Groton ― The Groton Utilities Commission voted 3-2 this week to cease discussions about allowing public access to watershed lands requested by the Tri Town Trail Association.

The association has been seeking the access as part of its proposed Tri Town Trail in Preston, Ledyard and Groton. Some segments of the trail are already in place, and the association is working to complete the overall plan for the trail through the three towns.

The Groton Utilities Commission said it was concluding its planning efforts due to the utility’s assessment “that determined the risks outweigh the potential benefits” and the costs of allowing public access “would include additional staffing, permitting, and security issues for an undetermined, unbudgeted amount,” according to the approved motion.

Consultant Weston & Sampson Engineers completed a November 2022 evaluation on behalf of the utility.

According to the study’s executive summary, the Tri Town Trail Association approached the commission in 2021 to ask that land to the north of Poheganut Reservoir be allowed for “public hiking access.” The request was for a pilot project that called for a half-mile “stretch of existing trail network be opened for public hiking between Route 117 and the Copp Property.”

“Groton Utilities has expressed numerous concerns regarding the sensitivity of its watershed lands and its primary need to provide a pure and adequate water supply,” the report said. “However, the state of Connecticut has long recognized the value of utility-owned watershed lands as recreational assets and has promulgated a variety of statutes and regulations regarding public access and recreational use.”

The report said that 11 of 26 water utilities in the state allow recreational access, while 14 do not, and one was unknown.

City of Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick, who chairs the Groton Utilities Commission, said Groton Utilities are stewards of the water.

He said Groton Utilities Director Ronald Gaudet and General Manager of Operations for Electric, Water and Wastewater Mark Biron took the position that they didn’t think it was the right answer to put the trail on sensitive reservoir property.

The two commissioners, who voted against the motion, George Scully and Jeff Godley, also said they wanted to protect the water, but wanted to continue discussions with the Tri Town Trail Association, Hedrick said.

Hedrick, Robert Zuliani and George Mathanool voted in favor of ending discussions.

Hedrick said that if the Tri Town Trail Association continues to do research and makes a new proposal, it can then discuss it with Groton Utilities. If Groton Utilities thinks it warrants commission involvement, the new plan would be put on a commission agenda for discussion.

He added that guided tours, with the Tri Town Trail Association accompanied by a Groton Utilities staff member, will continue.

Members of the Tri Town Trail Association recently discussed their plan at commission meetings.

In June, Thomas Olson, vice president of the association, reinforced the importance of water quality, and said the association is “not looking for unfettered access, but to establish a trail in a guided and controlled manner,” according to meeting minutes.

Karen Parkinson, president of the association, declined to comment this week on the commission’s vote, due to a “gentleman’s agreement“ to not make public comment about the discussions.

She said the Tri Town Trail Association is concentrating on getting to Route 214 using a state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection grant to the Town of Ledyard.

“Once that is determined, we can explore routes to Groton,” she said.

k.drelich@theday.com