Berlin Conservation Commission Backs Grant Push for Highland Ridge Trail Bridge

BERLIN — January 21, 2026 — Berlin Conservation Commission backs letter of support for an $8,000 engineered trail bridge at Highland Ridge Woods. The commission voted unanimously Wednesday to have its administrator draft the letter backing Sudbury Valley Trustees' grant applications for a fiberglass-reinforced polymer stream crossing estimated at roughly $8,000 installed, to replace a temporary plank bridge placed by developers at the site. SVT representative Dan outlined several grant targets, including a Cabela's/Bass Pro Shops outdoor-impact fund of up to $5,000. Commissioners also grappled with repeat snowmobile trespassing at the 40 Caves conservation area, where trail cameras have captured riders tearing down posted signs, depositing brush and fireplace ash on wetland edges, and operating with minimal snow cover; the board tabled a proposed $135-per-unit barrier sign purchase and directed members to contact the police chief before escalating to the Environmental Police. The commission separately voted to authorize forester Gary to begin marking trees in Ball Hill Conservation Area under an existing work order expiring around March 3.