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COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE
MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 21, 2007
Members present: Martha White, Karla Sangrey, Dick Miller, Josh Ostroff, Jonathan
Gelchinsky, Dave Camacho
Alternate Members present: Peter Henry, John Adelmann
Advisors/visitors present: Martin Kessel, Jill Miller
Chair Josh Ostroff called the meeting to order at 7:07
1) Meeting Minutes for 1/3, 1/17, 1/31
For the minutes of the meeting on January 3rd, under item #4 it should say Karen instead
of Karla. On a motion by Martha, seconded by Dave, and approved by all, the minutes
were approved. Approval of the minutes of the meeting on January 17th was tabled to
March 21st. For the minutes of 1/31 (public meeting at the Library) Karen and Pat were
added to the list of attendees. On a motion by Martha, seconded by Peter, and approved
by all, the minutes were approved.
2) Abutter Outreach Update
1) As a result of our residential abutter outreach efforts we may have interested citizens
visiting tomorrow night and/or our next meeting. We emailed and phoned people. After
Thursday the 1st we will hopefully put together a report to be provided to the Selectmen.
2) Commercial abutters. Peter got photos of everyone’s signs that are direct abutters
and needs to transcribe the information. He will have it for next week. Josh passed out a
draft of the commercial abutter outreach process. It is more qualitative in nature while
asking what the issues and/or concerns are. It might be worthwhile to send a letter to
both the landowner and tenant/occupying business.
Dick asked for clarification on two points. The first is how are we measuring the level of
opposition? The second referenced the list of business. In order to capture some of his
knowledge, someone from the abutter subcommittee will work with Dick to go over the
database. For example, TJX and New England Sand and Gravel are primarily located in
Framingham but have property in Natick. We can speak with the Framingham committee
to coordinate our efforts.
3) Web site FAQ
Thanks to John for assembling our FAQ. The hope is to get it to the town webmaster by
tomorrow the 22nd for posting on our web site:
4) CSX Update
Martha reported that both sides are moving forward. At the March 5th Selectmen’s
meeting there will be a vote to acquire the 11 Mechanic Street property. Recently there
was a meeting in Leominster of communities engaged in negotiations with CSX. The Page 2 of 4
prevailing idea was that as a group we should write to the EOT (Executive Office of
Transportation), in order to piggyback on their negotiation efforts with CSX about adding
commuter rail service to Fall River and New Bedford. A letter was put together by
Andrea Freeman, Director of the Putman Conservation Institute, part of The Trustees of
Due to a potential breakthrough in their negotiations with CSX, representatives from
Holliston asked to delay having the letter sent. Holliston is negotiating to purchase a
ROW outright and CSX has recently agreed to utilize a third party appraiser.
Dick asked about poor environmental readings at the Mechanic Street property. Martha
explained that they take an average of the readings and this average now indicates that
there are no environmental issues present. We don’t know any information about when
CSX intends to remove the rails and ties. Karla circled back with abutter concerns about
litter and safety.
5) Selectmen Update
Charles Planck, Member at large, has been unable to make task force meetings. Josh
called him regarding his status and he agreed to step aside. Also, Fred Witte had to resign
from the task force as he is now the Town Comptroller. The Recreation and Parks
Department will send over a new representative. For the task force as a whole, the goal is
gain the Board of Selectmen’s approval to continue its work until the end of June 2008.
This extension will incorporate the task force in the normal cycle of when other town
committees expire.
6) Environmental, Legal, Appraisal Update
Martha reported that the title work is moving forward. The environmental work,
however, is in a holding pattern and there has been no need for legal work yet. Work on
an appraisal is waiting upon developments in Holliston’s negotiations with CSX (see item
#4).
We are nowhere near to commissioning a survey of the ROW. The survey cost will
likely be in the tens of thousands of dollars. While the survey is being conducted, we can
do topography measurements at one foot contours. It’s clear that over the years abutters
have encroached on the ROW, however, per Craig Della Penna adverse possession
against a railroad doesn’t exist. The key point is that you need to know what you own
before you mitigate. With Val maps laid onto the GIS database, we will be close to what
Natick has—one foot GIS contouring. Per Craig, we therefore may have enough data for
a conceptual study.
7) Craig Della Penna Presentation and Discussion
• Personal history. Craig is an author, railroad historian, and advocate (Rails to
Trails Conservancy).
• 1915 was the high point of the railroad network in Southern New England.
• There are 14,000 miles of rail trails open nationally. Two thirds are not paved.
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• There is no large-scale signature project in the Commonwealth. Massachusetts
has over 60 trails underway. The Mass Central Rail Trail could have been that
project.
• A large railroad trestle bridge was torn down in Clinton while other states keep
these large structures.
• In 2002 the Rail Trail, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Caucus was formed in the state
legislature. The Caucus still exists but doesn’t meet as much as it used to.
• Organizations which may become part of a Friends of the Rail Trail organization:
o MassHighway
o Railfans
o Rotary clubs
o Regional magazines
o Garden clubs
o Birding clubs
• Don’t reference the project as a “bike path”. Use the term “rail trail”.
• A common misconception is the amount of crime that occurs on a rail trail. Per
Craig we can contact Captain Mike Wall of the Northhampton Police (413) 587-
1112 to answer any questions we may have.
• If there isn’t a land trust here, we can form one. One example is the Central
• Massachusetts was one of the last places to employ Railbanking.
• Sponsorships have a high utilitarian value.
• www.trailcam.org provides a link to a model for predicating the number of trail
users.
• Typically if you have over 10,000 car trips per day you will need a separated
crossing.
There is a rail trail similar to the CRT in Dover, NH. The first section is paved with
lights before changing to a soft surface. Josh asked if it’s possible to have lighting that
doesn’t disturb neighbors. Craig said this is possible with strategic positioning and by
using shades.
Josh asked if there are any rail trails near Military installations? Craig mentioned that
there are several which go through or near military installations. The
Funding for a Rail Trail is part of the transportation delivery process. A typical
allocation is 80% federal, 10% local, and 10% state dollars. It is very difficult to get
through the MAPC process. The quickest rail trail was 6 years in development. Funding
is allocated differently in Massachusetts versus other states. Here rail trail funding is
lumped in with bridge repair and road improvements dollars. Craig had two suggestions:
1) Get a Congressman to set an earmark.
2) Utilize smaller pots of money through grassroots efforts.
Josh asked if Craig noticed anything that we’re missing. Craig commented that we
would be further along if CSX was long gone. A Friends group should only be started
once control of the corridor is obtained. He perceived a disconnect with environmental
issues with CSX and asking a Friends group to do activities on the ROW. Martha asked
if our focus should be on abutters, especially while working on acquisition? Craig agreed.
After CSX has removed the rails, Craig’s suggestion is to add to the Town ordinances the
outlawing of ATV riding on the ROW. Joshed asked how is this enforceable on private
property? Documentation needs to be reviewed to answer this question.
8) Spring Town Meeting Articles
There are good and bad reasons to put placeholders for CRT-related activities in the
upcoming Town Meeting. Josh told the Board of Selectmen that on March 5th we will
come back with our warrant requirements for Spring Town Meeting—for any level of
appropriation.
9) Other Business
On Saturday, March 3rd, the town annual pancake breakfast will be held. Many
organizations set up tables to disseminate information. Dick asked if our task force
should have a presence? Josh said that he is comfortable putting together a small info
sheet for distribution plus a signup sheet for those interested in receiving more
information. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee and Open Space Committee will
have tables there.
Josh asked what is a reasonable sum is for a conceptual design? Craig suggested
contacting the regional planning or architecture school in order to get a basis for a price.
Also, it should be useful to review the study performed by Cathy Lewis of the CTPS
(Central Transportation Planning Staff).
For our request for conceptual design funding it may be helpful to specify a ceiling of
$75,000, perhaps less. A possible range for conceptual design authorization would span
from $40,000 to $60,000. Also, we will be adding Framingham into the equation.
Only a small amount of available funds have been appropriated with fewer being
expended.
Members of the Framingham committee will be invited to the next meeting. Dick met
with Scott Walker of the MAPC. He is retiring and has been a good resource.
Motion to end the meeting at 9:40.
Respectfully submitted by David Camacho
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