Selectmen direct engineering work and warrant-article language for Main Street crosswalk

The Henniker Board of Selectmen voted Aug. 5 to direct the highway superintendent, in collaboration with the town engineer, to develop a feasible, code‑compliant design and cost estimate for a crosswalk on Main Street connecting the community center to businesses on the south side. The town administrator was also directed to prepare proposed warrant-article language and estimated installation and maintenance costs for the board's consideration by November 2025.

Town Administrator Diane summarized the extensive outreach and review that preceded the motion: referrals to the Highway Safety and Road Management committees, input from the energy committee on related infrastructure, temporary crosswalk demonstrations, parking and speed surveys, and public-input sessions. "The public, in the surveys overwhelmingly supported it," Diane said. She said the board can either place a funded warrant article on the warrant (taxation) or allow it to be pursued as a petition warrant article.

Board discussion focused on ensuring the design would be stampable by the town engineer and buildable by the highway superintendent; Diane recommended the two staff members collaborate to produce a design and cost estimate the board can send to town meeting if desired. A motion to direct the highway superintendent and town engineer to develop the plan and for the town administrator to prepare warrant-article language was made and seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote (chair recorded "Motion carries 4 nothing").

What happens next: staff will develop design options and cost estimates; the board will decide whether to include a warrant article with funding on the town-meeting warrant or allow a petition warrant article. The transcript records direction to have the warrant-article proposal prepared no later than November 2025.