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Middlebury commission debates Pisani sculpture placement and Greenway winter plowing after residents raise safety concerns
Summary
Commissioners discussed moving a donated Pisani sculpture off the Greenway, resident requests for clearer driveway signage, and a 2021 town attorney opinion read at the meeting saying snow removal of the Greenway conflicts with easement language — raising liability questions about recent plowing for running clubs.
The Middlebury Parks & Recreation Commission on Feb. 3 considered whether to relocate a donated Pisani sculpture and addressed resident concerns about a recent change to plow sections of the Middlebury Greenway in winter.
Chair Carolanne Browne said she had received an email from Greenway Committee member Linda Barone reporting that the donor, Mr. Pisani, was "disappointed" after being asked to change the work to a firefighter theme. Browne said the town had expressed gratitude for the donation but questioned whether a location across from the firehouse was appropriate for an abstract, immigrant‑themed piece and suggested finding an alternate Greenway site if the artist will not change the work.
Sharon Bosco urged moving the piece to a place where pedestrians can read the explanatory sign, proposing Store Road near the tunnel by Pies and Pints so walkers — not just drivers — could engage with the artwork. "There will be a sign near the sculpture explaining the theme and most people will be driving by that area and will not be able to read the signage," Bosco said, arguing a different location would be more accessible.
The meeting also turned to a recent decision to plow parts of the Greenway after requests from running clubs. Browne read from a 2021 letter from Town Attorney Dana A. D'Angelo stating, "snow removal is inconsistent with the original intended purpose for the Middlebury Greenway," citing language in the Greenway easements that reserves the corridor for active and passive recreation such as walking, running, sledding and skiing. Browne and other commissioners said neither the Parks & Rec Commission nor the Greenway Committee had been consulted before the plowing began.
Residents said the change raises safety and liability worries. Rosalyn Teleposky, who lives across from Fenn's Pond, said small, low‑contrast signs warning drivers they are entering a residential area blend into the landscape and asked for clearer signage — suggesting a sign that reads "Yield to Driveways" — because walkers and bicyclists sometimes block driveway exits. Resident Matt Tylinski questioned why town policy would cater to "a small group of several hundred runners" and warned the town could be liable if someone slipped on snow or ice.
Commissioners noted the plowing was prompted by running clubs and that the town purchased a new plow. They discussed alternatives such as directing runners to Meadowview Park — which is plowed and gated to cars — and recommended following up with the Greenway Committee and the town attorney for legal guidance.
On the Greenway mural, Bosco said the final artwork has not been approved and that some committee members believe the submitted design does not match what was originally agreed. Director Betsy Anderson said the artist, Sue Healy, submitted an invoice but payment cannot be approved until the Greenway Committee signs off at its March meeting.
The commission did not adopt a formal change at the meeting; members directed follow‑up discussions. Bosco said she would speak with Greenway Committee contact Linda Barone and the matter — including the mural approval, sculpture siting and any formal policy on plowing — will be revisited at upcoming meetings.
