Council OKs memorandum of understanding to support Tri City Dealer request for mid‑block crossing on Route 108

The Somersworth City Council voted on Sept. 2 to authorize the city manager to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tri City CDJR (192 Route 108) and to submit an application to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation for a mid‑block crossing and related pedestrian infrastructure at that location.
City Manager outlined the key conditions the Traffic Safety Committee had suggested and which the council endorsed: (1) Tri City will bear all costs for the application, design, permits and construction; (2) Tri City will maintain the infrastructure (including snow removal and routine upkeep) and grant a performance bond in favor of the city for repair/maintenance obligations; (3) the city manager may decline to submit an application if state conditions or liabilities are inconsistent with the MOU; and (4) any site-plan amendments required are the responsibility of the project proponent.
Councilor Vincent moved to authorize the manager to move forward with the MOU and application; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with Councilor Gibson recorded as voting no and the remaining councilors voting yes (recorded roll call: Vincent yes; Gibson no; Harry Catanzaro yes; Michaud yes; Witham yes; Goodwin yes; Cameron yes; Pepin yes).
The manager cautioned that a state mid‑block crossing on Route 108 could require more than a painted crosswalk — potentially flashing beacons, pedestrian refuges or other devices — and that the state’s Complete Streets planning for Route 108 will influence near‑term and long‑term requirements. He said the city expects the proponent’s obligations to persist until such time as the city or state assumes responsibility through future corridor work. The council majority characterized the arrangement as business‑friendly and low risk because the private proponent will fund and maintain the improvement; at least one councilor expressed concern about eventual municipal liability if and when the city accepted full corridor infrastructure in the future.