The Planning Commission gave their approval for the first phase of the Still River Greenway project at their August 19 meeting after Parks and Recreation Department Director Dennis DiPinto gave them a brief overview of the project, namely the 1,200 linear feet that will make up the "parking leg" around Town Hall and the Police Department.

 "This is basically a two-mile, 14-foot-wide bike path," DiPinto explained, with a 10-foot-wide paved section down the center and two-foot unpaved lanes on either side. The first section, a fraction of the two-mile bike path/hiking trail, will be the only part of the trail that won't require any special permits and therefore work could start immediately. "After juggling this project for nine years, we're now seeing all these real potential sources for funding at the same time," DiPinto said.

The $1.8 million project (significantly reduced from the original cost through modifications to the plan) will be funded through a mix of state and federal grants and approximately $400,000 from the town, according to First Selectman Bill Davidson. Federal funding would be provided through excess stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), recycled from completed projects around the state, and "a larger chunk from enhancement funds," according to DiPinto, state grants funneled through the Regional Planning Organizations (RPOs) – in Brookfield's case the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO).

The parking area around Town Hall would accommodate 16 spaces, below the Police Department on Silvermine Road. "These can get quite crowded on the weekends," Planning Chairman Jon Van Hise said, wondering if 16 spaces would be enough to meet demand.

"This is going to be a relatively short trail," DiPinto said, "This isn't going to be a destination, people aren't going to drive in for a two-mile bike path." This will be the case for the foreseeable future, as "there are lots of obstacles to extending it in either direction," he added, "So it will probably be two miles for some time."

There is also the opportunity to use the municipal parking lot for overflow if necessary, as the trail will pass directly behind Town Hall.

The Commission members voted unanimously to recommend the project to the Board of Selectmen (BOS).

Other Business

Whispering Glen Roads: The Commission voted to accept the roads in the Whispering Glen subdivision into the town highway system after a lengthy discussion in executive session with attorney Jeffrey Sienkiewicz. The contractors failed to complete the roadwork before the life of the bonds held against the project expired, forcing the town to pull the bonds and undertake the work. After coming out of executive session to vote, Sienkiewicz suggested that the motion "should note that the roads were completed using the forfeited bond money."

Martha Burr Memorial: Van Hise brought up the passing of Martha Burr, who served on the Planning Commission for over 12 years. He offered donating some sort of memorial to her memory. The best-received suggestion was to purchase a bench for the entrance to Burr Farm, with a plaque outlining her contribution to both the Planning and Conservation Commissions. Conservation Chairman Alice Dew, also an alternate member of Planning, agreed to research the cost of such a donation and pledge funds from Conservation, as well.

Another Resignation: The Commission now has two vacant alternate positions, with the resignation of Dew, who was hired as the town's new full-time Zoning Enforcement Officer, and Joseph Emond, who sent in his resignation at the Commission's last meeting.

Joint Commission Meeting: The Zoning Commission would like to schedule another joint meeting on the Plan of Conservation and Development (PCD) in September and the members of the Economic Development Commission (EDC) have asked to join, as the main topic of discussion will be the Town Center District (TCD). "Having worked on the last [PCD], trying to get them [Zoning and the EDC] involved was like pulling teeth," Van Hise said. "This is a much better situation."