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The people of Sudbury are not responsible for plowing the sidewalks outside their homes — that’s a task handled by the Department of Public Works these days. But such conveniences deprive hearty New Englanders of the opportunity to perform snow removal at municipal scale… all by themselves.
In what can only be described as a Budweiser “Real Men of Genius” commercial come to life, an unknown individual appears to have plowed significant lengths of Sudbury’s two rail trails following a recent snow storm.
Is it a feat of strength? An act of defiance? Or just a resident who misses summer afternoons perched upon a ride-on lawn mower with a cooler full of giggle juice, fully charged AirPods and an epic Guns N’ Roses playlist queued up?
As of the February 4 meeting of Sudbury’s Rail Trail Advisory Committee (RTAC), the motives remain unclear.
The facts, as established during the meeting, include the following:
- Somebody plowed portions of Sudbury’s two rails trails using some type of ATV according to comments during the meeting
- It appears the plowing occurred between Dutton Road and headed east along the Mass Central Rail Trail to the intersection with the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail at Chiswick Park, then plowed north to Hudson Road
- The random act of snow plowing was illegal
- It may have damaged portions of the Mass Central Rail Trail, which is still under construction
- It spoiled the party for snow shoeing and cross-country skiing enthusiasts
The discussion during the RTAC meeting was brief, but town staff made it clear that the goal was to assume best intentions, find the individual, and explain that this was an illegal and unsafe activity so that it doesn’t happen again.
One year ago local discussions about trail etiquette offered no hint that rogue snow removal would be an issue. But this now takes the #2 spot in the unofficial Sudbury Weekly rankings of “Rail Trail Shenanigans.” Use of retractable dog leashes and unintentionally clotheslining other trail users retains the top spot.
Town staff made it clear that the current intention for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail is to leave the snow during the winter, as that allows for winter activities like snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. Both are forms of more effortful, less convenient walking that often exclude adorable dogs because they don’t really make snow shoes or skis for dogs… yet.
