Hatfield Select Board takes public comment on Connecticut River Trail proposal

HATFIELD -- September 22, 2022, Hatfield residents split sharply over a proposed Connecticut River Trail that would extend bike access from Northampton to Elm Court. The Hatfield Select Board hosted a standing-room-only informational meeting September 22 on the roughly 1.1-mile trail, of which approximately 750 feet would lie within Hatfield at no design cost to the town, with construction expected to be fully state- and federally funded. Wayne Feiden, a former Northampton planning director consulting on the project, said the design is at a 10 percent stage and ground-breaking is at least three to five years away. Open Space Committee member Mark Gillott cited a town survey in which roughly 100 of 150 respondents said they would use the trail, against about 45 opposed. Supporters praised the potential to commute and recreate without driving Route 5; opponents raised concerns about crime, wildlife, ATV conflicts, parking on Elm Court, and costs to the DPW, which Director Phil Genovese noted had just received a $120,500 town meeting appropriation for improvements at the Elm Court DPW yard where the trail would terminate. No vote was taken and no commitment was made.