COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE
DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING
May 15, 2008
Members present: Karla Sangrey, Josh Ostroff, A. Richard Miller, Tony Lista, Karen Patterson Greene
Alternate Members present: Peter Henry, Matt Daniels, Harry Newell
Advisors/visitors present: none
Chair Karla Sangrey called the meeting to order at 7:07.
1) Minutes of April 16th
Reviewed the minutes from April 16, 2008; several spelling corrections and other language refinements were offered and accepted. Minutes were approved unanimously (6-0-2).
2) CSX Update
a. Request for Quotation: The Request for Quotation (RFQ) for an appraisal was issued, but no bids were received by the deadline set by the Selectmen. The RFQ was reissued with a new deadline.
b. Rail Banking: The Board of Selectman (BOS) approved a 180-day extension to the rail banking agreement.
c. Repairs: Repairs to the culvert and Route 9 bridge are still planned but not been undertaken by CSX.
d. Aerial Photographs: Three aerial photo maps provided by CSX were passed around the table. The photographs have been marked with the starting and ending locations for the CSX abandonment and seem to clarify that the abandonment starts at the main line and not farther up the Saxonville Branch.
3) Warrant Article Report
On Thursday, May 1, 2008, the Warrant Article was presented at Town Meeting. Karla was sick that day, and Josh presented the article.
4) Outreach
a. May 28th Meeting – The Public Meeting had been postponed from May 8th to May 28th due to the Town Meeting schedule. The meeting format was reviewed with times tentatively assigned to each part: Intro (5), Craig Della Pena (20), Dan Driscoll (10), Framingham CRT (10), Natick CRT (15), Panel Question and Answer (60). We reviewed and commented on slides prepared by Karla. Josh outlined other components of the meeting and tasks to be completed: publicity, refreshments, audio/visual equipment, greeters, easels, projectors, maps, etc. Josh has flyers for
distribution, and Karen volunteers to distribute flyers to the Morse Institute (library). Postcards were to be sent to all those community members that had previously been invited to the abutters’ meeting. Dick suggests that local businesses such as Cognex, and Mathworks, be included in the direct mailing as well.
b. FAQ – The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the web page is still being revised.
5) Other Regional Issues
Dick reports that CSX and the Town of Sudbury are close to an agreement. The Framingham CRT project is moving along quickly with a long term lease close to being finalized. Framingham is working with an unpaved concept. Dick offers to guide a tour of local trails such as the Wellesley Aqueduct Trail.
6) Meeting Dates - June 17th was confirmed as the next meeting date. The meeting time was proposed as 6:00 p.m., an hour earlier than usual. The early time would allow members to attend the 7-9 p.m. Lake Cochituate meeting.
7) Other Business – The West Falmouth rail trail is going forward. The Natick CRT Task force is up for reappointment in July. Josh will ask the BOS to allow liaisons instead of representatives from other committees in Town. The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Matt Daniels and Karla Sangrey
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