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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-07 Trails Committee MinutesTrail Summit Meeting, May 7, 2008 Present: Newly-appointed Trails Committee Members: Charles Donnelly Moran, Joan Hoyt, Dave Williams, and Tom Gardiner Others: Kim Honetschlager, Fran Fink, Will Finch,, Gina Schneider, Mark Wetzel Trails Committee The group welcomed the new Trails Committee. Charlie, Joan, and Dave have been active in the "summit" meetings since last fall, and Tom has been involved with other town groups for a number of years. There is one position still open on the Committee, and the Selectmen hope to make the final appointment soon. Several other candidates have applied. Others in the "summit" group will continue to attend Committee meetings to help with the transition in leadership, and some may seek appointment as Associate Members of the Trails Committee. ACTION ITEM - The Committee needs to fmd out whether Associates are to be appointed by the Selectmen or by the Committee, itself ACTION ITEM - All subsequent meetings should be posted with the Town Clerk at least 48 hours in advance, minutes should be kept, and other records and processes should be followed as required by the Open Meeting Law. Next Meeting Date - Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7.00 PM Volunteer Projects Underway A Girl Scout troop led by Laura McDonagh will carry out trail improvements in Pinevale Conservation Area on May 17 and 21, 2008. They will concentrate on the Pinevale Avenue entrance and the main trails. A Boy Scout, Grant Rose, is leading an Eagle project, also in Pinevale. He will concentrate on other entrances and bridge repairs. He is coordinating efforts with the Girl Scouts. Collin Baillie has finished most of the work on the Scout project to connect the Bare Meadow trails to Haverhill Street, including boardwalk construction. Scott Cariman is working on a Scout proposal for a trail connecting Wood End School to the Town Forest and Dividence Meadows. Mark Galesic is working on a Scout proposal for bridge repairs in the Town Forest. Terry Crocker is working on a Scout proposal to improve the trail from Franklin Street to Bare Meadow. REI in Reading is assembling a work crew for the June 7th project in Bare Meadow. National Trails Day Project June 79 AM to 3 PM Mattera Cons Area The group spent most of the meeting planning the trail from the log cabin to Bare Meadow. Slope should be accessible. Edges will be stabilized with pressure-treated wood where needed. Duff will be removed and surface will be crushed recycled asphalt, compacted, available from DPW. (Duff can be applied where appropriate to other trails in Bare Meadow.) Final surface will be stone-dust - funding needs to be found. Gaps may be incorporated as needed for drainage. Brush and overhanging branches will be cleared and blazes will be painted where needed. Wider passing areas with benches will be provided about 200 feet apart. ACTION ITEMS Initial route will be flagged by group on May 10 at 1 PM. DPW will then survey grades, and route will be adjusted as needed to achieve accessible slope. Final route will be marked before June 7. Kim and Fran will coordinate with DPW. DPW can fill low area where trail begins near cabin and do initial clearing with Bobcat before June 7. Materials can be placed along route by Bobcat. Kim, Mark, and Dave will pursue several sources of pressure-treated wood to use as edging for the trail. Fran will check whether any funds remain from Town Meeting set-aside for site improvements. Fran will contact Joel Bottesini at REI to make arrangements for their volunteers. Volunteers need to be recruited from other organizations. All members should publicize this among the groups that they represent. Joan has a table to donate for use in the log cabin. Fran will ask Health Division whether they can provide a first aid kit. Volunteers should be asked to bring tools, dress appropriately, bring water bottles, sun screen, insect repellant, and other personal items. Some provisions should be made for lunch and snacks. Adopt-a-Trail Pro ram A date had not been scheduled for an AMC training day in May, as had been discussed at the last meeting, and handouts had not been completed. Given the amount of preparation needed for the June 7 trail project, the group decided to postpone the AAT program kick- off until after June 7. When a date is set, invitations will be distributed broadly. Ideas for recruiting volunteers: • Give out flyers and sign-up sheets at Friends and Family Day, June 21. • Put information on new volunteer clearing-house website when it is ready. Information is available through the Human Services office. • Contact all members of the organizations that are involved in these meetings through their email networks, newsletters, meetings, and other communications. • Contact other organizations in town that might be interested - garden clubs, Library, Senior Center, Girl Scouts, etc. • Publicize through all local media outlets. J • Extend personal invitations to people who might be interested. Needed for the initial gathering: • Handouts describing activities that volunteers can and should do, and how to communicate with the Trails Committee and others who can assist them: • Standards for trail maintenance and marking. • Contact information sheets for volunteers to fill out so the Trails Committee can communicate with them. • Trail maps and assignment sign-up sheets. • How to deal with problems • When and whom to ask for permission before opening new trails or doing major repairs. Regular meetings of the volunteers should be planned by the Trails Committee several times a year to share information, provide mentors for new volunteers, plan major trail projects, and thank volunteers for their work. ACTION ITEMS - Most of the above. Mark has draft trail standards and will circulate them to the group. Other tasks need to be assigned. REI Grant Application for Bare Meadow Viewing Platform Kim and FORR are working on the grant application, due on May 15, 2008, for up to $5,000 for materials and supplies for the platform. Grant awards will be announced in July, and funds will be sent out in August. Work can then be scheduled in the fall. The budget will be based on a 12' by 16' deck with concrete footings, ramp access, benches, and railings, about 1' to 3' above the ground, at the end of the new trail from the log cabin. Shrubs could be planted below the high side to hide the legs. The project will require a Building Permit. ACTION ITEM - Mark will look for a standard design and can stamp it for the Building Permit application. ACTION ITEM - The Conservation Commission will act on the proposal during their meeting on May 14, 2008, and write a letter of support for the grant application. ACTION ITEM - Kim and FORR will finish the application and ask others for help as needed.