HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-16 Trails Committee MinutesaorOQ4,
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Trails Committee
Date: 2025-04-16
Building: Mattera Cabin
Address: 1481 Main Street
Purpose:
Attendees: Members - Present:
John Kastrinos
Will Finch
Dave Williams
Brandy Hopkins
Ashley Gross
Members - Not Present:
Kathy Kelly
Ben Ream
Tom Gardiner
Others Present:
Chuck Tirone
Even Audley
[ago Vazquez
Joe Fleury
Garrett Alpha -Cobb
Bob Connor
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Location:
Session: Open Session
Version: Draft
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Dave Williams
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting called to order at 6:37
The February and March meeting minutes were approved 3 - 0
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Evan of troop 702 presented a proposal to redo the Pine Ridge trail stairs.
Tear out old stairs and replace them,
Timeline: two days concluding in early June.
Building modular at home, then a day in the field to tear out old stairs and install new ones.
Funding through friends and a Go Fund Me page. Cost Approx. $600.
A motion was made and approved 3 - 0 that the Trails Committee approve his plan.
John shared his meeting with Mike Hannaford. Were we going to have to change our
method of blazing? No, just don't put them on trees in the cemetery and keep them a
minimum of 10 ft from any rpadway curb lines. Mike wants two signs moved a slight
distance. This work is being coordinated between Conservation and DPW. Mike asked that
two blazes be removed from trees that are on Cemetery property - near the Franklin Street
entrance, and near the 2 signs that are to be moved northward. John has removed the two
blazes.
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Kiosk update. We now have a folder with the location of the Kiosks and the information that
should be in all of the Kiosks. These would include the posting of rules. We will work to
have consistency between them all.
Pinevale Conservation site issues. There is some Flooding and/or back-up by the cement
barrier. It was suggested that a See -Fix -Click be submitted for this issue.
The route of the trail needs to be formalized, and an RDA written so that the Conservation
Committee can look at it. Brandy will take on writing the RDA and then run it by John and
Chuck.
A site visit will take place this Saturday, April 19 at 9:00am.
Chuck stated that as part of his DPW work list, he has included a request for a formal
entrance on Warren Ave in the Pinevale Conservation Commission area. The proposed
entrance would be 8 feet wide by 15 feet long. The Conservation Commission also plans to
purchase a sign for the Pinevale Conservation Area, along with a kiosk to be installed at that
location. The DPW list is not guaranteed it's as time allows so this would all happen after the
entrance is installed.
Bob Connor spoke to the update on the Diane Weggel bridge project at Sturgis Park. Chuck
then stated that he met with a structural engineer. They found out they needed a
topographical survey and a cross section through the proposed bridge alignment.
Runways/ramps will be needed on either side of the bridge. Conservation is reaching out
to foundation contractors as they will be needed to install the footings. We will get some
estimates and then see what is reasonable.
Contractor Table saw donation from Kathy. Needs to be picked up and brought here.
Chuck will help with this on a Friday. If we get the saw, we should consider purchasing a
mobile base for it. A motion was made and approved 3-0 to allocated up to $500 for the
purchase of a mobile base for the saw.
Chuck has put in an order of about $2,100 with Reading Lumber. Should be delivered
tomorrow 4/17.
We have $4,384 in our budget
John will investigate the DPW running a chain saw training for us. Chuck said they may be
unwilling to take on this responsibility. John will reach out to the MIAA about the possibility
of them conducting chain saw training for us.
John will be meeting with a Troop 702 scout about a possible Eagle project in the Higgins
Woods area.
MSM/Hunt St. work to be done om Sat., May 10. DPW will drop off wood chips. This work
day will be widely publicized. Austin Prep will allow parking on their property for this event.
Joe shared a list of possible projects that could be done in the MSM project area. Neighbors
are willing to help out with some of these. A pollinator garden will be going in.
Upcoming events. Arbor Day event on April 26. 500 Trees will be planted in the Town
Forest, zone 7. Compost center will be open for parking. Volunteers welcome.
Kathy is doing a Connect A Tot walk at MSN.
We will be at Friends and Family Day on June 14.
Chuck is looking for a tractor, truck, or trailer for use on projects
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The next Trails Committee meeting will be on May 7.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23
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