Friends of the Concord Lake Sunapee Rail Trail outline multiple Warner projects; some residents raise concerns

Tim Blagden, representing the Friends of the Concord Lake Sunapee Rail Trail, told the Warner Select Board on June 23 that three trail sections in town are already open (Bagley Field; Depot Street to Joppa Road; the Stevens Rail Trail) and that several other projects are in development, including work at Exit 9, Exit 8 and Exit 7.

Blagden said the Exit 9 project now carries a design-only grant and the group hopes to finish a design by the end of September; he cautioned the existing $1.5 million raised “is not enough for the design and build of two bridges” because part of the work sits in a federal right-of-way. He added that Exit 8 would create a 1.1-mile section within the interstate median and requires a $600,000 local or nonprofit match to activate $2.3 million in state funding. Blagden said the Friends are in the process of purchasing a state-owned parcel near Exit 7 and that the Governor and Executive Council have approved the sale, though the parcel still needs a survey.

Blagden described a sub-agreement under which the Town of Warner manages federal grant funds for the nonprofit to meet federal requirements; he said revenues and invoices are kept in separate accounts and paid from the nonprofit's accounts so grant funds remain segregated from the town general fund. Clyde Carson confirmed the town keeps those funds separate and pays invoices from that account.

Several members of the public objected to aspects of the rail-trail work. A resident who identified herself only as Amy said abutters to recently discussed parcels were not notified of sales and said neighbors were worried about trash and noise. Dawn Quirk told the Board the project is polarizing and asked who will hold the Friends group accountable for behavior on the trails; she said she felt the group “does not care about any property owners or animals in the area, they only care about getting their bike trails.” Blagden offered to continue conversations off-line and provided his contact information.

The Select Board did not take formal action on the rail-trail projects at this meeting; board members said the Town's role was primarily to manage grants and to coordinate outreach with the Friends group.

The discussion included specific near-term funding and permitting uncertainties: the Exit 9 design-only status, the need for additional funds for design-and-build work within federal right-of-way constraints, the $600,000 match for Exit 8, pending surveys and an uncertain recreational trails grant for property near Tom's Pond.