Vandalism said to increase along rail trail

BY MATT PILON STAFF WRITER

Originally published on August 16, 2006

EASTHAMPTON -- Members of the Firefighter's Association have been

busy this summer dealing with vandalism on the Manhan Rail Trail.

Firefighters arrived to work Thursday to find flowerpots dumped out and

the flowers uprooted on their adopted section of the trail across the street

from the Public Safety Complex on Payson Avenue. Broken glass littered

the stones by the mural and someone had kicked over a three-foot statue

commemorating the trail.

''Lately we've noticed a serious increase in the vandalism, said firefighter

William Trohon. ''It's getting more and more severe.''

Trohon said several firefighters go out to mow the grass, pick up litter,

water the flowers, and empty the garbage as a part of their daily chores.

''I know the guys who put the effort into it spent a few hours out there

making it look good again,'' he said of Thursday's incident.

Trohon said that some firefighters come in on their day off to tidy up on

the trail.

The cleanup Thursday involved picking up glass shards out of the rocks

and replanting salvageable flowers into new soil. Some of them may not

make it, Trohon said.

''It's bad enough we have to deal with the heat and the lack of rain, then

we have to come in and deal with senseless vandalism,'' he said. ''It's

important that the community understand there's so much work that goes

into keeping the trail the way it is.''

The police have stepped up their regular golf cart and bicycle patrols of

the trail, Chief Bruce McMahon said.

But it can be difficult to be everywhere at once. Vandals don't always

linger.

''Sometimes they're only out there for a minute or two,'' McMahon said.

''Vandalism seems to be a part of our summer.''

On Tuesday, an officer discovered fresh graffiti on a Ward Avenue

building along the trail.

McMahon could not recall the number of rail trail vandalism incidents

offhand, but said that there were at least several.

Manhan Rail Trail Committee member Wendy Hamerlle said that she had

only heard of a few occurances of vandalism on the trail, but praised the

Firefighter's Association for their work.

''I think they're doing an excellent job and we really appreciate all their

help,'' she said.

If vandals continue to inflict costly damage, Trohon said the Firefighter's

Association may be forced to drop their adoption because its members

won't have time to keep up with the maintenance.

''We obviously can't continue on this way,'' he said. ''It's either going to

require more police coverage of the trail during late hours or maybe some

video cameras.''

Despite the troubles, Trohan said he and his fellow firefighters still enjoy

caring for their section of the trail.

''It's rewarding just to see it look nice,'' he said.

People walking or biking on the trail often call out a ''thank you' to the

firefighters for their work.

''That's the reward we get,'' he said.