HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-21 Trails Committee Minutes r� JElV E[3
Trail Summit Meeting, May 21, 2008 TOWN CLERK
RF r 1 1. MASS.
Present: pp__ii
Trails Committee Members: Charles Donnelly Moran, Joan HoytZY919Wil lamas, �� fl
and Tom Gardiner
Others: Kim Honetschlager, Fran Fink, Ken Holt, Will Finch, Mark Wetzel,
Charles Donnelly-Moran
Next Meeting Dates-Wed. June 11 and Tues. June 24 at 7:00 PM.
Charles will post with Town Clerk and reserve room.
Trails Committee
The fifth member of the Trails Committee will be appoint by BOS May 27. Then
members will discuss officers, standard procedures (posting meetings, taking minutes,
open meeting and conflict of interest laws, etc.). Dave will contact BOS to find out how
associate members are to be appointed.
Inter- roup Communication
Walkable Reading recently sent notes from a meeting to the summit groups by email.
This is a good way to let everyone know what others are working on, and others should
follow this example.
Birch Meadow Study Committee
A plan will be presented to the BOS on May 27.
Town Staff Volunteer Day
Jane Kinsella in DPW is working on plans for a staff volunteer day in the fall. Project
suggestions should be sent to her.
Adopt-a Trail and Standards
Mark has emailed draft trail standards and Gina has emailed comments.
Charlie noted that accessible trail information is on the Mass. Greenways website, and
they send out a monthly newsletter.
Mark mentioned good books on trail building and maintenance are available from AMC
and Mountain Bike Association.
Need reporting forms for trail damage or abuse to give to adopters.
Need a brochure to distribute to let people know about the program. Information can be
distributed at Friends and Family Day(June 21), if ready.
The group will get into details at a future meeting
Volunteer Projects Underway
A Girl Scout troop led by Laura McDonagh has finished trail and sign board
improvements in Pinevale Conservation Area.
Andrew McDonah, Laura's son, is planning a Boy Scout project to construct a boardwalk
at Maplewood Village. Mark and Fran will meet with him on May 22.
Water Treatment Plant
The plant is to be demolished this summer. It might be possible to have a student group
from a landscape architecture program at one of the area colleges work on plans for
redevelopment as a park.
Problems in Kurchian Woods
Kim,Ken, and Fran reported on meeting with Police and Fire Departments. They will
patrol Kurchian and try to stop problem activities(fires, alcohol use, ATV's, littering,
paint ball forts, etc.). They will also send reports to Fran as they apprehend people.
Clean-up is needed. Perhaps this can be done on June 7 if there me enough volunteers.
The Conservation Commission will be amending their rules to support Police actions.
Grant Application for Viewing Platform
Kim completed the application and sent it to REI grant coordinator for review. Expect
announcements in July,with work in September if successful.
National Trails Day Project June 7 9 AM to 3 PM,Mattera Cons. Area
The group spent most of the meeting planning the trail from the log cabin to Bare
Meadow. They will meet at 6 PM on June 4 at the cabin to finalize plans.
Route has been marked. Kim and Fran will work with DPW on rough grading and
clearing and delivery of stone materials before the event.
Several sources of donated wood have been identified. Will can coordinate deliveries and r^�
pre-cut materials. Mark will get screws.
Mark will spray poison ivy ahead of the day.
REI will bring water bottles and t-shirts.
Kim will send posters to REI and the group for posting around town. Charlie will send
publicity to cable TV, local papers.
Kim will ask Joan to coordinate food donations(by everyone), and FORR will supply
pizza.
Dave will contact people who attended training last fall and invite them to help.
Need registration table—ask people if they would like to adopt a trail and get contact
info.
Need safety talk, tables for food(Joan, Charlie, Tom),name tags(Fran),traffic control
(Kim), first aid kit(Fran),paper goods(Fran), sharpies and tape to mark tools(Fran),
trash bags(Mark), carts and tools(everyone).
Volunteers will be asked to bring tools, gloves,bug spray,sun block,water bottles, etc.