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Residents press committee for documentation, environmental protections on proposed Marjorie Reservoir trail
Summary
At a joint Danbury–New Fairfield meeting, residents urged transparency about a proposed Marjorie Reservoir trail and a $2,200,000 grant, raising FOIA, maintenance, liability and wildlife concerns; committee members said design work has not started and that consultants will lead public outreach.
Jennifer Papitz of New Fairfield told the joint committee she had submitted a Freedom of Information Act request and said the town’s packet lacked key documents for the proposed Marjorie Reservoir Trail, including grant submissions, maintenance plans, liability agreements and any proposed land acquisitions. "Any and all grant submissions, proposals, and signed approvals in regards to the project" and other records, she said, were not provided in response to her request, and she repeatedly urged the committee to make those materials public.
Papitz said the packet materials she reviewed included a grant figure of $2,200,000 and warned of environmental and safety risks, including disturbance of wetlands and interference with an established bald eagle nest near the reservoir. "You're destroying our town, and who's gonna use who's gonna pay for law enforcement, patrol who will be responsible for maintenance, lighting, sanitation," she said.
Resident Kelly Lindquist echoed calls for caution, saying she has observed prior projects shift from their original designs and urging the committee to ensure the environmental review and public engagement are substantive. "It really gives a presentation to the town that this is happening — that this is already a done deal," Lindquist said of discussions she witnessed at other meetings.
Chair Holly Robinson and committee speakers responded that the committee has not approved a design and that the current work is limited to surveying and wetlands delineation. Robinson said the committee will post corrected meeting minutes online and that the consultant process remains at an early stage. Antonio Ragarola told the committee the survey and wetlands mapping are complete and that consultants will conduct public outreach as they develop design concepts: "They develop concepts. We present the concepts. We get public input."
The committee asked members of the public to submit written comments to the chair so the committee can consolidate them and forward them to the consultant. The committee also agreed to invite the contracted firm to introduce its team at the next meeting.
Next steps: the committee expects the consultant to present public outreach plans at the follow-up meeting, tentatively set for Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the New Fairfield Senior/Community Center.
