HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-20 Trails Committee Minutes�N raA
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
TOWN CLERK
READING. MA.�
Board - committee - Commission - Council: 2025 OCT -2 PM 2: 05
Trails Committee
Date: 2025-08-20 Time: 6:30 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location:
Berger Room
Address: 1481 Main Street Session:
Open Session
Purpose: Version:
Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Ben Ream
Ashley Gross
Garrett Alpha -Cobb
John Kastrinos
Brandy Hopkins
Members - Not Present:
David Williams
Will Finch
Others Present:
Chuck Tirone
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: John Kastrinos
Topics of Discussion:
Meeting called to order at 6:35.
The July meeting minutes were approved with no dissenting votes.
1) Current Projects
a) Kiosk updates - Ashley is planning on posting the signs on the remaining kiosks in
the coming week.
b) Pinevale - Will attended The Conservation Commission (Cons Comm) meeting in
which the Request for Determination of Applicability was presented and discussed.
Brandy attended by Zoom. Brandy removed some of the flags that were
inadvertently posted previously on private land. The Cons. Comm voted a negative
determination of applicability, meaning the project Is approved to proceed. The next
step is for the Engineering Department to survey the property, which will likely begin
in the Fall after the leaves drop. The overall tentative schedule is for survey stakes
to be in the ground in the Spring before the work begins. A few neighbors opposed
the project; it was nonetheless approved. Chuck Tirane indicated funds are available
for a Pinevale sign (in the standard red and white format used on other Conservation
parcels). Money is not available currently to fund a kiosk (about $1,200).
c) Chainsaw safety - John has reached out to a private contractor - Girard Woodworks
- who provides training independently and though Massachusetts Interlocal
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Insurance Association (MIIA). John will find out cost, schedule, and availability for
upcoming training sessions.
d) Budget for fiscal year 2026. The Select Board approved our requested $5,000
budget and it is set up in the Town account for our use.
e) Troop 702 interactions. John K will set up a meeting with the new Troop 702 Scout
leader. The Committee discussed some ideas for trail projects the Troop could do for
volunteer hours or Eagle Scout advancement. The red trail in Kurchian is frequently
submerged and would benefit from a boardwalk. Boardwalks and bridges will be
needed at Pinevale (Spring or Summer of 2026).
f) Sturgis Park cleanup. Kubota or Bobcat of Boston both provide rentals at $700 -
$900 per weekend. The Committee approved spending up to $900 to rent an ATV,
to be delivered to Sturgis Park, for completing work on the trail. The Committee
scheduled the remaining work in Sturgis, including clearing out remaining piles of
invasives and spreading wood chips, for the weekend of 9/20. Ashley will post notice
of this event on our Facebook page.
g) Diane Weggel bridge project. Survey budget was authorized and surveyor was given
the notice to proceed. Chuck has been communicating with the surveyor, Andy
Brimhaw, but the work has not been started.
h) Potential improvements to Conservation area kiosks and entrances. Ben will reach
out to the AVIS group in Andover for suggestions - they post a lot of material on
their kiosks. Ben suggested the following:
a. Posting mileages for trail segments;
b. Informing visitors that binoculars can be rented from the library for viewing
birds and other wildlife;
c. Setting up suggestion boxes on the kiosks;
d. Adding electric vehicle charging stations
e. Local artwork with seasonal themes (Chuck suggested this could be done as a
"wrap" on the back of selected signs and kiosks).
f. John mentioned building more bike racks (there is one at Lobs Pound Mill, but
nothing at Kurchian, Bare Meadow, or the Town Forest).
2) Future projects
a) Alligator alley bridge repairs/reinforcements - this may be a good option for Troop
702 as they have done some of the bridge work there through Eagle projects.
b) 443 Haverhill Street - deferred to next meeting, to get input from Dave and Will,
who could not attend this meeting. Committee members plan to walk the site in
winter, when much of the area will be more accessible.
c) Trail near ballfields at Burbank. Neighbor who abuts the Haverhill Street parcel has
offered to help build the trail. Chuck indicated it will likely require around 200 ft of
boardwalk.
3) Budget update and stock purchases. We have a lot of stock in hand and racks In the
Matterra garage are getting full. Need to assess whether there is room on the
shelving for decking that is currently outside of the cabin.
4) September meeting - Scheduled for 9/17/25. Meetings will be held in the Town Hall
until further notice.
5) Other items not reasonably anticipated in advance of the meeting. Other items not
reasonably anticipated 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Sharp gravel used on
the Fire Road causeway trending west from the Golf Course and compost area has
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brought about lots of complaints. The Reading Fire Department requested this
gradation of stone specifically (i.e., in lieu of sand or wood chips).
6) Upcoming events - Committee to be represented at new resident's night - October
2V. Brandy will contact Amy at the library to reserve a table.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20
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