Trails advisory committee elects new chair as longtime leader signals departure

The Norwood Trails Advisory Committee voted by voice to approve a new leadership slate after Chair Joe Greeley told members he plans to step away from the chair role.

"I have given my notice to the town," the chair said during succession planning discussions, prompting committee members to propose dividing his responsibilities across multiple roles rather than finding a single replacement. Committee members described the slate as splitting tasks among meeting facilitation, town liaison duties and operations management to ensure continuity.

During the Nov. 18 meeting the committee formally moved a slate that would make Chris Paddock chair (agenda and meeting facilitation), retain Lee Leach as the town liaison and designate Joe Greeley as operations manager, leaving the clerk position to be filled. The motion was carried by voice vote; the chair declared, "the ayes have it." The transcript records multiple members responding vocally (several 'aye' responses were audible), but no formal roll-call tally was recorded.

Members said they will shape a brief handover and distribute routine duties (agenda setting, town liaisons, volunteer coordination and maintenance oversight) so Greeley can remain available to advise without holding the full chair responsibilities. Several members volunteered to assume pieces of the work, with Lee and others offering to continue liaison and maintenance coordination.

Committee members noted the transition is intended to preserve the group's momentum as it moves into implementation steps for the comprehensive plan and as the town proceeds with a recently approved property purchase discussed separately at the meeting.