The changing Bear Swamp Rd.
By John T. Ryan
Over the past few days, the Peru Gazette has received messages asking, “What’s happening on the Bear Swamp Road across from Dunkin Donuts? Someone is clearing the property.” The property in question is a 19.7-acre parcel—four acres zoned commercial (580 ft) border the Bear Swamp Rd. The remaining 15 acres are zoned for residential use.
Neil Hamilton of Peru has owned the parcel for about two years. Hamilton commented, “I decided to have it cleared to look more presentable. I don’t know if I’m going to do something with it or sell it to someone who would.”
Some people have expressed concern about the visual impact that clearing the property has on Peru’s popular walking trail. While the town has a twenty-foot wide easement, the recent tree and brush cutting changed the atmosphere along a secluded trail section. It isn’t challenging to see Dunkin Donuts in the distance.
Hamilton said he met with Adele Douglas and Allison Hulbert Bruce a few days ago to discuss their concerns. Douglas helped plan the trail and wrote the grant that funded most of its construction. Hulbert Bruce is a planning board member and avid trail user. Hamilton said, “I’m working with Adele to plant flowery trees that look and smell nice along the trail. When I learned about their concerns, I stopped the clearing at both ends of the parcel. There’s a large stand of pines at the far end. I also took Adele’s suggestion that some trees be left at the front of the lot, though I anticipate anyone developing the property would remove them. It was never my intention to spoil the walking trail.”
Posted: March 30th, 2022 under General News.