City Council

Margerie Reservoir Trail Advisory Committee (Meeting #3) June 27, 2023 - 7 P.M. Call to Order: Committee Member DiGilio called the meeting to order at 7:11p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2023 at the Senior Center in New Fairfield. Present were Committee Members Antonio Iadarola, Public Works Director & City Engineer, City of Danbury & Engineer, New Fairfield; David Day, Public Utilities Superintendent, City of Danbury; Jeff Main, Conservation Inlands Wetlands/Conservation Commission, New Fairfield; Peter Hearn, New Fairfield; and Jonathan Barney, Alternate member, City of Danbury. Present from the public were Patricia Del Monaco, New Fairfield First Selectwoman; Khris Hall, New Fairfield Selectwoman; and several unidentified individuals Pledge of Allegiance Public Speaking: Dawn (inaudible) – New Fairfield Resident, inquired about the location of the trail, traffic congestion, animal displacement, wetland requirements, and safety concerns. Cathy Hull – New Fairfield Director of Senior Services, expressed support for the trail from members of the senior walking club. Jim Keller – New Fairfield High School Track & Cross Country Coach, supports the trail for the team to train Sean Locker – New Fairfield Park & Rec Chairman, inquired about the timeline of the project David Eres – New Fairfield Resident, inquired about congestion and environmental issues. Gloria Boyd – New Fairfield Resident, supports the trail for a better quality of life Minutes: A motion was made by Member Day, and was seconded by Member Hearn, to accept the meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Establish Meeting Dates: 3rd Tuesday, at 6pm, with a rotating meeting location between Danbury and New Fairfield. Frequency is to be determined. Site Visit: Mr. Iadarola clarified property ownership and liability. He noted that he did take a walked on the east side of the reservoir and warned that the territory is traitorous and heavy with vegetation. He also cited the accuracy of the GIS mapping used for the plan. Mr. DiGilio inquired about visiting parts of the planned trail instead of walking the whole thing. Mr. Iadarola confirmed that there are cleared areas that are easier to access but recommended that visits take place in the Fall. Mr. Main asked about the type of vegetation growing on the property, and noted that he would want to visit the property with Mr. Hearn with permission of the City of Danbury. Mr. Main provided a topography map of the area and explained that his goal is to protect all animals that live in the area. He noted similar residential concerns for trails in NY and a positive outcome of those projects and asked everyone to keep an open mind. Property Map & Conditions: Mr. Iadarola presented a map of GIS from Danbury & New Fairfield used to evaluate the trail report and review a possible walking path. He discussed a few areas of greater resistance and limited right of ways. He estimated that the length is about 1.5 miles and took 3 hours to walk. Mr. DiGilio explained the grant process and discussed the phases of the project. Mr. Iadarola confirmed that this is the Design and Planning Phase of the grant to review challenges and feasibility and approval of using land around the reservoir. He noted the large meeting turnout and a lot of public interest in the project. He confirmed that the grant for this phase is $483,000, and noted that the area is quiet despite the close roadways. Mr. Main discussed similar projects in other locations. Mr. Iadarola said that parking for the trail could be designated as the same parking lot that is used for the dog park that is nearby. RFP Projects & Process: A draft was presented of an RFP to secure Wetland Delineation Services. Mr. Iadarola noted the importance of identifying the wetland areas through soil analysis before any designing can take place. He explained that surveying services will be the following RFP so that a surveyor can locate the flagged wetland locations. Mr. Hearn asked about separating RFPs for various services instead of creating one RFP for all design services. Mr. Iadarola explained that separate RFPs are meant to expedite the process. Public Speaking #2: Carol Malesco, New Fairfield Resident, supports the trail as a safe place for walkers. Sheri, New Fairfield Resident, supports the trail as a good place for dog walkers. She did ask to address safety concerns due to proximity of the path to the condos adjacent to the property. Ken Gucker, Danbury Resident, commented on the design and location of the path, he noted the positive impact on property values, he discussed the positive impact of trails on other communities. Dawn, New Fairfield Resident, supports the trail but urges the committee to address parking concerns and other corridors mentioned in previous meetings, and animal displacement. Mr. Iadarola noted that the north corridor mentioned in the minutes from the January 23, 2023 meeting should read “west side of the corridor” Mr. DiGilio explained that the legislative bodies in Danbury and New Fairfield would approve or deny the recommendation of the committee. He also explained the state and federal oversight of these types of projects.  Mr. Main discussed the width of the trail and removal of invasive species of vegetation including Barberry. John, New Fairfield Resident, expressed concerns of increased trash pick-up from additional people walking the trail. Mr. Iadarola noted that the designation of maintenance, management and insurance will need to be clarified later in the process. David Eres, New Fairfield Resident, asked that a clear use of the trail be made at some point. Adjournment: A motion was made by Member Hearn, and seconded by Member Main, to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:48p.m. Respectfully submitted, DiGilio, Chair Antonio Iadarola David Day Jeff Main Peter Hearn