[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6102282,"mediaKeyId","2805336-0fe547e949915b0819a8c07e85a8a408","parentId",2805336,"title","Conservation commission briefs EDAC on Souhegan River trail plans; public warns of habitat and flood constraints","audioSeconds",921,"startMs",3666000,"endMs",4587000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2805336-0fe547e949915b0819a8c07e85a8a408&start=3666&end=4587","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2805336-0fe547e949915b0819a8c07e85a8a408/thumbnail_3666000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6102282/New-Hampshire/Conservation-commission-briefs-EDAC-on-Souhegan-River-trail-plans-public-warns-of-habitat-and-flood-constraints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102282-e85db2ff537631dd4d20827722fc41bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153349&Signature=LCpqQvKb2x8kyx9Dabe6eWECLF6lS2T7cQ0CX849GTiInPMQix7mue5fCXulhzxc-owkMGaqbN7TuO0ygcMkXTWufYKIc6mGQZFhc66D8OMRptU2bHxL5A~CFX0gpVMWjeDPo-E2GaaO1YpAqRUNBIeEkOYrhiz9wKCZW~fGSLHUfwO4Qoo2zHTuolY0~kSPyvhTA70AQhm0PjnIkvSuqfzCEzWl~GSfw1lpZG8UMJg~xb20FLRztinAqOL44RRiTa8RjTybJUxZV5oSPCW6e17lUr~LKk36fhQQpBG59PCUTIx~iF6g31hd1erDGAgD8VRs2a4crYxMstbgNxbMhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Milford NH","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","Chris Constantino, a member of Milford’s conservation commission, and public commenters briefed the Economic Development Advisory Council on March 12 about planning for a Souhegan River trail loop and environmental constraints for riverfront projects.

Constantino said a continuous loop is roughly seven miles by road and likely longer as a trail, and that land ownership is predominantly private with some state and town parcels. He warned that the river corridor has soft, sandy banks that move during floods and that bridges and trail infrastructure in some reaches have been damaged by past high water. “We have a picture of a canoe in a tree, about eight feet high,” Constantino said, recounting the 2006–07 floods to illustrate erosion and flood risk.

Conservation members noted the importance of Fish and Game as a potential partner and landowner but said Fish and Game officials are often cautious about formal trails because increased use and dogs can disturb wildlife and hunting resources. The commission has worked under 10‑year renewal leases to use some parcels; Constantino said those renewals have proven difficult and require continued negotiation.

Public commenter Suzanne Fournier, coordinator of Brock’s Environmental Citizens, urged thorough environmental review before any river modifications and reminded the council that the Souhegan River corridor is subject to several state protections. “The river is heavily regulated. It’s also under the Shoreland Protection Act for New Hampshire,” Fournier said, and she pointed EDAC to Department of Environmental Services materials and the New Hampshire Rivers Management and Protection Program (RMPP) for background. She noted the presence of habitat for species such as the state‑listed Blanding’s turtle and other sensitive wildlife.

Members discussed engineering and design options that conserve habitat while providing recreation; EDAC participants suggested exploring private funding partnerships where property owners benefit from improved access. Council members agreed the next steps should include mapping ownership, flood‑risk analysis, technical engineering input for durable trail and bridge design and early engagement with Fish and Game and DES to determine permitting needs.

Why it matters: trail and river projects can provide recreation and economic benefits but in many river reaches are constrained by flood dynamics, habitat protection, regulatory permitting and fragmented ownership. EDAC and conservation commission members said thorough technical and regulatory work is needed before committing to major riverfront infrastructure.

Provenance: topicintro — opening comments by Chris Constantino introducing the Sohegan River trail update; topfinish — public comment by Suzanne Fournier with DES and RMPP references.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Milford NH Economic Development Advisory Committee - March 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Conservation officials updated EDAC on a proposed roughly 7‑mile Souhegan River loop and cautioned that private land ownership, flood‑prone sandy banks, Fish and Game lease constraints and state permits limit what can be built. A public commenter noted the river’s protected status and endangered species concerns.","taxTitle","Milford Boards & Committees of Selectmen, Milford, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire","taxId",76030,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6102287,"EDAC reviews election returns and local Facebook marketing results; considers small escrow for future outreach",3066,99000,3165000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2805336-0fe547e949915b0819a8c07e85a8a408&start=99&end=3165","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2805336-0fe547e949915b0819a8c07e85a8a408/thumbnail_99000.jpg","/articles/6102287/New-Hampshire/EDAC-reviews-election-returns-and-local-Facebook-marketing-results-considers-small-escrow-for-future-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102287-ae6d80196debcfcc3c366e91d6c4afee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153349&Signature=b1ZDlwhqGpeUemQDSTeKtg5-CUFVp71-ucX47QIKlE8W8dzjbiuyiEsxG9ufzjHNTFA2Pp04gBiaiW5vf0PDrroHHFuNwK7Xh7vxs8dQVk3eCN4JYf3Nk4Mc9ZaRVqtfkJUcQJPfRsWof5CERx8qxVJ2VcAhZjWNwAEKsEzteoLqLKO~bS9frUX3o-DQduFm48l9rcfKY-q~aI7-yKAiC5WF8YhcQG7V~bcRTRl9b3yEWJHyZIS85PhkaszOSSydcwrJRc3Qfy4slT725MUZhf21tYdrJYTQQFSnoEe1nL3AEkhoyWD-ci09DXYP6MkOUibF~Jtxx1r3uaz-8Svtsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Economic Development Advisory Council reviewed local election results and a recent EDAC Facebook ad campaign at its March 12 meeting, and members discussed creating a small escrow marketing fund for future outreach.

Justin Montney, an EDAC member and small business owner, gave a rundown of the committee’s paid social media effort and the group’s preliminary advertising metrics. “We got over 20,000 views on our ads, and they reached about 5,000 unique people,” Montney said. He reported more than 1,100 post engagements and noted a campaign cost of a little over $300 for a roughly seven‑ to ten‑day push.

Montney told the council the ads were intended to raise awareness on matters such as the Applied Technology Center and the master plan’s art/district outreach. He recommended an escrow fund to pool voluntary contributions from EDAC members and other supporters for future targeted campaigns. Dale White and Montney both said they were willing to contribute; Montney said he and another member had already added funds for the recent campaign.

The group also discussed recent local ballot returns that committee members said may shape EDAC priorities going forward. Members reported a mix of yes and no results on items described in the meeting transcript as the CTE center (reported as “yes”), a dam study (reported as “no”), and proposed zoning changes in the R‑1 district (a split result summarized in discussion). Several members said Facebook comments during the campaign revealed public confusion about the zoning proposals and infrastructure concerns, including water and traffic impacts, and that more outreach and a clear landing page would help voters evaluate future proposals.

Camille Patterson, the town’s director of community development, and other members discussed scheduling a housing forum on May 28 under an existing HOP grant to provide education on housing types and fiscal impacts. Members suggested pairing future ad pushes with earlier educational materials so voters would not see issues for the first time during the final days before a vote.

Montney recommended a short landing page for targeted ads and regular EDAC posts to build followers and familiarity. “We could start maybe two weeks out before a vote, but really pushing the majority of the budget those seven days before people are gonna vote, because it’s everything’s top of mind for them,” he said.

Why it matters: EDAC’s outreach choices affect civic understanding of planning and zoning proposals that might later appear before voters or the planning board. Members asked staff and volunteers to coordinate a clear information page for future campaigns, continue the May housing forum planning and decide by email who will donate to an EDAC marketing escrow account.

Provenance: topicintro — meeting segment announcing an update on election results and the marketing report; topfinish — discussion of housing forum and web landing page work.","After local election returns showed mixed results on zoning and river/dam questions, EDAC members reviewed a recent Facebook ad campaign that reached thousands and discussed creating an escrow marketing fund for future outreach and education.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6102292,"Milford resident outlines how Franklin revived its downtown with housing, TIF and a whitewater park",1456,124000,1580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2805336-0fe547e949915b0819a8c07e85a8a408&start=124&end=1580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2805336-0fe547e949915b0819a8c07e85a8a408/thumbnail_124000.jpg","/articles/6102292/New-Hampshire/Milford-resident-outlines-how-Franklin-revived-its-downtown-with-housing-TIF-and-a-whitewater-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6102292-0c87397648febf17919b018920d2e461/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153349&Signature=ACqu~pTGels76tbQxXpybkGx8~Xp9xQZU0h6wgnyiDtoAU6hImkS~rfG4DJzTVPCJJXEKR33NtbVG8lFCFBskHg3wh3NsN3pl0wu~QD4Bb~1nu89bqIrQSMcK6mxOO3mUaZoxKltMhvWY81GwY59WWs2jGVLlmuXFGrB5sMUGvuVq8YNGszP3suh4x4P~k5hNfCFoQ06GgifJx93vKO3gkQdRPHcjFSWJ6Hu9i6VRUVlSLhqe6DGxFQSMyPgOPZFKSdGX4U657fUsAlJq4~GV2KAtgdEGDGr9hfaLb666VcO-4JLHgbbKKK~5xhw0MU0P~nriI~Pa-KXLXIiEl1O5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Todd Workman, a Milford resident and developer, told the Economic Development Advisory Council on March 12 that he helped lead a multi‑year effort in Franklin that combined land conservation, private real estate acquisitions, public‑private financing and the construction of a whitewater park to spur downtown revitalization.

The idea, Workman said, began after he conserved 231 acres adjacent to Webster Lake and then turned his attention to a walkable mill downtown. “I ended up putting my 231 acres into permanent conservation,” Workman said, describing how he sold development rights through the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service wetland reserve program and shifted his focus to rehabilitating mill buildings and the riverfront.

Workman said the effort used a variety of financing tools and partnerships to make projects viable. He described forming a New Hampshire nonprofit (Perma City Life) that acquired six mixed‑use mill buildings and worked with Franklin Savings Bank for acquisition and facade rehab loans, then combined Tax Increment Financing (TIF) proceeds, state historic tax credits, facade grants and loans from the New Hampshire Business Finance Authority, the Community Development Finance Authority and the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund. He said one TIF bond was about $1.2 million to clean up the mill infield and create parking and stormwater capacity; later phases attracted congressional funding and other grants.

Workman also described partnering with a nonprofit housing developer identified in the meeting as CATCH (Catch Housing) to convert a condemned mill building into workforce housing. He said a subsequent larger private conversion produced mixed‑income units, with a portion income‑restricted at 80 percent of area median income alongside market‑rate and upscale condominiums. “The Whitewater Park is free to everybody,” Workman said, noting that the park drew visitors, supported restaurants and breweries, and helped increase property values downtown.

Workman credited the project’s progress to concentrated property control, repeated planning efforts, and constant partnership among local government, banks, nonprofit fiscal sponsors and technical consultants. He said the whitewater design drew on examples from Colorado, engaged experienced engineers and required a multi‑phase permitting and engineering process; he told the council that the first phase from concept to ribbon cutting took roughly five and a half years.

EDAC members asked about environmental and regulatory constraints for river modifications. Workman said the Franklin river reach had already been heavily altered by historic mills and that the initiative included cleanup of rebar, rubble and brownfield remediation; he said the group used engineers experienced in whitewater features and obtained regulatory approvals. Camille Patterson, Milford’s director of community development, was noted as staff at the meeting and helped facilitate Q&A.

Why it matters: several EDAC members raised the idea of applying similar placemaking and recreational investments to Milford’s Souhegan River corridor. Workman emphasized that projects of this scale require a clear local vision, concentrated property control (or coordinated owners), a dedicated project lead and a mix of financing tools so private investment becomes economically feasible.

Workman recommended starting with a single, achievable pilot project, building public‑private coalitions, preparing targeted grant applications and ensuring zoning and infrastructure alignment before pursuing larger river modifications or new river amenities. He repeatedly stressed that technical design and permitting — especially for river engineering — must be handled by firms with prior whitewater park experience.

Provenance: topicintro — excerpt from the meeting where Workman introduced his Franklin experience; topfinish — the later point where he closed Q&A and invited further questions.","At the March 12 EDAC meeting, Milford resident and developer Todd Workman described a multi-year public‑private strategy used in Franklin — land conservation, acquisition and rehab of mill buildings, tax‑increment financing, developer partnerships and a whitewater park — that he says helped revive the downtown and boost businesses and housing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conservation commission briefs EDAC on Souhegan River trail plans; public warns of habitat and flood constraints

EDAC reviews election returns and local Facebook marketing results; considers small escrow for future outreach

Milford resident outlines how Franklin revived its downtown with housing, TIF and a whitewater park