The Newcastle Board of Selectmen agreed Jan. 23 to start logging the site surrounding the old town dump to create a new recreation area there.

The parcel, about 43 acres, is on the north side of Jones Woods Road, not far from the intersection of Ridge Road and Route 194, and is bordered on the east by Deer Meadow Brook.

In addition to the old town dump, now covered with a water impermeable cap, there are also several gravel pits on the lot which were abandoned about 75 years ago, according to forester Merle Parise.

The land covered by the cap is not forested, but there are apparently no restrictions as to the use of that land, except that the cap cannot be penetrated. Parise thought it might be a good site for wildflower plantings to keep down shrubs and larger trees whose roots might extend down into the dump. The town mows the area.

The east side of the new recreation area includes a wetland and the the creek, and Parise recommended an area for viewing wildlife, which would include deer, hares, porcupines, foxes, and a variety of wetland and woodland birds including the pileated woodpecker and wild turkey. Deer Meadow Brook is also home to a variety of juvenile fish, and is considered an important site for rehabilitation of Atlantic salmon habitat.

Parise proposed a recreation path for pedestrians, equestrians, bicycles and possibly winter sports vehicles. Some of the land would be suited for seasonal equestrian and winter sports; other parts are too soft most of the year to support the weight of horses and snowmobiles.

Parise said the town might get about $1,800 for the timber, but that before any trails could be built, hazards including an older dump with metal and tires that are resurfacing, and an older structure used with an old septic sludge dumping area, would have to be covered or removed. Except for the structure, which is now missing its wooden roof, Parise said the sludge dumping area no longer poses a threat.

He also said that because of the sandy nature of some of the soil, logging would have to be done in the summer or winter. Light machinery would have to be used, and the logging would be selective; that is, trees would be removed to provide light and nutrients for remaining trees and to keep down species of invasive and other ground-level shrubs.

Selectmen agreed quickly to the plan, and Parise said he would return with a more detailed plan for the logging. He said may need to see the planning and ppeals boards to get the permit, since part of the land is in shoreland zoning and planning board approval would be necessary to build the trails and wildlife viewing area.