Groton - Words from a Ray Charles hit song summed up the sentiment expressed by the Groton Utilities Commission Wednesday morning when it considered a letter from Ledyard Mayor John Rodolico on behalf of the Bluff Point to Preston trail committee.

Hikers and bicyclists will have to "hit the road," because the reservoir properties will not be a part of the trail.

Mayor Marian Galbraith, chairman of the commission, said the committee has made at least three presentations to Groton City officials, beginning in 2010. The committee wants public access to city-owned reservoir land in Groton and Ledyard for a hiking and biking trail that would extend from Bluff Point to Ledyard Center.

Without the access, users would have to traverse roadways along Route 117 in Groton and Gales Ferry Road in Ledyard in between treks through wooded or watershed areas.

Each time the matter came before the commission, the commission chose not to go forward, Galbraith said during a meeting at the City Municipal Building.

Rodolico's letter, which asked for meeting so that it could be determined how the two municipalities would "move forward."

"It assumes that we want to move forward," Galbraith said.

Commission member Shirley Dunbar-Rose wanted to know why the letter was sent.

"We've given them legitimate reasons why we said no," she said. "Why do they keep coming back, like a bad coin? I strongly support no."

Paul Duarte also remained opposed to the concept. He and Galbraith both noted that volunteering often falls off after a project is well under way.

"The burden will ultimately fall to the utility no matter how well-intentioned other communities are," he said. "It will cause more problems than it's worth."

David Holdridge, chairman of the trails committee, said he will learn how other communities respond to concerns about cost, safety and security and hopefully have an opportunity to educate the Groton City officials and encourage them to buy into the concept.

c.potter@theday.com