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Still Unclear on Specifics

After attending the town informational meeting for the proposed Nut Plains concrete path, I am still unclear on specifics of the funding model, budget, and scope.

A number of residents said the sidewalk is necessary for children learning to ride a bike or walking to school. If those are the amenities desired, then purchasing a home in a sub-division closer to town would perhaps been a more appropriate choice than one on a winding, country road. The concerns expressed about speeding cars and distracted drivers will not be alleviated through this effort. In fact, traffic speed is likely to increase with a visual widening of the road through tree removal (a reverse edge effect). Mailboxes beware.

The presentation projected was vague, and the conversation muddled together paving efforts of Nut Plains road with sidewalk efforts. In the end, I couldn’t figure out how much money is in the checkbook or what’s being applied where. The figure $1.4 million was tossed about—is that sufficient to build 2.6 miles of sidewalk to include tree removal, ledge removal, drainage, signage, striping, and such? We do know taxpayers will be billed for the purchase and maintenance of snow removal equipment. Will existing resources work overtime to fulfill this increased workload? Equipment purchase, maintenance, and human resources are recurring costs to be paid year over year through our property taxes.

More detail is needed to include a comprehensive budget of one-time and recurring costs with associated funding sources, a map showing the impact to residential homes along the route and a scope statement.

Didn’t we just go through this with the Shoreline Greenway Trail?

Stephanie Scungio

Guilford