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Public hearing on Harkness Road discontinuance spotlights safety, signage and neighborhood concerns
Summary
At a Jan. 14 public hearing, Jaffrey residents and officials debated a proposal to discontinue a cutover segment of Harkness Road after NH DOT approved blocking the intersection onto Route 124. Neighbors cited driver confusion, parking impacts and snow-removal and asked for more review and signage.
Chairman Franklin W. Sterling, Jr. opened a public hearing on Jan. 14 to receive input on discontinuing the cutover portion of Harkness Road from Bryant Road to a point about 30 feet east, saying, “This intersection is dangerous coming out onto Rte. 124.” NH Department of Transportation has granted permission to block the intersection, and the board noted that a road discontinuance would require approval at Town Meeting and would transfer the former road area to abutters.
Resident Alex Bird said drivers are often confused by the cutover and urged clarity for motorists and pedestrians. Several neighbors — including Charles Trimble and the Webb family — raised concerns that the closure could disrupt seasonal parking used during Visual and Identity of Jaffrey (VIS) events, and asked for attention to potholes and pedestrian access. Janet Grant asked whether a warning sign would be placed before the turn.
Superintendent of Highways & Facilities Croteau said the barriers to be used are the only NH DOT–approved closure devices; he added that plantings around the barriers could be used in time to ease the visual impact, but he could not give a firm date for removal. Trimble and Bird urged increased police patrols to address speeding at the intersection. Sam Greene noted that the VIS has not yet met to consider signage and flagged concerns about walkability and snow removal.
Rob Stephenson provided historical context, saying past attempts to close or alter the section in 1994 and 2003 were voted down at Town Meeting and that plans describing proposed changes exist in the Town Hall vault. Stephenson recommended that the Historic District Commission (HDC) and the Visual and Identity of Jaffrey (VIS) be included in further review and said the proposal “should be withdrawn until all is reviewed,” requesting accident data, photos of proposed barricades and the plan be made available to the public before any final action.
Chairman Sterling closed the hearing at 6:51 p.m. The Select Board did not take a final vote on discontinuance during the Jan. 14 meeting; any formal discontinuance must be approved later at Town Meeting and follow state and local procedures.
