Montpelier officials frustrated by lack of info on proposed granite train
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A train heads from Barre to Montpelier last year. Lack of information about plans to ramp up traffic on the little-used line has city officials in the capital worried. |
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By SUSAN ALLEN TIMES ARGUS STAFF - Published: March 13, 2010
MONTPELIER - Montpelier officials and the City Council want to be clear: They're not opposed to jumpstarting train service to haul granite waste from a Barre-area quarry, and possibly other companies located along the central Vermont rail line that runs through the Capital City.
What they do worry about, however, is the lack of information being provided about the project by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, as well as the potential negative - possibly enormously expensive - impacts the rail project could have on the city and its taxpayers.
"I'm not against having trains coming through Montpelier," said City Council member Tom Golonka. But, he added, "We're getting absolutely no information. We're treated like the city of Montpelier is irrelevant in the discussion."
Mayor Mary Hooper raised the issue at Wednesday's council meeting, voicing concern about rumors circulating about the project.
For example, she said, planning for the bike path to run from Montpelier through Berlin and into Barre and Barre Town has halted because it's unclear what impact, if any, the train will have on that route.
Other concerns include fears that Montpelier would have to give up its lease on Stone Cutters Way to allow the railway to build a staging area there for the train, a change that would not only create a serious transportation issue for Hunger Mountain Co-op and businesses located on that street, but might require the city to return the federal funds used in building up the area (which also includes a stretch of bike path).
"I'm not sure if that's true or not, and if that's true, we really have to be at the table," Golonka said.
In addition, the city is currently hoping to use areas of the undeveloped Sabin's Pasture for housing or other uses. Yet a rumor that the rail line might be run along that area has prompted worries that any plans for Sabin's Pasture will be terminated.
Another worry is that the city's work on a biomass-fueled city-wide heating system for state and city buildings, funded in part with an $8 million federal grant, might be in jeopardy because of the rail route.
That comes on top of on-going concerns about what the increased train service will mean to traffic problems, underground piping and infrastructure along the route, access for Montpelier's ambulances and other emergency vehicles, pedestrian traffic, and more.
"The city has stated very clearly we do not oppose the trains coming through. We understand the value of rail," said City Manager William Fraser. "All we've ask is to be included in the decision-making, included in the problem solving, and that there be attention paid to the issues."
The council asked Fraser to draft a letter to the federal Surface Transportation Board, sending copies to Vermont's three-person congressional delegation, to express its concerns at being left out of planning for the project. The STB is charged with resolving railroad service disputes. Fraser said he would talk with Hooper and Golonka to get more clarity about what, specifically, the letter should state.
Golonka told the council that he asked the state's point person on the project, Trini Brassard, assistant director of operations for the state Agency of Transportation, what agency the city should indicate its concerns to -- essentially what agency is above the state to settle this matter - and was told that would be the STB.
"They take up appeals, concerns between interested parties," Golonka said. "Montpelier should be on record that we deserve a seat at the table."
The council briefly considered asking other communities, including Barre and Berlin, to sign on to the letter, but decided that time was of the essence and voted to move forward immediately with its own letter. Others could follow up if they so chose, the council concluded.
The Vermont AOT owns the track and Vermont Rail Systems leases the right to operate trains on it. The AOT sent out letters recently to those who lease land along the tracks or have been driving on it, letting them know the leases will expire and trains will begin using that track at some future point.
Fraser expressed frustration earlier this week with that notification, saying he wished the agency had talked with those involved first.
On Thursday, Fraser and Assistant Public Works Director Thomas McArdle met with AOT officials, representatives of Vermont Rail, and the owners of the Montpelier buildings affected. Among the participants was a representative of Pomerleau Real Estate, which owns the Merchant Bank building and the owner of the building housing Montpelier Discount Beverage, both located right next to the rail line where it crosses Main Street. The purpose of the meeting was to consider options to minimize the train's impact on those businesses.
"The state had asked for the meeting. They knew there was discontent," Fraser said. He said the meeting went well; in fact, he wished the meeting had been held before the letters went out announcing the revocation of the leases.
"I felt like I got questions answered. I got the sense there were some choices and at least we weren't going to be out on a date certain," he said.
Revoking the leases without creating alternatives would eliminate parking along the tracks beside Montpelier Discount Beverage and close off access along that route to the parking lot behind the building; in addition, the drive-through at the bank would be blocked because cars currently exit by the tracks.
One option being considered at the bank site is a gate to prevent cars from using the drive-through when trains are moving past. Fraser said it was less clear what could be done to mitigate the negative impact on the beverage store and nearby parking.
Still, the meeting was a step forward, he said.
"People were better able to see from the railroad's perspective this it is what they're concerned about," he said.
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