COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE
MINUTES OF MEETING
AUGUST 7, 2007
Members present: David Camacho, Karla Sangrey, Karen Patterson Greene, Josh Ostroff, John Griffith, Dick Miller, Matt Daniels, John Moran, Harry Newell
Alternate Members present: John Adelmann
Advisors/visitors present: Pat Reffett, John Cabot (residential abutter), Jack Carr (residential abutter)
Chair Josh Ostroff called the meeting to order at 7:35
1) Introduction of new members Matt Daniels and Harry Newell
There are two new members-at-large of the task force, Matt Daniels and Harry Newell. We went around the room and introduced ourselves.
2) Minutes of 7/10/07
The minutes for the meeting of 7/10 were discussed and edits proposed. The changes included:
· modifying item #2 to indicate that the CSX valuation is an initial one
· in item #5 removing Josh Lehman of the EOT as a supporter of building a CRT
· in item #6 modifying “multi-use option” to read “mass transit option”
On a motion by Josh and seconded by Dave, and unanimously approved, the edited minutes for 7/10/07 were accepted.
3) Task Force term (currently through 11/1)
The BOS have not acted on extending the task force’s term of service. Josh can’t say for how long it will be extended and in what form/charge. He was confident that this group or a similar one will be going forward.
Jon asked if we can get feedback from other BOS members as to what we’re missing from their point of view. Dick said it would be beneficial to think of our purpose first to help guide the BOS. Josh agreed.
4) Elect new CRT Task Force Officers
Matt Daniels, new task force member, asked for clarification of roles and responsibilities. The task force is comprised of alternate members, members at large, representatives from town departments, and the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (NBPAC). There are eight at large members (4 regular/4 alternate). Alternate members vote when there an equal number of members absent. Essentially there are 11 voting members.
John Moran, and Karla Sangrey were nominated to serve as task force Chair to replace Josh Ostroff.
Josh Ostroff nominated Karla to serve as Task Force Chair, Karen Patterson Greene seconded the nomination. Dick nominated John Moran to serve as Task Force Chair, Karla seconded the nomination. By a vote of 9 to 1 Karla was elected. Karen Patterson Greene and Dave Camacho were nominated and elected to continue their positions as Vice Chair and Clerk respectively.
5) Speen Street crossing options
Pat described the crossing to be constructed across Speen Street from the Neiman Marcus store to the parking lot of the Long’s Jewelers building. Dave asked about the method of traffic control. Pat clarified it will be a pedestrian activated crosswalk. The issue at hand is the material that will be used to construct the crossing. According to Pat there is a small window to change from the current material, pavers, if necessary. Josh asked if the pavers can be plowed and Pat responded yes. Also there will definitely be markings and advanced signage in place.
Natick Mall developers felt that they would go ahead and build the crosswalk as a rail trail is not in place yet, over the design of a non at-grade crossing (a tunnel). Karla asked if the planning board received information or a recommendation from NBPAC and others about the best course of action. Due to access concerns with the property owner on the east side of the Speen crossing, the crosswalk was altered slightly. Rail trail users wouldn’t have to cross an active driveway but move 20 feet to the right to reach the crossing. The owner of the 323 Speen street property (Long’s Jewelers building) has agreed to allow the use of the property to directly connect the end of a potential CRT with the future crosswalk.
Dick wants Pat to coordinate a meeting with other groups and Mall developers to go over the issue over and above the material decision. Pat said we are locked into the design from curb to curb. Dick felt that the changes that NBPAC helped bring about on the west side of the mall property are similar here on Speen Street to which Pat disagreed.
Dick motioned to ask Patrick to work with Mall developers to get groups on the ground to form a recommendation and request an opportunity to review the crosswalk. Karla seconded the motion. On a vote of two for the motion and eight against, the motion failed.
6) 7/26 Northampton meeting update.
Dick attended this meeting concerning the Mass Central Trail, a proposed trail along an abandoned 104 mile long corridor from Boston to Northampton. Per Dick 60-70 people were there and 1/3 of the trail could be built within a five year period. A couple of sections, however, aren’t up for sale. With a street connection in Framingham, the CRT could be a feeder to this trail.
7) CSX update
a)rails and ties removal
Most of the rails have been removed from the ROW. It is encouraging that they will be removed virtually all the way to the main line tracks. At last night’s (8/6) BOS meeting the BOS agreed to perform the title search and initiate the RFP for appraisal.
Karla explained that the title work is moving forward based on Martha White’s (acting Town Administrator) point that it is understood that the title may not be clear which will effect the valuation. Josh mentioned that based on Town meeting approval for funding these are our first monies to be expended. The town of Holliston is still waiting for a response from CSX regarding their independent appraisal. The town will be putting up jersey barriers to prevent motorized vehicle access to the ROW.
8) Discussion of multi-use option
A) Selectmen request
Josh doesn’t think that this committee needs an explicit vote to work on this option for the board. Harry Newell wondered why this task force would be asked to review the mass transit option when a town or outside group would be operating it. Pat stated that they are looking for an opinion statement and the BOS values the opinion of this task force.
Dick mentioned that we are moving away from the purpose of a rail trail. Josh stated that we don’t have the support of the BOS to move into the conceptual design phase. His view is that the mass transit option may be able to move the proposed CRT more quickly to the design phase. Examples of other trails utilizing a mass transit option include Essen, Germany’s and Traveler’s Rest South Carolina’s proposed guided microbus.
Abutters John Cabot and Jack Carr spoke against any use of mass transit along the ROW.
Mr. Cabot felt that reading about the mass transit option in a newspaper was a complete and unwelcome surprise. Josh clarified that he wanted to get it out in open sooner rather than later.
John Griffith mentioned that we don’t have a needs assessment piece. The following points can be integrated into a needs assessment.
1) Listing of the features that constitute an appropriate rail trail.
2) Sense of scope and limitations of corridor as exists today.
3) Sense of demand
4) Get representative community response
5) Understand the details of width requirements, noise, etc.
Jack Carr asked that if the Commonwealth funded 100% of the CRT could they alone approve the inclusion of mass transit? Josh clarified the Commonwealth cannot act alone to include mass transit. Similarly, neither the BOS or Town Meeting can act alone to include mass transit along the ROW.
B) process
Josh envisioned a one page summary of what we are looking for in a rail trail.
C) timetable including public meeting
Karla’s hope is to have more information available before our next meeting, including a knowledgeable speaker on the topic.
9) Draft abutter report
One remaining task is to identify those who live in Natick from the data collected about U.S. Army Labs and Boston Scientific employees. The question is whether employees who live in Natick exhibit more familiarity, support, and a willingness to volunteer along the ROW over employees who don’t live in Natick. Josh wants to give this information to the BOS in September. One BOS member challenged the use of the word “significant” when there was only a simple majority evident.
10) Trail visits
Dick said that two people so far expressed an interest in visiting other rail trails. He also encouraged people to visit this ROW.
11) Community Update
John Griffith suggested adding a paragraph describing what a rail trail is. In late September the Town Newsletter will be going out with tax bills. If the BOS and Acting Town Administrator agree, our newsletter could be included as well. Karla and Karen outlined a work breakdown schedule. Josh will have two parts due on August 19th.
12) Future Meeting Dates
September 11, 7:00
13) Other business
On a motion by John, and seconded by many, the meeting was ended at 9:40
Respectfully submitted by David Camacho
| 
