towns for support

I want to sincerely thank the people of Charlotte and Hinesburg for your support in the recent election. Since my first election to the Senate six years ago, I’ve done my best to represent each Chittenden County community with the same enthusiasm and close attention as my own hometown. I will continue to keep you posted on my Senate efforts with updates in The Citizen and in direct calls and emails with you. Please stay in touch, and thanks again.

Tim Ashe, Vermont State Senator