WILTON – There will be 14 parking spaces in the upgraded parking lot on Isaac Frye Highway for the Sand Hill Road Reservoir, but who should have access to them?

Conservation Commission Member Jennifer Beck told the Select Board on Monday, Feb. 28, the Reservoir is considered public water and under the control of the state, but the town can restrict use of the lot to residents, or place other restrictions, such as no motor boats.

She suggested having the reservoir study committee make reommendations.

Selectman Kermit Williams said, if it were limited to residents, there would have to be a process for obtaining stickers such as those used at the Recycling Center.

He noted that the No Parking area along Isaac Frye would have to be modified and that would require a public hearing.

Resident Tom Schultz said the proposed process “is way too complicated and would require law enforcement. People come from all over, to swim in the reservoir” he added. “If it’s for Wilton only, people will park on Sand Hill Road or illegally. Why not leave it open? It’s a gravel pit in the middle of nowhere.”

It was noted that most area towns restrict the use of their ponds and parking should be “first come first served.”

It was suggested that Lyndeborough residents be included because of the schools, friends wanting to swim together.

Resident Felice Fullam said the parking area had been enlarged (by the recent logging operation) and there were no lines since it was gravel. “And what if 500 people get a sticker?”

Beck said only a fraction of the staging area would be included in the lot. The rest would be “bouldered off’ and trees would be planted. There will be a trail from the lot to the reservoir.

Fullam asked who had purchased the trees and who had authorized the purchase.

Beck said she had donated them, and the Conservation Commission would oversee the planting.

In a related matter, Selectman Matt Fish questioned the lack of maintenance of Sand Hill Road Last year it was made one-way from Burns Hill Road to control traffic and parking at the reservoir.

“It’s not maintained in the winter,” Fish said. “Fire trucks need access to the dry hydrant (located near the dam).”

Chairman Kellie-Sue Boissonnault said the road has never been maintained in the winter and it was her understanding the one-way restriction was for the summer only. The road is Class 5 and, town-maintained in the summer.

Fire Chief Don Nourse said, in an emergency, he would use the Isaac Frye Highway entrance, as he always had.

Fish asked what the objection was to year-round maintenance since people, including his family, use the Reservoir for ice fishing and tobogganing and Sand Hill Road is “ice and packed snow.” He had to back into the area.

Resident Ralph Bushman said there has been no enforcement of the one-way rule. “There is no control of the traffic, people ignore the one-way sign” and it is that use that causes the packed snow surface.

Boissonnault said they would consult with Road Agent Brian Adams.

In other business on Monday, Beck asked if the proceeds from the timber harvest at the Reservoir could be earmarked for signs or trail work.

The Selectmen will make that determination.

Complaints were received about an on-going logging operation at the site of a proposed sub-division. Selectmen will look into it.

The next meeting of the board was set for Monday, March 7, 6 p.m., in the town office.