OHRV trail expansion once again took center stage at the BOS meeting Tuesday, September 19, 2017. This time BOS Chairman Kris Blomback alerted the audience that the OHRV committee is trying to expand the trail system to connect to Country Spirit Restaurant.
The committee originally floated the idea of using the sidewalks over the Rte. 114 bridge to cross over Rte. 202/9 from the north. However, the State of New Hampshire put the brakes on that idea.
Mr Blomback noted that the OHRV committee (Blomback is Select Board Representative) will once again be exploring the use of Rush Road to go under 202/9 to make the connection to Country Spirit. Looking at a map any sane individual can clearly see that the path from Edmunds’ parking lot to Hillside Drive would be the most logical connection to Rush Road. Wake up Hillside Drive homeowners!
Despite the fact that back on March 4, 2014, this very same request to use Rush Road was denied by the State of New Hampshire. What has changed? If the State of New Hampshire allows this now….one must recognize the contradiction and demand answers from the Attorney General’s office. (read here)
“Mr. McGirr noted that one point made by Ross Bennett was that the Contoocook Valley ATV Riders are trying to turn Henniker into a tourist meca. They are in fact, just trying to get from one point to another. The club went to the Selectmen to ask for permission to utilize Rush Road, but the State said no to Rush Road. The club went back to the drawing board to come up with another route to connect the trails. (page 2 paragraph 3)
This expansion has always been billed as necessary for our local business. But of course when Mr. Bennett suggested that this might bring too many people who don’t respect the trail system and the peace and tranquility it provides residents in the Rural Residential Zone, (BOS meeting February 18, 2014)
“He [Mr. Bennett] is worried that the ordinance as written is not good for public welfare and is expressly written to develop OHRV tourism in town.” [snip] “Mr. Bennett noted that a recent article about the law enforcements issues in Coos County refers to a “wild west” mentality surround the trails and Fish and Game and law enforcement offices receive complaints about ATVs everyday”
Then two weeks after mr. Bennett’s comments March 4, 2014 , Scott Dias was quick to respond.
“Scott Dias, Craney Hill, sympathizes with the concerns brought forth. He said that there is a group of about 35 people and they most likely will not all be riding at the same time. He does not agree with the comparisons to the North Country because they are in economic doom and are trying to do what they can to create tourism. Mr. Dias supports the ordinance.”
What is most disconcerting is this, back on January 21, 2014 Chairman Blomback expressed his “concerns for liability” and the safety of ATV which are not recommended on paved roads. (page 2 paragraph 5)
Now anything goes. What has changed since 2014??? Why have your concerns gone away Mr. Blomback?
We were told that up North economic doom caused them to throw all caution to the wind and open up the north country…and HAVOC ensued.
Henniker is not as rural as the North Country…opening up property improved is cause for concern…and the peace and tranquility of your home is at stake here!
OHB…keeping it real… making it easier for you to find the facts so you can draw your own conclusions…..
“There are things public officials would never do if they thought somebody might call them out on it.”
http://www.onlyhennikerbruce.com
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