Commission accepts boardwalk plan into record and continues hearing for ADA trail extension at Pratt Farm

The Middleborough Conservation Commission voted to put the submitted plan for an ADA-compliant boardwalk at Pratt Farm into the meeting record and continued the related hearing to the commission's Feb. 20 meeting to allow additional documentation and a site visit.

Diane Stewart, chair of the town's Commission on Disability, described a plan to extend the existing gravel ADA trail with an approximately 260-foot helical-post boardwalk to traverse a mucky marsh area and improve access for people using wheelchairs, strollers and families. Engineers noted the boardwalk will sit about 1 to 3 feet above ground depending on location and will be installed on helical screw posts (detail shown on plan). The project was awarded a $60,000 town grant; the applicant had sought additional MassTrails funding for culvert work but did not receive the larger regional award.

Commissioners asked for a replication plan for the wetland work and confirmation of where photo observation points were taken to support any intermittent-stream findings (DEP review topics). The commission voted to include the October 30, 2024 plan (no culvert option) into the record (motion by McCann, second by Bart; voice vote aye). Commissioners agreed to continue the hearing to Feb. 20, schedule a site visit and request the replication details and any additional documentation for the record. The commission also discussed maintenance of the existing trail surface and noted the boardwalk would reduce disturbance in the marshy area compared with people walking through mud.

No formal decision on the permit was issued at this meeting; the hearing remains open pending the requested materials and a site visit.