Foster's Daily Democrat March 10, 1999

Madbury voters approve $664,761 budget

Wagon Track Bike Trail development to continue

By JAMES A. KIMBLE
Democrat Staff Writer

MADBURY - The town will continue to work with Durham on development of a regional bike path linking Routes 4 and 108 after a tie vote on the project was broken Tuesday by the Town Meeting moderator.

Residents concerned that federal funding for the proposed 2.7 mile Wagon Track Bike Trail would have strings attached submitted a petitioned warrant article asking voters if they wanted to continue planning the trail.

The project topped discussion of what was an otherwise quiet Town Meeting. More than 100 voters resoundingly approved S90,000 in warrant articles to save money for a public safety complex ($60,000) and a fire truck ($30,000). Both are likely to be considered within the next five years. The town's proposed budget of $664,761 also was approved with a loud 'yea' and few questions .

Selectwoman Joan Sundberg outlined the bike trail proposal, saying closed public roads would be used and there would likely be a 5 to 8 foot paved road for cyclists and hikers. She said the path would provide a critical link to Dover and Durham, and provide passage to other bike routes throughout the Seacoast.

Some residents who said they are not opposed to bike trails, wanted nothing to do with the project because of the fear of federal stipulations .

"I'm not for or against a path" said resident Lorraine Morong, who used her own map to show residents. It's the federal obligations and federal requirements . . . It would certainly open the spigot to our homogenization.

Durham Town Planner Duane Hyde told voters that the only strings to developing the trail with federal money are that it has to be maintained by the towns and the plans would have to be reviewed before final approval is granted There are other stipulations that the path be handicapped accessible and the bidding process consistent with the state's practices.

"I don't see what we need the federal money for...We're rural not urban" said resident Pat Gleske. "I don't see why we can't do it (our- selves ) . I like my rural town "

Karen Houston, chairwoman of the Planning Board, said the project "has had our support from the sidelines...I certainly don't think we're creating a monster. I hope it would preserve some of the continuity with things we have."

Local landowners said they were concerned about the use of logging trucks and tractors on the road and whether one use would not complement the other. Ms. Sundberg said she did not have all the answers to such questions because plans for the trail have not been drafted yet.

The tie vote came after residents were polled in a hand vote with 41 for the project and the same number against. Moderator Donald Melvin, who broke the tie by voting in favor of the proposal, explained he backed it because of the selectmen's vote. They favored the project 2-1. "I believe in the selectmen of this town. I believe they wouldn't do anything to put us in jeopardy," he said.

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