Notice received of the Town of West Fairlee’s intention to widen the segment of road that passes along the top of Tug Hill on Blood Brook Rd.  This project requires the removal of over 50 trees, many old growth canopies, that sit along a steep bank on the hillside. Given the risks of erosion, increased speeding and the financial and community impacts, the costs of this undertaking are not advantageous to the neighborhood or community. 

This segment of road sits at the very top of Tug Hill at the furthest point of Blood Brook Rd. On either side of the road is a steep grade and the stability the trees create can be seen in any section where there is not already mature growth trees. The number of trees scheduled to be removed is over 50, many mature and old growth maples, which will create a very steep bank likely to erode and create further costs associated with managing this outcome. The environmental impacts of erosion, as well as rip rap or other means to control the grade of the bank have high impacts on this little segment of dirt road.

Secondly, by widening the road, we create an opportunity to further increase speeds  around these hills and curves of the neighborhood, which hosts many walkers, bikers, ATV riders, wildlife and farmlife. We are also aware of people taking Blood Brook Rd to drink and drive on their way home, as the road is frequently littered with beer cans and bottles. Speeding up this section of road further increases the likelihood of increased usage of the road as a throughway at increased speeds at the expense of the community’s safety.

This undertaking is not a small one. It appears to be about 600 feet of road that will need to be cleared of over 50 trees, widened and supported from steep banks. In attempting to make a more safely traveled section of road, we encounter numerous unintended consequences that run at a high cost, financially and environmentally, as well as concerning safety and aesthetics. With so many needs in our small community and constant budget pressure, the financial cost of the project doesn’t seem to justify the small gain in making the road into a more passable highway for traffic.

Lastly, this is a beautiful section of old dirt road lined with trees that create a lovely canopy of woods. The old growth Maple trees account for over a dozen of the trees scheduled to be removed at the top of Tug Hill. The beauty of the area is a little slice of secluded heaven from the demands of modern life. Once these old historic trees are gone, it forever changes the landscape of these woods. It is such a shame to lose these old friends, while the community also mourns the loss of this hill's iconic homestead.

We understand this is a narrower section of road. Given the proper speeds, it is very manageable to navigate around passenger vehicles and even large equipment. Given the environmental, safety, financial and community costs associated with the project, we argue that the unintended consequences of the project much outweigh the sought after benefits of widening this section of rural dirt road. We greatly appreciate your consideration of our concerns regarding this large undertaking and we wish greatly that the town redirect the resources for another project.