COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE
MINUTES OF MEETING
MAY 15, 2007
Members present: David Camacho, John Moran, Dick Miller, Karla Sangrey, Josh Ostroff
Alternate Members present: John Adelmann
Advisors/visitors present:
Chair Josh Ostroff called the meeting to order at 7:30
1) Approve minutes for 3/21/07
Changes were made to the meeting minutes from 3/21 including:
• Changing Item H on page 4 from Dick and Karla to Josh.
• Clarifying the Board of Selectmen vote in item 3, second paragraph to read 3-2.
• Changing Page 3, Item D, second paragraph, to replace the world “believes” with
“agrees” that the current Natick Mall trail will be deficient.
• Changing Page 4, first paragraph, by taking out the word “members” in as members
of town’s task force – to read the town’s Task Force should retain its objectivity.
• Changing the end of item H to read “gates can be redesigned” rather than “gates can
be removed”.
On a motion by Dick, and seconded by Dave, the minutes for 3/21 were unanimously approved.
2) Abutter outreach update
Josh committed to giving an abutter report to the Board of Selectmen in June. He is aiming for
the report to be ready for the Board meeting on 6/18. There will be a session for Business
abutter outreach at 5:00 on June 6th in the School Committee Room.
Josh had a great response from the Natick Labs. There have been approximately 600 surveys
completed, representing half the number of employees. Boston Scientific has not yet agreed to
do a survey as their Corporate Communications Department needs to approve it.
Karla asked that all input about conversations people have had with business employers be
forwarded to her.
3) Spring Town Meeting update/Conceptual Design Study
Josh mentioned that he hasn’t started putting his presentation together yet for Town Meeting.
The main idea is to provide an update and to stress to Town Meeting members that our funding
request is a parallel process to dealing with CSX and based on input from abutters and citizens.
Josh stated that we can expect some questions on maintenance, and feedback from abutters. Our
request is not expected to be controversial. We are asking for $30,000 to be appropriated from
mall mitigation account, based on Board of Selectmen approval.
Dick inquired about the role of the Task Force. Specifically, he asked at what point can the Task
Force declare its approval of the Cochituate Rail Trail. Josh clarified this approval may not be
the role of the task force. Our role is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Selectmen
while being properly receptive to all concerns.
4) CSX update
CSX is in the process of getting an appraisal, and the Town will be hiring someone to evaluate it.
A letter was sent to our legislators asking for state assistance. A month ago Governor Patrick
announced the South Coast Rail Project—a plan designed to expand commuter rail service to
Fall River and New Bedford by 2016. Josh’s personal opinion is that will be better to work with
CSX now as we don’t have control of the Commonwealth’s negotiations.
Dick mentioned that a month ago the Rails to Trails Conservancy was asked to coordinate efforts
among 11 Massachusetts towns. Further information about this initiative is needed.
5) Rails/ties removal
CSX is reportedly coming up on Thursday and going before the Conservation Commission that
night. Josh is working with the Public Works Dept to get their opinion on the removal of the rails.
6) Trail maintenance model/budget
Jon Gelchinsky volunteered to do research on other town’s expenditures and annual budget for
trail maintenance. John Moran mentioned that those figures depend upon the trail surface
utilized. This research should be complete before Town Meeting.
7) Trail surface options
This item is on the agenda because the trail surface that we recommend is dependent on what
CSX leaves behind after removing the rails and ties. If the natural surface lends itself to what we
specify that’s an advantage. We need to identify what their intentions are and determine if we
have any options.
We will request that CSX remove the maximum amount of material. John and Dick have
concerns about the removal of ballast—does the Public Works Department know how to remove
it from the ROW properly?
John Moran mentioned that TirNaNog, the day care center located near the Mechanics Street
property and abutting the ROW, would be daily users of a CRT. They would use the CRT daily
and year-round and are hopeful that the surface would be asphalt. Per Josh’s conversations with
Pat Raffett, it is believed that for state funding a 10 to 12 foot wide asphalt trail is needed. If a
trail is unpaved then inline skating is not possible.
8) Future meetings: 6/6/07, 7:00 in the School Committee Room
It was proposed to meet Tuesday, July 10th with the location TBD.
9) Task Force recruitment
We are currently down one, potentially two, members. John Moran mentioned that he has been
in conversations with a Natick Police Officer, and member of the bike patrol, who may be
interested in joining the task force.
10) Other business
The purchase of the 11 Mechanic Street property is complete. The Conservation Commission
will be getting an offer of additional land to make a larger footprint. Pat did a workup of the site
which envisioned parking space for 87 cars over ¾ of an acre. Mechanic Street is a private way
but we have right of access. In the short term, Interstate Paving will continue to rent space while
the Board of Selectmen clarify the number and status of any subleases present.
If a CRT didn’t happen one possible use for the Mechanic Street property would be parking for
town employees. The property could also be sold.
John mentioned we are currently focused on abutter outreach. After June, he speculated what
our next focus will be. Josh explained that we may offer input into the RFP for the conceptual
design. Three firms have local expertise. John also asked what our final product will be. Josh’s
thought is that the conceptual design will be our final product integrated with additional
components such as a security plan, maintenance budget figures, and a plan for utilizing the
bridge over Route 9. Furthermore our ROW appraisal will flow from the CSX appraisal, which
is imminent.
For our June 6th meeting, one agenda item will be a review by John Adelmann of our
preliminary report to view what is incomplete.
On a motion by John Moran and seconded by Dave, and approved by all the meeting was
adjourned at 8:52.
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