HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-22 Trails Committee MinutesRECEIVED
Reading Trail Committee TOWN Cl_ERK Minutes: Joan Hoyt
February 22, 2011 READING, MASS.
5,
Members: Tom Gardiner, Dave Williams, Joan Hoyt, Sue Giacalone
Assoc. Members: Will Finch, John Parsons
In Attendance: Kim Honetschlager - GIS Coordinator
Fran Fink - Conservation Commission Administrator
The meeting came to order at 7:10 p.m. at Reading Town Hall.
New Business:
Volunteer Projects:
• Roy van Buren is looking for a volunteer opportunity, maybe trail clearing/
maintenance, that would qualify him to participate in an upcoming trail
run.
• Pepsi is looking for a volunteer opportunity - May 14, 2011 is the
deadline.
• Roux of Burlington still want quarterly volunteer projects.
Ideas... paint the inside of Mattera cabin, stencil storm drains, pull buckthorn.
Discussion about treating and eliminating poison ivy at various locations such as
Pinevale Ave. entrance, Franklin Street entrance and along the trail by At Wood End
Cemetery, Haverhill Street entrance into Bare Meadow woods, Kurchian Woods
entrance at Franklin Street. There is also knotweed at the Pearl Street entrance into
Bare Meadow that should be treated.
Dave will call Bob Keating, the Tree Warden and ask if this could be done.
Fran will ask the Conservation Committee to fund or purchase a buckthorn puller/weed
wrench.
Mattera Cabin Update:
Fran expects the Voke to be done with their work by March 31St. The Committee talked
about how the cabin can be used on weekends and having volunteers present so the
public can use the trails, use the cabin as a nature learning center, having nature
exhibits, books, etc. It is important to build up public awareness of the cabin and let
people know that it is available for use.
April 30, 2011 is the grand opening celebration at the Mattera Cabin.
Town Forest Map and Blazing:
We reviewed and discussed the map, trail ideas, changes, blazing color locations,
names of trails, etc. It was decided that the Town Forest Committee should be part of
naming trails and blazing.
Kim will redo the map, run it by the Committee at the next meeting and then it will be
introduced to the Town Forest Committee for their input.
Time frame to get blazing done is this year.
Would Roux volunteers be able/willing to do some blazing?
Would dog walkers be able/willing to do some blazing?
Should we organize a workday to train people to blaze? For consistency?
Goals for this year (2011):
• Kurchian Woods boardwalk repair and/or rebuilding
• Kurchian Woods mapping
• Pinevale needs boardwalk patched, brush cleared, poison ivy sprayed;
trail blazed
Annual Report - 2010:
An Annual Report has to be drafted, reviewed and submitted in February 2011. Some
things to include in the report are the completion of the Bare Meadow project with funds
from the Recreational Trails Program, 400+ volunteer hours, Haverhill Street boardwalk
completion, putting up the three kiosks, Earth Day participation, Friends and Family
Day, blazed Bare Meadow, cutting down and disposing of knotweed at Pearl St.
entrance to Bare Meadow, Eagle Scout boardwalk projects in Town Forest, Adopt-a-
Trail meeting at Sr. Center.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Voted to adjourn the meeting (4-0). The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
(The Aril 5, 2011 meeting was rescheduled to March 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. because
April 5t is an election day in Reading.)
(5A'4