RUMFORD — The Mahoosuc Land Trust got the green light from selectmen Thursday night to construct a canoe/kayak launch site on the Androscoggin River at Rumford Point.
The board’s 5-0 vote supporting the Bethel-based trust’s endeavor means the trust can now seek funding for the project, Town Manager Carlo Puiia said Tuesday afternoon.
It’s a spinoff from the Maine Department of Transportation’s project to relocate a section of Route 232 upriver. There, a new bridge will be built to connect with Route 2.
The trust, which has been trying to establish another canoe/kayak launch site between Hanover and Rumford, wants Rumford to take possession of the old road bed when the new Route 232 section is built.
“The state will abandon that and the property reverts to the town,” Puiia said. “And the town could vote to not maintain it or they could just keep it.”
He said Rumford fire Chief Bob Chase wants Rumford to take possession of the old road bed to put in a dry fire hydrant for fire protection needs there.
“So it’s to our advantage to leave it open in the event they need that for rural use,” Puiia said.
“Of course, now that the (trust) knows the town will support them, they’re going to be looking for funding in either grants or donations, so they won’t be coming to the town for funding.”
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