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Select Board approves one seasonal porta‑potty at Vondell property on trial basis
Summary
After a lengthy public debate about precedent, visibility, and accessibility, the board approved a single, month‑to‑month portable toilet at the Vondell parking lot on a trial basis, conditional on insurance meeting town standards; the trail group offered to pilot the unit and help pay if needed.
The Woodstock Select Board voted to allow a single seasonal portable toilet at the Vondell trailhead on a month‑to‑month pilot after a lengthy public discussion on May 5.
Matt Stout, president of the local trail organization, told the board the group manages roughly 30 miles of trails and said the organization recorded "68,000 trail crossings" last year on its trail counters. He and other WAMBA representatives proposed one seasonal unit (estimated cost about $180 per month) and offered to run a pilot year and seek resort or sponsor support. Supporters emphasized accessibility for women and parents and noted the possibility of providing an ADA‑accessible unit and a changing table.
Opponents warned the portable toilet could set a precedent for providing facilities on town‑owned recreation land, questioned whether abutters had been notified, and raised concerns about overnight camping and trash. Board members discussed locations and precedent; one motion approved placement in the upper parking lot, conditional on the vendor and insurer meeting town requirements and with the board not committing to ongoing payment. The motion carried.
