Town of Bennington 1998 Annual Report
Soon after, the weather changed and most of the Town's dirt roads including Mt. Anthony Road, Harrington Road, Knapp Road and Sawmill Road turned to mud.
Fortunately, in March and April an early spring ended the winter weather threat.
On May 31st tornados hit the north west side of Town and a huge amount of damage resulted from the high winds, heavy rains, high water and falling trees. North Bennington, Knapp Road, Harrington & Overlea Roads were hit especially hard. The highway crews of Bennington, North Bennington, Shaftsbury and the State of Vermont worked three (3) to four (4) weeks cleaning up the debris from the powerful storm.
Repairs were made to the handicap ramps on Downtown sidewalks. The Highway crew also assisted the Rec Department in the installation of a new Basketball Court. The following roads were repaired and resurfaced: South Stream Road, Shawrout, Woodland and Birch Drives, Gore Road, Matteson Road, Squaw Hill, and East Road. New curbs and sidewalks were installed on Spring Street during the year. Caroline Drive, John Street, Warn Street and Upper Gage Street from Branch Street to Main Street occurred. Gage Street was Micro sealed.
The Town took delivery of a new dump truck, an International 4900 with a side dump, a new equipment trailer for the new rollers and a new Cat 318 Backhoe.
The division put up new Downtown Parking signs and new road signs required by the new E-911 system.
November and December were very.mild. The first snow fell-on December 19, 1998.
On July 1, 1998, Smith Stratton officially retired.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Kinney, Highway Division - Working Foreman