reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 14. State highways

§ 14. State highways
(a) The State highways shall be those highways so designated on a map entitled “Vermont State Highways,” filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on June 30, 1997, as subsequently modified by additions or deletions made pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(b) When an addition or deletion is made to the State highways, the Agency shall complete a mileage certificate showing the highways that are added or deleted and file a copy in the Office of the Secretary of State. It shall also file a copy of the mileage certificate in the town clerk’s office where the highways are located. When the certificates are filed, the transfer of control of the highways shall be deemed to have taken place. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1997, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 7.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 15. Changes in the State highway system

§ 15. Changes in the State highway system
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, highways may be added to or deleted from the State highway system by:
(1) an act of the General Assembly; or
(2) a proposal by the Agency that is accepted by the legislative body of the affected municipality and approved by an act of the General Assembly.
(b) Upon entering into an agreement with the affected municipality, the Secretary may relinquish to municipal control segments of State highway rights-of-way that have been replaced by new construction and are no longer needed as part of the State highway system. Upon their relinquishment to municipal control, the segments shall become class 3 town highways, and may be reclassified by the municipality in accordance with chapter 7 of this title. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2013, No. 12, § 15.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 15a. Border crossings; cooperation with federal government

§ 15a. Border crossings; cooperation with federal government
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title but pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the Agency (in the case of State highways) and municipalities (in the case of town highways) are authorized to cooperate with federal projects to modernize border crossings between the United States and Canada by relinquishing to the federal government those portions of State or town highways approaching the border that may be required by the federal government for its border crossing projects.
(b) In connection with the relinquishments authorized in subsection (a) of this section, the Agency and municipalities are authorized to execute agreements with the federal government, including a conveyance of an interest in real property, easements, leases, and other instruments necessary to ensure that federal requirements are met. The federal government shall be responsible for maintenance of those State and town highways relinquished under this section. (Added 2003, No. 56, § 51, eff. June 4, 2003; amended 2021, No. 20, § 83.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 16. Duties of Secretary in unorganized towns and gores

§ 16. Duties of Secretary in unorganized towns and gores
The Secretary shall have the same power in all matters pertaining to the highways in unorganized towns and gores that selectboards have in organized towns, and may spend any available funds, including State aid and local taxes, to assist unorganized towns and gores for this purpose. After exhausting the right of administrative appeal to the Board under subdivision 5(d)(3) of this title, landowners shall have the same right to appeal from the decision of the Board in the exercise of this power as in like proceedings by selectboards in organized towns. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1993, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 17.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 17. Contracts; labor preference

§ 17. Contracts; labor preference
A person, firm, or corporation awarded any contract for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, and repair of a highway under the jurisdiction of the Agency shall give preference to Vermont labor and to trucks owned in Vermont and operated by residents of Vermont on all contracts of construction, reconstruction, improvement, and repair, provided this action is not contrary to federal rules and regulations. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 18. Wages

§ 18. Wages
In making up specifications and advertising for bids on highway work, the Agency shall fix, subject to local conditions, the minimum wage per hour for various classes of labor and the minimum to be paid per hour or per cubic yard for trucks that the contractor shall be bound to pay. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2019, No. 59, § 25.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 19. Small business enterprises

§ 19. Small business enterprises
It is declared to be in the best interests of the State and the general welfare of Vermonters to encourage and develop the actual and potential capacity of small business enterprises, and to use this important segment of the State’s economy to the fullest practicable extent in the construction of State highways, including federal aid and interstate highway systems. In order to carry out this intent and encourage full and free competition, the Agency of Transportation shall cooperate with small business enterprises in connection with the State highway construction program. Nothing contained in this section shall be considered or construed as meaning more than a legislative declaration of intent and policy. The decisions and actions of the Agency shall not be subject to judicial challenge. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2021, No. 20, § 84.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 20. Small claims for injury or damage

§ 20. Small claims for injury or damage
The Board shall have exclusive jurisdiction over claims of $5,000.00 or less made for personal injuries or property damage, or both, sustained as the result of the negligence of any employee of the Agency. The Board may hear all parties in interest and may award damages not to exceed $5,000.00. When the Board awards damages, it shall certify its decision to the Commissioner of Finance and Management. Upon the disposition of any appeal or the expiration or waiver of all appeal rights, the Commissioner of Finance and Management shall issue his or her warrant for the amount of the award, with payment in the manner prescribed by 12 V.S.A. § 5604. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1993, No. 172 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 2013, No. 12, § 16.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 21. Picnic areas and parking places

§ 21. Picnic areas and parking places
(a) The Agency may purchase, or lease, or take in the manner provided in chapter 5 of this title, as part of the highway, land adjacent to any route that is needed for the preservation of its scenic character, or for the purpose of providing picnic or camping grounds, or for parking areas for the use of travelers, provided that land taken for these purposes by condemnation proceedings shall not extend in width more than 250 feet from the center of the traveled portion of the highway (except limited access facilities).
(b) The Agency shall, as a matter of policy, consider the establishment of wayside rest areas when constructing or reconstructing State highways, and when requested, town highways. The cost of building or rebuilding the wayside rest areas shall be included in the costs of constructing or reconstructing that highway. The cost of maintenance of these wayside rest areas shall be included in the cost of maintaining that highway.
(c) [Repealed.] (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 8; 1999, No. 18, § 18, eff. May 13, 1999; 2007, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 33.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 23. Rights of action; notice

§ 23. Rights of action; notice
All rights of action on account of the insufficiency or want of repair of any bridge or culvert on the highways taken over by the State shall exist against the State and not against the town, provided that the notice required in sections 987 and 988 of this title is first given in writing to the Agency, and provided further that liability shall be the same as set forth in section 985 of this title. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 24. Venue and service

§ 24. Venue and service
Any action against the State shall be brought against the State, returnable to the Superior Court in the county where the damages were sustained. Service of the writ shall be made on the Governor or Attorney General. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 25. Settlement and payment

§ 25. Settlement and payment
After receiving the notice provided for in section 23 of this title, the Agency with the approval of the Attorney General may adjust and settle with the person claiming damages, and the Commissioner of Finance and Management shall issue his or her warrant for payment. All money spent under this section shall be drawn from the Transportation Fund. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 26. Purchase and sale of property

§ 26. Purchase and sale of property
(a)(1) Subject to subsection (b) of this section:
(A) The Agency may purchase or lease any land, taking conveyance in the name of the State, when land is needed in connection with the layout, construction, repair, and maintenance of any State highway or the reconstruction of the highway.
(B) The Agency may acquire or construct buildings necessary for use in connection with this work.
(C) When any of the land or the buildings acquired or the buildings constructed become no longer necessary for these purposes, the Agency may sell or lease the property.
(2) The proceeds from any sale or lease shall be deposited in the Transportation Fund, unless otherwise required by federal law or regulation.
(b) An acquisition or transfer or the construction under this section of property or rights in property with an appraised or other estimated value of $500,000.00 or above, or the acquisition or transfer of an option to acquire property with an appraised or other estimated value of $500,000.00 or above, shall be made with the specific prior approval of the General Assembly of the acquisition, transfer, or construction and its terms or, if the General Assembly is not in session, with the specific prior approval of the Joint Transportation Oversight Committee. The requirement of this subsection shall not apply, however, if the General Assembly has approved a specific project described in the annual Transportation Program and the scope of the project includes the acquisition or transfer of property. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 9; 2003, No. 56, § 24, eff. June 4, 2003; 2003, No. 80 (Adj. Sess.), § 84, eff. March 8, 2004; 2011, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 47; 2013, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 20.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 27. Throughway designation

§ 27. Throughway designation
The Agency may designate any State highway or part of a State highway as a throughway and, after notice, may revoke the designation. A town may designate any town highway or part of a town highway within the control of the town as a throughway and, after notice, may revoke the designation. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 28. Regulatory signs

§ 28. Regulatory signs
Except as provided in 23 V.S.A. § 1074, the designation of a throughway shall not become effective as to regulation of traffic at any point in intersection with any highway until the Agency or the selectboard in a town, as the case may be, shall erect suitable regulatory signs or signals in accordance with the requirements of 23 V.S.A. § 1025. The Agency or the selectboard in a town, as the case may be, may designate any intersection under their respective jurisdictions as a “stop” intersection or a “yield right of way” intersection. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 214 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 27, 1992; 1995, No. 73 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 30. Issue of notes for State highway construction

§ 30. Issue of notes for State highway construction
The State Treasurer, with the approval of the Governor, may borrow money upon notes of the State in anticipation of the proceeds of transportation bonds that have been or subsequently are authorized by the General Assembly or in anticipation of the proceeds of federal funds made available to Vermont for purposes of construction of transportation facilities, when the construction has been previously authorized by the General Assembly and provision made for the State’s portion of the cost. The notes shall be issued on terms and at times as the State Treasurer and Governor may determine. Not more than $5,000,000.00 principal amount of the notes shall be outstanding at any one time and each note shall mature not later than one year from its date, provided that notes issued for a shorter period may be refunded from time to time by the issue of other notes maturing within the required period. Any purchaser of notes issued under this section may rely on this section as the authorization for the notes and need not examine the availability or amount of the bond authorizations or federal funds being anticipated. This authority is in addition to and not in limitation of any other authority. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2021, No. 20, § 86.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 31. Abandonment of project; reconveyance

§ 31. Abandonment of project; reconveyance
If land has been acquired by the State in fee simple for highway purposes, or if the State has acquired a perpetual leasehold in land for highway purposes, and if the land has not been improved subsequent to its acquisition, the State shall not sell or dispose of the land within six years of the date of its acquisition unless it first offers to reconvey it to the person or persons from whom it was acquired or their heirs or assigns, for a consideration equal to the price at which it was acquired, plus interest at the rate of six percent per year from date of acquisition by the State, provided that the address of the person or persons is known to or reasonably ascertainable by the Agency. The person or persons to whom the land is to be offered shall be given written notice of their right to repurchase the land under this section and shall be allowed 60 days to complete the purchase in the event they desire to exercise that right. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 32. Assumed width of right-of-way

§ 32. Assumed width of right-of-way
A roadway width of one and one-half rods on each side of the center of the existing traveled way can be assumed and controlled for highway purposes whenever the original survey was not properly recorded, or the records preserved, or if the terminations and boundaries cannot be determined. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 34. Appeal from survey

§ 34. Appeal from survey
(a) A person who has title to land abutting to a highway that is surveyed by the Agency or the selectboard and who is dissatisfied with the survey may appeal the results of the survey in the Superior Court in the county in which the affected property is located. Any such appeal must be brought within 120 days from the date the results of the survey are filed with the town clerk. The results of the survey shall be binding against any property owner who does not appeal within the 120-day period.
(b) On a motion of a person, or the Agency, or upon order of the court, any person who has a legally recorded interest in the property that is the subject of the Superior Court action may be joined as a party at any time before final determination, upon such terms as the court may prescribe. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1993, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 35. Entrance upon lands for survey

§ 35. Entrance upon lands for survey
Employees or agents of the Agency, a municipality, or a utility authorized by law shall be allowed to enter a property for the purpose of making the necessary surveys and examinations for construction of or improvements and repairs to transportation and utility facilities, doing as little damage as possible, subject to liability for actual damages. Whenever practicable, advance notice of the proposed survey or examination shall be given to the owner or occupant of the property to be entered. No owner or occupant of property entered upon under authority of this section shall be liable for any property damage or personal injury resulting from work done by the Agency, a municipality, or a utility under authority of this section. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1995, No. 60, § 40, eff. April 25, 1995; 1995, No. 183 (Adj. Sess.), § 18i, eff. May 22, 1996.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 37. Impoundments of water created by beaver

§ 37. Impoundments of water created by beaver
(a) Transportation Board jurisdiction. On petition of the Agency of Transportation, the legislative body of an affected municipality, or the owner or operator of an affected railroad or sponsor of an affected public airport, or on its own motion, the Transportation Board may, after notice and hearing under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25, issue an order requiring the removal or abatement of an impoundment of water created by beaver that threatens to substantially damage or submerge a highway, railroad, or public airport. Notice shall be given to the owner or owners of affected land, the legislative body of the affected municipality, and the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources. If the Board determines that an impoundment of water created by beaver threatens to substantially damage or submerge a highway, railroad, or public airport, its order shall direct that the impoundment be abated, with as minimal impact on affected land and natural resources as possible, or if necessary, removed. Persons taking action pursuant to an order of the Board under this subsection shall be exempted from the requirements of 10 V.S.A. § 905(7).
(b) Superior Court jurisdiction. The Transportation Board, the Agency of Transportation, the legislative body of an affected municipality, the owner or operator of an affected railroad or the sponsor of an affected public airport may petition a Superior judge for an emergency order for the removal or abatement of an impoundment of water created by beaver that presents an imminent threat to public safety by substantially damaging or submerging a highway, railroad or public airport. Rule 65 of the Vermont Rules of Civil Procedure shall apply to proceedings under this section. In addition to notice required under Rule 65, notice shall be given to the affected municipality and to the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources. (Added 1991, No. 134 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 17, 1992.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 38. Transportation Alternatives Grant Program

§ 38. Transportation Alternatives Grant Program
(a), (b) [Repealed.]
(c) The Transportation Alternatives Grant Program is created. The Grant Program shall be administered by the Agency and shall be funded in the amount provided for in 23 U.S.C. § 133(h), less the funds set aside for the Recreational Trails Program. Awards shall be made to eligible entities as defined under 23 U.S.C. § 133(h), and awards under the Grant Program shall be limited to the activities authorized under federal law and shall not exceed $300,000.00 per grant allocation.
(d) Eligible entities awarded a grant must provide all funds required to match federal funds awarded for a Transportation Alternatives project. All grant awards shall be decided and awarded by the Agency.
(e) Transportation Alternatives grant awards shall be announced annually by the Agency not earlier than December and not later than the following March.
(f)(1) In fiscal year 2024 and thereafter, 50 percent of Grant Program funds, or such lesser sum if all eligible applications amount to less than 50 percent of Grant Program funds, shall be reserved for municipalities for environmental mitigation projects relating to stormwater and highways, including eligible salt and sand shed projects, and the balance of Grant Program funds shall be awarded for any eligible activity and in accordance with the priorities established in subdivision (2) of this subsection.
(2) In evaluating applications for Transportation Alternatives grants, the Agency shall give preferential weighting to projects involving as a primary feature a bicycle or pedestrian facility. The degree of preferential weighting and the circumstantial factors sufficient to overcome the weighting shall be in the complete discretion of the Agency.
(g) The Agency shall develop an outreach and marketing effort designed to provide information to communities with respect to the benefits of participating in the Transportation Alternatives Grant Program. The outreach and marketing activities shall include apprising municipalities of the availability of grants for salt and sand sheds. The outreach effort should be directed to areas of the State historically underserved by this Program. (Added 2003, No. 56, § 74, eff. June 4, 2003; amended 2003, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 29, eff. June 9, 2004; 2005, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 63; 2013, No. 12, § 12; 2015, No. 40, § 20; 2017, No. 38, § 7; 2019, No. 59, § 43; 2021, No. 184 (Adj. Sess.), § 20, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 39. Agency of Transportation assistance with municipal salt sheds

§ 39. Agency of Transportation assistance with municipal salt sheds
(a) The Agency of Transportation shall work with municipalities to provide assistance in designing effective, low-cost enclosures for salt or sand storage, including off-the-shelf designs that incorporate economical construction materials to the extent allowed by the multisector general permit (MSGP) issued for Vermont by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
(b) The Agency shall explore opportunities for collocation of State and municipal salt or sand storage facilities where collocation would be appropriate.
(c) The Agency of Transportation shall pursue requests for bid for bulk purchases of prototype salt and sand enclosures that would be available to municipalities for purchase. (Added 2003, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 45, eff. June 9, 2004.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 42. Reports preserved; consolidated transportation report

§ 42. Reports preserved; consolidated transportation report
(a) Notwithstanding 2 V.S.A. § 20(d), the reports or reporting requirements of this section, sections 10g and 12a, and subsections 7(k), 10b(d), 11f(i), and 12b(d) of this title shall be preserved absent specific action by the General Assembly repealing the reports or reporting requirements.
(b) Annually, on or before January 15, the Agency shall submit a consolidated transportation system and activities report to the House and Senate Committees on Transportation. The report shall consist of:
(1) Financial and performance data of all public transit systems, as defined in 24 V.S.A. § 5088(6), that receive operating subsidies in any form from the State or federal government, including subsidies related to the Elders and Persons with Disabilities Transportation Program for service and capital equipment. This component of the report shall:
(A) be developed in cooperation with the Public Transit Advisory Council;
(B) be modeled on the Federal Transit Administration’s National Transit Database Program with such modifications as appropriate for the various services and guidance found in the most current State policy plan; and
(C) show as a separate category financial and performance data on the Elders and Persons with Disabilities Transportation Program.
(2) Data on pavement conditions of the State highway system.
(3) A description of the conditions of bridges, culverts, and other structures on the State highway system and on town highways.
(4) Department of Motor Vehicles data, including the number of vehicle registrations and licenses issued, revenues by category, transactions by category, commercial motor vehicle statistics, and any other information the Commissioner deems relevant.
(5) A summary of updates to the Agency’s strategic plans and performance measurements used in its strategic plans.
(6) A summary of the statuses of aviation, rail, and public transit programs.
(7) Data and statistics regarding highway safety, including trends in vehicle crashes and fatalities, traffic counts, and trends in vehicle miles traveled.
(8) An overview of operations and maintenance activities, including winter maintenance statistics.
(9) A list of projects for which the construction phase was completed during the most recent construction season.
(10) Such other information that the Secretary determines the Committees on Transportation need to perform their oversight role. (Added 2011, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 33; amended 2013, No. 12, § 12a; 2013, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 22; 2017, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 4c, eff. May 21, 2018; 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 351, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 43. State highway closures

§ 43. State highway closures
(a) For purposes of this section, the phrase “planned closure of a State highway” means the closure of a State highway for more than 48 hours for a project that is part of the State’s annual Transportation Program. The phrase does not include emergency projects or closures of 48 hours or less for maintenance work.
(b) Before the planned closure of a State highway, the Agency shall:
(1) contact the legislative body of any municipality affected by the closure to determine whether the legislative body wishes to convene a regional public meeting for the purpose of hearing public concerns regarding the planned closure; and
(2) conduct a regional public meeting if requested by the legislative body of a municipality affected by the closure.
(c) To address concerns raised at a meeting held pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or otherwise to reduce adverse impacts of the planned closure of a State highway, the Agency shall consult with other State agencies and departments, regional chambers of commerce, regional planning commissions, local legislative bodies, emergency medical service organizations, school officials, and area businesses to develop mitigation strategies.
(d) In developing mitigation strategies, the Agency shall consider the need to provide a level of safety for the traveling public comparable to that available on the segment of State highway affected by the planned closure. If the Agency finds town highways unsuitable for a signed detour, the Agency will advise local legislative bodies of the reasons for its determination. (Added 2011, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 45; amended 2013, No. 12, § 20.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 1 - State Highway Law; General Transportation Provisions › § 44. Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program

§ 44. Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program
(a) Purpose. The purpose of the Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program is to:
(1) develop a statewide property parcel data layer;
(2) ensure regular maintenance, including updates, of the data layer; and
(3) make property parcel data available to State agencies and departments, regional planning commissions, municipalities, and the public.
(b) Property Parcel Data Advisory Board. The Property Parcel Data Advisory Board (Board) is created for the purpose of monitoring the Statewide Property Parcel Mapping Program and making recommendations to the Agency of how the Program can be improved to enhance the usefulness of statewide property parcel data for State agencies and departments, regional planning commissions, municipalities, and the public. The Board shall comprise:
(1) the Secretary of Transportation or designee, who shall serve as chair;
(2) the Secretary of Natural Resources or designee;
(3) the Secretary of Commerce and Community Development or designee;
(4) the Commissioner of Taxes or designee;
(5) a representative of the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies;
(6) a representative of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns; and
(7) a land surveyor licensed under 26 V.S.A. chapter 45 designated by the Vermont Society of Land Surveyors.
(c) Meetings of Board. The Board shall meet at the call of the chair or at the request of a majority of its members. The Agency shall provide administrative assistance to the Board and such other assistance as the Board may require to carry out its duties.
(d) Standards. The Agency shall update the statewide property parcel data layer in accordance with the standards of the Vermont Geographic Information System (VGIS), as specified in 10 V.S.A. § 123 (powers and duties of Vermont Center for Geographic Information).
(e) Funding sources. Federal transportation funds shall be used for the development and operation of the Program. In fiscal year 2018 and in succeeding fiscal years, the Agency shall make every effort to ensure that all State matching funds are provided by other State agencies or external partners, or both, that benefit from the Program. (Added 2015, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 37.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 301. Definitions

§ 301. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Discontinued highway” means a previously designated class 1, 2, 3, or 4 town highway as to which, through the process of discontinuance, all rights have been reconveyed to the adjoining landowners.
(2) “Legislative body” includes boards of selectmen, aldermen, and village trustees.
(3) “Selectmen” includes village trustees and aldermen.
(4) “Pent road” is any town highway that, by written allowance of the selectmen, is enclosed and occupied by the adjoining landowner with unlocked stiles, gates, and bars in such places as the selectmen designate.
(5) “Throughway” means a highway specially designated giving traffic traveling on the throughway the right of way at all intersections.
(6) “Town” includes incorporated villages and cities.
(7) “Town highways” are class 1, 2, 3, and 4 highways:
(A) that the towns have authority to exclusively or cooperatively maintain; or
(B) that are maintained by the towns except for scheduled surface maintenance performed by the Agency pursuant to section 306a of this title.
(8) “Trail” means a public right-of-way that is not a highway and that:
(A) previously was a designated town highway having the same width as the designated town highway, or a lesser width if so designated; or
(B) a new public right-of-way laid out as a trail by the selectmen for the purpose of providing access to abutting properties or for recreational use. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to independently authorize the condemnation of land for recreational purposes or to affect the authority of selectmen to reasonably regulate the uses of recreational trails. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 47, § 1; 2009, No. 50, § 89.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 306a. Class 1 town highways; Agency responsibility for scheduled surface maintenance

§ 306a. Class 1 town highways; Agency responsibility for scheduled surface maintenance
(a) Unless otherwise directed by the legislative body of a municipality, the Agency shall assume direct responsibility for scheduled surface maintenance of all class 1 town highways at no expense to the municipality. The class 1 town highways shall be included in the Agency’s pavement management system and analyzed for resurfacing needs and considered for programming of available federal and State funds on the same basis as State highways.
(b) The provisions of this section shall not affect any legislative body’s jurisdiction over class 1 town highways or any municipality’s responsibility for general maintenance of class 1 town highways, including spot patching, traffic control devices, curbs, sidewalks, drainage, and snow removal.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, major reconstruction of class 1 town highways, beyond the usual scope of resurfacing, shall continue to be a municipal responsibility, subject to availability of federal and State aid under chapter 15 of this title and payment of the uniform local share under section 309a of this title. (Added 1993, No. 61, § 11, eff. June 3, 1993; amended 1995, No. 183 (Adj. Sess.), § 18c, eff. May 22, 1996; 2021, No. 20, § 89.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 307. Minimum town budget

§ 307. Minimum town budget
Each town shall annually appropriate a highway budget equivalent to or greater than a sum of at least $300.00 per mile for each mile of class 1, 2, and 3 town highways within the town or it shall not be eligible for aid under this title. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2001, No. 64, § 14, eff. June 16, 2001.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 309. Highway work by State for towns

§ 309. Highway work by State for towns
(a) When requested by the legislative body of a municipality, the Agency may, by agreement with these officials, do any construction or maintenance work on any town highway or bridge under the jurisdiction of the legislative body.
(b) When requested by the legislative body of a municipality, the Agency may contract the work. The Agency in all such cases shall furnish plans and specifications upon which the contract shall be awarded by the legislative body or, if it has been agreed that the Agency should make the contract award, the Agency, to the lowest responsible bidder. All work shall be done to the satisfaction of and in accordance with the requirements of the Agency.
(c) Upon demand of the Agency, the municipality shall reimburse the State for the municipality’s share of expenditures made under this section, and the amount repaid shall be deposited into the State Treasury and credited to the fund from which the cost of the work was paid. The Agency is authorized to provide for the payment of interest on unpaid balances owed the State for more than 30 days after demand is made.
(d) To secure reimbursement to the State for the local share of a project, the Secretary and the legislative body of a municipality may enter into agreements for the deposit of municipal funds in an interest-bearing escrow account or for posting of a surety bond.
(e) The Agency’s materials laboratory may perform tests for other units of federal, State, and local government. The Agency shall be reimbursed for the costs of the tests. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. May 15, 1992; 1993, No. 61, § 13, eff. June 3, 1993.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 309b. Local match; certain town highway programs

§ 309b. Local match; certain town highway programs
(a) Notwithstanding subsection 309a(a) of this title, grants provided to towns under the Town Highway Structures Program shall be matched by local funds sufficient to cover 20 percent of the project costs, unless the town has adopted road and bridge standards, has completed a network inventory, and has submitted an annual certification of compliance for town road and bridge standards to the Secretary, in which event the local match shall be sufficient to cover 10 percent of the project costs. The Secretary may adopt rules to implement the Town Highway Structures Program. Town highway structures projects receiving funds pursuant to this subsection shall be the responsibility of the applicant municipality.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection 309a(a) of this title, grants provided to towns under the Class 2 Town Highway Roadway Program shall be matched by local funds sufficient to cover 30 percent of the project costs, unless the town has adopted road and bridge standards, has completed a network inventory, and has submitted an annual certification of compliance for town road and bridge standards to the Secretary, in which event the local match shall be sufficient to cover 20 percent of the project costs. The Secretary may adopt rules to implement the Class 2 Town Highway Roadway Program. Class 2 town highway roadway projects receiving funds pursuant to this subsection shall be the responsibility of the applicant municipality, and a municipality shall not receive a grant in excess of $200,000.00.
(c) Notwithstanding subsections 309a(a), (b), and (c) of this title, a municipality may use a grant awarded under the Town Highway Structures Program or the Class 2 Town Highway Roadway Program to provide the nonfederal matching funds required to draw down a federal earmark or to match grants provided to towns under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). In all such cases, the grant shall be matched by local funds as provided in this section. The intended use of a town highway grant as matching funds for a federal earmark or for grants provided to towns under the ARRA shall not entitle a municipal grant applicant to any priority for a grant award in any fiscal year. When grants awarded under the Town Highway Structures Program or the Class 2 Town Highway Roadway Program are used to satisfy nonfederal matching requirements for federal earmarks or for grants provided to towns under the ARRA, the term “project costs” in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall refer only to the nonfederal match for the federal earmark or for a grant provided to towns under the ARRA. (Added 1991, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. May 15, 1992; amended 1993, No. 211 (Adj. Sess.), § 14, eff. June 17, 1994; 1997, No. 144 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. April 27, 1998; 2001, No. 64, § 15, eff. June 16, 2001; 2005, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 56, 57; 2007, No. 75, § 20; 2009, No. 50, § 33; 2009, No. 110 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. July 1, 2011; 2021, No. 55, § 16.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 309c. Cancellation of locally managed projects

§ 309c. Cancellation of locally managed projects
(a) Notwithstanding section 309a of this title, a municipality or other local sponsor responsible for a locally managed project through a grant agreement with the Agency shall be responsible for the repayment, in whole or in part, of federal funds required by the Federal Highway Administration or other federal agency because of cancellation of the project by the municipality or other local sponsor due to circumstances or events wholly or partly within the municipality’s or other local sponsor’s control. Prior to any such determination that cancellation of a project was due to circumstances or events wholly or partly within a municipality’s or other local sponsor’s control, the Agency shall consult with the municipality or other local sponsor to attempt to reach an agreement to determine the scope of the municipality’s or other local sponsor’s repayment obligation.
(b) Within 15 days of an Agency determination under subsection (a) of this section, a municipality may petition the Board for a hearing to determine if cancellation of the project was due to circumstances or events in whole or in part outside the municipality’s control. The Board shall hold a hearing on the petition within 30 days of its receipt and shall issue an appropriate order within 30 days thereafter. If the Board determines that cancellation of the project was due in whole or in part to circumstances or events outside the municipality’s control, it shall order that the municipality’s repayment obligation be reduced proportionally, in whole or in part. The municipality shall have no obligation to make a repayment under this section until the Board issues its order. (Added 2009, No. 123 (Adj. Sess.), § 30.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 310. Highways, bridges, and trails

§ 310. Highways, bridges, and trails
(a) A town shall keep its class 1, 2, and 3 highways and bridges in good and sufficient repair during all seasons of the year, except that based on safety considerations for the traveling public and municipal employees, the selectboard shall, by rule adopted under 24 V.S.A. chapter 59, and after following the process for providing notice and hearing in section 709 of this title, have authority to determine whether a class 2 or 3 highway, or section of highway, should be plowed and made negotiable during the winter. A property owner aggrieved by a decision of the selectboard may appeal to the Transportation Board pursuant to subdivision 5(d)(9) of this title.
(b) Class 4 highways may be maintained to the extent required by the necessity of the town, the public good and the convenience of the inhabitants of the town, or may be reclassified using the same procedures as for laying out highways and meeting the standards set forth in section 302 of this title.
(c) A town shall not be liable for construction, maintenance, repair, or safety of trails.
(d) For class 2 and 3 highways that have routinely not been plowed and made negotiable prior to July 1, 2000, the process requirements of subdivision 302(a)(3)(B) of this title and subsection (a) of this section shall not be required. A property owner adversely affected by this subsection may request the selectboard to plow and make negotiable a class 2 or 3 town highway. However, a property owner aggrieved by a decision of the selectboard may appeal to the Transportation Board pursuant to subdivision 5(d)(9) of this title. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1999, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 29, 30, eff. May 29, 2000.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 311. Class 1 and 2 highways; pavement markings

§ 311. Class 1 and 2 highways; pavement markings
The Agency shall mark all paved class 1 and 2 highways with painted center lines. The selectboard promptly shall notify the district transportation administrator when these markings have been obliterated by resurfacing. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1991, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. July 1, 1993; 1993, No. 25, § 61a, eff. May 18, 1993; 1995, No. 60, § 22, eff. April 25, 1995.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 316. Removal of covered bridges; notice

§ 316. Removal of covered bridges; notice
When a town or the Agency decide that the destruction or removal of a covered bridge is necessary, whether by discontinuance of the highway or to replace the bridge with another structure or for any other reason, notice of the intent to destroy or remove the bridge shall be posted by the officials in three public places in the town where the bridge is located and published on two consecutive days in a newspaper of general circulation in the town. Copies of the notice shall be sent by certified mail to the Governor and the Director of the Division for Historic Preservation not less than 90 days before destruction or removal is to be started, and the date of the proposed destruction or removal shall be stated in the notice. The requirement for a 90-day warning shall not apply in the event of a serious emergency. (Added 1985, No. 269 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 317. Preservation of historic bridges

§ 317. Preservation of historic bridges
(a) The Division for Historic Preservation within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development is authorized to accept transfer from the Agency of Transportation, towns, railroads, or other entities of bridges deemed appropriate for preservation by the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Commerce and Community Development. The Division also is authorized to accept land or interests in land with each such bridge as reasonably necessary to preserve the bridge site and public access to the site.
(b) Transfer of any bridge site or bridge approach to the Division for Historic Preservation under this section shall not be treated, for purposes of any law or rule of law, as an abandonment of the use of the right-of-way for highway or railroad purposes.
(c) The Division for Historic Preservation may adopt such rules as are necessary to preserve, protect, and control the use of historic bridges, bridge sites, and bridge approaches.
(d) The Division for Historic Preservation is authorized to purchase or lease a site or sites for the storage of dismantled historic bridges that are being preserved for possible reconstruction and reuse.
(e) The Division for Historic Preservation is authorized to sell, lease, or otherwise convey the fee or lesser interest to any historic bridge. In all cases where an historic bridge is conveyed, the Division shall prescribe covenants necessary to preserve the historic integrity of the bridge. Any funds obtained from the sale, lease, or conveyance shall be used for the purposes outlined in subsection (a) of this section.
(f) [Repealed.] (Added 1993, No. 36, § 3; amended 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 1(a), (b); 2011, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 29.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 19 - Highways › Chapter 3 - Town Highways › § 318. Local Technical Assistance Program; input from municipalities

§ 318. Local Technical Assistance Program; input from municipalities
(a) Prior to submitting a fiscal year Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) work plan to the Federal Highway Administration for approval, the Agency shall, in consultation with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns and any other person the Agency deems appropriate, solicit from all Vermont towns, villages, and cities:
(1) input on whether the Agency is providing effective municipal transportation-related technical assistance and training through the LTAP;
(2) recommendations on how to improve the Agency’s operation of the LTAP; and
(3) recommendations for new training, technical assistance, or support functions to be provided through the LTAP.
(b) The Agency shall consider the input and recommendations received from municipalities in developing its annual LTAP work plan.
(c) Upon request, the Agency shall provide the Vermont League of Cities and Towns administrative support in soliciting and collecting municipal input and recommendations. (Added 2013, No. 167 (Adj. Sess.), § 13.)