Dog walkers, mountain bikers and joggers who frequent the Hampden Meadows Greenbelt path may have noticed some changes to the landscape recently.

The town, working with a private contractor, cleared out bushes and trees that had lined the wooded path that runs between Linden Road and Kent Street. Barrington Department of Public Works Director Alan Corvi said the work was mandated — there is a sewer easement that runs parallel to the path and Environmental Protection Agency requires that it is accessible and kept clear.

"We want to keep that path open," said Mr. Corvi. "We want to keep it open for the people who want to walk their dogs along the path."

The DPW director said the path had last been cleared back about 11 years ago, but had, over the years, started to fill in with brush and trees. The town hired Northeast Tree to lead the clearing effort; so far about half the trail has been cut back. Mr. Corvi said he expects the rest of the path to be cleared back by mid-August. 

"It's going to look nice," he said. "When the work is done, we will re-establish the chain gate."

Officials from the fire department also prefer to have the path cleared back a bit, as it allows them better access to the woods in the case of a brush fire.