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Chocorua Village crosswalk petition splits Tamworth residents and Select Board over costs and DOT requirements
Summary
Petitioners urged repainting faded crosswalks in Chocorua Village as a public-safety measure, while Select Board members and town staff said New Hampshire DOT guidance may require rapid flashing beacons if crosswalks remain, potentially imposing tens of thousands in additional cost.
Tamworth — Petitioners and residents urged the Select Board on Feb. 10 to fund repainting faded crosswalks in Chocorua Village, saying the markings are vital for pedestrian safety and for residents who walk to the post office, library and other village destinations. The petition (Article 32) asks the town to raise $1,500 to repaint four crosswalks in Chocorua Village.
Judith Reardon, speaking for the community association, described heavy pedestrian use of the crosswalks and argued painting them is a modest safety measure. Several residents backed the petition, said painting is inexpensive (one figure cited: $13.25 per foot to paint in the sample), and asked the Select Board to maintain crosswalks as a community good.
Town officials and other residents raised a counterpoint: following a 2022 DOT corridor safety review, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation told the town that if the painted crosswalks are maintained the DOT would require rapid flashing beacons at those locations on that state highway corridor. Town officials and one board member said the flashing-beacon requirement could cost "tens of thousands" of dollars beyond the $1,500 painting request and that maintaining painted crosswalks without installing required beacons could create potential liability. A Select Board member said Primex (the town's insurer) does not support maintaining the painted crosswalks without beacons and that the town's legal team had raised concerns; the board said more detailed cost and legal information would be provided at Town Meeting.
Comments at the public hearing reflected a split in priorities: petitioners emphasized village connectivity and pedestrian access; opponents emphasized legal and insurance implications and long-term maintenance costs. Some residents urged the board to research installation and ongoing maintenance costs for beacons before committing funds; others said the town should fund at least the small repainting expense to make crossings visible in the short term.
Outcome and next steps: The Select Board recorded its recommendation on Article 32 as part of the public hearing record. Town officials said the article and the DOT recommendations, insurance guidance and bid/installation costs will be discussed further at Town Meeting, where voters will be able to act on the petition.
