News update from Chris Elliot, Vice Chair of FORT

The Conway Branch Rail Trail Advisory Committee held its first meeting on Thursday, June 19 at 10 am at the Freight House in Center Ossipee. In January 2025 the Final Report of the HB 1468 Planning Group was issued which recommended that the highest and best use of the state-owned Conway Branch Railroad corridor ws recreational use and would be best managed by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation.

The Committee was instructed to hold public meetings to provide advice to the department on the selection of consultants to prepare a management plan to develop, manage and maintain the corridor with the hopes of establishing a shared vision for the future of the Conway Branch Rail Trail Corridor.

Committee membership was extended to elected and appointed officials from the towns of Ossipee, Madison and Tamworth, individuals from the Division of Parks and Recreation, and representatives from Friends of Ossipee Rail Trail, Cotton Valley Rail Trail Committee, NH Snowmobile Association, NH Off Highway Vehicle Association, NH Rail Trail Committee, and the NH Horse Association.

Ossipee resident and Chair of FORT, Phil Villari, was elected to be Chair of the Committee. At the meeting a strong desire was expressed by many to have initial focus pertain to the 7.5 mile section from Rt 28 to Rt 16.

The next meeting will be on July 10 at 10am at the Freight House in Center Ossipee. The public is invited to attend in person or virtually.