Thursday, August 20, 2015
Randolph Project Dismissal Denied
Randolph — The District 3 Environmental Commission on Wednesday denied two environmental watchdogs’ request to dismiss an application for a large development near Exit 4 of Interstate 89.
The Conservation Law Foundation and the Vermont Natural Resources Council earlier this month asked the board to reject Jesse “Sam” Sammis’ proposal for a multi-use project on his 172-acre property near the interchange of I-89 and Route 66.
In its decision, the environmental commission noted that it was still considering a new proposal from Sammis that preserves about 23 additional acres of prime agricultural land.
Sammis’ plans include hundreds of residential units, hundreds of thousands of square feet in office and manufacturing space, a visitors center, a Vermont products showcase center and a 180-room hotel.
Part of I-93 in Concord
Closed Due to Sinkhole
Concord — The New Hampshire Department of Transportation says part of Interstate 93 in Concord has been closed because of a large sinkhole.
The northbound side of the highway was closed Wednesday afternoon between exits 13 and 14. Traffic was being diverted from Exit 13. Drivers in the area were asked to seek alternative routes.
N.H. Drivers Asked to Check E-ZPass
Concord — It’s been 10 years since New Hampshire started its E-ZPass electronic tolling system, and some of the oldest transponders are nearing the end of their battery life.
Customers with transponders that are at least nine years old are being asked to check their account statements. If their license plate numbers are listed instead of their transponder numbers, the transponder isn’t working.
Those with non-functioning transponders can replace them for $8.90. Starting Sept. 1, any tolls recorded based on license plate images will reflect the full toll rate, instead of the 30 percent discount for passenger vehicles and 10 percent discount for commercial vehicles.
The Department of Transportation says nearly 80 percent of the first 300,000 transponders sold were used at least once last year.
Hannaford Settling
Labor Department Case, Paying Fine
South Portland, Maine — The Hannaford supermarket chain is settling a dispute with the federal Department of Labor with a promise to institute new worker protection standards at two distribution centers.
The labor department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Hannaford for failing to keep distribution centers in Schodack Landing, N.Y., and South Portland, Maine, free from hazards that can cause disorders of the muscular and skeletal systems. The citation came after inspections in 2013 and 2014.
Hannaford initially contested the citation. The labor department said on Wednesday that the company is settling and instituting new policies. The policies include hiring an ergonomist to assess both warehouses. The company will also pay $9,750 in fines. — Staff and wire reports