Hart to remain Londonderry road foreman, Doane steps down

By Bruce Frauman
© 2016 Telegraph Publishing LLC

In a surprising turn of events, Duane Hart, who had resigned from his position as road foreman for the town of Londonderry, will be staying on and instead road crew member Nick Doane will be leaving.

Duane Hart speaking to the Londonderry board in July about his decision to quit as road foreman.

Duane Hart speaking to the Londonderry board in July about his decision to quit as road foreman.

This turn was mentioned only in passing at the Aug. 1 Select Board meeting, but was confirmed by the town administrator in an email to The Chester Telegraph. Stephanie Johnson wrote: “Duane Hart is staying on as our Road Foreman. We have declined his letter of resignation and have reached a satisfactory agreement.”

Hart told the board that, “Nick Doane is 100 percent done with the town” as of Monday, Aug. 1. The board passed a motion made by member Wayne Blanchard to give Hart the authority to process applicants for the vacated road crew position. Reasons for Doane’s decision were explained in an executive session after the regular meeting business was competed.

Later last week, Londonderry Town Clerk Kelly Pajala told the Telegraph that Doane would stay on as Second Constable since “that is an elected position.”

In other action

  • No parking sign on Middletown Road. Photo by Shawn Cunningham

    No parking sign on Middletown Road. Photo by Shawn Cunningham

    The board will hold two special meetings in August. On Monday, Aug. 8, the board was to discuss the proposed salt and sand shed. The board received at least one letter from an engineering firm proposing costs for its services to help with the permit process. Some board members wanted more time to review the letters before making a decision about the next steps. Thompson will ask the Planning Commission to join the board for a special meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 to discuss renovation of the Twitchell Building.

  • Also, due to the Labor Day holiday of Monday, Sept. 5, regular board meetings in September will be take place on Wednesday, Sept. 14 and Monday, Sept. 19, and the Town Clerk’s office will be closed Sept. 19 and 20 for training.
  • Treasurer Tina Labeau said tax bills have gone out. “The last week of September taxes are due on a Saturday, so Thursday and Friday we will be open until 5 and then Saturday Oct. 1 we will be open from 10 to 5.”
  • Board member Paul Gordon said that the town was still having trouble with its website, including making updates. “All I can say is, ‘We are working on it,’ ” said Gordon.
  • Gordon also noted that some No Parking signs have been put up along town highways, including along Lowell Lake and Middletown roads. Gordon asked businesses that have customers parking in the roadways to “work with their clientele to keep the cars off the roads where they are not supposed to be.” Gordon also said the Vermont State Police have been asked to monitor that.
  • And Thompson said no bids have been received for the haying of the septage field behind the Transfer Station. The field is used to process effluent from septic tanks and port-a-potties and must be cut to remove the excess nitrogen, according to Prouty.  Prouty said he knew of at least one person who was going to bid and will try to find out why no bid has been received. A new request for bids will be posted with bids due Friday, Aug. 12.
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  1. Bruce Frauman says:

    Londonderry Board Chair Steve Prouty told me on Tuesday that only treated sewage is spread on the septage fields. 100 pounds of hydrated lime is added to every 1000 gallons of sewage from residential septic tanks to bring the PH above 12 “which kills all pathogens”. There is no processing done on the fields and the contents of “portapots” are not used.