Ellen Coulter: Easement language should satisfy a landowner’s rights

To The Daily Sun,

The blocked Andover Rail Trail is a shame. Not on account of the landowner, in my opinion.

Rather, the state attorney general’s office should make this a priority to address “legal prerequisites” and allow this landowner, who has graciously awarded, if you will, an easement to The Northern Rail Trail. Can’t we get a little more tailored with the easement language to satisfy landowner rights, or must it be cookie cutter? Sadly, this case could set a dangerous legal precedent in the near future; will private landowners fear falling into a similar situation as Mr. Lenny Caron? Then what? New and proposed trail projects around our state will be shut out. For example, what will happen with private abutting landowners along the proposed/designed Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail if this isn’t sufficiently solved? Will they, too, become legally skittish enough to deny easement access?

It seems Mr. Caron has the equipment and wherewithal to create landscaping sufficient to cross the trail with his heavy equipment without damaging trail surfaces. My husband and I ride the rail trail on bicycles, and surely appreciate the rail trail organization. The issue is denying access to a landowner.

Can we please make more of a priority of these situations. New Hampshire is rapidly crowding and becoming un-New Hampshire-ish. Please, Gov. Kelly Ayotte, work to preserve our recreation opportunities while upholding landowner rights. This man, Mr. Caron, must feel disenfranchised. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Ellen Coulter

Northfield