COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE
DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2007
Members present: John Moran, A. Richard Miller, Karla Sangrey, Josh Ostroff
Alternate Members present: Peter Henry, Matt Daniels, Harry Newell
Advisors/visitors present: Jill Miller
Chair Karla Sangrey called the meeting to order at 7:08
1) Minutes of November 27th
Reviewed minutes from November 27, 2007; several spelling corrections and other language refinements were offered and accepted. On a motion by John Moran, seconded by Josh, the minutes were approved by a vote of 6 out of 6 eligible to vote, others abstained.
2) CSX update
A) Title search has been completed. The title report refers to the CSX title as a “marketable title” with 33 encumbrances. These encumbrances are fairly typical for railroad property such as this. Town Counsel will review the issue of these encumbrances. The report notes that the Commonwealth might own the railroad bridge over Route 9. A variety of questions were voiced. The question of ownership of the railroad spurs was raised (Wonder Bread Spur at Chrysler Rd, including spur branch, and to the Boston Scientific property); Were these spurs were not included in the title search? There were also
questions as to the tax status of the ROW now that they have removed rails and ties and whether the Town Assessors have considered the CSX tax status. There were also questions as to whether any of the 33 encumbrances would be negated if the Town owned the property, the status of a stone arch bridge over Lake Cochituate and about ownership of the railroad spur on the west side of the Chrysler Road development property. Existing easements could impact the use of the ROW as a utility run, such as for water pipes or fiber optic cable.
B) In early 2008, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an appraisal will be issued. Dick was interested in receiving a copy of the RFP electronically. Town Administrator Martha White is authorized to release the RFP once Town Counsel review of the title is complete.
C) Culvert repairs along the Right-of-Way (ROW) have not been completed. A CSX crew was expected to call Josh tomorrow (12/19/2007) with an update on their schedule and intentions. There are 4 issues Josh will pursue: 3 culverts and the repair of cross ties at the route 9 bridge.
3) Chrysler Road 40B proposal
A) Task Force members discussed the Chrysler Road 40B proposal. The Framingham rail trail committee apparently intended to ask the developer for mitigation but has not yet done so. Dick clarified that there are two projects by the same developer, one near completion and one before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The project may include an environmental notification form. There was discussion of having a CRT member present at the next ZBA meeting on 2/4/2008.
B) The CRT Task Force reviewed Sheet L1 prepared by Hawk Design, Inc. for the Chrysler Apartments dated December 17, 2007. There was some general discussion about the nature of the project (404 units) and that the developer has seemed supportive of the rail trail plan. Dick Miller obtained a copy of this plan at a recent meeting and suggested that we develop a “shopping list” of inputs such as berms, plantings, lighting, spur design and facilities near the proposed pool end of the complex. Karla asked whether the developer would develop the spurline if the Town owned the property. The discussion continued around issues
of traffic, a pedestrian walkway between the two developments (both by the same developer), bikeways connecting with Logan Express and the Mall, a trail through the wetland behind the cinemas and DCR concerns about building height and visibility. Dick said that Chrysler Road access to the State Park would not be something DCR would pursue until they can staff that entrance.
Several members voiced the idea that this would be an appropriate time to make ourselves available to the ZBA to support them and to help shape the process from our perspective. If we were to write a letter to the ZBA, it might take the form of “here is what we know, here is where our project stands, this is how we suggest you integrate the rail trail into this apartment complex project.” Josh suggests that we get in front of other Town boards as well. Josh also noted that the developer could endow a trail maintenance fund but not an operating fund. Karla reiterated our interest in protecting the ROW until such time as there is a trail.
4) The Project Need Form subcommittee is scheduled to meet next week (week of December 24-28, 2007). Josh was only member of that subcommittee present.
5) Outreach
A) Harry will email his comments about Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). He will email the appropriate group of recipients as a cc with a request for reply.
B) Karla proposed to shelve the discussion of the upcoming spring public meeting because we had spent so much time on the Chrysler Road issue.
6) The Conceptual Design/Community Input Key Questions were summarized in a handout. Josh recommends that we gather input from other committees on their key questions as that information will be potentially useful in the design process. The discussion turned to how to educate the public so that they are educated enough to make useful contributions to the design process. Discussion includes creating a model of the trail, possibly involving local students, creating internet material, inviting Craig Della Penna, the former New England representative for National Rails to Trails, to speak to the community, sponsoring a series of walks on the
trail, a Google Earth fly over of the property and evaluation of different trail surfaces.
7) Future meeting dates: Jan 16th, Feb 20, and March 19. Discussion of whether we should review schedule of other Town boards and send a representative to their meetings. Suggestion that we book a room for a public meeting perhaps May 7th or during Bike Week.
8) Other business
A) Town meeting warrant article to get CRT Task Force on the agenda to get the trail in front of the Fin Com
B) Christmas tree with condoms on it on CSX property near Cochituate bridge – discussion of who should clean it up and how the public would interpret the presence of such a tree.
9) John Moran motions to adjourn, seconded by Josh. Meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Matt Daniels and Karla Sangrey
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