The Times Union reports that the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association is working on a proposal for a new section of the trail linking the village of Philmont to the town of Ghent and Chatham village. Phil Meeks, association board chair, said, “We are thrilled to be taking the next step in the expansion of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.... This new eight-mile section will dramatically increase the trail’s footprint and bring it to central and northern Columbia County for the first time.” In Chatham, the trail will be near the planned new Shaker Museum. Right now the Harlem Valley Rail Trail is 26 paved miles long from the Metro-North Railroad station in Wassaic to Copake. The plan is for a 46-mile trail from Wassaic to Chatham following the path of the onetime New York and Harlem Railroad. Read more about this story in the Times Union.