DRAFT VERSION
Bellingham Bikeway Meeting
April 23, 2009
7:00 PM
Members present were: Clifford Matthews, Neal Standley, Wm. Roberts, Ernie Taft, and Anne Matthews. Ron Clough of Division of Conservation and Recreation was also present.
Cliff Matthews began the meeting by welcoming members of the Franklin Trail Group. He gave a brief history of the SNET Trail and noted that the last privately owned section of the trail held by the Morse’s was transferred back to DCR in 2002 and that the next step should be to schedule a site walk of the trail that runs from Blackstone to Franklin. Ron Clough offered to confirm that another section of the trail that runs behind the Sportsmen’s Club is also owned by the state.
Mr. Matthews stated that the Bellingham Bikeway Committee has been organized as a subcommittee of the Conservation Commission and was formally endorsed by the Board of Selectmen in March. The Committee working with Representative Jennifer Callahan, who has appropriated $250K in the Environmental Bond for the Bellingham Bikeway project, has begun its research for additional bond money as well as begun research on estimated costs. He stated further that members of the committee have areas of expertise that will help in both research for funding and planning. At the present time, costs are estimated between $500,000 to $1M per mile depending of the requirements for culverts, fill, surveys, bridges, takings, the creation of parking areas, etc. Some cost sheets were distributed to the Bellingham members. Ron Clough suggested that Bellingham apply
for DCR matching grants in addition to the environmental bond money.
Members of the Franklin group, a private group, asked for advice on how they should proceed with their project i.e. should they get involved with their Conservation Commission or other governmental bodies. Cliff Matthews said that because we are a governmental group, our meetings are open to the public and minutes will be posted on the town web site. Ernie Taft added that Bellingham has a very good communication and support among town boards including the DPW Director and Board of Selectmen which will definitely be a benefit to the project.
Bill Roberts presented a short slide show on a section of the trail running from Center St. to the South School that he had walked showing some problem areas.
A site walk was scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd at 8:00 AM. Members will meet at Center Street and will walk west towards Blackstone. Ernie Taft added that one of the reasons that Bellingham is interested in this length of trail is because there is town owned land at Center Street that could be earmarked for some parking and that the trail runs behind the South School where there is also ample parking.
The second walk will be scheduled at a later date and will begin at Center Street and run east towards Franklin.
Ron Clough recognized the need to prevent ATV and dirt bike use on these sections of the trail in both the towns of Bellingham and Franklin. He said that he had approached Rep. Vallee and Senator Brown, Franklin’s legislative representatives, who nodded in support when Ron suggested that he install gates at every trail access at road crossings and post with signs. He said that once that is achieved, he would be able to patrol, clean and grade the trails thereby generating an increased public interest in them. He said that public/private partnerships are important in the trails’ success.
The next meeting was scheduled for 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 28th at the Bellingham Museum.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
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