HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-17 ad Hoc - Northern Area Greenway Task Force MinutesTown of Reading I E D
Ad Hoc Northern Area Greenway Task Form''' R
Town Hall Conference Room `ri
\ May 17, 2007 Minutes
2C03 uU111 21 A 61: 42
Attendance: Dave Williams, Will Finch, Mark Rumizen, Joan Hoyt, Brant Ballantyne, Charles Donnelly
Moran
Absent: Frank Driscoll, Fred Alexander
Also present: Kim Honetschlager, GIS Coordinator, Bob Weggel, Heather Clish, Gary Gresh
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM.
Minutes from the May 1 meeting were amended and approved 4-0
Issues discussed:
• Peter H. stated to Dave W. that the NAG Committee has been extended to Dec. 31
o Report in the fall
o Grants; if we identify, then NAG not expected to write proposal, should hand-off to
appropriate committee
o Standards; Peter H. understands, not trying to force his opinion
o How does this project move forward, hand off to other town dept or form new committee?
■ Doesn't like to have too many committees, but may need one for a project this
size
■ Town now has possession of log cabin
■ Peter H. upbeat about project, have his full support
• Any one had a chance to solidify thoughts about our May 1 discussion
• DCR grant handout: application due
• Nat'l Park Service grant application handed out by Kim
• Heather inspected Wood End School area
o Got info on helical boardwalk
o Spoke to Larry Wheelock, NY/NJ Trail Conference
■ Mile-long boardwalk, used hydraulic driver, State of NJ purchased one
■ Drove the piles to 600 psi
■ State contracted out design
■ Piers 10 ft length, laser level, gas powered saw to get level to put girders on
■ 80% work done by volunteers
■ Driver on plywood float
■ Helical design because better for wetland habitat, duability
■ Use composite girders just need to replace decking
■ $100 per ft w/o volunteer labor
o Peter Jensen, Trail Designer
■ Should go 6 ft width
• Rails, curve?
■ $150-$200 per ft
■ Use 15% of build cost for design?
Use $40K for engineer design
- Need soil samples, boring rig out in marsh, higher cost
- Est $510K for 2800 ft by 6 ft wide boardwalk
• Where does boardwalk start/end?
Concern with high water causing boardwalk to float away -
~ o Need railing if 48 inches off ground (land)
Or 30 inches?
• Typical flood line for river?
o Town has data from FEMA, photos
o Build low and just not use when flooded
• How do we move forward to examine feasibility of building boardwalk?
o Do feasibility assessment first? Not full design, give town an idea
o Review idea with Nat'l Park Service RTCA
■ They will provide a person to assist to move project forward
■ Talk to someone in Boston office
■ Like to see organized group
• Concern with emergency access?
• NJ mile-long boardwalk
o 40 ft suspension bridge
o On Appalachian trail, no side access
• RTCA is very short-staffed
a Only take on 2 or 3 projects per year
o Looking for community value
o Tie to Ipswich River is of value, gives residents access to river
o Might have a broad perspective on how this project compares with others relative to
ability to get funding
• Heather to contact RTCA for feasibility assessment of NW Passage
• Other aspects of NAG
o Avoid Rt 28 crossing
o Log Cabin to Haverhill St
o Make use of volunteer groups
o Log cabin has parking
o Cut trail into Bare. Meadow, turn right towards kiosk, then on to major trail
■ Wet spots in trail;
- ADA accessible?
- Bog bridging?
- Turnpiking, throw down stones/pea stone
- Make part of it accessible?
Keep as natural as possible
- Accessible to tucks with stone thru Pearl St gate
• Put together plan
• Shift trail to avoid wet areas
• FORR working on bike path at Memorial Pk
o Public works will provide free labor
o MDCR more willing to provide materials
• What is town doing with lot after they take down house?
o Get them to pave it for parking?
• Trails assessment needed
o Trail log; work recommended on a trail
o AMC form, specify feet, other details
o Should we walk the trail to develop trail plan/log?
o Meet Saturday, May 26 9:OOAM at Pearl St parking lot
• Present plan of one NAG trail to BOS
o Leave spur trails for another time
• Town Day coming up in June
o Have a presence, maps, talk about ideas
o Need BOS approval of plan before we solicit volunteers
Next meeting will be Thursday May 31 at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM. Voted 5-0.
_ Respectfully submitted, .
ark Rumiz