MASS CENTRAL RAiL TRAIL CONSTRUCTION TASK FORCE

MASS CENTRAL RAIL TRAIL TASK FORCE ANNUAL REPORT 2003

Work has progressed on four major projects on the MCRT in 2003:
·

In Holden, the 0.7 mile section between the two Kaplan bridges was constructed with proper drainage and finished surface with stone

dust by the Holden DPW, completing the final link between Oakdale and River St., Holden.

In Rutland, Len Gengel fulfilled his promise to complete the construction of the MCRT, continuing from Watson Lane west to Route

56. Weather was not kind to him, and we appreciate his resolute determination to see that section completed, all as a donation to

Greenways and the Town. In 2004, he’ll smooth the foundation surface and the drainage ditches, and we will hire a contractor to spread

a crowned stone dust surface on the full 1.6 miles from Glenwood to Route 56.
·

Also in Rutland, we contracted with CAPA to construct and surface 0.7 mile of trail from the Rutland State Park entrance road west

over the 55 foot high causeway over Long Pond, and on past the picnic grove to the Midstate Trail. This section of trail is becoming

very popular with visitors to the State Park who hike or ride it west to the Oakham end of Whitehall Road and circle back via Whitehall

around the swimming area and back to the park entrance road.
·

For Sterling, the Big Dig bridges have been prepared to span the gap at the Quag. BC Industries of Oxford donated professional

sandblasting and painting of the two 50 foot spans. Sterling DPW cleared snow from the area where the bridges were stored. Wachusett

Precast once again lifted the bridges onto a truck, and Leahy Construction transported them to, and later from, Oxford. We contracted

with Superior Steel and Welding to build new sturdy and child-proof railings for the bridges. They presently sit beside Manning Street,

Holden, until the abutments are constructed.

In addition, many volunteers (including especially Stan Miller, Dale Faraday, Gary Tuthill, and, as ever, Colleen Abrams) helped buff

up the Springdale Mill River Walk (the MCRT from I-190 to River Street, Holden) in preparation for its dedication on 25 October 2003. This

This included installing granite benches next to the Charlotte Kaplan bridge, signage directing people to trailheads, improvements at

trailhead parking lots, etc.

Significant Task Force time went into researching private property ownership, negotiation with property owners for trail easements,

scouting an optimum route for connecting from Route 68 in Holden up to the RR right-of-way while maintaining handicap accessibility,

planning for improved access to the Quinapoxet section of the MCRT, engineering for the Quag bridge and its abutments and for the

capping of the two cattle passes in Sterling, and dealing with permits from Conservation Commissions in Holden and Sterling.

In 2004, we hope to see the Quag bridge in place. Greenways has been awarded a $50,000 grant for trail construction in Sterling, but

we must match that sum from local contributions (monetary and labor & equipment) in order to complete the trail from the Cider Mill

south to Gates Road.

We hope to construct the Route 68 connector in Holden to the Rutland line. We will improve signage and trailhead parking areas at

Oakdale, at River St., Manning St., & Mill St. in Holden, and at Glenwood Rd. in Rutland. We will continue trail clearing and

preparation in Rutland from Charnock Hill to Barracks Hill, and on to the State Park entrance road. We will continue to work behind

the scenes on access, easements, and engineering.

We must continue to urge our town officials and our legislators to keep pressing the State to proceed with the two projects which were

included in the 2002 Transportation Bond Bill: Reconstruction of a bicycle pathway tunnel under Route 56 in Rutland, and Construction

of a rail trail bridge next to the Beaman St. bridge on Route 140 in West Boylston.

And finally, we will work with the Greenways Directors to turn over completed sections of the MCRT to them, expecting them to

organize a separate group for ongoing trail maintenance by WG and towns.

Task Force: Ed Yaglou, Colleen Abrams, Jack Downes, Bob Elms, Rick Mathews, Bruce Pennino, John Scannell, Dick Williams

MCRT TF Annual Report 2003

The matching grant of $60,000 to secure the second part of the Kaplan Grant is now complete. This means the grant money for the purchase of the 90' Charlotte Kaplan bridge will go forward. This bridge will be installed across the Quinapoxet River just west of the Springdale Mill site and the I-190 bridge. The bridge will link the MCRT from Oakdale to River Street in Holden, a three mile stretch along the Quinapoxet River.

We have another grant from the DEM (Department of Environmental Management) of $80,000 which requires a matching fund of $30,000 contributed by Wachusett Greenways members and friends. This grant is urgently needed to complete three trail sections in Holden and Rutland covering 2 1/2 miles during 2002.

We want to express our sincere thanks to all who have or will contribute to this fund. We believe the money spent on this project will result in one of the most scenic rail trails with unique beauty for each season of the year.

The Greenways volunteers have been working on the Springdale Mill Site next to the rail trail and have cleared trees and brush from the site area. This will be a walk - through historical site with interpretive signs and images depicting industrial life in the late 1800's. Look at our new Springdale Mill web site for information of this mill complex. Go to springdalemill.org.

During the week of May 21st, five Americorps volunteers worked like dogs to clear the path of our future trail over MDC and MWRA land between Manning and Mill Streets in Holden. Despite three days of showers and rain, they persisted, and we are now ready to begin the rough grading for the actual tread way. This section of the rail trail is part of our detour around the section of the former RR right-of-way from River street through Holden Sand and Gravel to Quinapoxet Street, which section has been lost to private development.

The Americorps team consisted of crew leader Kelly from Washington state, Bella from Brooklyn, Matt from Wisconsin, Ross from Maine, and Yuri from Pennsylvania. They stayed at the Trout Brook lodge during the week. Greenways advisor Hank Ouellette worked alongside the group almost the entire week. At one point, the Americorps team expressed concern over our planned path through a beautiful hemlock grove, feeling that our bulldozing might well harm the very trees that so attracted us. After some discussion, we agreed to a route skirting the grove, and expect in the future to cut a footpath cul-de-sac into the grove.

Wednesday evening, Pauline Cloutier coordinated a potluck supper for the crew at Trout Brook. Eight Greenways folks joined the Americorps team for a fine feed, and the sun actually shone on us for a few minutes. We understand that Caroline McHugh returned a little while later to show the
crew her dogs!

In Massachusetts, the Americorps Program is a collaborative effort between the Student Conservation Association, a national non-profit devoted to providing conservation service opportunities for young people and the state Division of Forests and Parks. It is centered in Dubuque State Forest in Hawley. Members ages 18 to 26 come from all over the country to provide environmental education and conservation service to communities throughout Massachusetts. In return for their service, members receive valuable training, an educational award, insurance, a modest stipend, and room and board. We found them most dedicated to the environment and most courteous to us and to each other. It was a pleasure to have them work with us.