Board of Finance approves $32,150 engineering study for Green Hill sidewalk and road-safety improvements after public comment

The Board of Finance voted to release $32,150 from the town's planning reserve to fund an engineering study of the Green Hill sidewalk and roadway improvement project, a step officials said is intended to support a subsequent state roadway grant application and refine options for pedestrian connections between school campuses.

Supporters at the meeting urged the board to move forward so the town can pursue grant funding and design a safer route for students and residents. "I've gone out into this area with the committee and... with the DOT and the T2 traffic authority to do a road safety audit of the area," said John Bean, chair of the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, who described walking audits and observations showing the area is heavily used by children and community members.

Why it matters: Board and public discussion centered on safety for students and recreational users, grant eligibility and scope, and potential impacts on wetlands and adjoining homeowners. Parents and committee members argued that connecting three nearby schools by safe sidewalks and pedestrian facilities would reduce dangerous sidewalkless walking and informal student routes. Some neighbors raised concerns about environmental impacts and long-term maintenance obligations.

During public comment, resident Phil Jansen said the proposal "is going to involve filling in a lot of wetlands" and warned that maintenance costs could fall to homeowners in "10, 20 years." Parent Megan Hogarth argued the lack of sidewalks forces children into the road and said, "If we have an opportunity to put a sidewalk in an area where three of our schools are, I think we would be very irresponsible not to move forward with that because we are essentially making a decision that could put our children in risk."

Scope and funding: Meeting discussion repeatedly referenced a state roadway grant program (referred to in the meeting as "lots"). Board members and staff explained that, as described at the meeting, the town would be expected to pay design and pre-construction costs while construction could be fully funded by the grant if the application is successful. The study approved by the board will ask engineers to evaluate pedestrian routes, roadway-safety improvements, and alternatives including possible on-campus connections.

Community input and evidence: A meeting participant reported the town had received roughly 79 letters in favor and nine opposed; the presenter characterized some supportive letters as mailed copies and summarized a total figure of about 84 in favor and nine against. Multiple commenters including Jessica Joseph and Jared Gilbert emphasized photographic and observational evidence of regular pedestrian, bike and running use in the corridor.

Board action and next step: The motion to release $32,150 was made and seconded and carried by voice vote. Board members said the vote authorizes the town to proceed with the engineering study; any grant application and final design will return to the board for review and approval.

What remains unresolved: Neighbors asked whether the study will address alternatives that avoid wetland fill or place pedestrian routes within school property lines; the board said the study would evaluate options but noted some grant programs limit funding to roadway-sidewalk projects. The board did not specify a timeline for the engineer's report or the next formal vote on a grant application.