Waterville Valley Select Board Discusses Infrastructure Projects and Budget Concerns
Waterville Valley Select Board Discusses Infrastructure Projects and Budget Concerns
On March 5, 2025, the Waterville Valley Select Board convened to address several key infrastructure projects and financial matters ahead of the upcoming town meeting scheduled for March 11. The meeting, held via Zoom, covered topics ranging from parking solutions and sidewalk planning to wastewater system updates, budget clarifications, and public engagement concerns.
Parking and Sidewalk Improvements on Boulder Path Road
A significant portion of the meeting focused on parking and pedestrian infrastructure along Boulder Path Road. The board reviewed the effectiveness of temporary parking signs installed during the recent school vacation period, which appeared to reduce congestion with no major issues reported (link). The discussion then shifted to a proposed sidewalk on the east side of the road, paired with plans for seasonal parking on the west side to support tubing activities. The sidewalk would connect to existing pathways near the tennis courts and enable landscaping enhancements, including relocating a gazebo to create a public seating area (link). These improvements aim to better define parking zones and enhance safety for the estimated 86 pedestrians observed on a typical Saturday morning.
Wastewater System Challenges and Solutions
The board received an update from Dylan on wastewater treatment challenges, including a frozen service line on Beanbender Road that cost approximately $9,000 to repair. This issue, echoing a similar freeze in 2015, prompted plans to reimburse the homeowner and insulate the line this summer, a fix already applied to two nearby properties (link). Additionally, preliminary plans for a new sewer line from the base lodge to Triple Line Clean Water Lane were discussed, requiring the clearing of 20 to 25 acres of forest. This project, in collaboration with Black & Veatch, will maintain a 30- to 40-foot cleared corridor for future maintenance, addressing capacity needs while balancing environmental considerations (link).
Financial and Town Meeting Preparations
Financial matters were central as the board prepared for the March 11 town meeting. Article 8, proposing up to $100,000 for engineering designs including a potential septic system, was debated, with unused funds designated for construction and flexibility to exclude the septic component based on voter preference (link). Concerns emerged about the budget article’s late placement in the warrant after smaller items, leading to suggestions to reorder it post-bond votes (link). The board also tackled confusion over the warrant’s election hours, listed as “from 11 to five,” which some residents mistook for the town meeting start time rather than polling hours, prompting plans for clearer wording next year.
Road Acceptance and Easement Negotiations
The meeting concluded with a review of Article 28, involving the acceptance of an Osceola Road extension with a 26-foot right-of-way and a 40-foot easement. The easement ensures maintenance access without town responsibility for driveways or parking areas. An amendment was proposed to clarify that the board will negotiate terms post-acceptance, fostering collaboration with property owners (link).
Public Engagement at the Transfer Station
A resident raised concerns about the transfer station attendant’s lack of visibility, noting that vehicles often enter without interaction, missing an opportunity for positive public engagement. Suggestions included a stop sign to encourage contact, with the board acknowledging the need to improve this community touchpoint (link).
These discussions reflect Waterville Valley’s proactive approach to balancing infrastructure upgrades with fiscal responsibility and community needs, with final decisions awaiting resident input at the town meeting.
Watch the Full Meeting: