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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-19 ad Hoc - Northern Area Greenway Task Force MinutesTown of Reading Ad Hoc Northern Area Greenway Task Force Town. Nall Lower Conference Room October 19, 2006 Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK 2000 JUN 2°1 All: 42 Attendance: Dave Williams, Mark Rumizen, Will Finch, Charles Donnelly Moran, Fred Alexander, Joan Hoyt Absent: Brant Ballantyne, Marsie West, Frank Driscoll The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM. Minutes, from. the meeting from. October 501. were approved, with one revision. -"the Minutem an. Bike Trail in Lexington crosses many busy streets" attributed to Charles Moran was offered by someone else. + Dave stated that Peter Hechenbleikner is urging the committee to form a finance subgroup of two to three people. The subgroup should explore financial implications for improvements to the greenway. This would include both estimates and grants. • Will suggested that the committee obtain a price per mile for boardwalk that may be constructed within the greenway. Further, everyone should investigate both design and construction of trails. Standards for trail building should be provided to volunteers. • A question was raised as to whether or not trails would require ADA conformance. • Dave posed a question the question of whether or not to leave trails in their natural state as opposed to developing them. Will further questioned if this issue would affect possible grants for improvements. It was suggested that a small percentage of the trails could be made ADA complaint. • A question was raised - will access to the cabin be ADA? • Joan asked if any trails will allow motorized traffic. There was discussion regarding what if any motorized traffic is now allowed. • Mark asked if trails will be paved or unpaved for bike traffic. How much bike activity will there be in the greenway? Would bike traffic require two boardwalks allowing separation of bike and pedestrian traffic? • David. mentioned. that there is significant DPW activity arouna the compost center area - the DPW wishes to direct pedestrian traffic away from these areas. + Will raised the issue of DPW use of the water treatment plant area. What wi9l be the extent of their use of the area in the future? • It was suggested that an entry to greenway be added at Town Forest, possibly off the street adjacent to Loma Lane. • Charles mentioned that the cranberry bog bridge needs widening. • There was general discussion regarding what trails may be added to the greenway. • Will asked if fishing should be identified as a possible recreation use of the river. Also, should a canoe landing be considered? • It was suggested that if trails are to be improved that they should be both durable and professional. • A question was raised as to what activities could be promoted to draw residents to use the greenway. • It was suggested that there be different trail designations for both winter and summer uses. Some trails may have winter use,, but be impassable during,. summer (too wet). It was suggested that nature traits rear the Wood End School could ereate,riew interest from residents. Additionally, a nature trail could tie in to school curriculum. • Dave suggested that the committee consider an additional, third site walk. As .,previously agreed, the second site walk would include the Town Forest area. An additional site walk could provide the opportunity to explore both roads adjacent to the greenway and entryways. • There was discussion about canoeing the river. It was indicated that canoeing is possible starting from Wilmington, passing under Route 93, proceeding to Lob's Pond. • It was mentioned that the state stocks trout in the Ipswitch River area near Lob's Pond. • A question was raised about whether or not cleaning the river should be made a ,priority. • There was discussion about areas near the river that could be cleared for picnic areas. • It was indicated that public parks that get constant fees from the state are typically directed at high use areas. • It was suggested that the committee could recommend localizing the use of the greenway divided by RT. 28 initially, and then connect these areas at a later date. There was discussion regarding a, framework to create/improve trails; the committee should designate possible uses for different areas in the greenway, and offer recommendations. • It was suggested that one focus of the committee should include playing fields around the area currently occupied by the water treatment, plant. + There was further discussion regarding a third site walk. it was suggested that a site walk be scheduled for November 11 th. • It was suggested that the next meeting take place November 16th. • Will suggested that everyone begin researching online, specifically for issues related to trail building, boardwalks, examples of trails maps; the committee needs to research more details. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM. Voted 6-0. Respectfully submitted, Fred Alexander