COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE
MINUTES OF MEETING
SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
Members present: David Camacho, Karla Sangrey, Josh Ostroff, Dick Miller, Karen Patterson Greene, Jon Gelchinsky
Alternate Members present: John Adelmann, Harry Newell
Advisors/visitors present: Jill Miller, Anne Lusk (Harvard School of Public Health), Cathy Lewis (Central Transportation Planning Staff), Patrick Reffett (Community Development Director)
Chair Karla Sangrey called the meeting to order at 7:35
1) Minutes of August 7
Changes made to the minutes of August 7 included:
· Page 1, item #4, clarified the second paragraph to show that for the office of Task Force Chair Josh nominated Karla with Karen seconding the motion. Also Dick nominated John Moran with Karla seconding the motion.
· Page 2, item #5, clarified the second paragraph to state that the owner of the 323 Speen street property (Long’s Jewelers building) has agreed in principle to allow the use of the property to directly connect the end of a potential CRT with the future crosswalk across Speen Street.
· Page 2, item #6 was modified to state that a CRT “could be a feeder, with a street connection in Framingham”.
· Page 2, item #7 The second line of the second paragraph was changed to read that “it is understood that the title may not be clear”. In the next sentence the word “our” was deleted from the phrase “our first monies to be expended”.
· Page 3, item #8, section a, inserted the word proposed to read “South Carolina’s proposed guided microbus”.
· Inserted the word “mass” in front of transit throughout the minutes.
· Incorporated page numbers into the document.
· Page 4, item #11, changed the sentence to read that the newsletter might be going out with tax bills.
On a motion from Dave, seconded by Karen, and agreed upon by all, the edited minutes were accepted.
2) Report on Natick Days event Sept 8
Karen reported positive impressions from the event. Dick felt that the grouping of tables with the Natick Bike Committee was effective. No negative comments were heard. People asked when it would be a reality. Our location wasn’t ideal but there was some good traffic.
Dick talked about a possible presence at the upcoming REI open house/sale day in Framingham. Lower traffic than Natick Days but good for outreach. It was decided to make outreach an ongoing item for discussion.
3) Alternative transit/multi-use option for ROW
· Patrick Reffett, Community Development Director
Josh gave some background information on this option, which is a possible method of getting additional funding.
Pat gathered technical information from Josh Lehman of the EOT (Executive Office of Transportation). He also looked at ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers) standards criteria. A shared right of way hasn’t been done in this state and the MBTA is very protective of their ROW. To work effectively with them you must follow the standards they employ. Cathy Lewis related that establishing the bikes on transit concept was difficult and took 15 years.
Pat looked at what the ROW would need to be acceptable for the mass transit option. Clearance for a maintenance vehicle would be needed. A ten foot path on both sides of the trail would be needed. A ten foot path is acceptable, while twelve feet is preferable from a design and usability perspective.
The next step after research was taking measurements at pinch points along the ROW. The ROW is very nonuniform. At certain points the mass transit option would only be possible with extraordinary engineering and construction. Flattening or building up would be required. Pat doesn’t see it as realistic to be able to convince funding agencies that it would be a viable project.
· Anne Lusk, Harvard School of Public Health
Anne designed and built the path in Stow, VT and understands how people perceive space.
She stated that innovation is important as communities are getting funding for being innovative. For example, it is possible to go along a trail, then along the street, then along a trail again. Similarly, a trail in New Orleans has grass underneath it. Cycle tracks are growing in popularity. The Netherlands and Denmark have them and New York City is putting one in along 9th Avenue.
Anne is frustrated with the lack of progress and initiative in Massachusetts. Her recommendation is to get as many high profile designers as possible to draw their impression of the ROW. She doesn’t think we have to forgo ASHTO if the multi-use option is built. Anne also suggested holding a design competition. Josh asked if the design competition replaces our existing design process. Anne said you do both. Harry commented that there are many residential abutters. Some may feel that we did a bait and switch. Lastly, Anne suggested getting the press involved.
· Discuss next steps
Pat felt we need to focus on the ROW. Also, we need to respond to the BOS with regard to multi use as best as we can. Alternatives are designing a rail for users to go on and off the street, or building a cantilevered deck. The recommendation should be succinct and indicate that as is the ROW cannot accommodate a multi-transit option.
Josh moved to authorize chair to send BOS a memo that reflects this meeting’s learning. If demand for regional transit develops, the town may consider it in the future. To reflect on our initial charge and due to physical constraints we will focus on design and development focus on non- motorized usage.
4) CSX update
· Title search
The town has retained a law firm to perform the title search. It should be ready in a few days.
· RFP for appraisal
The RFP for appraisal is waiting on completion of the title search. Hopefully the RFP will be complete in a couple of weeks.
· ROW barricades.
These are nearly complete. After the rails and ties are removed, CSX comes to do an inspection. There are limits on what the town can do. Right now there are still rail ties and some metal rail fragments remaining.
CSX will have people out in November to fix and maintain culverts with a special focus on Route 9. The CSX security chief met with the town’s Police Chief and traffic officer.
5) Task Force Term and Mission
Pat recommended that we write a letter to the BOS saying that we will be pursuing an extension. Karen and Karla will meet with Martha White on Monday, 10/1. For the BOS meeting of 10/29, we need to have it by this Thursday, 9/27.
6) Draft abutter report
Final edits for the draft abutter report were discussed. For example a disclaimer will be added to clarify that the abutter research was performed before the mass transit option was first discussed.
Also, it will be specified that a higher level of support for a trail was present in Army Labs and Boston Scientific employees who live in Natick than those who don’t. Lastly, the verbatim responses will be quantified.
On a motion by Karla, seconded by Jon, and unanimously approved, Josh will take the draft abutter report, make the proposed changes and present it to the BOS.
7) 2007 moving together conference October 17th in Boston
This is a very large and effective networking event. Let Karla know if you register or are registered. Spaces are filling up.
8) CRT work day Sept 29th
The Framingham committee will be performing work on the Framingham portion of the ROW. It would be nice to support businesses that are sponsors such as Whole Foods and REI.
9) Future meeting dates
Wednesday Oct 24th, 7:00.
10) Other Business
The crossing over Speen Street is in place. The solution implemented was dyed asphalt.
Development should eventually take place at the self storage facility.
On a motion by Karla, seconded by Josh, and agreed upon by all, the meeting was ended at 9:10.
Respectfully submitted by David Camacho.
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