I have been very concerned about the use of salt on our Heath roads for a number of reasons: (1) the deterioration of our roads, (2) deterioration of our highway vehicles and our personal vehicles, (3) the  environmental impact of salt washing into our streams,  (4) the added costs of replacing our plows and trucks due to corrosion, and (5) the added cost of replacing the salt shed with material impervious to salt corrosion (apparently concrete is not.)

I understand that sand has drawbacks and does not give us those clear, albeit "whitish" roads, but I  think we should at least understand the hidden costs of salt vs sand and decide if we can afford it.   When I first moved to Heath in the pre-salt days, I used to brag to friends, "Once you get to Heath, the roads will be fine." And they were.  

I did a lot of research and found this article more relevant to Heath than the Mass DOT site.
Impact on Vermont's Natural Environment and Infrastructure

 —​I have often thought what a gift it would be to the town to have an historical reading room where residents could have access to materials that are otherwise stored away and only seen on open house days 2 or 3 times a year.  Now that the possibility presents itself if the library does move to Jacobs Road, I believe our Historical Society would miss  an opportunity to put in a request for the current library space. The town had considered leasing 5 Ledges Road for $1, why not the same arrangement for the current library space?   
 
The Select Board has discussed what would make Sawyer Hall (and Community Hall) ADA and Fire Safety compliant using grants and special project monies.  Robyn would like to look at the building as a whole to see how it can be improved and used. Now would be a perfect time to request a reading room to give residents access to the wealth of materials and perhaps some rotating artifacts.  The room could be open on Saturday mornings and provide the same social interaction as did the library.
 
I have mentioned this to a few people in the Historical Society, but did not get a sense that they saw the same possibilities that I saw. One response was how would it be staffed? I can only say that during the months of remote learning there were volunteers covering 7 hours a day in 2 shifts, 5 days a week.  Certainly, a reading room could get 1 or 2 volunteers for one day a week, from 9:30 to noon on Saturday mornings.
 
Right now when at least two groups are requesting office space, the Historical Society  could potentially  miss a great opportunity.   —Pat McGahan