COCHITUATE RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE
MINUTES OF MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 2007
Members present: David Camacho, John Moran, Karen Patterson Greene, Dick Miller, Karla Sangrey, Josh Ostroff
Alternate Members present: Peter Henry, Matt Daniels, Harry Newell
Advisors/visitors present: Jill Miller, Martin Kessel
Chair Karla Sangrey called the meeting to order at 7:06
1) Minutes of September 24th
The minutes for the meeting of Sept 24th will be available shortly.
2) CRT Work Day Sept 29th
Organized by the Framingham CRT committee to perform brush cleaning and trash removal along the Framingham ROW. Sponsors include REI and Whole Foods. Work days are held twice a year. Members of the Framingham committee are appreciative that the past and current chairs of the Natick Task Force are participating. Karla, Dick and Josh were all able to attend this event.
3) 2007 Moving Together Conference Oct 17
Jill, Josh and Dick attended. Josh reported that this year’s event was better attended than last year’s. The Natick portion of the CRT was listed on a map as a project in planning/under design. It is felt that the DCR is showing a willingness to work with the town. Dan Driscoll serves as Director, Office of Greenways and Green Infrastructure and gave a presentation entitled “A Long Distance Corridor Vision for DCR’s Park System”. Natick Police Sergeant Brian Lauzon and Town engineer Mark Coviello were also in attendance.
Josh received a call from an Undersecretary in the EOT (Executive Office of Transportation). Josh clarified the CSX valuation methodology, across the fence, versus measuring the corridor value. It is important for people at the highest levels of government to understand the issues. Josh informed the other BOS of his discussions with the Undersecretary.
4) Alternative transit/multi-use option for ROW
Based on the information from our guest speakers at last month’s meeting, we have elected not to move forward with motorized transit along the ROW. Instead we will refocus our efforts back to a non-motorized trail. Anne Lusk is a visionary but it can be quite difficult to work within the framework of Massachusetts politics and regulations.
John asked about the abutters who have expressed concern. Are they aware that we now have a decision against motorized transit? They have not been informed yet but will be contacted after Monday’s BOS meeting. John asked Josh if he considered the decision to be limiting on our funds? He replied yes and no. Yes there won’t be any funding for that particular transportation solution but funding is still available for development of the ROW as a trail only.
5) CSX update
A) Title search
The title search will be complete in another week or so. The town has retained attorney Henry H. Thayer of Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster. His practice focuses on real estate titles.
B) RFP for appraisal
Dick can recommend some appraisers. This information may have been passed on to Martha. Selectmen will consider voting for recommendation.
C) ROW barricades
We have been hearing good feedback on the fixtures so far. Barricades will be installed in coming weeks along the ROW which will allow access as needed.
The issue of applying for railbanking again will come up before the BOS. The ROW is important for water delivery and drainage. The ROW could be used as a drainage culvert or as a utility corridor. For some neighborhoods in Natick that don’t have good drainage, this could help.
6) Task Force Term, Charge and Mission
A) Term extension beyond Nov 1, 2007
Next week Patrick, Martha, Karla and Josh will go before the BOS to ask for an extension.
Karen and Karla met with Martha on 10/1 and as a result drew up a draft of charge of task force document. Martha provided a copy of a letter from the state (Feb 2007) stating that our Mass Highway PNF (project need form) was received but they needed more information.
Piroities which emerged from the 10/1 meeting incuded: 1) We need to become experts on the overall process to be most helpful in our advisory role 2) get together with other CSX communities 3) continue outreach efforts.
John Moran mentioned being positive and keeping up the buzz. He is also getting more abutters involved. Josh proposed changing the task force to an advisory committee. We need to position ourselves to prepare to take the town to where it needs to go.
Peter suggested an outline of next steps and to determine what steps we can take towards design efforts.
Harry asked if we have permission to take people along the Natick ROW. In his experience with building a trail in Westborough it was very positive and effective to conduct a walking tour. He also suggested meetings with other communities who have had success for information and ‘inspriration.’
B) Acquisition assistance
C) Outreach (FAQs, etc)
Karen would like to figure out how we can do outreach to the rest of the community to gauge support? Karen would also like to establish subcommittees for outreach using the web site, meetings, mail, etc.
7) Future meeting dates assuming extension: Nov 27, Dec 18
Assuming our term is extended, meetings will be held on the following dates: November 27th, and December 18th.
8) Other business
On a motion by John, seconded by Karen, and approved by all, the meeting was ended at 8:23.
Respectfully submitted by David Camacho
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