Residents criticize grading, dust and truck speeds on Austin Mountain Road; town says pavers due this week

Residents raised safety and dust concerns about recent road work at an Ossipee Town Selectmen meeting, saying crews graded only part of Austin Mountain Road and that heavy trucks have been speeding on unpaved sections.

The issue drew extended public comment. Resident Frank said the town “only graded the road up to Austin Mountain Road and didn't finish it all the way down to the bridge” and added, “it's getting worse because the big big trucks are up there now ... doing 40 or 50 miles an hour ... 10 wheelers and 18 wheelers.”

Town staff member TJ responded to the board during the meeting, saying conditions vary and noting his own observations: “If the 10 wheeler's going 50 miles an hour, it's not rough ... I drove them ... it's not rough today.” He and other staff explained the recent work was a pavement reclamation step rather than final paving.

Town staff described the process to residents: the contractor reclaimed the existing pavement, producing black reclaimed material and dust, then applied magnesium/calcium as a binder. “What that is is that's all the existing pavement that's been reclaimed ... That's why that road's kind of black,” the staff member said, adding the town had applied its last magnesium for the season to Effingham Road and planned follow‑up work.

Staff gave a short timetable for finishing work. They told the board the contractor is scheduled to fine‑grade the reclaimed surfaces on Wednesday, with paving crews expected to arrive on Thursday. The contractor had not yet decided whether to pave Old Route 28 or Deer Cove Road first; staff said the second road would follow shortly after the first. Staff also noted rain this week could help tamp the base and reduce dust.

Residents raised two related concerns: road surface damage and dust. Speakers argued that tearing up a dry road without moisture or additional binder can turn the surface into a “sandbox” and produce washboards and more dust; staff said they are balancing that risk with the need to create a stable base to avoid repaving within a few years.

Town staff invited residents to call with questions and said they had discussed schedule and logistics with the contractor and crew leads. The exchange concluded without any formal board action about changing the contractor's plan; the board and staff indicated the planned fine grading and paving schedule would proceed as described.

The discussion referenced several local roads where work or effects were reported, including Austin Mountain Road, Pine Hill Road, Deer Cove Road, Effingham Road, Walker Hill and Old Route 28. Staff said crews had recently worked at Constitution Park and had observed reclaimed material there while testing depth during grading.

Residents said dust from graded roads was affecting vegetation and property along many of the town’s dirt roads and asked the board to consider timing, watering and use of binders. Staff reiterated the schedule and said the town had applied water where possible and planned follow up work after the pavers finish their runs.

The meeting record shows the board opened public comment for the issue and heard multiple speakers; no new ordinance or municipal policy was created during the discussion. The town’s stated next steps were fine grading and paving by the contractor this week, pending the contractor’s sequencing choice and weather conditions.