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Present: Dorothy Baker, Roy Baker, Stan Beauregard, Richard Bowen (VAOT), Jeanne Britch, Marie Brouillette, Richard Brouillette, Guy Choiniere, Craig Dusablon, John Gale, Raymond Larose,'Theda Larose, Rick Lansing, Evelyn Martel, Steve McNeil, Chad Pearson, Richard Roberge, Val Schadinger, Jim Smith, Evelyn Stanley, Duane Stetson, Dick Thompson, Chuck Vile (FP&R), Bonnie Waninger (NRPC), Delvin Warner (VAOT), Nancy Warner, (one name unreadable)
Chair Raymond Larose called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
CROSSINGS POLICY: Dick Bowen, VAOT Rail and Airways Division.
Bowen summarized the Agency of Transportation's: crossing policy (attached). He noted the policy applied to both railroad corridors and rail trails. The criteria were not ordered by priority. He added that safety was the driving influence in determining the policy. Bowen also said when VAOT grants residential crossings, the easement specifies one residence only. Valuation sheets which show known crossings as of 1918 are available upon request. Bowen will send the crossings policy to representatives of towns along the MVRT to assist them in town planning and development proposal evaluation. The Northwest Regional Planning Commission provided a list of town contacts in April. Council members questioned the amount and destination fund of annual fees for crossing easements. Bowen said they send the current fee of $50 to the general transportation fund per current state legislation. The Vermont Rail Council would like to see this policy changed so the funds are returned to rail corridors. Bowen noted VAOT would support this change to help support rehabilitation of tracks.
Maintenance Funds -- Council members asked Bowen to comment on rail trail maintenance funds. Bowen noted the VAOT budget for railroad lease management, which includes rail trails, was $50,000 for fiscal year 1998. Most of the funds were spent on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail and the Lamoille Valley Railroad. The MVRT did not receive funds because it is still under construction. For fiscal year 1999, $270,000 are available on a first come, first serve basis. The funds improve or protect the rail property, including encroachment management, washout repair, etc. The MVRT is eligible this year.
Other Issues -- Members also asked questions regarding damage, vandalism, encroachment, and safety issues. Bowen will check with VAOT's attorney regarding the backhoe joyrider in Sheldon and wires and fencing placed across the Trail. Chuck Vile noted that wire across the Trail is an immediate safety hazard for Trail users. Council members should take it down immediately if they feel comfortable doing this. Bowen noted VAOT could work with farmers to bury wires if they are crucial to ongoing farm activities. Roy Baker asked about a potential encroachment near the Sheldon pulp mill. Bowen visited the site in April and needs to research if VAOT has leased the property. Responsibility for notifying encroachers of violations lies with VAOT, but they rely on local citizens to report potential encroachments, including illegal crossings.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Delvin Warner, VAOT District #8 Resident Engineer
Surfacing -- The surfacing is finished except paving
in Enosburg Falls. The crushed fines will harden with time and a
good rainfall. Paving extends from Main Street at Valley Auto to
the
Pleasant Street sidewalk at Agway. VAST representatives warned
that pavement was not a suitable surface for snowmobiles and some
damage will occur. Some washouts need to be fixed.
Burned.Bridge -- VAOT has assessed the bridge in Sheldon that a grass fire accidentally damaged. The fire did not substantially damage the abutment and main stringers. The material above the stringers will need replacement, including new ties, decking, and curbing.
Cattle Crossings -- Warner asked the Council to make a recommendation on paving cattle crossings to help eliminate maintenance problems: After discussion, it was unclear whether the Council supported the proposal.
Vandalized Gates -- Warner noted he had ordered extra gates and posts with Phase II funding and wondered if the Council could install them. Members felt gate installation was not a task they felt comfortable doing.
Fencing -- The contractor will install a special wooden fence through the Village to define private and public property. Several business owners in the Village questioned how their snowmobile customers would access the Rail Trail with the fence in place. They wondered if snowmobiles will be required to use public streets. Warner noted about one mile of woven wire fencing will be installed along Phase II.
YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS Craig Dusablon, VAOT Landscape Coordinator
Dusablon explained how the YCC program works. The crew will begin work on June 23 and work for five weeks. The crew will spend the first week clearing obstructions from the culverts between St. Albans and Sheldon Junction (primary focus is north of Greens Corner). The final four weeks will involve improvements to the St. Albans parking area, including installing landscaping, enhancing the entry, and developing a picnic area.
ADOPT-A-TRAIL PROGRAM
Stan Beauregard explained the Council's focus has always been to first get the Rail Trail in place and constructed and second to work on enforcement and maintenance issues. Adopt-A-Trail works to involve businesses and community members in promoting, enhancing, and developing the Trail. Raymond Larose noted that VAOT wants to approve all community activities on the Trail. He suggested the Council draft an overall program description for VAOT approval so each Adopter does not have to solicit direct approval from VAOT. Council members felt two types of activities might fall under an Adoption program: day-to-day maintenance activities (litter pickup, reporting of hazards and washouts, etc.) and enhancement activities (landscaping, benches, etc.).
GRANT ACTIVITY COORDINATION AND GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Discussion deferred to the next meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
ATV Use -- Council members noted disparities in messages from the Vermont State Police regarding ATV use on the Rail Trail. Chuck noted that Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FP&R) -who uses the State Police for enforcement -- must approve all ATV use. The current FP&R policy is no ATV use on the Trail. The policy exists to protect trail users. Council members supported the policy and its enforcement. The Council will invite State Police representatives to speak at the next meeting.
Maintenance Program -- Council members noted that the Phase I surface needs maintenance. How will this and other maintenance activities be completed? Raymond noted the State has not budgeted specific funds for maintenance of the MVRT. VAOT does have a small pot of fund for rail corridor maintenance across the state. Maintenance funds remain an ongoing question for all state-owned rail trails.
Business Participation -- Chad asked how trail users will know that businesses are along the Rail Trail. Bonnie mentioned the Council's guide to services and sites that it expects to complete in July. The information kiosks also provide a site for information distribution (like the State information kiosks). Council members felt the Trail's scenic qualities should be protected from a proliferation of signs.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Approved: _____________________
May 21, 1998
The following is a policy which the Agency of Transportation has adopted regarding the permitting of private or farm crossings over state-owned rail beds. This policy will apply equally to active railroads as well as rail trails.
Before granting permission to construct an at-grade crossing, at least one of the following criteria must be met:
1. Proof that a residence existed on the property which is to be developed.
2. Evidence of a historic crossing to the property.
3. An existing crossing is documented or identified on the railroad valuation sheet.
4. Other private crossing(s) servicing the same property may be closed as the result of a "new" private crossing.
5. The "new" crossing will be located to maximize visibility, both for the railroad/trail user as well as to the owner of the private drive.
6. For trail crossings, the applicant will pay for the cost of purchase and installation of gates and necessary signs, and assigned fees in conjunction with an Agency of Transportation crossing agreement.
