Residents urge action as Pittsburg approves $125,000 for Gay Road improvements

PITTSBURG, N.H. — Voters on March 11 approved a citizen petition to raise and appropriate $125,000 to improve Gay Road from Route 3 to the end of the current pavement (approximately 3,700 feet).

The petitioner speaking in favor described the unpaved section (Bay Road) as roughly 0.7 mile of dirt with deep ruts and mud that, at times, "are not just a nuisance" but have caused "costly repairs to residents' vehicles as well as creating hazards to drivers and emergency vehicles," and urged voters to support the appropriation. The moderator ran the motion and, after a card count, declared the motion adopted and moved to restrict reconsideration.

Context: Petitioners told the meeting there are about 101 homes and seven businesses on the segment in question; they also noted increased heavy-truck traffic connected to local gravel operations. Town officials said the appropriation would fund improvements to handle weather and current traffic and that, if approved, the Select Board and highway department would develop the precise scope and return to voters as required for any construction decisions.

What happens next: The Select Board and highway staff said they will draft project specifications and seek bids; the town indicated it will present final construction proposals to voters before committing to any contractor or construction schedule.

"We ask your support by voting yes on this," the petitioner said during public comment before the motion passed.

The meeting record shows the article was adopted and a motion to restrict reconsideration passed.