To The Editor:
I've been reading with interest (Valley Reporter) about all the complaints that this winter has brought on, "too cold!!" and "road potholes," etc., and now looking forward to the next one of the six Vermont seasons, "Mud."
Having experienced 40-odd Waitsfield winters before moving south, to Lebanon, NH, that is, I can appreciate their concerns. Down here our apartment has a heated underground garage making snow brush use a lost art, no chipping of ice required. There are no large adjacent mountains to create large snow depths.
Since Lebanon is classified as a city and has many benefits, thereof: snow clearing, level paved roads (no mud season), etc., we do have pothole problems and one other danger, which I never had in Waitsfield.
Back in February, while shopping in West Lebanon, I made a turn into a store parking lot, taking the turn a little wider than necessary. And wham! I hit something that exploded my right front tire. The granite curbing was hiding in excess snow the plow had left.
After road service put on the tiny spare and days later after truing up the wheel rim while putting on the new tire, I found the steering to be entirely different. So, not only did I need a replacement but also an alignment. The electronic alignment equipment showed that a full correction couldn't be made and that if steering was still affected I'd have to see a car body specialist. Fortunately, this wasn't necessary.
With Waitsfield becoming more urbanized and more sidewalks installed, in-town winter driving may require more attention. Watch out when entering driveways from streets having new granite curbing. Now, I notice that around here, current curbing installation practice is to angle the stone away from the traveled way, which perhaps helps prevent inattentive drivers from damaging things they shouldn't.
Olin E. Potter
Former Waitsfield resident now living in New Hampshire
{loadnavigation}
