HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-22 Trails Committee Minutes Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes ,
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Trails Committee 2111 OCT -2 PM 5: 20
Date: 2017-02-22 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger Room
Address: 16 Lowell Street
Purpose: General Business Session:
Attendees: Members - Present:
Tom Gardiner - Chair
Dave Williams
Will Finch
Jean Jacobs
Members - Not Present:
John Parsons
Others Present:
Kim Honetschlager - Town Representative
Ben Vanasse - Boy Scout
Michael Terry - Boy Scout Adult Leader
John Vanasse - Boy Scout Parent
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: lean Jacobs
Topics of Discussion:
The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm.
1. Minutes from the meetings on January 9, 2017 and February 8, 2017 were reviewed
and approved.
2. Annual Report 2016
The Annual Report for 2016 was reviewed and approved.
3. Boy Scout Project
Ben Vanasse came to present his Eagle Scout project of constructing and installing
Screech Owl boxes in the Town Forest. He plans to install 10 of them in late August.
He will place them in trees about 8 - 15 feet off the ground. Dave Williams said that
10 may be too many in the Town Forest but suggested that some could be placed in
other Conservation areas. He also suggested that the houses should face south and
that predator guards might be needed if the owls are nesting. In addition, Dave
offered to help select locations.
4. Low Meadow Area
We discussed the practicality of adding trails in the Low Meadow area. There is
language in the lot proposal to account for trails. There are a few options for trails.
We will discuss further before making any definite plans.
5. Van Norden/Harold Avenue trail
2 new houses are being built off of Harold Avenue. The developer will donate 2
parking spots and kiosk if we decide to add any trails in that area.
Page I 1
6. Haverhill Street
There is a 20 foot wide easement north of 443 Haverhill Street. Conservation
Commission will Flag it. The easement leads into Cedar Swamp. If we don't add a
trail there right away, we could use fiberglass trail markers and/or weed guard to
keep the trailhead established.
7. Tent at the Street Faire
Will will talk to Cons Comm about sharing a tent with them.
8. Trails Conference
The director has not gotten back to Tom about having us present at the next
conference. We could discuss the lessons learned from a small town trails system.
9. Budget
We have $750 to spend before lune 30. Think about inventory to stock pile.
Next Meeting: TBD
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm.
Page 1 2