The article asked voters to raise and appropriate funds for the Howe Pond Road bridge (Billy Goat bridge) restoration efforts. The estimated cost to restore Billy Goat bridge is $1.18 million and Readsboro’s share is 10% or $118,000.
Proponents of the bridge maintain the town should help restore the bridge because it serves a purpose in the town. They believe it offers a shorter commute for residents; provides easy access for emergency medical services; and offers snowmobile access to the Heartwellville area. Opponents believe the project is too costly. They claim it is rarely used by motor vehicles, difficult to maintain in the winter, and the town does not have the money to cover the costs. The town already approved two other bridge projects that would be paid out of the town’s bridge fund. Billy Goat bridge would be funded by taxpayers.
A petition for a third vote was presented to the selectboard at a special Town Meeting on June 8. Betty Bolognani, Anna Bolognani, Sue Bailey, and selectboard member Craig Bartosewcz were behind the effort for another vote. They support the Billy Goat bridge repairs and after a close second vote, where it was defeated 37-24, all four wanted to give the project one last shot at passing.
Up to 150 voters attended the special Town Meeting and they listened to presentations from both sides. Carolyn Carlson, of the Vermont Agency of Transportation, said if voters defeat the article, Billy Goat bridge will be taken off the national bridge register and the town will no longer be eligible for state funding of the project.
Voters defeated the article by paper ballot, 101-36.
Betty Bolognani said she was disappointed with the results. “The bridge leads to an area with a lot of open land that can be developed. Not all land is for the Green Mountain National Forest,” said Bolognani. “I hope the next town on the list that is going to get the million dollars we turned down will thank Readsboro for our vote.”
Larry Hopkins, an outspoken critic of the Billy Goat bridge repairs, was satisfied. “I just hope the selectboard starts to hear the taxpayers’ voices that we do not want any unnecessary spending to take place. Hopefully, by the voters constantly overturning their proposals by a 70% to 75% margin, they will get the message clearly,” said Hopkins.
Maybe the click should do their research like the Hopkins brothers and present the information in a fair impartial manner.
How about the chairperson of the selectman trying to tell the voters that raising $26,000 is only going to cost $2.50? Talk about uninformed. Thankfully a vast majority of voters are realizing that the powers to be in Readsboro are not representing the people's view on issues.