St. Johnsbury Votes on Water and Sewer Lines
- Details
- Created on Tuesday, 06 November 2012 21:21
- Written by Katelyn Zenie
SAINT JOHNSBURY - Residents in St. Johnsbury not only had to vote on presidential and local candidates, but were also voting for or against an 8-million dollar project that will ultimately effect their area in a big way.
Voters who lined up well before the opening of the venue at 10 in the morning filed into the Father Lively Center in Saint Johnsbury to make their voice heard this election year. Along with their ballot was an orange piece of paper asking voters if they would approve an 8 million dollar project that would replace the sewer and water lines in the town. The project would fix up problem areas in the town, replacing lines on Main Street, Western, and Eastern Avenue.
Selectboard chairman Jim Rust says this job must be done, or the streets in question will worsen. "The flooding that happened last year in 2011,started showing some cracks in the piping down eastern avenue". Rust continues, "Since that time there has been 5 repairs on eastern avenue for these things and every time it shuts down eastern avenue." Jim Rust is not the only one in support of the line replacements, residents of the town of Saint Johnsbury have seen the damage that the current sewage and water lines can do. "I've seen them on eastern avenue and it's scary." resident Valerie Cote said.
If passed, 70 percent of the cost would be covered by the state and federal government, and the rest of the cost would be picked up by the towns highway budget. However, if the project does not pass today it could go on the ballot in March. By that time though, some of that state and federal grant money could no longer be available, and tax payer could potentially be footing the bill.
Related Stories:
8 Million Dollar Project on the Ballot
Out of the total 2,986 residents that voted in the general election in St. Johnsbury yesterday, 2013 people said yes to the 8- million dollar bond. That leaving 864 residents against the bond, 50 residents left the ballot blank, and one spoiled vote. The town clerk and board of civil authority say the bond passed, therefor the project to separate underground storm water and sewer lines on these three main roads will be underway shortly. Many residents in St. Johnsbury agree that this project was passed just in time. "It's something that the town really needs," St.Johnsbury selectman Kevin Oddy continues, "I mean, Eastern Avenue alone has had four major breaks in the last year. It causes a lot of damage and a lot of problems, not only for home owners but for businesses."