Resident asks selectmen to assess Soldiers Park stone wall condition

A Woodstock resident during the meeting’s "other business" segment asked the Board of Selectmen to seek a professional inspection of the stone wall at Soldiers Park, saying pressure washing revealed loose stones and cracks that simple patching would not permanently fix.

The resident described using a pressure washer and finding loose rocks and mortar, and said that temporary “band-aid” repairs would not be sufficient. He suggested the board ask a professional stonemason or contractor who specializes in such walls to inspect it and advise whether repairs would last or a larger project is needed. "If you do anything, it's a band aid," the resident said, adding that a qualified contractor might say the wall is sound for a period or needs more substantial work.

Selectmen acknowledged the comment and suggested bringing in someone experienced with stone-wall repairs to assess the condition. The item was placed under "other business" for follow-up rather than as a formal agenda item.

Why this matters: Soldiers Park is a public facility; if the wall is deteriorating it could pose safety or liability concerns and may require capital funding or specialized repairs. The resident recommended a professional opinion rather than ad-hoc patching.

Next steps: The board indicated it would have staff or a qualified contractor review the wall and report back at a future meeting.