A few stumbles in new trail proposal

CORNWALL — At its Feb. 19 meeting, the Board of Selectmen heard for the first time about a plan to develop a bicycle trail between West Cornwall and Cornwall Bridge, essentially paralleling the railroad tracks, mostly through state forest, on the east side of the Housatonic River. Grant funding is available, and planners hope to get $100,000, but a March 29 application deadline looms. The selectmen decided to ask planners and interested members of the public to their March 4 meeting. About two dozen people came. A presentation was given by Cornwall resident Pat Hare, who is leading the effort here, and Dan Bolognani, executive director of the Upper Housatonic Valley Natural Heritage Area, which is sponsoring the new trail as part of its Housatonic Covered Bridge Trail program. Hare said he has been working on the trail, at least as a concept, for about eight years.Among the attendees were John and Wallace Harding, and their attorney, Anthony Nania. The couple’s home and studios, on property they have owned for 25 years, are at what would be the “natural” southerly trailhead off Popple Swamp Road. They are not opposed to the trail itself, but have already threatened a lawsuit should hikers and bikers be sent essentially through their front yard.The issue of taking private property by eminent domain was a big one. Despite assurances by planners and First Selectman Gordon Ridgway that it won’t happen here, the discussion kept coming back to that. After about two hours, the upshot was that the grant application will continue as planned. The town would not be officially involved, with the 20 percent required grant match or making a decision. There will be no public vote, but Ridgway said a petition could be filed for a town meeting where a vote could be taken on an advisory position.The selectmen will plan a hike on the trail later this month or in early April for anyone who wants a firsthand look. A grant decision is expected to take at least six months, and a reward can be turned down, so there is still time for informed consideration.Bike trail pros and consThose who have been involved with what they call the HouBike trail feel it is a known entity. A website and colorful maps of the 45-mile system are online at www.houbikewalk.org. But the majority of people in town hadn’t heard of it before. It is a low-profile approach, one that directs cyclists to secondary roads and off state highways. The proposed trail — it wasstressed by residents there is no existing trail — was walked last fall by planners, state forestry representatives and others, including John Harding, but nothing was made public at that point.At the March 4 meeting, there was support for the trail in terms of economic development for businesses, more accessibility for emergency rescues and taking cyclists off Route 7 between the two town centers. There was opposition for the impacts on property and numerous identified highly sensitive natural habitats; abuses shown on similar trails, such as prohibited campfires that can spread; the use of motorized vehicles and littering; and spending state or federal tax dollars on it. The northerly trailhead is at the Trinity Conference Center property, which may be put up for sale. Residents and town officials have been looking for ways to be a part of a decision on the property’s future use. “Don’t complicate negotiations,” resident Earl Brecher requested. But he did see one advantage to the trail: He recalled fighting a forest fire on Mine Mountain there years ago, made difficult by the terrain and limited access.There is a substantial amount of marshy area that will require some sort of bridging. Crushed stone or other materials will be needed in sections to make it bike-friendly.A major issue appears to be maintaining safety in proximity to an active rail line. Housatonic Railroad freight trains use the track daily. The trail will compete for limited space between the river and steep hillside. One track crossing is needed for the trail. It could be a grade crossing, a bridge or a tunnel. Chain-link fencing will have to be installed in at least one section where the trail would be very close to the tracks.John Harding told The Lake-ville Journal he sees no reason to add another trail, especially one that is not within the program’s goal of using existing roads. If the trail is developed, the southerly end should be on property farther up Popple Swamp. There is conservation land and a large, unused parcel is owned by Hare, just north of his, he said.10-year-old feasibility studyJudy Herkimer, of the Housatonic Environmental Action League, spoke to numerous issues, and questioned the list of sponsoring agencies, such as the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). She said she had spoken to some, including HVA Executive Director Lynn Werner, who denied support for bike trails because of the impacts. Ridgway said Werner came to the town about 10 years ago with a similar plan. That prompted a feasibility study by then-Cornwall Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Rick Lynn. Herkimer also referred to Lynn’s assessment.In a letter dated August 2004, Lynn said he spoke to the state Department of Transportation rail division and the railroad company. A major concern was a pedestrian crossing. He learned that establishing a new crossing would take an act of the General Assembly; gates and lights would be required at an estimated cost of $300,000; and the railroad would seek an indemnity clause to protect it from any liability.For details of the HouBike trail, see the full story online at www.tricornernews.com, under Cornwall.