Selectmen gave the thumbs up to participate in two grantfunded projects offered through the Maine Coastal Program.

The board unanimously voted to accept a $13,000 Shore and Harbor Planning Grant for the Lower Village, to study the feasibility of waterfront trail pedestrian connectivity.

To get the grant, the town committed to a $5,600 match, provided through in-kind services by town staff.

Town Planner Rich Roedner said the town received a $40,000 Shore and Harbor grant tied to the Lower Village Waterfront Access Study about a year ago. But that grant — to design and permit a waterfront park in the Lower Village incorporating private property at 3 Green St. and the former fire station — was turned back to the state by the town because the property owner and town “weren’t in the same place at the same time.”

Roedner said the town was approached by some owners of property along the Androscoggin River about building a trail along the river toward Riverview Cemetery back to the sidewalk on Elm Street to connect to the bike trail.

The town has submitted another application tied to the Lower Village Waterfront Access Study this time to look at the feasibility of a trail along the river. The study will involve talking to landowners and utilize the Lower Village Development Committee.

“We have some questions about location along the river, flooding along the river; you’ve got some steep banks in places,” Roedner said.

The grant for $13,000 was awarded to “look at the feasibility of constructing a trail along the river in some fashion.”

In a separate endeavor, Roedner said the Maine Coastal Program approached the town about participating in a multitown look at how to protect salt water marshes from rising sea levels.

Topsham will be awarded the grant, Roedner said, although it will not get any money and have no financial obligation. It is primarily town staff participation and support that will be required.

“What the project is doing, is looking at the viability of tidal salt marshes primarily along the Androscoggin River; perhaps into the Cathance River and Muddy River,” Roedner said. “What do we need to do to ensure their ability to continue to survive as sea levels continue to rise?”

Many fish species harvested locally have spent part of their life cycles in salt marshes, which also provide flood protection and water quality maintenance and improvement, Roedner said. “There’s a lot of advantages of having salt marshes.”

The study will result in recommendations for town action, whether it is altering zoning language or requiring different types of permits, Roedner said.

Planning staff stressed to Maine Coastal Program the town is a town meeting form of government so there is no guarantee recommendations would be implemented.

The board voted 5-0 to endorse the town’s participation in the study.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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