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Frenchtown to start public planning for former Thompson Track; council awards Colliers contract to update open-space plan
Summary
After public concern about trailblazing and alleged poaching on the newly acquired Thompson Track, the council approved a Colliers contract to amend the borough’s open-space and recreation plan and said the property will move through a public, Green Acres–compliant process.
Neighbors raised concerns at the public-comment period about informal trailblazing, alleged poaching and the possibility of an unspecified parking location on the borough’s recently purchased Thompson Track. Christina, who identified herself during remarks, said residents found someone marking trails and reported hunting-season poaching; she asked how neighbors would be notified and where parking would be located.
Council members responded that the borough must follow a formal planning process because the tract was purchased with public funds and therefore requires public access. The chair said the council has not sanctioned trail work and outlined the next steps: an update to the municipal master and open-space plan, appointment of an advisory committee, and a formal public hearing where neighbors and stakeholders will be notified and can weigh in.
To begin that process the council approved Resolution 2025‑66, awarding a contract to Colliers Engineering & Design to amend the 2019 open-space and recreation plan. The chair said the contract will kick off the formal public-stakeholder process and that the borough may explore joint-management arrangements (for example, with conservation partners) but has not finalized any agreements or authorized on-the-ground trail work.
Council members also acknowledged existing uses of the land and noted longtime informal access; they said Green Acres standards and notification requirements will guide next steps. The council directed staff and the planner to proceed with the scheduled plan update and public-notice steps required by state and grant rules.
The Colliers award passed on roll call. Councilors said the amendment and public process are intended to manage competing uses — from passive recreation and walking to possible dual-use walking/mountain-biking trails — and to identify appropriate parking and boundary signage during the formal planning effort.
