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Resident questions reports of a helipad; board clarifies site is a winter landing zone
Summary
A resident asked the Select Board about rumors of a proposed helipad near the police station; the board said the site was designated only as a temporary landing zone for winter use and that an actual helipad had not been formally proposed.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Sheila Orsi of downtown development asked the Select Board about rumors that a helipad would be installed in the parking area adjacent to the police station.
Board members and other speakers told Orsi the town has designated the area as an alternate landing zone, particularly in winter, but that there has been no formal proposal to construct a permanent helipad. "A landing zone is a totally different designation than a helipad," Orsi said on the record. A Select Board member recalled, "I was on the board when we designated that as a landing zone," and said the site was sized to allow a helicopter to land when other sites (playground or high tunnel) were unavailable.
Speakers noted the downtown location would not be appropriate for a permanent helipad because the area lacks the width and length needed for a formal pad and because there have only been informal, passing discussions with emergency management and potential private partners. The town has discussed related parking negotiations in the same area but said no final decisions or grant awards have been made.
No vote or formal action was taken on the matter; the board recorded the public comment and clarified there is no active plan to build a permanent helipad at this time.
