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Residents push for data and clearer process as RCC advances trail closures and maintenance plans
Summary
Commissioners reviewed trail closures, maintenance assignments and a Phase 2 improvement plan while multiple residents urged baseline wildlife surveys, clarity on conservation easements, and better public communication about trail closures and uses.
At its June 2 meeting, the Rye Conservation Commission provided updates on trail closures and maintenance and outlined a Phase 2 plan assigning members to properties; members also heard a string of public comments calling for more data and clearer public engagement before finalizing closures.
Member Glenn Suchocki reported that closures already implemented include Cedar Run, the Yellow and Orange Trails, and that bog bridges are being removed by hand with materials stored at Goss Farm for reuse. He said hardware is intact and available for future use. Suchocki submitted a trail and parking-area maintenance and improvement sheet to guide Phase 2 work, which lists priorities such as trail rerouting (Red Trail at Cedar Run and Marden Woods near wetlands), parking-area maintenance, and information collection. He assigned specific commissioners to be responsible for each property and asked them to review deeds and assemble public documents and a prioritized list of improvement opportunities.
Alternate Jenn Madden urged the commission to clarify for the public what "closing a trail" will mean in practice and asked that the prior vote to close all trails be reconsidered at the June 11 meeting; members said they will seek Attorney Maher’s legal opinion on the procedural validity of that request.
Public comment emphasized procedural and data gaps. Scott Marion urged the commission to establish baseline wildlife-population data before judging whether closures have the intended ecological effect. Doug Nelson recalled a 2014 survey by the Appalachian Mountain Club (Alex DeLucia) that measured woods and marsh conditions and described volunteer efforts to install bog bridges; he argued current actions conflict with community stewardship. Tom King said the RCC may lack authority to alter conservation easements and pointed out that portions of affected trails may be owned by the Select Board, Cemetery or Rye Recreation, issues he said were not considered before the vote to restrict spraying. Multiple residents including Lisa Jacobus and Patrick DeMarco urged greater inclusion of the community in decisions and transparent sharing of data.
Why it matters: Commissioners are moving from initial closures and protective measures to more formal maintenance and rerouting steps. Residents’ concerns highlight unresolved questions about data collection, property ownership, and how closures will be communicated and enforced.
What happens next: Commission members will collect deed information and assemble improvement priorities for each property and seek an attorney’s opinion on procedural requests; the Phase 2 maintenance plan will guide upcoming work and public documentation efforts. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
