Tamworth board backs recreation department’s plan for seasonal use of former landfill

The Tamworth Select Board on Feb. 24 approved a letter supporting the Recreation Department’s application for seasonal, passive use of the town’s closed landfill, saying the plan limits activity to non‑motorized winter sports and will follow state permit requirements.

The letter, read to the board at the meeting, described the proposal as allowing “cross‑country skiing, snowshoeing, walking on groomed snow covered trails during the winter months when adequate snow cover and frozen ground conditions protect the integrity of the landfill cap.” It added that activities would be limited to groomed, snow‑covered trails, that grooming equipment would operate only on snow, and that “no permanent structures will be installed.”

After the presentation, an unidentified board member moved to approve the letter and the motion was seconded. The board recorded a roll‑call vote in which Aaron, Schaefer, Rose and Robert voted yes. The board asked staff to add the signatures to the signature file and return the document to the Recreation Department for transmittal with the application.

Recreation staff said they had discussed preliminary methane testing with DES and that initial readings did not indicate a major concern; the department plans to include signage and protective measures to avoid sensitive areas. The department also said it will limit grooming and use to conditions that protect the landfill cap.

The approval establishes a formal, documented statement of local support to accompany the Recreation Department’s change‑of‑use permit application; state permitting and DES review will determine final authorization and any required monitoring or mitigation.

Votes at a glance: • Support letter for seasonal landfill use: approved (motion; roll call: Aaron yes; Schaefer yes; Rose yes; Robert yes).