by Craig Lyons
Berlin Daily Sun
May 11, 2010
GORHAM — The Gorham Water and Sewer Commission decided not to support a proposal to open a portion of the town forest for snowmobile use based on the amount of work that would be required to get the trail up to par.
At Thursday night’s meeting, the commission discussed the findings of Water and Sewer Superintendent David Patry’s tour of the trail along with representatives from the snowmobile club, and felt there is too much work associated with the proposal that could create problems for the water supply in the town forest.
“The trail, in its current location is unacceptable,” said commission Chair Lee Carroll. He added the commission doesn’t want to approve anything that could degrade the water supply. Earlier in the week, the commission held off on acting on the proposal pending an on-site visit with representatives from the department.
Previously, the Gorham Forestry Committee voted to approve a plan to open a stretch of land through the town forest to snowmobile use on the condition to Water and Sewer Commission doesn’t object to the proposal.
The trail would run through a corner of the town forest, and create a loop connecting to existing trail systems in the area. Patry said the trail would require building a significant number of bridges through the area and much of the water flow along the trail feeds Perkins Brook, which is one of the town’s main water supplies. “We just thought the amount of work that needed to be done up there is above and beyond the value [of the trail],” said Patry.
Carroll said there would be possible contamination of the town’s water source, based on the location of the trail. “That area is very fragile,” said Commissioner Roger Goulet. He added that maintaining water quality is the commissioner’s main concern. Carroll said the commission is open to consider any future proposals from the club.
Before adjourning the meeting, the commission and representatives from the club briefly discussed a secondary route that would only cross a small corner of the town forest, through a flat area that avoids any flowing water.
Steve Malespini said he wants to keep the lines of communication open, so a new route can be planned this year and next year it will be ready to be acted upon. “I don’t want this to die,” said Malespini.