Forum, Jan. 22: Don’t let West Lebanon get railroaded by DOT
Published: 1/21/2021 10:00:06 PM
Modified: 1/21/2021 10:00:03 PM
Don’t let West Lebanon get railroaded by DOT
Wednesday’s report in the
Valley News that the New Hampshire Department of Transportation is prepared to issue a 10-year lease with New England Central Railroad for the former Westboro Rail Yard site is another slap in the face for West Lebanon residents and taxpayers (“Firm eyes 10 more years by rail yard,” Jan. 20). This is a potential Trojan horse that allows the “blast zone” propane facility to reopen without any city input or involvement.
Our neighborhood and downtown central business district suffers real safety concerns and detrimental financial impacts from that facility that are well-documented by our fire chief. More importantly, West Lebanon needs the blight of the Westboro Rail Yard removed so that economic revitalization can begin after 40 years of neglect.