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Present: Dorothy Baker, Roy Baker, Stan Beauregard, Amy Bell (VAOT), Mark Bombardier, Claude Desautels, John Gale, Raymond Larose, Richard Roberge, Bonnie Waninger (NRPC), Jeff Young
Chair Raymond Larose called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
S. Beauregard motioned to accept the minutes of the 09/16/98 meeting as written, J. Gale seconded. Motion carried.
B. Waninger reviewed the Request for Bids (RFB) for the bridge. The RFB asks consultants to determine if the existing piers, abutments, and bridge spans are structurally sound. If they are, the consultants will suggest alternatives for replacing the missing bridge span with a structure that accommodates trail travelers (including snowmobiles). The consultant will also prepare a cost estimate for the alternatives and an implementation schedule for the selected alternative. Waninger noted that NRPC would work with VAOT and others to address issues related to up~-ading the railroad bed to a trail bed on either side of the bridge while the consultant prepares the bridge assessment. The goal is to have a coordinated proposal that can be used to prepare an application for the next round of VAOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program funding. M. Bombardier will represent the Council on the RFB selection committee. The contract is expected to be awarded on December 5.
Construction - The burned bridge repair was scheduled
to begin in early November. It is on hold
because repair materials have not arrived.
Rail Trail Guide - A limited number of Guides were printed. They are being distributed through businesses, NRPC, and Lake Champlain Bikeways. Comments are welcome! Revisions will be made over the winter and a final Guide will be printed next April.
Grant Activities - The Enhancement contract to work on parking areas is signed. The Council can proceed with work. The next step is to get permit clearances. The Boy and Girl Scout Troops from Sheldon, Berkshire, Richford, and Fletcher installed mile marker posts on Phase II. (Thanks!) Several businesses have requested bike racks. The Council will review bike rack options at its next meeting.
Beneflis of Bicycling Workshop - About 25 people attended the workshop on November 5. Bruce Burgess of Bicycle Holidays shared the economic benefits of bicycle tourism and discussed the bicycle tourism market. Nancy Schulz of Vermont Bicycle Touring shared ideas and tips for how businesses can attract touring bicyclists. NRPC has received many comments in support of the workshop.
The Council discussed several possibilities for grants..For the time being, members would like to pursue funding for additional picnic tables and benches and for sending two Council representatives to the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy conference next year.
Lake Champlain Bikeways has offered to work with interested people to identify bicycle theme loops that explore Franklin County. The Council suggested names of people who might be interested in working on theme loops.
Snowmobile Concerns -- M. Bombardier reminded the Council ofVAST's concern that snowmobile travel on the paved portion of the Rail Trail could potentially damage the trail surface. VAST expressed this concern in the spring. At that time, VAOT staff suggested options for addressing the concern, including piling extra snow on the trail and placing a straw mulch or sand on the trail in advance of snowfall. VAST wondered who would follow through on the commitment. Bombardier also requested the Council's opinion on opening the trail gates in advance of the usual December 15 date. A December 1 opening date was suggested unless a heavy snowfall occurs earlier.
State Park Status - VAOT and FP&R are still discussing whether a transfer is desirable and how it could be accomplished. Legislative action will be needed.
There being no other business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Approved: ________________________
Copied using scanner & OCR software by Kenyon F. Karl <railtrails@crosswinds.net> from materials supplied by the NVRTC. Unintentional errors are likely!
