Advisory committee urges prioritizing Mascoma River Greenway extension, flags bridges and permitting hurdles

Committee members argued the Mascoma River Greenway extension is a high priority because of long-standing public support and existing grant funding that could be jeopardized without local match. Members said the Greenway was the top outreach priority in prior public engagement and recommended that the committee highlight it in a council update and funding pitch.

The committee also reviewed physical constraints and permitting: volunteers cleared early sections in the past, but several bridges are structurally compromised and the corridor remains an active railroad in places, which prevents volunteer work until federal DOT processes are complete. Members said DOT had no issues in a prior site walk but that no city funds have been allocated to complete later phases; they recommended incremental improvements and volunteer coordination only after the active-rail designation is removed.