Select Board weighs subdivision growth, wildlife impacts and tougher gravel-pit enforcement

At the June 2 Select Board meeting the Board discussed land-use topics focused on subdivision development and gravel-pit operations. Chair Lisa Hewitt raised concerns about future growth, potential impacts to roads, schools and rural character, and proposed forming a committee to review subdivision regulations and broader growth-related issues. Jeff Holmes volunteered to serve as a citizen representative and Richard Hughes urged the Board to consider wildlife impact studies when reviewing new subdivisions.

Separately, the Board discussed recurring problems at gravel pits, including unauthorized or over-excavation and uncertainty about compliance with the Land Use Ordinance. Suggestions to better document and enforce rules included drone surveys, engineering reviews to establish baseline conditions for each pit, and strengthening ordinance language to permit recovery of legal expenses when the town must incur costs to enforce compliance. Chair Hewitt said she would contact a consultant who previously helped the town with gravel-pit matters.

The minutes record these items as discussion; no formal motions, votes, or ordinance changes were adopted at this meeting. The Board indicated interest in follow-up work, including forming a committee to address subdivision rules and consulting on gravel-pit enforcement.