Residents urge action on blocked trail fire‑lanes and dead‑tree hazards; council adds environmental commission item to May 5 agenda

During public forum on April 13, residents raised public‑safety concerns about several recreational trails and forested parcels in town.

Sayer Richmond told the council two large rocks had been left in the middle of Punchbowl Trail, blocking the only access for emergency vehicles, and urged the town to require contractors not to block fire lanes. Resident Gary Stoner and others described extensive dead wood across multiple trails and properties—attributing the problem to a past gypsy‑moth infestation—and said falling trees present a growing hazard to residents and property.

Joyce Flanagan and other speakers noted many parcels are held by different land managers (Richmond Land Trust, DEM, The Nature Conservancy), complicating town efforts to clear hazards on non‑town property. Speakers proposed neighborhood chipper days, controlled removal on private parcels, and a coordinated town effort to identify high‑risk areas.

A councilor moved to add discussion and consideration of the Richmond Environmental Hazard and Resiliency Commission to the May 5 agenda to generate ideas and address liability and implementation questions; the council approved the addition by roll call.

Why it matters: Residents say blocked access and decaying trees could impede emergency response and increase wildfire or storm‑damage risk; council action will begin formal consideration of a coordinated approach.

Next steps: The May 5 agenda will include discussion of the Environmental Hazard and Resiliency Commission; staff and councilors signaled the need to examine liability, jurisdictional boundaries of land managers, and options such as community chipping days or targeted town interventions.