Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rail Trail Joy Rails topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Selectmen back Joy Rails pilot and receive Friends of Constitution Park update
Summary
The Ossipee Selectmen agreed to send a joint letter to the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) supporting a one‑year pilot lease for Joy Rails on the southern rail corridor; the board also heard an update from Friends of Constitution Park about summer events and trail renovations.
The Ossipee Town Selectmen voted to have the town send a joint letter to the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources endorsing a 12‑month pilot lease, with one renewal option, for the proposed Joy Rails rail‑bike operation on the southern section of the corridor from Moltonville Road to Route 28.
The board discussed a letter from the Ossipee Economic Development Council expressing “enthusiastic support” for the Joy Rails pilot and for keeping the rails in place on the southern section to allow dual use by rail bikes and other trail recreation. The council’s letter, read into the record, said the business expects to welcome more than 10,000 tourists in its first season, could create three to five jobs, and could contribute lease payments and local spending to the Lakes region economy.
Selectman (name not specified) described the project as a compromise that retains rails on the southern corridor while allowing other recreational uses farther north. After discussion, the board voted to ask the town administrator to draft a joint letter echoing the Economic Development Council’s support and to circulate it to Selectmen for review before sending it to DNCR.
Separately, Friends of Constitution Park provided an extended update. The group announced a community summer event scheduled for June 28 with a “Touch‑A‑Truck” from 10 a.m. to noon, more than 25 vendors, food trucks, and a one‑mile color run hosted by Ossipee Central Elementary School’s BTA at noon. The Friends also reported volunteers expanded the disc‑golf course from nine to 18 holes using donated materials and volunteer labor; they credited more than 150 volunteer hours and $3,000 in donated materials.
Friends representatives said they received a $60,000 grant from a Manchester foundation for renovation of the Deer Run accessible trail and plan to begin demolition after July 4; they estimated reopening the trail in mid‑ to late‑September, weather permitting, and scheduled an October 18 ribbon cutting. The Friends thanked the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for recognition and financial support.
The board’s motion to prepare and send a joint letter to DNCR passed unanimously. The town will draft the letter for Selectmen review and submission.
