Marlborough commission: grants soon, Cheney Road sidewalks to be routed behind mailboxes

At a special meeting March 24, Peter Hughes, director of planning and development, told the Town of Marlborough Nature Trails & Sidewalks Commission that recipients of an upcoming trail-related grant will be announced by the end of March. He also said the planned Cheney Road sidewalks will be routed behind existing mailboxes to minimize frontage impacts.

The announcement came during staff updates at the start of the meeting. Hughes said the commission is also pursuing a DEEP Recreational Trail Grant and reviewing ways to promote trail use, including content on the town website and other web-based tools.

Commissioners did not vote on the DEEP grant application at the session; the meeting record shows the topic was discussed as part of staff updates. Earlier in the meeting the commission approved the January 28, 2026 minutes by unanimous vote.

Hughes did not provide the exact award amounts or identify which applicants were under consideration; the minutes state only that grant recipients will be announced by the end of March. The record also does not specify a construction schedule for the Cheney Road sidewalks beyond the routing decision.

The meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM.