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Select Board declines to fund permanent guardrail repairs at private Fish and Game Club
Summary
After legal review and public discussion, the Select Board defeated a motion to use public DPS funds for permanent guardrail replacement at the Templeton Fish and Game Club; the motion failed with one yes, two no and one recusal.
A proposal to use Department of Public Services funds to repair guardrails at the Templeton Fish and Game Club prompted extended discussion and a legal review before the board.
Town Council prepared a draft license agreement that would allow the town to fund work on private property while protecting the town from liability. The agreement and repair request were discussed at length; proponents said the repairs would support public uses such as the town’s swimming program, while opponents warned about setting a precedent for using town funds on private property.
One Select Board member said the guardrails he inspected did not appear to require replacement and expressed concern about opening the door to similar requests from other private property owners. Another board member noted the town had previously authorized limited temporary repairs to private property in emergent situations but said permanent repairs on private roads present a different legal and policy question.
A motion to approve use of DPS funds for guardrail repair pending signatures on the license agreement was moved and seconded, then put to a vote. The roll call recorded one yes, two no and one recusal; the motion was defeated.
The board did not authorize the use of town funds for permanent guardrail replacement. Town Council will retain the draft license agreement if the applicant wishes to pursue private funding or other options, and the board suggested the Fish and Game Club could pursue its own repairs or a private fundraising approach.
