COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE
MINUTES OF MEETING
JULY 10, 2007
Members present: David Camacho, Karla Sangrey, Karen Patterson Greene, Adrienne Spelker,
Dick Miller, John Moran, Joshua Ostroff
Alternate Members present: Peter Henry, John Adelmann
Advisors/visitors present: Jill Miller
Chair Josh Ostroff called the meeting to order at 7:05
1) Approve minutes for 6/6
There was one correction to the draft minutes for the 6/6 task force meeting—Adrienne attended
a portion of the meeting. On a motion by Peter, seconded by Adrienne and approved by all, the
minutes were approved.
2) CSX negotiation update
At the 7/9 Board of Selectmen meeting the initial CSX valuation for the ROW came in at 14.5
million dollars. The BOS agreed to hire their own appraiser. Adrienne asked about how the
valuation was reached. The two rationales used to generate the appraisal are an “across the
fence” methodology based on comparable land values for abutting properties, and a “corridor
factor” based on the value of a contiguous parcel. Josh indicated that he would contact Holliston
to get a copy of their RFP for appraisal.
Josh stated that he will suggest that several task force members serve in advisory roles to the
Acting Town Administrator. The Board didn’t want to go ahead with title and environmental
work at this time, in order to focus on the appraisal.
3) Abutter report and outreach
At the 7/9 meeting of the BOS Josh went through the Draft Abutter Report. We have a need to
provide Board members with a greater comfort level with our materials. For example, someone
wanted to know the responses of Natick Labs and Boston Scientific employees who lived in
Natick versus those of total employees. Josh plans to make some other small changes and
provide it in August.
Our abutter outreach efforts that began in December didn’t take into account recent
happenings—CSX’s removal of the rails and ties and the possibility of a minibus/mass transit
sharing the trail. Similarly our commercial questionnaires don’t represent information gleaned
during our residential abutter meeting.
4) Rails and ties removal - 7/12 ConComm meeting
An RDA (Request for Determination of Applicability) must be approved by the Conservation
Commission before the CSX contractor can begin removing the rails and ties. Two conditions
likely to be incorporated in the RDA specify that the contractor should not damage the ROW
bridge over Route 9 or negatively affect Cochituate State Park. Adrienne commented that at a
recent ConComm meeting there were two bidders present. Although these contractors bring in
heavy equipment, they also bring a great deal of experience.
5) Four month work plan
This discussion was deferred
6) Transit option discussion
Ed Carr is the initial director of a new agency, the Metrowest RTA (Regional Transit Authority)
while Josh Lehman is from the EOT (Executive Office of Transportation). Josh Ostroff spoke
with 3 of 4 other members of the BOS, and all are interested in getting more information about
this option. As Natick just joined the RTA, the town may have more money to direct towards
projects.
Josh Ostroff’s sense was that if we come back in a couple of months and show that a multiuse
design incorporating transit for a potential CRT was advantageous it would be considered. Josh
also mentioned that it would be useful for this task force to be on the agenda of committees who
have sent representatives.
Josh provided some background information on the bus concept. Transportation is a central
issue which touches many other topics in town—seniors, development, traffic, etc. Recently the
possibility of developing a potential CRT to incorporate both recreational and limited mass
transit use was introduced. Examples of this shared trail concept include a microbus with trail in
Essen, Germany and another, the Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit Tram-Trail, in
planning for the city of Travelers Rest, South Carolina.
As a task force we have to ask if it is practical to fully research this design. Do we do outreach
and then see if it would work? Or do we do the reverse? Karen asked if we can we call upon
Cathy Lewis for guidance? Josh agreed and stated that it would be helpful to know as soon as
possible if the shared trail concept is feasible along the CRT ROW. Josh’s proposal was that we
go through a process to determine whether it is technically feasible and/or cost effective based
upon new sources of funding gained.
John Moran mentioned that in order to maintain our credibility with abutters we should keep the
multi-use option as a separate issue. Dick advocated working in smaller, longer term steps. First
you start with an undeveloped trail, and later pave it if circumstances warrant it.
There was discussion that the investigation of the multi-use option was not clearly part of the
original charge of the task force as well as the concern that the task force is only in place until
November 1, 2007 with an uncertain future and limited time to accomplish goals.
The consensus of the majority was to defer investigation of the multi-use option at this time. A
vote was taken with six opposed to working on the shared-use concept and two in favor.
7) Task Force leadership
Josh has planned to step down as Chair of the CRT Task Force at our August 7th meeting. He
felt that the task force will have more credibility if there is a clearer separation between the task Page 3 of 3
force leadership and his membership on the Board of Selectmen, and that it was important to
develop new leadership for this long term project.
Josh wanted the Task Force to make progress but establish realistic expectations. John
commented that the CRT has a life outside of the task force, notably for real estate development.
8) Community update
Karla and Karen will work on the task force newsletter. We need to send something to people
who indicated an interest in receiving more information. The newsletter could be produced by
Natick Days and Karla will do an outline for the 6th.
9) Natick Days Saturday 9/8
The CRT task force will be represented at the upcoming Natick Days on Saturday, September 8th.
Karen will be the coordinator and anyone interested in volunteering some time to staff our table
10) Trail visits
Dick will coordinate with anyone who expresses an interest in visiting other trails.
11) Mass Central Trail event 7/26, Northampton
Craig Della Penna has invited anyone interested to participate in the spring/summer meeting of
the Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways which will be held on Thursday, July 26th.
There will be a walking and biking tour of the trails at 3:00pm, and an evening meeting/lecture
(5:00pm) followed by a no-cost dinner. Dick will be attending.
12) Moving Together conference, 10/17 Boston
The 2007 Moving Together conference will be held October 17th at the Marriott Boston
Courtyard Hotel in Boston. Join people from across the Commonwealth working to improve
bicycling and walking conditions locally, regionally, and statewide. Participate in workshops on
current issues and initiatives. Discuss shared experiences and strategies. Conference sponsors
include the U.S. Department of Transportation, Massachusetts Executive Office of
Transportation, Mass Highway, and DCR.
13) Other business
On a motion by John Adelmann, seconded by Dave Camacho, and approved by all the meeting
was ended at 9:15.
Respectfully submitted by David Camacho
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