Exeter, NH may intervene in railroad lawsuit against PAR

By Jennifer Feals
August 15, 2008 6:00 AM
EXETER — The Board of Selectmen is considering getting involved in a dispute between the Boston & Maine Railroad and a resident regarding the safety of the Little River. A hearing in the lawsuit is set for Aug. 27. Resident Brian Griset told the board on Monday, Aug. 11 ,that he has been dealing with the railroad company and debris in the Little River since 2004 when he filed a complaint regarding railroad ties and other debris found in the water. While the complaint was closed, the N.H. Department of Environmental Services issued a reapplication and request for reopening, upon which time the Board of Selectmen joined as co-complaintants. An inspector for DES evaluated the river and issued a letter of deficiency in December 2006 that outlined wetlands violations, debris in the river and gave a deadline of the following April for delineation of wetlands, removal of debris, and a survey locating that information and remediation efforts, Griset said.