Committee explores moving Meadow Meander trail off private property, discusses cattle access trade

Committee members reported on a site visit to the Meadow Meander Trail and confirmed that part of the trail currently traverses private land at 1147 East Main Street. The group discussed short- and long-term options to reduce public use across private property, including rerouting the trail onto town land, improving an existing utility access road under the power line to carry pedestrian and maintenance traffic, and negotiating an exchange or license with the landowner (referred to as Bruce) so he could use an improved utility road instead of the current right-of-way across the private parcel.

Members noted practical constraints: cattle movement patterns on the farm, legal differences between a license and a lease (landowner counsel had advised a lease would be more secure for his operations), necessary fencing or gates for cattle, and potential equipment needs to construct a wider meadow route suitable for tractors and cattle. Committee members recommended a small field visit with Bruce and a few committee members to test concept lines on the ground and have Bruce identify operational needs for moving cattle safely.

Why it matters: Rerouting the Meadow Meander trail would reduce trespass across private land, lower potential conflicts between visitors and farm operations, and could simplify long-term town trail maintenance. Committee members emphasized minimizing new rights-of-way across private parcels where possible.

What’s next: The committee will arrange a site walk with Bruce and volunteers to develop a concept, seek any needed technical advice on trail and road upgrades, and evaluate whether the town can reach an agreement that avoids creating a permanent right-of-way across private property.