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Commission discusses dog-waste, trash cans and enforcement on conservation trails
Summary
Members discussed recurring dog-waste and dumping on town conservation trails, the limits of conservation-commission enforcement, and the possibility of a trash can at the Riverwalk kiosk; they recommended signage, resident reporting, and coordination with town departments.
Commissioners discussed recurring problems with dog waste and illegal dumping on conservation trails and weighed options for addressing the issue. The commission noted that conservation areas are generally "carry in, carry out," that installing and maintaining trash receptacles across conservation lands would raise ongoing costs, and that enforcement options are limited without town department action.
"We don't have any trash cans along our trails... It would cost a lot of money if we decided... we're gonna have trash cans out there that the town would have to maintain," a commissioner said. Members suggested reinstalling a trash can at the Riverwalk kiosk as a targeted measure, improving signage requiring leashes and waste pickup, and urging residents to photograph and report violations to police.
The commission emphasized that management choices have trade-offs: trash cans could be misused or create maintenance demands, while increased enforcement would require town resources. Commissioners asked staff to explore targeted steps (signage and a possible kiosk trash can) and to coordinate with relevant departments.
