The meeting began with a discussion on the Pathways and Trails Plan, which included addressing final comments from OSAC. A issue was the debate over the inclusion of a sidewalk along Trepo Road and Martino Drive. Concerns were raised over the need for a stream crossing permit and the existence of a living fence of shrubs, which may pose obstacles to the sidewalk’s construction. The feasibility of overcoming these obstacles was debated, and the committee concluded that further research on property lines was necessary. Additionally, the extension of the bike path to connect existing paths was proposed, but without a definitive decision being made at the meeting.

The committee also examined the trail proposal near a bird blind. While some concerns were raised about the potential disturbance to the birds, the decision was made to retain the trail in the plan, noting its importance as a connector and the minimal disturbance it would cause. Another debated item was the construction of a bike path extending from Elizabeth A. to Willow Road. Despite some objections from residents, the committee clarified that the path would not affect vehicular traffic and should be included in the plan.

A discussion revolved around the map of the Flemmer Preserve. It was noted that the map predominantly showed land in South Brunswick, and there was a suggestion to create a more appropriate map showing lands north of Route 27. The committee acknowledged the limitations of the state-created map and considered creating their own map for the Franklin Township section. Moreover, a correction to the intended route on South Middle Bush Road was proposed and confirmed by members. The potential extension of the Deont Lane path beyond Hamilton and Amwell was discussed, with a focus on exploring safety measures and routing options.

The committee addressed the need for a bike path on Cedar Grove Lane, noting that while there is a path, it does not extend to the entire desired location, raising safety concerns at certain intersections. Improvements to Inman Park’s trail surface and the installation of kiosks for better visibility were suggested. However, confusion about the safety of the trail surfaced, with the need for reassessment being stressed.

The proposed trail cutting across leased farmland was a issue due to concerns from the farmer leasing the property. The committee agreed to wait until the lease expired or reach an agreement with the farmer before proceeding with the trail construction. Similar lease-related issues were discussed in relation to the Memorial Forest.

The committee touched on the importance of conducting trail assessments and holding public hearings before making changes to township-owned properties. The significance of considering lease agreements, property conditions, and public input before making decisions on trail development and improvement was emphasized.

Progress on the pathways and trails plan was acknowledged, including the development of a paint blaze system and the mapping of trails. The committee noted that the existing plan had not been adopted by the planning board or the open space advisory committee and had not been based on GPS or GIS. The micro-mobility plan was also discussed, with a focus on identifying on-street connections for bicycles and other micro-mobility devices. Strategies for making micro-mobility safe and accessible, including the installation of bike racks, repair stations, and charging stations for e-bikes and e-scooters, were outlined. The timing of the plan in relation to potential funding from the US Department of Transportation’s bipartisan infrastructure bill was considered.

The prioritization of potential projects was another topic of conversation, along with the need to present a prioritized list to the council. The committee discussed a volunteer day organized by L’Oreal, an upcoming Firefly walk, and the decision to focus on Franklin Day in September instead of participating in the town’s Independence Day celebration.

Lastly, the National Trails Day event was addressed, where a partnership with Flemington Township occurred instead of the planned event, leading to a low turnout. Upcoming trail walks and events, including a partnership with the shade tree commission for a tree walk in the fall, were mentioned. The committee decided to cancel the July meeting and hold the next meeting on August 14th virtually, while also providing updates on trail conditions, including concerns about overgrowth and graffiti.