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Marshfield makes a bridge deal
That will be the case when the town officially assumes the deed of Charles Thorndike's 120 acres of property along Route 2, which include the historic wooden covered Martin Bridge. Thorndike, of New Hampton, N.H., is giving the town of Marshfield the property, which is valued at $87,200, in exchange for the $1,321.08 he owes in current school taxes. The selectboard voted last week to agree to the deal, and plans to sign the deed agreement Tuesday. "We accepted the bridge because it's historic and it was offered," said Marshfield Selectboard Chairman George Longenecker. Another reason, he said, is, "One of my interests is history and historic preservation." Longenecker said he believes there is grant money available to preserve what he calls one of the most historic places in Marshfield. The Martin Bridge crosses the Winooski River and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the only covered bridge left in Marshfield. Historians believe the 45-foot long bridge was built in 1890. Though the bridge is unsafe for automobile travel, it serves as a handsome backdrop for a popular fishing spot. The land included in the exchange is zoned in the flood-Plain or in forestry, making the and unsuitable for development. Town officials are considering selling a portion of the property. Longenecker said the town will discuss what to do with this and other properties the town has acquired through tax sales. "We don't need 120 acres of land," Longenecker said. Attempts to reach Thorndike were unsuccessful. [Copyright © 2003 The Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, www.timesargus.com Contact Sky Barsch at sky.barsch@timesargus.com or 479-0191, ext. 1153. - Ed.] |
Joe Nelson, P.O Box 267, Jericho, VT 05465-0267
This file posted November 7, 2003