By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

It's official. All-terrain vehicle and cars are not allowed on the railbeds that will eventually be turned into trails across Goffstown. An ordinance outlawing certain uses of the railbed was passed by selectmen on Thursday, June 30.

Once the trails are built, said Town Administrator Sue Desruisseaux, the ordinance will be reviewed and updated. At that time, it is possible uses like rollerskating and skateboarding may be allowed.

What the ordinance says: GOFFSTOWN – The predevelopment Rail Trail ordinance makes the following provisions: Hours of permitted use shall be dawn to dusk. Permitted activities include walking, biking, jogging, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and the leading of domestic animals on a leash of no more than 6 feet. Other activities as may be allowed by permit issued by the Baord of Selectmen after application. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to: a. motorized vehicles. b. littering, defacing, mutilating, destruction or removal of any sign, structure, barrier or object. c. intentional obstruction of the performance by any person of their legal or required duties. d. abusive or obscene language or gestures. e. roller blades, inline skates, skateboard or scooters. f. horses. g. domestic animals not under control by lead. h. throwing any object. i. parking upon or in any way blocking access to the trail, causing an inconvenience or risk. j. discharge of firearms. k. possession of an alcoholic beverage or controlled substance.

"This is a big step forward in providing the type of control over the access and use of the trail that we need," said Gossett McRae, the chairman of the selectmen.

The rail trail is a piece of property between Manchester and Goffstown Village, which was acquired by Goffstown through deeds of the state and Guilford Transportation just over a year ago.

A Rails to Trails committee outlined rules and regulations for the trail in early June, including activities allowed on the trail . biking, walking, cross-country skiing and walking pets . and prohibited in the area . rollerskating littering, the use of motorized vehicles, skateboarding, the discharging of firearms and possession of alcohol or controlled substances on the premises.

McRae said the ordinance may need some changing once work is done on the trail.

"We are excited to have the trail, but it is not developed yet. It is not paved, there are no benches," he said. "Once it becomes developed, we may need to adjust the ordinance."

He said an application will be sent to the Capital Improvements Program for more federal grants in upcoming weeks.

Desruisseaux said the total cost of the project is $2.4 million and the grant will ask for $1.9 million. The remainder of the money will be raised through taxation or fundraising, she said.

"If we do not get the grants, we will develop (the trail) one way or another," said McRae. "There is an active group of citizens who are working hard to make this become a reality."

The Rails to Trails committee is made up of representatives from a number of town departments, including the police and fire departments, public works and parks and recreation.

The selectmen also recently submitted the Rails to Trails project to NBC for an upcoming television show called "Three Wishes." The show, which will feature towns nationwide, fulfills both individual wishes and community-based needs, such as funding and completing projects