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Conservation commission funds Highland Trails study; staff and commission co-fund project
Summary
The committee recommended approval of the Conservation Commission’s small operating budget and learned that the commission and the city are jointly funding a Highland Trails area study to improve trail connections and public access.
The Administration and Finance Committee recommended approval of the Conservation Commission’s FY26 operating budget and heard an update on the Highland Trails area study, which the commission and the city are jointly funding.
Tom Daniel, director of the Planning Department, said Rachel Rizalovec recently joined as the city’s conservation agent and is managing the Highland Trails study, which aims to better connect existing trails off Highland Avenue and improve public access. “There’s lots of trails off of Highland Avenue…this study is really looking at how to make connections, better connections within those and then connections to Highland Avenue,” Daniel said.
The committee supported the Conservation Commission personnel line of $33,705 and a small expenditures line (for a department total of $35,218); Councilor Stock moved the recommendation and Councilor Harvey seconded. The motion carried. Daniel said the study is quieter but important work to formalize trail connections and access points.
What’s next: The Highland Trails study will continue under the commission’s management and planning staff will return with prioritized first-phase implementation recommendations when the study concludes.
