HAWLEY — After waiting five years for the state to repair washed-out roads running through the Dubuque State Forest, selectmen hope to discuss the possibilities of fixing Middle and Hunt roads with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Recently, a DCR official offered a proposal in which the state would repair the roads in the fiscal year that begins this July, provided that Hawley accepts responsibility for future maintenance of the roads after they’re fixed. Another condition is that Hawley support the DCR’s purchase of a 90-acre private parcel on Middle Road, which would be added to the state forestland.
Last spring, selectmen sent a letter to Gov. Charlie Baker urging him to oppose and stop the purchase of this and any other land within Hawley’s 31 square-miles, since the state already owns more than 8,000 untaxed acres in Hawley, a town of only 340 residents.
Middle Road, Hunt Road and others have been closed since they were damaged by flooding from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Although the road is mostly used by those going into the state forest for hiking and camping, the town’s fire department must provide emergency response, and the inaccessible road is a problem for emergency responders. Also, with Hunt and Hallockville roads closed, residents can’t get from one side of town to the other without detouring through Plainfield.
According to the Nov. 15 Board of Selectmen meeting minutes, the board is interested in the possible offer and wanted to investigate it further. They wanted to know if the state is referring to all roads running through the state forest, or just the two main roads. They also want to know what level of future maintenance would be required of the town, especially since heavy logging trucks would be on the roads during the state’s five-year cutting program.
The board also wants to know the long term impact to the town, including the roads’ seasonal use, its impact on Chapter 90 highway aid money, and loss of tax revenue for the 90-acre parcel.
When asked to comment, selectmen’s Chairman John Sears said the discussion is all very tentative. “We are only discussing the possibility of the road repairs,” he said.
The selectmen’s letter to the governor last spring said that, while former Gov. Deval Patrick administration “found $400,000 to take another 245 acres in Hawley and Ashfield off the tax rolls but couldn’t spare any money to make the roads safe. Rather than buying more land it cannot afford to maintain, the state should concentrate on caring for the land it already owns.”