Heritage Commission reviews letter from Knoll Tree Farm opposing road access tied to surplus circumferential-highway land

The Heritage Commission on July 16 discussed a letter from Knoll Tree Farm opposing possible town-built road access to leftover land from the abandoned circumferential-highway project.

The commission’s chair and members said the Circumferential Highway Exploratory Committee is cataloging parcels and options but has not proposed construction. Committee members explained the sequence for disposition: the town has right-of-first-refusal, then New Hampshire Housing, then general sale. The exploratory group is assessing whether any parcel could be used for a municipal purpose such as a roadway.

A Committee member (S3) summarized outreach to adjacent landowners and described community concern. "They they say that we will kill the trees if we go in through their land," the committee member said, reporting the farm’s objection to a road through its property. Members emphasized the committee’s work is preliminary; Chair (S1) said it is premature to make decisions.

Committee members discussed physical constraints: wetlands on some parcels, limited curb cuts, and uncertain access from Route 102. One member estimated that building a roadway could cost "a couple million dollars," and noted the town would have to consider whether any purchase qualified as a municipal use before proceeding to a public vote.

The commission did not take formal action. Chair (S1) said she will draft a response to the Knoll Tree Farm letter and circulate it to the commission for review before sending it to the farm and other stakeholders.

Next steps: the exploratory committee will continue mapping parcels and talking with landowners; the commission will review the drafted reply and consider whether to refer any formal proposal to the Selectmen for further action.