Town says Hidden Springs alteration-of-terrain approved; draft Breezeline cable franchise coming for public hearing

At the June 23 meeting the Town Administrator told the Alton Board of Selectmen that the Alteration of Terrain approval for the Hidden Springs application has been issued by the Department of Environmental Services (DES) and that the permit package had been forwarded to the appropriate town contact for next steps.

"That permit has been issued," the administrator said, noting the DES approval and that project staff (Seth) will take things from there. The administrator also said the town has reached a milestone in negotiations with Breezeline: a consortium of about 11 communities has been working with contracted counsel and Breezeline on an updated cable franchise term sheet, and the parties have resolved outstanding details that had stalled the process for several years.

The administrator said the board will receive a draft of the franchise agreement in coming weeks and that state law will require the board to hold a public hearing to collect feedback before deciding whether to approve or reject the franchise agreement.

During selectmen reports and public input, residents raised related concerns about the Hidden Springs matter and the dam project, requesting a public timeline and more information on hydrologic impacts if dam removal or alteration proceeds. The board agreed to follow up with the representative (named in the transcript as Joe Kenny/Kennedy) and to consider forming a citizen group or committee to gather technical information.