HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-06-GCC-min
Minutes of the November 6, 2023 Meeting of the Greenways Corridor Committee
Members present in person: Keith Ohmart (chair), Alex Dohan, Eileen Entin, Peggy Enders, Yifang Gong,
Bob Hausslein
Members present virtually: Mal Crawford, Bobak Moshiri, Stephen Perkins
Non-members present in person: Mike Tabaczynski
Non-members present virtually: Susan Kenyon
The minutes of the October 16, 2023 meeting were approved unanimously.
Reports/Updates Magic (MAPC) workshop.
Keith attended the morning half of the all-day meeting. The emphasis was on bike trails. A take-away was
to think of trails not only for recreation, but also as a resource, such as promoting them for access to open
spaces. Parking areas for trails should include signage that is user friendly - indicate bathrooms, water,
etc.
Keith’s suggestion of signage with time/distance to locations of interest was met with Peggy’s reminder that
we have done this for Bike/Walk/Bus Week. Consider permanent signage. Mike will find the company that
has made such signs for other towns.
The workshop discussed the merits of placing art along trails and bikeways, especially of other cultures -
both to welcome the culture and to broaden understanding.
Bike/Ped Plan Drafting Meeting - November 1. This final public meeting, attended by Keith and Bobak,
was mostly a recap wiith inputs from many committees collected together. The product spreadsheet and
maps is meant to be a resource for town staff going forward and is intended to fluid over time as
opportunities arise. The draft will go to the Select Board for approval at the end of the month.
Future Meeting Dates/Time. After discussion we settled on the first Thursday of the month from 4:00 to
5:30, starting this December 7.
Ongoing Business
Proposed Route 9/Concord Ave./Waltham St. Bob reported that Dig Safe has approved the four post
locations. Awaiting Dave Pinsonneault on site approval at the Pleasant Street crossing near Route 2, after
which the posts can be installed. Long term future addition/modification may include routing from Concord
Avenue next to April Lane to Piper Road, depending on future MBTA housing development plans for the
adjacent property. Mike suggested expanding the desired Route 2 approval for the Waterstone connector to
create an alternative to Piper Road.
Proposed Route 8/Concord Ave Land Management Plan. Keith reported little progress with
Conservation since the last meeting. To be negotiated is the portion of the total cost, especially the
boundary surveying, that our funding source should cover as the next step.
Proposed Route 19/AGM/LVB Connector. Keith reported that the option of entering the Harrington School
area via the social trail and bridge is off the table largely because of the unavailability of staff time to deal
with the difficult relocation of the trail off private property very close to wetlands. The current proposed option
proposed is to go on the paved section between the school and the administration building to the back
corner of the parking lot , then through the woods and out to Woburn Street at the Housing Authority. This
option hopefully needs relatively little investment of time by Conservation to approve. A future option
proposed by Mike once the present school administration building is razed and playing fields installed would
be to use the wooded border on the left side of the property to circle around the playing fields to reach the
wooded parcel connecting to the Housing Authority and Woburn Street.
Proposed Waterstone Connector. Mike, Stephen, and Keith met with Karen and Carol Kowalski via
Zoom. Carol agreed to provide introductions to the appropriate people at MassDOT and MWRA, with the
expectation that much can be carried forward without her involvement. Karen provided wetland surveys of
the area near Waterstone to aid in trail location.
Memorial Bench Proposal. Bobak’s original proposal to locate donated memorial benches strategically
along our trials for rest and rejuvenation was expanded upon. Keith noted that the proposal is in the spirit of
the Magic workshop to make our trails more user friendly. Peggy had suggested getting the support of the
Commission on Disabilities and the Council on Aging. Bench locations could be included on maps. Alex
said to expect pushback to adding benches, citing the Storywalk objections at Parker Meadow. Keith noted
that discussion will be needed with Conservation, DPW and other town departments. To pay for the
purchase and installation of benches, Peggy suggested getting CPA funds which Keith noted could be used
for a pilot program for future memorial donations. Eileen started a discussion of bench types - stone/granite
slabs, wood with backs and armrests, metal, etc. Longevity and maintenance to be addressed; Con Comm
has a documented policy for benches in conservation areas.
New Business.
MWRA Bikeway Closure in 2025. Keith and Peggy reported on the Bikeway closure for MWRA work
between Bow Street and Maple Street starting after Patriots Day 2025 but likely not until 2026, for a duration
of about a year. During the closure, there will be no access between the Bikeway and the trails in
Arlington’s Great Meadows, rendering Route C no longer a loop. When the time comes, we will post on the
website and put up informative signs at key locations. Peggy will keep in contact for updates.
There is an existing closure on Route A between Emerson Road and North Street. Keith has posted signs
detouring to Adams Street
Meeting adjourned at 4:57 pm
Minutes by Bob Hausslein