St. Albans faces key vote on Town Landing Road

ST. ALBANS – Topping the list of articles for the St. Albans March 1 annual town meeting is the taking of Town Landing Road by eminent domain. The controversial move has been extensively and emotionally discussed at selectmen’s meetings for years.

Monday night, Selectman Curt Lombard said that the move toward eminent domain would provide a clear and concise solution to the debate. State law, however, requires that land taken by eminent domain must be for the public good and in the interests of the majority of residents.

Several lawsuits dealing with the Town Landing Road, a private way owned by Gary Jordan Sr., are pending and will be null and void if the property is taken by the town. The proposal on the warrant provides for taking of an additional 20 feet along the way, and compensating those bordering landowners.

Those to be compensated include: Jordan, $1,544.02; Arthur Vicnaire, $50; Peter K. Duncombe, $2; William F. Ewell, $1; Joseph Rinfret, $1; Clifford Bubar, $1; and Charles Brine, $1.

Town Manager Larry Post said normally he projects an estimated mill rate, but a valuation that is under way will be completed this year and will lower the existing 21.5 mills rate.

“That 21.5 is based on 70 percent valuation,” said Post. “The rule of thumb is that one-third of all properties will remain the same [value], one-third will decrease and one-third will increase.”

A bonus to the budgeting process is that St. Albans is debt-free, owing nothing on loans or payments, said Post. A five-year note on repairs to the Upper Dam of Big Indian Lake was paid off last year. “We’ve tried hard to think ahead and plan ahead, setting money aside rather than borrowing,” said Post.

Most of the remaining 29 articles deal with annual budgeting appropriations. Three exceptions are a $10,000 payment to a reserve account for future construction of a new fire station, purchase of a new road grader, and authorization to accept a small community grant for septic system upgrades.

The town meeting is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 1, at the Town Hall.