This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
11/22/2016 11:00 AMAfter a significant turnout at the public hearing for the proposed section of the Shoreline Greenway Trail (SGT) on Nov. 1, no decision for or against the trail is expected in the near future.
The SGT is envisioned as a 25-mile continuous path designed for cyclists, walkers, and hikers. The first section of the trail proposed in Guilford is 0.7 miles long and would link the East River Bridge to the junction of Boston Street and Route 1. The project is estimated to cost $840,055, and $875,000 has been secured in the form of state and federal grants to fund the project.
At the public hearing, residents passionately argued for and against the trail for hours. The Guilford proposal has run into significant opposition from abutting property owners and other residents expressing concerns over, among other things, the lack of an overall plan, excess costs, and property rights.
Based on the level of public interest and input on this issue, First Selectman Joe Mazza said the Board of Selectmen wants to carefully consider all sides and opinions.
“There were 57 people that spoke at the public hearing and all of the letters and emails we received—that is a lot to digest and we have heard a number of suggestions, which we would like to take under consideration,” he said. “It is going to take a while for us to decide which way to go. It is not going to be a quick or easy decision at this point.”
To discuss what was heard at the public hearing, Mazza said the board is considering holding a few workshops. Workshops would be open to the public and have yet to be scheduled, but Mazza said he hopes to start in December.
While some residents have said a decision needs to be made quickly to ensure grants acquired by SGT are not lost, Mazza said he is currently comfortable with the timetable.
“At this point there is no immediate risk right now as far as I am told,” he said in reference to possibly losing the grant money.
Meanwhile, as residents continue to hold strong opinions on the trail, some residents have reported their trail opposition signs, reading “Selectmen: No Map, No Plan, No Approval” as stolen to Guilford Police. Resident Nona Bloomer said two signs have been stolen from her yard and some of her neighbors have had signs stolen as well.
“It is a crime,” she said.
Police Chief Jeff Hutchinson confirmed the department has received a few complaints of signs in opposition to the trail being stolen. However, he said much like the theft of political signs, incidents like this are hard to catch.
“If anybody has any information on who took them, we would be happy to follow up on that, but in the short term we don’t have a lot of information besides the complaints themselves,” he said.