Landowner meeting set as selectboard weighs alternate access to Cobble Ridge

The selectboard heard an update on river restoration projects and agreed to convene an initial meeting with affected landowners on Feb. 25 to discuss an alternate access to Cobble Ridge.

"We will be having a initial meeting with the affected landowners on the February 25, I believe it is, at 05:30 just to go over the project with them and see if there's any support," Chair (S3) said. Consultants presenting options included Megan Arcino of Stone Environmental and Alyssa Sabato of Windham Regional. The board was told the Cobble Ridge bridge replacement is unlikely to be funded, and the alternate-access option appears the most feasible of four candidate projects.

Board members said whether landowners support an alternate access depends largely on whether the state requires removal of the existing bridge. Chair (S3) explained the state's benefit‑cost analysis (BCA) may treat the alternate access as a road relocation, which could trigger requirements that result in the bridge's removal. Several board members said they have already heard mixed feedback from neighbors and emphasized that a proposal framed as temporary access in emergencies might garner more support than a full, permanent road replacement.

The board also discussed a larger, phased project at the Utley Brook and West River confluence as a longer‑term effort that could be done in phases beginning with design work. Selectboard members asked consultants to return to the board after the landowner meeting to report on whether there is sufficient support to continue the project.