Bellingham Bikeway Meeting Minutes
August 27, 2009
7:00 PM
Present for the meeting were members Cliff Matthews, Mary Chaves, Bill Roberts, Ernie Taft, and Anne Matthews. Also in attendance was Ron Clough of DCR.
Franklin update
Ron Clough gave a brief update on the status of the Franklin section of the SNETT. Ron reported that DCR has already filed a Request for Determination of Applicability with the Franklin Conservation Commission for grading the section of the SNETT in Franklin. The Franklin ConCom has issued a Negative Determination with Conditions for the project. He also stated that the Franklin Bikeway Committee mailed out approximately 50 bikeway brochures to abutters but only one resident has responded to date. Franklin’s biggest obstacle is the
Prospect Street bridge which was allegedly filled in by the Town of Franklin in or around 1985 at about the same time that Mass. DEM purchased the Franklin section of the trail from Penn Central Railroad Corp.
DCR Mass. Trails Workshop Series, Sat., Sept. 19th
Cliff reminded members about the Trails Workshop Series. Ron Clough said that he believes that the workshop is already full and that there is a waiting list.
DCR update in Bellingham
Ron Clough reported that DCR will install gates on both sides of Lake Street in Bellingham this September. He said that the gates will help in DCR’s and the town’s efforts to deter ATV traffic by being able to patrol the trail. He said that DCR, the Bellingham Police, Fire and Parks Commission will be provided with keys to the locked gates.
Cliff Matthews said that the Bellingham DPW blocked off trail access to Old Blackmar Street and to the well access road off Cross St. recently. He said that the police have arrested a large number of ATV trespassers with unregistered ATV’s throughout the town.
Anne Matthews also noted that after our July meeting, Bill Roberts requested an abutters list to the SNETT from the Assessor’s Office. Bill was recognized for writing letters to Senator Moore and Rep. Jen Callahan updating them on the Bellingham Bikeway’s progress.
Bridge at South Main Street
Don DiMartino told Cliff Matthews that although the Town of Bellingham owns the road at South Main Street, Mass. Highway continues to own the bridge. Don is getting a quotation on the engineering and repair of the bridge from his consultants.
Legislative Updates
Cliff Matthews reported that Denis Fraine, members of the Bikeway Committee and Parks Commission all met with Rep. Callahan and Dan Driscoll of DCR on Tuesday, August 11th to discuss the Bellingham portion of the SNETT. Cliff said that at the meeting, he made a presentation of Bellingham’s SNETT including areas that could be linked to the SNETT. There
Minutes of the meeting of August 27, 2009
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was then some discussion with Rep. Callahan and Dan Driscoll. Cliff then remarked that Bellingham has good legislative support from both DCR and Representative Callahan. In essence, Bellingham’s goals are the same as other trail groups but we may have a different approach. He said that grant options were discussed at the meeting. Regarding potential funding, Ron Clough said that Franklin has a hotel tax which is earmarked for open space and recreation. Mary Chaves stated that Bellingham presently has only one hotel and therefore this idea was not worth pursuing. Cliff then said that Bellingham would be evaluating available grant programs to determine if any would be appropriate. Ron Clough offered to write a letter of support for the grant application if we can find an appropriate grant. Once the applicant is complete, we will
send a copy to Ron for his letter of support.
Minutes
The minutes of May 28th and June 25th were unanimously accepted for content and intent.
The next meeting of the Bellingham Bikeway Committee was scheduled for Thursday, September 24th, 7:00 PM at the Bellingham Historical Building.
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