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Bedford council unanimously approves discontinuance of small Runlet Hill Road segment
Summary
The Bedford Town Council voted 7–0 to reclassify a roughly 120-foot segment of Runlet Hill Road from a class 5 public way to a class 6 road "subject to gates and bars," accepting an easement for a hammerhead turnaround and requiring conveyance of private-utility easements to Saint Anselm's College.
The Bedford Town Council voted unanimously on Oct. 22 to discontinue a short, gated portion of Runlet Hill Road, changing its classification from class 5 to class 6 "subject to gates and bars," and to accept and convey related easements tied to a new athletic complex at Saint Anselm's College. Councilor Carter moved the measure and Councilor Strand seconded; the roll-call vote was 7–0 in favor.
Planning Director Becky told the council the contested segment is about 120 feet north of an existing gate that currently marks the start of gated campus access and that the classification change is a "housekeeping" step so the gated portion of the road has a consistent status. Becky said the planning board conditioned the college's site-plan approval on three items: discontinuance of that small section to class 6, acceptance of an easement for a hammerhead turnaround (to allow plow and emergency vehicle turning), and conveyance of easements documenting private utilities the college had installed through the town right-of-way.
An attorney representing Saint Anselm's described the petition as a cleanup of existing property arrangements and confirmed the gate is privately owned and maintained by the college. John Woodcock, an applicant representative, explained the gate uses a motorized opener and opticon for fire and police access and said it can be opened remotely for emergencies.
Under the motion adopted by the council, the town manager is authorized to sign any required documentation, to accept the proposed turnaround easement, and to accept conveyance of an easement for private utilities within the right-of-way. The council clarified that while the town will maintain the public-facing hammerhead turnaround after its construction, day-to-day gate maintenance remains the college's responsibility.
The measure does not open the gated section for public vehicular access; Becky said the roadway will continue to be gated and not plowed beyond the gate. The move aligns the roadway's legal classification with its current physical status and the planning board's conditions for the adjacent athletic facility.
