China select board schedules May public hearings

by Mary Grow

By the end of their April 24 meeting, China select board members had a public hearing scheduled for each of their May meetings.

The Monday, May 8, meeting will be preceded by a 6 p.m. public hearing on warrant articles for the June 13 annual town business meeting. The June 13 voting will be entirely by written ballot, with no chance to ask questions before voting.

China Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood invited select board members’ comments on a six-page draft document to inform China voters about the upcoming May 8 hearing and June 13 voting.

On Monday, May 22, select board members plan a public hearing on the Four Seasons Club request to open about two miles of town road for ATV use. Club President Thomas Rumpf made the request at the April 24 meeting.

Rumpf explained that part of the Bog Trail needs rebuilding before ATVers can use it. Therefore, he would like town officials’ approval to let them ride on a section of town roads east of China Lake.

The proposed route, shown on a map Rumpf prepared for the select board meeting, runs along Pleasant View Ridge Road and Bog Road between Jeff LaVerdiere’s gravel pit (with LaVerdiere’s permission) and Cole’s Corner at the north end of Hanson Road.

Select board members had many questions; Rumpf answered some and promised to find answers he was unsure of. In addition to how ATVs and motor vehicles would share the roads, board members are concerned about roadside homeowners’ reactions.

When they voted unanimously to schedule the public hearing that Rumpf said is a requirement if the proposal is to be allowed, they specified that residents along the affected roads are to be invited. Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood said she will see to it.

The ATV season begins June 1 and runs until Columbus Day (the second Monday in October), Rumpf said. He said 110 ATVers use China’s trails on an average weekend.

If select board members approve Rumpf’s request, they are considering leaving an opening to rescind their action if there are many complaints after ATVs start sharing the road.

In other business, board members agreed unanimously to start immediately enforcing the prohibition on out-of-towners bringing trash or recyclables to China’s transfer station. The only exception is for Palermo residents, who use the China facility under an agreement between the two towns.

Jeanette Smith, chairman of the Thurston Park Committee, announced a Community Clean-up Day at the park on Saturday, May 20 (rain date Sunday, May 21). Work begins about 9 a.m. Potential volunteers can get more information by emailing thurstonpark@outlook.com.

The May 8 China select board meeting will begin after the 6 p.m. public hearing concludes.