COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE
MINUTES OF MEETING
MARCH 21, 2007
Members present: Karla Sangrey, Dick Miller, Josh Ostroff, Dave Camacho, Karen Patterson Greene,
John Griffith (new appointee from Recreation & Parks Department)
Alternate Members present: John Adelmann, Peter Henry
Advisors/visitors present: Jill Miller, Ron Ordway, Andrew Peace, Lily Pollans (Framingham Planning
and Urban Development). Framingham Committee Members: Mark Lamkin, John Brennan, Paul Jasper,
Mary Beth Murphy, George Dixon, Tom Branham, Robert Smoko.
Chair Josh Ostroff called the meeting to order at 7:05
1) Meeting Minutes for 1/17, 2/21
On a motion by Peter, seconded by Dave, and approved by all, the Minutes for 1/17 were approved.
Comments and approval of minutes for 2/21 were tabled until the next meeting April 18th.
2) Board of Selectmen Update
The term of the Rail Trail Task Force was set to expire on April 1st. At their meeting on 3/5, the Board
of Selectmen voted to extend the term of the task force to Nov 1st. Some could perceive Karla and Peter
as each having a conflict of interest—Karla due to her home being in close proximity to the potential rail
trail and Peter as the owner of a bicycle shop in Natick. Charlie Hughes, Chair of the Board of
Selectmen, signed a form to be filed with state ethics commission stating that the appointing authority
(BOS) had determined that there was no significant conflict. A copy of the form is available from the
secretary of the Board of Selectmen.
3) Spring Town Meeting update/Conceptual Design Study
Josh reported that we have sample reports from multiple design firms. The conceptual design should be
funded by the mall mitigation account, approved by Town Meeting, and will likely cost thirty to forty
thousand dollars.
Josh went to the March 6th meeting of the Finance Committee. His purpose was to provide general
information about the potential rail trail rather than asking for funding approval. The Planning Board
gave enthusiastic approval. There was a split vote among the Board of Selectmen but it was approved.
The Finance Committee voted last night by 12-1 for approval. If we need to utilize a bid process/RFP
there will be an opportunity for task force members to be involved.
Dick asked if the design would be ready for Fall Town Meeting. Josh didn’t anticipate that there would
be adequate time, or a defined need to prepare an article for Fall Town Meeting.
Tom of the Framingham Cochituate Rail Trail Committee, emphasized his desire that the overall design
of the CRT be consistent to provide a seamless transition, aesthetically, between the two trails. He
provided the example of the recent renovation of the Danforth Bridge and new kiosk and signage.
Design elements would be similar, for example, between the Saxonville area and downtown Natick.
Karla added that signage should be consistent. Mark Lamkin said they don’t really have a concrete
design at this point.
We could write into our RFP that our consultant would have to coordinate with Framingham’s
consultant. With regard to the mall provided funds– it’s not clear if they can be spent in both Natick and
Framingham.
4) Abutter outreach update
The Abutter subcommittee needs to meet to finish the abutter report. We have a commitment to do
commercial abutter outreach over as short a time period as we can. The report should be targeted for
completion in May. Peter, Karla, and John Moran are the current subcommittee members. Dave
Camacho and John Adelmann volunteered to help with making calls and visiting businesses.
5) Timing/budget issues through Fall 2007
In response to the concerns of the Finance Committee, a plan detailing our expenditures against our
goals was created. Josh distributed draft copies of the process flowchart and review items, with dollar
symbols indicating where monies are expended. Peter commented that it would be useful to show task
dependencies in the process flowchart.
Josh will ask Martha to check with Lee Chastain of CSX about their plans to remove the rails and ties.
6) Community Update
Karen Patterson Greene volunteered to create our Task Force newsletter. The newsletter will be a
summary of our activities without a positive or negative bias toward a potential CRT. It could be mailed
in June with tax bills as well as posted on our web site. The goal would be to publish subsequent issues
on a periodic basis. Framingham CRT offered it’s newsletter as an example for information and layout
ideas.
7) April-June meeting schedule
April 18th, May 16th, and June 6th are dates for the next meetings of
the full Task Force.
8) Member disclosure issue
See agenda item #2
9) Joint meeting with Framingham CRT Committee
a) Introductions
b) TIP process for Natick and Framingham
Lily Pollans, Framingham Planner, just filed for the state TIP (Transportation Improvement
Program). She worked with Martha to answer a list of follow up questions given to Natick and
Framingham and sent back responses last week. The project notification form will get us a
project number, a key step. Once a project number is given, any money spent by the Town/CRT
on the trail will count towards the 10% match required. April is the next meeting of the Boston
MPO to review potential projects for the TIP.
It is unclear when a decision will be made. They are primarily looking for projects that are
closer to “go”, in essence those that have a design ready. Lily’s expectation was that the project
will get programmed in year 2 or 3. Since Framingham is close to being ready it should help pull
Natick along. Lily spoke with Kathy Bartolini (Framingham Planning) about the differing level
of completeness between the two trails and Kathy thought it was okay.
For construction estimates a cost of one million dollars per mile was used, with that figure
obtained from Mass Highway. A few years ago the figure was 750K a mile. The one million
dollar estimate represents a fully paved trail built out according to Mass Highway standards.
Josh asked if bridges were included in the one million dollar figure—the consensus from the
Framingham contingent was that bridges were incorporated into the figure.
c) Friends of the CRT group
Mark Lamkin said they don’t have separate Friends meetings. As a result, they have people that
come to their meetings thinking that they are coming to a Friends gathering rather than a
procedural/business meeting. In Framingham they have signs that indicate parts of trail and
committee members go to public meetings that advocate the trail.
Karla said the advice from Craig Della Penna suggested that a Friends group should be formed
after control of the corridor is achieved. Josh commented that people are free to do as they wish
but the optimal time for a Friends group would be if and when the town has control of the ROW.
As Chair he would not encourage task force members to join a Friends group when they were
appointed by the Selectmen to keep an open mind. On the other hand interested citizens are free
to form a Friends or an opposition group.
d) Bicycle/pedestrian facilities in the Natick Mall expansion project
The Framingham Committee asked for help with working with Mall management. Josh detailed
the groups from Natick that would be involved: the Board of Selectmen, our task force, and the
Planning Board. In the past the Natick Planning Board asked two members of the Framingham
committee to coordinate with Natick Mall management with regard to trail development and
construction at the expansion site.
Karla asked what was the Framingham committee concerned about? It is not clear if the trail at
the Mall is being built to AASHTO standards. Dick said that John Allen, NBPAC safety advisor,
agrees that the current trail will be deficient. As a result, NBPAC sent a letter to Pat Reffett,
Natick’s Community Development Director. The hope is that Pat, the Planning Board, and Mall
management/Dimeo Construction can clarify and settle the issue internally.
A site visit with Pat and General Growth Properties and VHB will be scheduled for the first
week in April. Josh wondered if it would be good for someone from Mass Highway and/or the
EOT to be there. Tom has been working with John Stevenson @ VHB.
e) CSX negotiations update
Josh mentioned we are monitoring how the Holliston process is going before moving forward but
we will do some initial outreach. Supposedly they are commissioning an initial appraisal. Also,
the BOS will consider sending a letter to our state legislators to ask support in giving Natick the
opportunity to benefit from the leverage of the state’s negotiations to expand commuter rail
service to Worcester, and to Fall River and New Bedford. The Lieutenant Governor is trying to
increase commuter rail service to Worcester and to do so freight traffic needs to stay off the line.
Tom Branham is also on the Framingham downtown crossing committee and reported that the
thought is to incorporate rail trails with the general project.
f) Bike Week site visits / May 2007
Per Dick Miller, the NBPAC hoped to schedule an event along the ROW. It would be a unique
opportunity for the public to visit and see what’s going on.
Fundamentally there are two issues the task force must face with regard to scheduling an event
along the ROW. One issue is liability as the Board of Selectmen would be assuming liability
rather than CSX. The second issue is that the Town’s task force should maintain its objectivity
by not promoting use of the ROW during Bike Week.
g) Motorized vehicles prohibition on ROW.
Tom mentioned that the town has no enforcement capability.
h) Site security/gating The Framingham committee recommended adding gates as soon as possible,
irregardless of whether or not a trail is built. Dick and Karla will ask the Board of Selectmen for
elementary physical barriers. Ron Ordway asked about incorporating people who use motorized
wheelchairs into the design of any barriers. Josh clarified that these gates are temporary and can
be redesigned at a future point if necessary.
i) Interim road signs
Dick asked about adding signs similar to Framingham’s which identify a future part of the CRT.
For Natick’s signs, Dick suggested that the word “future” be changed to read “potential”. Josh’s
concern, however, is that by putting up signs you are indirectly inviting people to trespass. John
Adelmann expressed his concern that the task force remain unbiased at this point.
j) Other business
George Dixon of the Framingham committee described the long range plan with regard to
development at the northern end of the ROW. There is a possibility of developing a connection
to the Weston aquaduct and an additional connection to Lowell via the Bruce Freeman Trail.
The Framingham Committee will be holding a Spring work day on Saturday, May 12th, from 9 to
3. Saturday, May 19th will be the rain date. Check their web site for more information
April 11th regarding the Boston Scientific Helipad, and the company’s desire to renew its permit
and extend the hours of operation.
• The Bike plan will be discussed at a future meeting.
• Per Josh, the CRT web page has been updated.
• Per Dick, at the recent pancake breakfast, 10 people signed up to receive additional
information.
Dick Miller also mentioned that MAPC thought that the Boston MPO “Journey to 2030” was
inadequate because it short changed bike/pedestrian transportation. He encouraged the FCRTC
to send a letter in support of MAPC.
On a motion by John Adelmann, seconded by Dave Camacho, and approved by all, the meeting
was ended at 9:28
Respectfully submitted,
David Camacho
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