Rotary and trails groups seek town support for Route 11 bike/snowmobile corridor

Peter Bolster, speaking for the Rotary Club, asked the Board of Selectmen for a verbal endorsement to continue planning a bike route along Route 11 that would connect existing trails and improve off‑road options for cyclists and pedestrians. Bolster said the DOT owns a broad right‑of‑way in places (a 99‑foot corridor cited in the presentation) and that the Rotary would pursue a community meeting, maps, potential grant funding and volunteer help.

Mike Julianas of the Merry Meeting Snowmobile Club described ongoing trail maintenance and said the club can assist with grant applications and volunteer labor. He said federal recreational trail funding commonly uses an 80/20 federal/local match structure, and the clubs expect much of the volunteer labor and donated equipment to count toward that local match.

Selectmen asked for maps and more detailed routing through the village, suggested involving public‑works staff and the division of public works in planning, and urged organizers to consult with DOT and the Bureau of Trails. Board members signaled general support for pursuing more study and for holding a public meeting to gather community feedback and possible funding partners.

The presenters said any work through the village could be a mix of signed on‑road segments, sidewalk use and off‑road crushed‑limestone segments rather than a full paved trail. The board encouraged organizers to prepare maps and a public presentation and to return with proposed funding mechanics and a timeline that would allow a later warrant or grant application process.