Committee prioritizes improved trail maps, emergency markers and maintenance capacity

The committee devoted a large portion of the meeting to trail mapping and trail maintenance capacity, agreeing that trail maps attached to management plans should be georeferenced PDFs with contours and clear trail symbology so they can be used for navigation and printed for public use.

Members debated design choices — using symbols rather than color for print clarity, whether to show parcel boundaries on public trail maps, and which map layers (wetlands, soils) to call out versus simply reference. The committee recommended a separate trail map for navigation (contours, trails, park outline) and a management map that shows parcel boundaries and acquisition notes.

Safety and wayfinding: one member suggested adopting emergency trail markers similar to other towns (unique codes or QR-enabled markers) so 911 callers can give a precise sign identifier rather than a vague location. The committee asked staff to explore options and consult emergency management and public works about implementation and costs.

Maintenance capacity: staff said an additional public-works crew member has been hired; that extra capacity is already being used to reduce a backlog of trail repairs and to respond more quickly to downed trees and structure maintenance. Members discussed coordinating volunteer workdays, using public works to move heavy items (old bridge sections) and an iterative approach to new trail layout (flag the route, test informal use, then clear and upgrade).

The committee also discussed trail-day coordination and volunteer events, and noted an upcoming invasive-plant removal volunteer day at the library and regular trail-day activities in June.

Next steps: staff will produce a printable georeferenced trail map for inclusion in plan attachments, explore emergency-marker systems with emergency management, and continue coordinating volunteer workdays and public-works tasks.