Allows for a qualified abandonment of public town roads which grants a public easement over said road allowing it to be converted to walking, biking, and hiking trails and access to parks, nature preserves and other recreational facilities.
With the introduction of S0349, municipalities are no longer required to maintain abandoned town roads that are converted into public easements. The bill specifies that the responsibility for maintenance of these public easements will remain with the local government only if the existing liabilities and obligations apply, effectively relieving private abutters from maintenance duties. This could potentially lead to increased recreational opportunities while minimizing public spending in the long term.
S0349 aims to amend Chapter 24-6 of the General Laws regarding the abandonment of public town roads, allowing for a 'qualified abandonment' that retains public easements for recreational use. The act permits town councils to designate previously abandoned highways as walking, biking, or hiking trails, with the intent of increasing public access to parks, nature preserves, and other recreational areas. This legislation seeks to promote outdoor activities and improve community connectivity through multi-use trails.
Notable points of contention may arise around the method by which towns decide to designate roads for qualified abandonment. There could be concerns from citizens about the transparency of the town council's decision-making process and how potential public uses are defined. Moreover, matters could emerge regarding the liability of newly established trails and how they are integrated into existing public utility easements, which might not be comprehensively addressed by current law.