LONDONDERRY — When it comes to a proposed public nature trail winding through their subdivision, a number of Mill Pond Crossings residents are saying, “not in my back yard.”

During Wednesday night's Planning Board meeting, the board held a public discussion, at residents' request, on the possible relocation or elimination of the previously approved (though yet to be constructed) walking trail, part of the neighborhood's approved site plan.

Six of the neighborhood's residents sat in the audience during the meeting.

Located near Interstate 93 and Route 28, the residential neighborhood is made up of large, Colonial-style homes set on spacious, wooded lots.

Residents Mike Patterson and Paul Silva told the board the topic was initially brought before them during a neighborhood association meeting, and the neighbors plan to petition the town to remove or, better yet, relocate the public trail.

Silva, one of the site's original residents, said no mention of trails was made to him when he was buying his home.

He said his main objections to the trails is they would abut the back of his property and the plan's definition of “trail” is vague.

“We don't know what this trail entails: Will it be paved? Will there be snowmobiles buzzing by our house?” Silva said. “There's the chance that the outside world would use this, then you've got (strangers) in your back yard.”

“Our concern is safety and security,” Patterson added. “And the residents see a lot of downsides. With a connection to Old Derry Road, or hunters coming by … this would open up access to our homes and this could be negative.”

Board Chairman Art Rugg said the question of whether to create a trail is hardly unfamiliar territory for the town's planning department.

Several years ago, trail plans were ultimately removed from the Tanager Way subdivision at the urging of residents following a lengthy public hearing process.

“It's like I'm in a time machine,” board member Tom Freda said. “We've dealt with the exact same thing.”

Freda said the Tanager Way residents, like the residents of Mill Pond, were unaware of the trail plans when they bought their homes.

However, as Town Planner Cynthia May noted, the site's original plans on file, dating to 1999, include mention of the trails. May said it's very possible the homeowners saw a different version of those plans.

Community Development Director Andre Garron said its unclear at this point whether the town's recreation or conservation departments held a property easement with the neighborhood's developer. He said he's unaware of any immediate plans to clear a trail.

Rugg advised the Mill Pond residents to submit a formal request in writing, with a public hearing involving residents, the developer and town officials to follow.

“There's a process we have to follow,” he said.

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April Guilmet may be reached at AGuilmet@newstote.com.