The Town of Hubbardston Open Space Committee spent much of its meeting on trail management and public outreach, including an immediate safety fix for Mill Pond Trail and plans to update maps and signage.

Members reported that a 5‑foot bridge on the Mill Pond Trail has a hole hidden under a mat; they proposed a short‑term safety fix (grate or mat placement) for winter use and a longer‑term mat/stone solution with grading in spring. Speaker 1 said the bridge can be made safe quickly and that materials are arriving Monday.

Committee members also discussed mapping the trail system to identify high‑activity locations and piloting physical deterrents — such as rocks or horizontal barriers — at one site before wider deployment. The group agreed that high‑value areas such as Dottie Rock should be prioritized for aesthetic deterrents, and they discussed possible support or matching funds from state conservation entities for more visible installations at Malone Road.

On communications, members proposed clearer trailhead signage that lists fine amounts for rule violations and updating or reprinting trail maps. They discussed using QR codes on trailhead maps to link users to web‑based trail descriptions and a printed booklet modeled on Bolton Conservation Trust’s template. The group agreed to draft copy for the Gardner News and Facebook and to send materials to Katie for posting.

The committee assigned follow‑ups to map the trail network, cost out deterrent pilot options, and update QR codes and trailhead materials for spring outreach.