Center Director Leslie Kane explained that the trail will start at the parking area off East Flat Hill Road and continue south along an existing meadow path that winds to the main driveway.

The trail will then cross the driveway and continue toward the Pomperaug River and finally end in the woods just before the platform walkway that now crosses a wetlands area.

A structure still to be designed, by students at the Wesleyan University Design/Build Studio, is planned for that point, but construction is not contemplated before 2011, Ms. Kane said.

The trail will be six feet in width and designed for wheelchair access. A permeable polypavement surface using polymar, a biodegradable material, will support pedestrian and light weight vehicle traffic.

A rest area and bench will be placed at the driveway crossing and an observation platform is planned to permit views back into the meadow.

The round trip hike is a distance of approximately one mile.

Ms. Kane said that the hope is to complete construction of the trail before winter; however the project is weather-dependent since polymar requires temperatures of 45 degrees or higher. The plans have already gone out for bids.

There was unanimous approval for the McAllister family barn project at 374 Main Street, at least for its wetlands aspect which focused on construction of a gravel driveway and associated drainage.

A special exception application public hearing remains open before the Zoning Board of Appeals, however.

There was considerable debate about what action to take in regard to an application by Kristina Almqvist, 36 Bucks Hill Road. At issue is a horse paddock that, apparently, was built without a permit and there is debate as to whether the underlying soil is actually wetlands grade.

Mr. Manville in particular had strong views for denial, but finally the application was tabled for discussion at the next meeting, by which time more members might attend.

The application was accepted but action postponed on Stones Way, an 11-lot subdivision at North Georges Hill Road, and Nettleton subdivision, a resubdivision on Hemlock Ridge Road.

Approval was voted for restoration work at 1746 South Britain Road involving dredging a small impoundment of Transylvania Brook, repaving an existing driveway, reconstruction of stone walls and landscaping.