HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-07 Trails Committee Minutes Reading Trails Committee Minutes: Joan Hoyt
December 7, 2010
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Members: Tom Gardiner, Joan Hoyt, Dave WilliamsM
Assoc. Members: Will Finch, John Parsons,' '
In Attendance: Kim Honetschlager— GIS Coordinator �"�,
Fran Fink - Conservation Commission Administratorp ->:.UCD
Boy Scout Rick Palermo, Donna Palermo u
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The meeting came to order at 7:05 p.m. at the Reading Town Hall, Downstairs
Conference Room.
Minutes from Oct. 12, 2010 and Nov. 9, 2010 meetings were approved (3-0).
Eagle Scout Project:
Rick Palermo discussed the plans he is proposing for his Eagle Scout project.
He would like to post maps at various locations in the Town Forest. He would
begin at the Wood End School entrance to the Town Forest and continue up to
the Council Ring. It is his intention to laminate the maps and attach them to what
he calls "kiosks" which would then be mounted onto posts. He and his scout
team will then dig post holes and set the posts in the ground at 15 trail
intersections. It is not his intention to "blaze" trails with paint. Rick plans to begin
this project in the Spring of 2011 possibly late April or early May.
Questions to and discussion with Rick was a good start towards understanding
his project goals, as well as communicating to him the goals of the Trails
Committee. To have the Town Forest's trails marked consistently throughout the
Ipswich River Greenway is a benefit to the people using the trails. Rick plans to
be at the next meeting scheduled for January 11, 2011 at which time members of
the Town Forest Committee will also attend.
The committee will work on a color map plan for blazing Town Forest trails for
future projects. Kim offered to provide Rick with updated maps once the trails
are color coded.
Trails Committee and Town Forest Committee:
There was discussion about the future of the Town Forest Committee and the
Trails Committee, and how the two groups can work together to benefit the Town
Forest use. Topics of discussion: increased all around use, illegal camp fires,
campers, fees?, parking, too many cars and driving too fast, limiting number of
cars during events, blazing trails, boardwalk.
Town-Budget Request Letter:
The draft of the budget request letter requesting $1,500 was reviewed and
changes made. Joan will revise the letter. It was suggested that the letter be
signed by the Committee Chairman and submitted as soon as possible to the
Town Manager.
Adopt-a-Trail Program:
Fran has received a few trail reports back from adopters, Joan and Susan will
continue to work on the list, Susan will work on the contact letter to adopters..
Winter Hikes Scheduled:
Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 at 1:00— Meet at Mattera Cabin and hike into Bare
Meadow
Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 1:00—Meet at Wood End School parking lot and hike
into the Town Forest.
Other discussion: Owl prowl or full moon hike on conservation lands after hours,
Johnson Woods update, Mattera Cabin progress and update.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 11, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m.
` Voted to adjourn the meeting (3-0). The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Cite.
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�-\ Town of Reading
Trails Committee
Reading, MA 01867
December 13,2010
Mr. Peter Hechenbleikner
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867
Re: Town Budget—Reading Trails Committee
Dear Mr. Hechenbleikner:
The Trails Committee would like to request a budget line item in the amount of$1,500 in
the Fiscal Year 2012 Budget to support various trail projects within the Town of Reading
for 2011. The Committee feels that with this financial support, we could continue to
plan, develop and maintain current and future trail systems, including the Ipswich River
Greenway,thereby serving the residents of the community.
® The following are estimates of how the committee would use the funds:
1. $1,100 would be used to purchase lumber, nails,paint and other materials needed
to maintain and improve current and fume trail and boardwalk sites.
2. $400 would be used for the purchase of tools to include but not be limited to a
weed wrench to remove invasive species from our open spaces, an adjustable tree
lopper for clearing hanging branches from trails and a hammer which is a tool that
aids in the building of boardwalks.
The Trails Committee respectfully requests that the Town Manager include the amount of
$1,500 in the budget presentation.
Representatives of the Trails Committee are interested in attending the Selectmen's
budget committee meetings in January to further explain the need for these funds.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Gardiner, Chairman
Reading Trails Committee
cc: Board of Selectmen
Bob LeLacheur,Assistant Town Manager/Finance Director
Fran Fink,Conservation Commission Administrator
George Perry, Chairman, Town Forest Committee