Selectboard hears River Project updates; landowner meeting set for Cobble Ridge alternate access Feb. 25

The Londonderry Selectboard received an update on River Project work from consultants and staff and agreed to host an initial landowner meeting for an alternate access near Cobble Ridge.

Chair summarized the consultantsrsquo; review with Stone Environmental and Windham Regional, noting that one option (Cobble Ridge bridge replacement) is unlikely while an alternate access to Cobble Ridge appears feasible and could be implemented more quickly. "We will be having a, initial meeting with the affected landowners on the February 25, I believe it is, at 05:30 Just to go over the project with them and see if there's any support," the chair said.

Board members and staff warned that state funding rules and the benefit-cost analysis (BCA) may require removal of the bridge if an alternate road-like access is funded; that possibility has made landowner support uncertain. One committee member reported early feedback from Dairy Woods residents who "get the issue, but they don't support having that be a full time access for the entire development with the bridge completely removed."

The board discussed prioritizing projects that fit local needs and have broad support rather than forcing designs to match a funding program's checklist. Staff said follow-up meetings with consultants and affected landowners will determine whether to refine the alternate-access plan or return to earlier project concepts.

What happens next: the town will hold the February 25 landowner meeting and return recommendations to the full board based on landowner input and the state's BCA determination.