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Selectboard confronts removed VAST signage after threat to cancel Winterfest
Summary
After state-mandated VAST signage was removed from the Common, the Saxon Hill Riders pulled a temporary snowmobile spur and a local resident threatened to cancel Winterfest. The Selectboard discussed criminal exposure, community division, and next steps including a follow-up at a future meeting.
The Westford Selectboard reviewed a dispute over a temporary VAST snowmobile spur across the Common after required safety signage was removed, prompting the Saxon Hill Riders (SHR) to withdraw the spur and raising the prospect that Winterfest could be canceled.
Selectboard Chair Casey Mathieu said the board had authorized the spur at the Dec. 18 meeting and that SHR had staked a route to Westford Provisions. The Selectboard learned that "someone not associated with VAST or SHR had removed the state mandated regulatory safety and control signage," leaving VAST and SHR exposed to liability and in violation of safety standards, the minutes state. SHR decided to remove the spur from use rather than risk safety or reputation.
Pat Haller, a Selectboard member, described efforts to adjust stake placement to address concerns and said the board had tried to accommodate different views. "If Carol had asked us five days earlier about including her we would have included her," Haller said, explaining that the board planned the spur to be closed during Winterfest and expected more time to resolve concerns.
Several residents urged stricter action. Julia Andrews, a Selectboard member, said she favored referring the removal of required signage to law enforcement, noting the town has a photo and a license-plate number: "Doing something unlawful to force the board to meet is extremely distasteful," Andrews said. Rebecca Davanon called removal of the signs "extortion" and said it could harm local businesses that would have benefited from trail patronage.
Other public commenters disputed the Selectboard's handling. Lori Johnson said the board had not followed the December motion closely enough and criticized the sequence of events. Carol Winfield, who originally raised concerns about the stake placement, told the board she had told them she would cancel Winterfest if the trail were placed near the swing set.
The Selectboard did not reverse its Dec. 18 authorization at the Jan. 8 meeting. Members directed staff to defer further action, cool tensions, and put a fuller discussion on the next agenda; Winfield asked to be present if the matter were discussed in executive session. The board also noted SHR’s decision to close the spur removed the immediate access to Westford Provisions and that resolving the dispute will require additional outreach and potential law-enforcement involvement.
The matter will return to a future Selectboard meeting for further discussion and possible next steps.
