reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
19 V.S.A. § 771
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 771. Procedure

§ 771. Procedure|(a) The legislative body of a municipality may discontinue a town highway after following the procedures of sections 708-711 of this title. The authority of the legislative body under this subsection shall extend to any town highway, regardless of whether the highway was originally laid out by the town, the former county court, the supreme court, a committee of the general assembly, a turnpike company, or was established in any other manner now or formerly authorized by law.(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the legislative body shall not discontinue a class 1 or class 2 town highway without the prior approval of the secretary of transportation.(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, the legislative body shall not discontinue a class 3 or class 4 town highway extending into an adjacent municipality without notifying the legislative body of the adjacent municipality. If the legislative body of the adjacent town is aggrieved by a decision of the legislative body of the municipality in which the highway is located, it may appeal to the transportation board pursuant to subdivision 5(d)(9) of this title. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2005, No. 178 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.)
19 V.S.A. § 772
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 772. Service of petition; costs

§ 772. Service of petition; costs|When a petition is made to the superior or supreme court to discontinue a highway laid out by commissioners appointed by either of the courts, which has not been built agreeably to the orders of the court, the petition shall be served on one or more of the original petitioners for the laying of the highway, as well as on one or more of the selectmen of the town or towns through which the highway is laid, or the petition, on motion, shall be dismissed. If commissioners are appointed and report adversely to the request of the petition, the original petitioners shall, in the discretion of the court, be entitled to costs. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 775
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 775. Title to discontinued highway

§ 775. Title to discontinued highway|The selectmen shall notify the commissioner of forests, parks and recreation when they have filed a petition to discontinue a highway under this subchapter. The selectmen may designate the proposed discontinued highway as a trail, in which case the right-of-way shall be continued at the same width. The commissioner of forests, parks and recreation with the approval of selectmen, may also make this designation. If the discontinued highway is not designated as a trail, the right-of-way shall belong to the owners of the adjoining lands. If it is located between the lands of two different owners, it shall be returned to the lots to which it originally belonged, if they can be determined; if not, it shall be equally divided between the owners of the lands on each side. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 776
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 776. Damages for highways discontinued before completion

§ 776. Damages for highways discontinued before completion|When a public highway is laid out and damages are assessed to the owners of the land or rights acquired and the highway is legally discontinued before being worked or opened, the assessment of damages shall become void. Damages from the laying out, less actual damages accrued before discontinuance, shall be returned to the town. Actual damages before discontinuance shall be established by the selectmen using the procedure in section 923 of this title. Thereafter, title to the land shall be returned to the original landowner or his or her assigns. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 781
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 781. Assessment

§ 781. Assessment|When a town does not perform the order of the supreme or superior court as to building a highway or building a bridge, the court may, on application, assess the town a sum sufficient to build and complete the highway or bridge. The assessment shall be spent in building the highway or bridge under the direction of a commissioner to be appointed by the court. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 782
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 782. Application; service of citation

§ 782. Application; service of citation|The application may be made by one or more of the original petitioners for the highway or bridge within three years from the expiration of the time prescribed by the court order for the performance, and, with a citation, shall be served on one of the selectmen of the town to be proceeded against, within 21 days from the date of the application, notifying the town to appear and show cause why the request of the application should not be granted. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 783
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 783. Trial by jury; costs

§ 783. Trial by jury; costs|The town may have a trial by jury regarding its neglect to perform the order of the court and the court may award costs to either party. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 784
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 784. Suspension of assessment upon discontinuance of highway or bridge

§ 784. Suspension of assessment upon discontinuance of highway or bridge|When a highway or bridge established by a court is discontinued in whole or in part and before the assessment under section 781 has been spent according to the court order, the town assessed may apply to have the court suspend the collection of the assessment in whole or in part and order the assessment in whole or in part to be spent for building any highway or bridge which the town is liable to build. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 790
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 790. Laying out highway or bridge on or near line between two towns

§ 790. Laying out highway or bridge on or near line between two towns|The selectmen of two adjoining towns may, by agreement, lay out, reclassify, or discontinue a highway on the line between the towns, or erect a bridge over a stream between the towns, if a majority of the selectmen of each town assent. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 791
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 791. Apportioning expenses

§ 791. Apportioning expenses|When a highway is or has been previously laid out on the line between the towns, they may agree as to what part of the highway shall be built and repaired and what share of the damages paid by each town. When a bridge is so erected, they may agree upon the proportion which each town shall pay towards making and keeping it in repair. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 792
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 792. Petition to selectmen

§ 792. Petition to selectmen|When the public good or convenience of the inhabitants requires a highway to be laid out, altered, reclassified, or discontinued on, or intersecting the line between two towns, or a bridge across a stream between two towns to be built, persons who are either voters or landowners, and whose number is at least five percent of the voters, of the towns, may petition, in writing, the selectmen of either town to lay out, alter, reclassify, or discontinue the highway, or build the bridge. The selectmen presented with the petition shall notify the selectmen of the other town. The two boards shall establish a time for hearing, and shall give notice of it. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 793
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 793. Proceedings by selectmen

§ 793. Proceedings by selectmen|The selectmen shall proceed in the same manner as the selectmen of one town in laying out highways or building bridges. A copy of their findings shall be filed with the clerk of each town within six months from the time of final hearing on the application and their order and surveys shall be recorded in each town clerk's office and their decision shall be binding on their respective towns. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 794
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 794. Highway near but not on line between towns

§ 794. Highway near but not on line between towns|(a) When the public good or the convenience of the inhabitants requires a highway to be laid out, reclassified, or altered so that it shall be near the line between two towns instead of on the town line, on account of the position of the land or nature of the soil over which it is laid, and, when both towns are benefited in a similar manner as though the highway were on the line, the highway may be laid out, reclassified, or altered by the selectboard or the Superior Court, on the report of commissioners. The damages and expenses of making and repairing the highway may be apportioned and the same proceedings shall be followed as provided in case of laying out, reclassifying, and altering highways on the line between two towns.(b) When the selectboard of the towns are petitioned as provided in this chapter and do not lay out, alter, reclassify, or discontinue a highway on or near a line between two towns, individuals who are either voters or landowners, and whose number is at least five percent of the voters, of the towns may apply to the Superior Court. The court shall inquire and render judgment using the same proceedings as in the case of a highway extending into or through two or more towns. The court may inquire of and receive recommendations from a commissioner or commissioners, but the court shall issue the order. The court shall direct in its order which part of the highway each town shall make, or repair, or reclassify, and what damages shall be paid by each, if a highway is made or altered. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2021, No. 20, § 97.)
19 V.S.A. § 795
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 795. Town not assessed for highway in another town

§ 795. Town not assessed for highway in another town|A town shall not be assessed for the expense of building or maintaining any highway in another town, except as provided by this title. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 796
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 796. Petition by selectmen

§ 796. Petition by selectmen|When a bridge is required between two towns and the selectmen of the towns do not agree to build it, the selectmen of either town may petition the superior court. The petition and citation shall be served on one or more of the selectmen of the other town and the same proceedings shall be had as though application had been made by persons who are either voters or landowners, and whose number is at least five percent of the voters. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 808
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 808. Payment of damages

§ 808. Payment of damages|When a court orders damages to be paid to a person for injury done to his or her lands by laying out or altering a highway, it may allow the town a reasonable time to pay the damages, not exceeding the time allowed for opening the highway. If the sum allowed is not paid within the time limited, the clerk of the court shall issue execution for the sum. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 809
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 809. Value of discontinued highway

§ 809. Value of discontinued highway|When a discontinued highway belongs to the owner of land through which a highway is laid out, the value may be taken into consideration in estimating the damages sustained by the owner. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 810
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 810. Allowance lands

§ 810. Allowance lands|When a lot of land remains entire, as originally divided among the proprietors of a town, and is owned by one person, or jointly, to which a quantity of land was allowed for the use of highways more than has been taken up by highways already laid out, and a highway is laid through the lot, the allowance land may be taken into consideration in estimating the damages sustained by the owner. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 811
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 811. Benefits to landowner considered

§ 811. Benefits to landowner considered|In estimating the damages sustained by a person owning or interested in lands, by reason of laying out or altering a highway, the benefits which the person may receive shall be taken into consideration. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 816
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 816. Access roads; state aid; application

§ 816. Access roads; state aid; application|When after hearing on a petition or on their own motion, selectmen find that the convenience of the inhabitants and the public good require that a highway be laid out or altered to provide access to a recreational, industrial, or community service area and that the estimated costs of taking land for constructing the highway exceed the amount available to the town for highway construction for the preceding two years, they may apply in writing to the board for additional money to construct the highway. A "community service" area is one having an institution or facility for providing legally authorized educational, social, or welfare services to the public such as schools, hospitals, medical centers, or nursing homes. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 817
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 817. Application; contents

§ 817. Application; contents|In their application under section 816 of this title, the selectmen shall show:  (1) the general location of the proposed highway; (2) the nature and ownership of lands to be affected; (3) the plans for the development of the area to be served by the highway; (4) the anticipated effect of the business or facility to be served, on the economy of the town and the state, and on the health, safety, transportation, education, and convenience of the public; (5) the consistency of the plans with town, regional, and state planning and zoning requirements; (6) if the town does not have a comprehensive plan or a zoning ordinance, any other provisions for regulating the use of land adjacent to the highway; (7) the land dedicated and funds available from town taxes and private contributions for acquiring land and constructing the highway; (8) the financial arrangements and responsibility of the person or municipality proposing to construct the facility in the area; (9) what other town boards and officials have been consulted relative to the proposed development and their comments and criticisms; and (10) all other facts reasonably pertinent to establish the necessity for laying out and constructing the proposed highway. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 818
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 818. Transportation board; action

§ 818. Transportation board; action|When the board receives an application for additional state money for constructing an access road, it shall immediately cause studies and estimates to be made to determine whether the proposed highway can be constructed according to accepted engineering standards on or near the proposed location and the cost, and whether the plans for the area, according to accepted engineering and other standards, adequately provide for vehicular and other traffic, for parking, for public utilities, and for emergency services. Upon completion of the studies, the board shall send at least two copies of its report and recommendations to the applicant town and, upon request, to the general assembly. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 819
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 7 - Laying Out, Discontinuing, and Reclassifying Highways|§ 819. Other investigation

§ 819. Other investigation|The applicant town should also consult with such other agencies or departments of State government, including the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the Department of Health, and the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, as may be necessary to furnish the General Assembly with complete information as to the effect of the proposed highway and the development of the facilities upon the community and the State. Whenever a town informs one of those departments or agencies that it has applied for funds under this subchapter and needs assistance to develop the information needed to support the advisability of constructing the highway, that department or agency promptly shall investigate the proposal and provide a complete report to the town. Upon request, a copy shall be provided to the General Assembly. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 1(a); 2021, No. 20, § 98.)
19 V.S.A. § 901
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 9 - Repairs, Maintenance, and Improvements|§ 901. Removal of roadside growth

§ 901. Removal of roadside growth|Except for work that is part of the Transportation Program under section 10g of this title:  (1) A person shall not remove shade trees, as defined in 24 V.S.A. § 2501a, without prior approval of the tree warden pursuant to 24 V.S.A. chapter 67. (2) A person, other than the abutting landowner or municipality, shall not cut, trim, remove, or otherwise damage any grasses, shrubs, vines, or trees growing within the limits of a town highway without first obtaining the consent of the legislative body. (3) A person, other than the Agency or the abutting landowner, shall not cut, trim, remove, or otherwise damage any grasses, shrubs, vines, or trees growing within the limits of lands subject to any ownership interest held by the Agency without first obtaining the Agency's written consent. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2019, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2020; 2021, No. 20, § 99.)
19 V.S.A. § 902
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 9 - Repairs, Maintenance, and Improvements|§ 902. Penalty for removal

§ 902. Penalty for removal|(a) A person, other than the Agency, the abutting landowner, the municipality, or the tree warden, who willfully or maliciously cuts, trims, removes, or otherwise damages trees within the limits of a State highway or municipal right-of-way shall be fined pursuant to 13 V.S.A. § 3602, unless the person has obtained prior written consent from the Agency, municipality, or tree warden.(b) A person, other than the Agency, the abutting landowner, the municipality, or the tree warden, who willfully or maliciously cuts, trims, removes, or otherwise damages grasses, shrubs, or vines within highway limits in violation of section 901 of this title shall be fined not more than $100.00 nor less than $10.00, for each offense, unless the person has obtained prior written consent from the Agency or municipality. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2019, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2020.)
19 V.S.A. § 903
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 9 - Repairs, Maintenance, and Improvements|§ 903. Agreements for planting

§ 903. Agreements for planting|The agency or the board of selectmen may enter into agreements with individuals or organizations who wish to plant grasses, shrubs, vines, trees, or flowers within highway limits. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
19 V.S.A. § 904
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 9 - Repairs, Maintenance, and Improvements|§ 904. Tree and brush removal

§ 904. Tree and brush removal|The legislative body of a municipality, if necessary, shall cause to be cut and burned, or removed from within the limits of the highways under their care, trees and bushes that obstruct the view of the highway ahead or that cause damage to the highway or that are objectionable from a material or scenic standpoint. Trees that have been set out or marked by the abutting landowners and shade trees that have been designated pursuant to 24 V.S.A. chapter 67 shall be preserved if the usefulness or safety of the highway is not impaired. Young trees standing at a proper distance from the roadbed and from each other, and banks and hedges of bushes that serve as a protection to the highway or add beauty to the roadside, shall be preserved. On State highways, the Secretary shall have the same authority as the legislative body. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2019, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2020.)
19 V.S.A. § 905
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 9 - Repairs, Maintenance, and Improvements|§ 905. Construction of sidewalks, bicycle paths, and footpaths

§ 905. Construction of sidewalks, bicycle paths, and footpaths|The legislative body of a municipality may construct and maintain suitable footpaths, bicycle paths, or sidewalks, or any combination of these, within the limits of town highways where they do not conflict with travel on the highway. Permission may be granted by the agency for the construction and maintenance of these facilities on state highways. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1993, No. 61, § 14, eff. June 3, 1993.)
19 V.S.A. § 905a
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 9 - Repairs, Maintenance, and Improvements|§ 905a. Curb cuts and ramps

§ 905a. Curb cuts and ramps|All newly constructed intersections or curbs in the State used by pedestrians shall be constructed with curb cuts or ramps that enable persons with ambulatory disabilities to have access to the sidewalk. Specifications for design of curb cuts or ramps shall be in accordance with the American National Standards Institute. All curb cuts or ramps in the State shall be of a uniform design where practical. (Added 1985, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 118.)
19 V.S.A. § 905b
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 9 - Repairs, Maintenance, and Improvements|§ 905b. Crosswalks

§ 905b. Crosswalks|All crosswalk markings shall be of uniform color, dimension, and location and be in conformance with the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administrations' Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. (Added 1985, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 2003, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 4.)
19 V.S.A. § 905c
2021 Vermont Statutes|Title 19 - Highways|Chapter 9 - Repairs, Maintenance, and Improvements|§ 905c. Audible traffic signals

§ 905c. Audible traffic signals|Audible warning signals shall be installed at all intersections with an exclusive walk cycle where new traffic light systems are installed. As used in this section, "audible" means a signal which is sufficiently loud as to be heard when the traffic conditions in a particular location are considered. (Added 1985, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)