|
|
The funding from the $7.5 million settlement has increased over the years to $9 million, due to the interest it accrued.
A total of 92 proposals were submitted, of which 76 were considered eligible for consideration. Of that number, 31 were shortlisted, and eventually, 27 projects were marked for approval, several that would favorably impact New Milford.
Two of the five proposals submitted by the town were successful, according to the final draft of the Housatonic River Plan-a riverwalk and greenway at Young's Field Park and the Sega Meadows Park river enhancement project.
Regarding Young's Field, located on the east bank of the river by the bridge in downtown New Milford, full funding of an $180,000 request has been proposed for the active recreational area. The money would be used to expand the Greater New Milford Greenway by a half mile through the creation of a trail linking this park and Helen Marx Park upstream.
It would also be used to re-establish native vegetation, install floating docks near the kayak launch on the river, redesign the parking area and resurface it to accommodate a vegetated buffer to address stormwater runoff.
A three-year timeframe was projected for the completion of the project, which would require obtaining easements to construct the trail through private properties.
It was noted that the proposal is consistent with the town's Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) as far as increasing recreational opportunities is concerned.
"While providing a basic recreational opportunity, this project will assist in stabilizing the riverbank with native vegetation while expanding the riparian buffer, enhancing the local water quality," according to a statement from the the major's office.
The town would receive an additional $75,217, the money it sought to develop Sega Meadows Park, a 23-acre scenic woodland tract for public use that would have a nature trails, picnic areas, "primitive" sites for camping and areas designated for fishing and non-motorized boating.
According to the mayor's office, both projects were submitted more than two years ago and those who contributed their efforts to the grant-application process included several town employees: administrative aide Laurene Beattie, wetlands enforcement officer James Ferlow, Parks & Recreation Director Dan Calhoun and Assistant Director Eleanor Covelli, Tammy Reardon, administrative aide to the mayor, town engineer Tom Sprong, grant writer Valerie Wilson and Public Works Director Mike Zarba.
In addition, the full $348,500 amount requested by the Northwest Conservation District to buy and develop a 25-acre riparian tract as open space would be allocated. Indian Fields Wildlife Preserve, comprising "floodplain grasslands and forested wetlands," would be called would be created on the western shore of the river near a commercial area.
It is bordered by routes 7 and 202.
Invasive species of plants would be removed, observation platforms would be installed and wheelchair-accessible paths would be constructed. In addition to protecting open space, the project would provide "high recreational benefits as a result of conversion from private to public property with public access near the center of town" and would protect about 1,400 feet of the shoreline there.
Sherman also stands to benefit from the settlement. The Naromi Land Trust's full request for $100,000 would be allocated to provide access to and increase the recreational use potential of the Wimisink Preserve, a 57-acre wetland preserve within the river's watershed in the town.
The project would include the installation of an observation platform and wheelchair-accessible boardwalk and creation of a parking area.
In addition, $139,000 would be allocated for a project submitted by King's Mark-the creation of a "restoration/rehabilitation" greenway on the Still River corridor to the Housatonic River.
Another $56,000 would be allocated to King's Mark's proposal for the Housatonic Valley River Trail.
Three other proposals submitted by the town of New Milford were not chosen for funding. A spillway restoration and rejuvenation project for Reservoir Park was not considered eligible, and applications for grant money for a pedestrian link at Pickett District Park and for a fish ladder and kayak raceway at Bleachery Dam (Hidden Treasures Park) did not make the final cut for allocation.
"Someday," as Ms. Murphy envisions it, "the pieces we have might come together. "We could have a whole loop."
"There might be a trailway from Lover's Leap (State Park)," she said.
And she would like to see it go "across the huge meadow" beyond.
She said that she "would love to be able" to walk from the center of town out to Lover's Leap and Harrybrooke Park and go along the river all the way back without doubling her steps..
