Select Board agrees to send Greenway Committee’s courtesy letter to Grindstone Mountain Farm

Aaron Tower, chair of the Greenway Committee, and Mark Cass presented a draft courtesy letter to the Select Board on April 14 asking the board to notify Grindstone Mountain Farm and nearby landowners that construction of the Greenway could affect farm access along the rail bed. Tower told the board the committee wanted to be transparent and give the farm “a courtesy heads up” that current informal access parallel to the tracks may be interrupted during and after construction and that alternative access options should be considered.

Board members asked questions about timing and crossings; presenters noted construction is not expected until about July 2028 but cautioned grant timelines can accelerate schedules. The Select Board moved to sign the draft as submitted, amended the motion to place the letter on Select Board letterhead and designate the board chair to sign on behalf of the board, and approved the motion by voice vote.

The board also requested distribution of a small map and photographs to accompany the letter and asked the Greenway Committee to provide copies for posting and outreach to affected abutters.