Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Citizen Rail Trail Committee meeting

David L. Labonte opens meeting, approx 15 people present

Bill Desantis, Chief Design Engineer for the Blackstone River Bikeway in RI

presentation with photos of existing conditions along the trail

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example of multi use trail in Mansfield, MA

Wachusett Greenway in Stirling, MA good example of an unpaved trail

how is the funding to be obtained?
four options, probably use some or all of them: Federal, State, Local, public/private partnerships (donations, fund raising, "buy a foot of the trial", etc.)

It takes a lot of patience and hard work. Bill has been working on the Blackstone River Bikeway since 1993 and has 12 miles completed.

Steel plate girders were welded together, is there lead paint still on the girders? Is work required on the concrete supports?

When you get going:
  • get the emergency response together on how it will be supported. Be prepared to answer the security questions.
  • Get DPW involved on estimates for maintenance, cut grass, etc.
  • Liability for children on the trail, age of reason is 12 or under in MA
  • Prepare for property owner issues
Trail Link has a listing of web sites to find info on existing trails

Motion to approve minutes of past meeting

III - Report from Ron Clough
  • DCR to install gates on Lake and Spring Streets
  • then smooth out the bumps
  • no date set with Callahan, Bellingham folks requested meeting
Need better representation at Conservation Commission meeting from committee members

IV - Report on Membership
  • Dave Denison and Mark McKeown to meet with Dave LaBonte and Allan Sawyer on the membership details
Presentation proposal for Rotary on a future Thursday in Sep (target for Sep 17)

V - Report on Cost Estimating
hard to prepare cost estimate with out a design to work with
use $500,000 per mile as a working estimate for

will use Grant Trunk trail # for application, need DUNS number
have official IRS letter for submittal

Grading from Grove to Spring, Spring to Prospect, but a wall exists at Prospect, how to navigate beyond Prospect is an issue requiring a resolution.

We are a division of the Grand Trunk Trailblazers, they are the 501c3 corporation

VI - Report from Finance Committee
invoice to be submitted to Bay State Trail Riders

VII - Report of Fund Raising
Possible fund raiser road race after the Crackerbarrel Race is complete in Sep

VIII - Publicity

Response from 'abutters', one response from mailing of 53, they said they were coming to the meeting but haven't showed up tonight

Brochures available for distribution to local stores
use for distribution to bike shops and sporting goods stores

discussion on grade cross via tunnel or a ramp, the ramp would have to meet disability access requirements

Public Land Use Committee - meeting at 6:30 PM in Rm 205 to present an outline of the committee plans for the rail trail/multi-use trail and look at funding recommendations from their point of view

Report of Blackstone meeting - 30 people at the meeting, 4 people from Blackstone

There will be a Bike rodeo for Cub Scouts next year. This would be a good place for advertising the Citizens Rail Trail work.

Next meeting Sep 10, 7:30 PM, likely at Odd Fellows Lodge.

Live reporting - Action items

J. LEGISLATION FOR ACTION
1. Resolution 09-56: Confirmatory Order of Taking-Land off Mechanic Street
Motion to approve - passed 7-0

K. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Maxine Kinhart reporting on behalf of Jeff NUtting
Senior Center opened for those citizens who would need the cooler conditions
Connect CTY was used to notify the town. One came Mon, two came Tue.

Third Thursday - 8/20/09 - Anticipation is the theme, music at Cafe Dolce, multiple business participating

L. OLD BUSINESS - none

M. NEW BUSINESS - none

N. COUNCIL COMMENTS
Scott - (1) had pleasure of being a judge of the chocolate chip cookie bake-off, while he enjoyed the challenge, he won't be eating a chocolate chip cookie for awhile.

(2) signature to get name on the ballot is not an endorsement

Tom Doak is not running again this year. Three terms is enough.

O. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations, Litigation, Real Property, as May Be Required

P. ADJOURN - motion to adjourn approved 7-0




live reporting - Housing Partnership

F. HEARINGS- none

G. LICENSE TRANSACTIONS- none

H. DISCUSSIONS
Franklin Housing Partnership
discussion on dissolution of group due to changes in law, it is no longer as required, other functions have taken; to bring a resolution to next meeting for decision

I. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS - none





Live reporting - Town Council

Attending: Mason, Vallee, Bartlett, Feeley, Pfeffer, Doak, McGann
Missing: Whalen, Zollo


A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 5, 2009 Motion to Approve, passed 7-0

B. ANNOUNCEMENTS- none

C. PROCLAMATIONS/RECOGNITIONS - none

D. CITIZEN COMMENTS - none

E. APPOINTMENTS
Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
Appointment of Robert Gagnon
Motion to Approve, passed 7-0

Historical Commission
Appointment of Joanne Brunner
Motion to Approve, passed 7-0

Harvest Festival - Sep 20th

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is preparing for their September Downtown Harvest Festival and is inviting crafters, restaurants, vendors and community groups to register for this year’s event.

This festival is the Partnership’s largest event and brings over 2,500 people to downtown Franklin each year. The festival will be Sunday, September 20th. The rain date is Sunday, September 27th. The event will be downtown starting on Main Street and will include East Central Street and Summer Street. There will be a variety of free entertainment and fun games and food. This year the Partnership is inviting restaurants to participate and showcase their menu items to area residents. Last year the festival had close to 100 vendors and crafters participate and they expect even more this year.

Space is limited, so anyone interested in participating should e-mail Mary Graff for more details and a registration form at mgraff@berryinsurance.com or call (508)733-5504.

The booth fee is $50.00 if registration is received by August 20th. The fee increases to $75.00 after that. Registration is free for Partnership business members.

Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation is this year’s Gold Sponsor and Middlesex Savings Bank is the Bronze Sponsor. Sponsorships are still needed for the festival. As a non-profit organization the Downtown Partnership depends on sponsors in order to fund the downtown festivals and events.

The Partnership has formed a merchants committee which will be hosting a “Third Thursday” event downtown each month. The events will be held every third Thursday and will include special events, sales, refreshments, and free entertainment at local downtown businesses. For more details contact Jane Curran at janeframe@verizon.net This year the downtown will also host a Holiday Stroll on December 3rd.

Any business, organization or resident interested in becoming a sponsor or who would like to become a member of the Partnership should call the Executive Director, Lisa Piana, at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com or (774)571-3109 or visit the downtown office location at 9 East Central Street .

The Partnership’s mission is to stimulate economic development in the downtown in order to create a positive impact throughout the area. Some of the past Franklin downtown projects include the new bronze sculpture in front of the museum, the downtown signs, and working with town officials on new construction, green space and streetscape projects. New members are always welcome!



Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Wachusett St open

The constructions signs are down.
The trenches paved for now.


Franklin: Wachusett St open the signs are down the trenches paved for now., originally uploaded by shersteve.

The street is back in business until next year when it will get rebuilt.