Middlebury first selectwoman says Greenway trail winter clearing will begin after insurance sign-off

First Selectwoman Jennifer A. Mahr announced Jan. 5 that Middlebury has confirmation from its insurance carrier and that Public Works has the equipment needed to clear and treat the town’s 4.5-mile Greenway Trail this winter.

Mahr said two hurdles had to be cleared before the town could proceed: insurance coverage and machinery availability. “We talked with our insurance company and there is no additional cost and it was cleared with them,” she said. She added that Public Works confirmed they have the machinery and the town expects to begin treating the Greenway in the coming weeks, after road priorities are handled and without using overtime.

Board of Finance Chair Vincent Cipriano expressed financial and liability concerns during public comment, saying that clearing a path used by a relatively small number of residents could increase the town’s exposure to lawsuits if people slip on icy sections. “Someone could fall, get hurt, and sue the Town,” Cipriano said, urging caution given the additional maintenance and equipment costs.

Emails and public messages included in the meeting packet show local run-club organizers asked for year-round clearance to support weekly club runs and community use. First Selectwoman Mahr told the board she had worked with the Fire Marshal and Public Works on logistics (parking and occupancy for upcoming town committee meetings were also discussed in attached correspondence).

The board did not hold a separate vote on Greenway clearing at the Jan. 5 meeting; Mahr said the town’s insurance and operations review clears the path to begin treatment in the next few weeks.