Swayze Parkway trustees hear public safety concerns, approve minutes and set Aug. 19 meeting

The Swayze Parkway trustees met in Exeter and, after taking public comment, approved minutes from June meetings, discussed fence and sewer repairs, and set their next meeting for Aug. 19.

Public commenter Mark Williams Damsel of 10 Newfield Road told the trustees Exeter Lumber had "donated another slot for the bench that I repaired," referring to a breast-cancer-awareness bench across from Sargent's Hill. He also raised a safety concern about a branch he said was hanging over Water Street near Norris Brook and the D'Agostino house, saying it extended over the white line and forced pedestrians into the roadway. "There was a couple older couple walking, and they almost had to— they literally had to go into the road," Damsel said, and offered to trim the branch if trustees approved.

Chair said the trustees would address the shrub and thanked Damsel for bringing it to their attention. "We'll, we will get that addressed," Chair said.

In board business, Trustee Darius Thompson moved to accept the June 15 minutes as written; another trustee seconded and the board approved the motion by voice vote. Thompson later moved to accept the June 17 minutes as amended to correct spellings (including RJ's and Joe Moroz); that motion also carried by voice vote.

Trustees received brief updates on town projects: the chair said the sewer project is largely complete but finish work such as tire-mark cleanup may wait until the fall because of water restrictions and an upcoming community event. The board also scheduled another meeting to review fence estimates for Swayze Park—trustees agreed to have contractors break out replacement and repair costs for sections along the river and adjacent properties. Trustees noted portions of the galvanized fence are leaning toward the river and discussed keeping posts in their current line while straightening them rather than relocating the fence; they also flagged that the sidewalk in some places is about 3 feet wide and may need widening in the future to improve pedestrian safety.

A trustee thanked a volunteer for planting sunflowers and petunias at the end of Newfields Road as part of community beautification for the town's 250th anniversary. The board set its next regular meeting for Aug. 19 and, at 5:11 p.m., the chair moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded and approved.

Actions recorded at the meeting included approval of the June 15 minutes, approval of the June 17 minutes as amended, and a motion to adjourn. No ordinances, contracts, or budget decisions were taken at the session.