Mountain Village Charter School seeks town endorsement for river‑access community commons grant

Mountain Village Charter School trustees presented a conceptual plan to the Select Board seeking a letter of support for a Northern Border Regional Commission grant application to create a community commons on a 32‑acre school parcel between Tenny Mountain Highway and the Baker River.

The proposed grant would fund a parking area, accessible restrooms, trails and a canoe/kayak launch to create public river access and provide outdoor education and recreation opportunities for students and the community. Trustees said the school retains an intention to develop a charter school campus on the parcel in the future, but the current grant would fund only non‑building site work and public access improvements.

Board members expressed general support for the concept, noting the public‑access and educational benefits, and authorized the chair and town manager to sign a letter of support on the board’s behalf. Board members emphasized that required planning and permitting reviews would still be necessary if the grant is awarded and said the town’s endorsement is intended to demonstrate municipal awareness and conceptual alignment rather than an approval of detailed plans.