Explore Path Funding 5/14/26

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Explore Path Funding Minutes 05-14-26 26 KB

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Minutes

Committee to Explore Pathway Funding

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Gary spoke with Highway Foreman Peter Gosselin who said he was planning to work on the sidewalk this summer.

Gary met with Josh Arneson and Peter Gosselin. The highway department already has a plan for the sidewalk on that side of Main Street. This plan is set; so there is no point in trying to get a pathway there at this time or to ask about changing the plan to include multi-use as described in our plan. The Highway Department plan includes a two-foot grass buffer between traffic and sidewalk which is an improvement over the current situation.

Jared wondered whether we could in the future get a higher solid barrier.

Our committee is challenged since anytime we would communicate outside of a public meeting, that is two-thirds of our committee (a quorum). Mark plans to watch the ethics training video required for all committee volunteers to fulfill that obligation and to learn how we can have conversations outside of public meetings.

Committee members discussed then what would be good first phases. Gary thinks from Crate Escape Dog-Daycare to Willis Farm Road (Reap property) would be a good Phase 1 section.

Gary doesn’t think Town wants to own hillside on other side of Crate Escape. Gary wants to talk to Land Trust about getting interested in buying that land to support this.

Gary talked to owner of Barn North who didn’t rule out supporting a path (but was noncommittal). 

Committee members are very interested in opportunities to get the pathway off Route 2.

Gary commented that funders like to connect sections. So why not try to build sections, then attempt to connect them.

Discussion about crossing wetlands along Route 2 and how none of us know the legality of building along Route 2 where there are wetlands.

Homework: Research funding opportunities

Regarding a Phase 1:

Mark talks to Caitlin

Gary talks to Bard & Adam

Jared talks to Greg & David

These conversations in preparation for making a proposal to Selectboard.

No further business. Meeting Adjourned.