Shoreline Greenway Trail Project Isn't Dead: Guilford First Selectman

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

GUILFORD, CT – First Selectman Joe Mazza wants to make it clear while the Board of Selectmen have made it clear they will vote, on Jan. 17th, against the proposed 0.7 mile Shoreline Greenway Trail, it doesn’t mean the project is dead.

Quite the opposite, said Mazza in a recent interview. Instead, he said, the project in his opinion is “still quite alive.”

Mazza said what he’d like to see is a “different design,’’ explaining that “in my opinion a sidewalk project or a pathway from the Madison/Guilford town line leading to the Green’’ is something he might back – as long as no town money was spent on it.

As proposed currently, the trail project calls for a bigger path, which Mazza said is “too intrusive.”

He also said the trail, as proposed, running from Route 1 on the Madison line to the Route 146 intersection in Guilford is “a trail to nowhere.”

“I’d rather the trail be a walkable path that leads to somewhere – like downtown,” said Mazza.

Those opposed to the project, believe the recreational aspects of the project aren’t as big a plus as the negatives of taking of what they see as historic, town property.

Those in favor of the project, however say the trail, paid by state funds, will be a recreational plus for residents who enjoy walking, biking and jogging to the town’s center and fairgrounds.

The trail is slated to be part of a 25-mile long stretch starting from Lighthouse Point in New Haven, and running through the shoreline towns of East Haven, Branford, Guilford, ending at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison.

The total cost is nearly $900,000 – with the entire cost being borne by state and federal grants.

Mazza said the selectmen will continue to look at other alternatives, include possibly hiring a consultant, to propose alternative suggestions.

But, the first selectman reiterated, whatever final plan is agreed upon it must not come at any cost to town taxpayers.