Eighth-graders presented a proposal to selectmen Tuesday.

BUCKFIELD – Selectmen listened attentively as eighth-graders Ben Libby and Nic Stanley presented their proposal for a parallel trail to the old railroad bed that would keep vehicle traffic separated from foot traffic.

Traditionally, the railroad bed is used as a snowmobile trail in the winter and ATV trail in the summer. That creates a safety hazard for hikers and horse riders.

Their trail would run from C.F. Wells to South Pond. The board approved the work the students had done and suggested that as soon as they contact the Department of Environmental Protection over wetland rules and the ATV club, the pair could bring it to the town for approval at town meeting in June. Buckfield High School instructor D’Ann Savage has sponsored the project.

Selectmen are still discussing the issue of a heavy loads permit with the state Department of Transportation on the Route 117 project. Selectman Oscar Gammon says the $15,000 per mile is not enough.

Town Manager Cindy Dunn is researching whether the state can prosecute junkyard violators or not. If it can, it would issue a summons, paperwork, schedule a hearing, hold a hearing and make a ruling. All of this would take approximately three months. Gammon moved that town officials wait to see the state’s response to Dunn’s inquiry before proceeding.

Speeding through the village continues to cause concern for citizens.

Judy Berg asked if the speed could be lowered to 25 mph in the village, but Selectman Skip Stanley said the state has a formula to follow that involves the number of homes within a certain area and he doubted that it could be lowered.

Dunn reported that she had refinanced the municipal center renovation loan at a lower percentage rate saving the town $13,228.39. The board approved her action. She also reported that Operation Cleanup from the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office has been scheduled for May 10 and 11.

It was announced that the next meeting of the Oxford County Municipal Officer Association is Wednesday, April 28, at the Untied Methodist Church in Bethel at 6:30 p.m.

Berg brought up composting to help reduce waste at the dump. It was decided to see if interest could be generated for citizens to buy composting containers.

The meeting was adjourned for a municipal center landscaping project informational meeting.