Select Board approves Pemi‑Path Challenge Partnership Agreement, authorizes signing once final engineering figures provided

Daniel “Buz” Kenney, chair of the Pemi‑Path committee, told the Select Board that the Challenge Partnership Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been through legal review and that remaining issues had been resolved. Kenney said the document covers the construction period only; a separate five‑year operating agreement would follow after construction.

Kenney told the board he had asked for a “best efforts” clause to protect the town’s fundraising and construction interests, but that the Corps declined, citing limits on its ability to bind future Congressional action. He said the Corps’ updated Franklin Falls Flood Control Area Master Plan encourages recreation in the floodplain and that the Corps’ position gave him confidence the project would proceed, though he acknowledged federal funding remains ultimately subject to congressional decisions.

On costs, Kenney said earlier estimates used in a Northern Border Regional Commission grant application were about $1.8 million but warned that final figures are likely to rise; he estimated that with volunteer labor and donated materials the town’s out‑of‑pocket cash costs could be on the order of $200,000 or less. Kenney said he would not begin fundraising until NEPA review or confirmation of a Categorical Exclusion is finalized; he reported the Corps expects a 60–90 day review period for that eligibility determination.

After discussion the board voted to approve the Challenge Partnership Agreement and authorize Town Administrator Christina Goodwin to sign necessary documents once final engineering numbers are provided (motion carried 4‑0‑0). Board members expressed thanks for Kenney’s work and interest in participating in fundraising and maintenance planning. A resident asked about the risk of future Corps withdrawal; Kenney reiterated that the risk lies in potential federal budget changes.