UPDATE: Hurley, N.Y. Town Board members are taking urgent steps to improve dog waste management along the rail trails after discovering a lack of formal protocols for cleaning disposal stations. During a meeting on November 25, 2023, Hurley Rail Trail Committee Chairman Ralph Durham highlighted the pressing need for action after receiving complaints about overflowing dog waste receptacles.
“I received a call from the town a month ago… that the doggie pots along the rail trail were in pretty bad shape,” Durham reported. He took it upon himself to assess the situation, finding several stations full and in dire need of attention. “I started walking the trail and driving to each location, and they were pretty full,” he explained. Durham personally cleared out the waste, but the absence of a systematic approach for ongoing maintenance and supply management has left the town’s commitment in question.
Currently, the responsibility for restocking waste bags and maintaining receptacles has fallen to volunteers without formal oversight, a system that has proven insufficient. The need for a new receptacle has been identified, but again, no one has been assigned to ensure its upkeep. “Knowing that I’m now doing this… I sent emails around to my committee asking for participation and to see if I could set up a schedule,” Durham said, expressing frustration over the lack of support. Many committee members have voiced dissent, suggesting that maintaining these stations should not fall under the purview of the Hurley Rail Trail Committee.
Officials, including Town Supervisor Michael Boms, emphasized that the upkeep of the trail is governed by regulations established in 1996, which were meant to cover the use of the Hurley-Marbletown Linear Park, a precursor to the current rail trail. “The only reason we haven’t done it in the past was we’ve never been asked to do it,” Boms stated. He has previously instructed maintenance workers to handle such tasks, only to be informed that the Rail Trail Committee was responsible.
The O&W Rail Trail, which spans a total of 18 miles, features a network of trails that follows historic railway routes. The Hurley section alone covers 3 miles adjacent to state Route 209, contributing significantly to local recreational opportunities.
As the situation develops, the Town Board is expected to formalize protocols for managing dog waste disposal, ensuring that the rail trails remain clean and accessible for residents and visitors alike. The community is urged to watch for further announcements regarding new maintenance strategies and volunteer opportunities.
NEXT STEPS: Residents are encouraged to engage with the Town Board and provide feedback on proposed solutions. A community meeting may soon be announced to discuss the way forward in maintaining the Hurley rail trails effectively.
Stay tuned for more updates on this pressing issue affecting the Hurley community.
