Marlborough trails commission hears grant, design and signage updates; approves minutes
June 07, 2026 | Marlborough, Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut
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The Marlborough Nature Trails & Sidewalks Commission met Jan. 28, 2026, at Marlborough Town Hall and heard staff updates on grant applications and design work for several sidewalk and trail projects, discussed creation of a new trail and signage at Ogden Lord Road, reviewed web-based trail-use data and approved meeting minutes before adjourning at 7:49 p.m.
Peter Hughes, the town’s Director of Planning and Development, told commissioners that recipients of the DEEP Recreational Trail Grant will be announced in late February or early March. Hughes said design work has already begun on Lake Road under a TRIP grant and that design work for Cheney Road — funded by a Connectivity grant — will start soon; he added he will meet with the project engineer next week. Hughes also reported that residents cleared sidewalks of snow, improving immediate walkability.
Chair Russ Johnston noted that 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the commission and recounted projects completed over two decades, including roughly 3 miles of sidewalks and about 4 miles of trails, the town green, a bus stop, enactment of a trail-use ordinance and a sidewalk ordinance, and adoption of a master plan.
Under other business the commission discussed a new trail at Ogden Lord Road and the installation of parking-lot signs. Johnston said he will make labels for the trail loop and the nearby charcoal mounds feature. Member Anna Holden volunteered to draft an article for the Rivereast News Bulletin to promote the trail.
Rob Jepson reviewed trail-use data available via the AllTrails app, reporting that Marlborough has four trails registered and that the app provides visitor counts, activity breakdowns and trail reviews that could inform promotion and maintenance priorities. The commission noted that no trail maintenance workday is currently scheduled.
Johnston also reported speaking with Romano Ghirlanda of the Marlborough Preservation Society, who is researching whether the Blackledge River dam and old mill are the Loveland family gristmill.
Procedural business included a motion by Louise Cocodello, seconded by Anna Holden, to accept the Nov. 12, 2025 minutes as submitted; all members present voted in favor. Rob Jepson later moved to adjourn at 7:49 p.m.; Anna Holden seconded and the motion carried.
The commission did not take formal votes on grant applications during the meeting. The next steps noted in the discussion were awaiting the DEEP grant announcement in late February or early March, continued design work on Lake Road and Cheney Road, and the engineer meeting scheduled for the following week. The meeting record was signed and filed by Board Clerk Deb Pearson.
Peter Hughes, the town’s Director of Planning and Development, told commissioners that recipients of the DEEP Recreational Trail Grant will be announced in late February or early March. Hughes said design work has already begun on Lake Road under a TRIP grant and that design work for Cheney Road — funded by a Connectivity grant — will start soon; he added he will meet with the project engineer next week. Hughes also reported that residents cleared sidewalks of snow, improving immediate walkability.
Chair Russ Johnston noted that 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the commission and recounted projects completed over two decades, including roughly 3 miles of sidewalks and about 4 miles of trails, the town green, a bus stop, enactment of a trail-use ordinance and a sidewalk ordinance, and adoption of a master plan.
Under other business the commission discussed a new trail at Ogden Lord Road and the installation of parking-lot signs. Johnston said he will make labels for the trail loop and the nearby charcoal mounds feature. Member Anna Holden volunteered to draft an article for the Rivereast News Bulletin to promote the trail.
Rob Jepson reviewed trail-use data available via the AllTrails app, reporting that Marlborough has four trails registered and that the app provides visitor counts, activity breakdowns and trail reviews that could inform promotion and maintenance priorities. The commission noted that no trail maintenance workday is currently scheduled.
Johnston also reported speaking with Romano Ghirlanda of the Marlborough Preservation Society, who is researching whether the Blackledge River dam and old mill are the Loveland family gristmill.
Procedural business included a motion by Louise Cocodello, seconded by Anna Holden, to accept the Nov. 12, 2025 minutes as submitted; all members present voted in favor. Rob Jepson later moved to adjourn at 7:49 p.m.; Anna Holden seconded and the motion carried.
The commission did not take formal votes on grant applications during the meeting. The next steps noted in the discussion were awaiting the DEEP grant announcement in late February or early March, continued design work on Lake Road and Cheney Road, and the engineer meeting scheduled for the following week. The meeting record was signed and filed by Board Clerk Deb Pearson.
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