Senate Transportation Committee hears S.4 to clarify municipal authority to maintain trails

The Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 12 heard testimony on S.4, a bill intended to make explicit that municipalities may maintain public "trails," may delegate maintenance to local groups, and that towns would not be required to maintain trails or owe a statutory duty of care to trail users, sponsors and legislative counsel said.

Supporters told the committee the change would resolve legal ambiguity exposed by recent litigation, help preserve trail access used by residents and visitors, and protect recreation-dependent local businesses and events. Senator Alison Clarkson, the bill—s lead sponsor, said the measure grew from conversations with town officials and volunteers who currently maintain local trails.

"We currently maintain our town trails to the point that they are passable for pedestrians and horses," said Senator Alison Clarkson, the bill—s lead sponsor and former chair of the Woodstock Parks Commission. She said local groups repaired a washed-out section used by the Vermont 100 event and warned that "if we lose this ability to [do] this minimal amount of maintenance, it will make these trails…