Select Board approves Recreation request to seek change-in-use permit for old landfill

Karl Behr, chair of the Tamworth Select Board, presided over a motion that approved a Recreation Department request to pursue a change-in-use permit for the town’s old landfill to allow groomed trails and other non-motorized winter activities.

Jeremy Phillips, the town’s Recreation Director, told the board the department is seeing high demand for gym time and growing participation in youth basketball, open gym and pickleball. Phillips asked the board to support applying for a change in use for the old landfill to allow groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails and other non-motorized winter recreation. Phillips said New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services “doesn’t seem to have any major concerns” for those snow-only, non-motorized uses.

Board members discussed how access would work with the existing fence; Phillips said the fence would remain with a gate on the Recreation Department side. Richard Doucette moved to approve the letter authorizing staff to pursue the permit; Steve Schaeffer seconded. The board approved the motion by roll call: Doucette yes, Behr yes, Schaeffer yes, Lianne Prentice yes, Emery Roberts yes.

Also during the Recreation update, Nolan noted the Transfer Station has replaced its tractor and that Rick Moreau requested the town retain the older machine for field maintenance. Members agreed to keep it on site but warned that major, catastrophic repairs in future might not be cost-effective.

Phillips also said an Easter egg hunt and spring programs would be posted soon and that a community calendar draft will be released March 4. The board did not set a public hearing date in the meeting; the approved letter authorizes staff to submit the permit request and pursue the next steps required by DES and town permitting processes.