|
|
Present: Dorothy Baker, Roy Baker, Bill Brunelle, Kathleen Brunelle, John Gale, Barry Kade, Raymond Larose, Chet Parsons, Jim Smith, Phyllis Tiffany, Chuck Vile (FP&R), Bonnie Waninger (NRPC)
Chair Raymond Larose called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
B. Brunelle moved to accept the minutes of the March 15, 1999 meeting as written. K. Brunelle seconded Motion carried.
R. Larose summarized the meeting with Sue Scribner and Amy Bell of the Vermont agency of Transportation. The Truss Bridge alternative had a higher than expected cost ($700,000-$1 million) and extended the project completion date 3-5 years (2006-2010). The Council believed this alternative was unlikely and unfeasible. In discussing the prefabricated bridge alternative, the Council noted both VAST and VAOT thought the cost estimates were low. M. Bombardier obtained an estimate for $522,000 from a bridge contractor. VAOT also suggested the project would cost $525,000. B. Kade moved to recommend the pre-fabricated bridge alternative. B. Brunelle seconded. Motion carried.
The Council reviewed the proposed bicycle rack sponsor agreement. It was clarified that the Council would reimburse cosponsors 50% of the rack cost or $22.50 per bicycle, whichever was less. It was also clarified that the business would choose a rack, sign the agreement, order the rack, and send the receipt to the Council for reimbursement. Council members agreed to delete the last item under "Council": "Reimburse Cosponsor for original cost share and relocate the bicycle rack if public access cannot be maintained by cosponsor for reasons such as the business closes or changes ownership." B. Kade moved to accept the agreement with the change as noted. J. Smith seconden. Motion carried.
The Council reviewed the proposal for project management services by the Northwest Regional Planning Commission. J. Gale motioned to enter into a contract with the Northwest Regional Planning Cornmissionf~r services. B. Brunelle seconded. Motion carried.
Parking Area Grant - B. Waninger reported NRPC has begun contacting various state and federal agencies regarding permits for the parking areas. It is expected that a categorical exclusion can be obtained.
Richford Informational Meeting - R. Larose noted he has received many requests for information on the Trail and the Council from Richford residents. He scheduled an informational meeting for April 24 at 9 a.m. in Brenda's Kitchen on Main Street. He asked the Council to sponsor coffee and doughnuts for the event. Council members are invited to attend.
Green Up Day Event - NRPC has been working with the Northwest Vermont Solid Waste District and local Scout troops for a Green Up Day litter pickup on the Rail Trail. Casella's has offered to pay for litter disposal. Scout troops from St. Albans, Enosburg, Fletcher, Berkshire, and Richford will participate along with community volunteers. A picnic will follow the clean up. Hannaford's has donated hot dogs for the event.
Phase II Trail Surface - Trail users are reporting that the Phase II surface is very soft and difficult to travel. Council members a~teed the surface did not settle over the winter like Phase I had.
ATVs - ATVs continue to be a problem. Council members report surface damage throughout the length of the trail. Informal trail crossings by ATVs are eroding the ballast sides and ATV "doughnuts" scar the trail surface.
Spring Maintenance and Gate Closing - R. Larose reported the gates have been closed for the season. He recorded locations where surface damage needed repairing. VAOT District #8 agreed tomake the repairs. The Council noted its appreciation for the District's cooperation and prompt response.
Dogs - Trail users and neighbors have complained about unleashed dogs on the trail. The dogs intimidate trail users and trespass onto private property. Currently, there is no leash regulation for the trail. C. Vile noted such a regulation is difficult to enforce.
State Park Proposal - C. Vile reported that the FP&R and VAOT continue negotiations on making the D&H Rail Trail and the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail state parks. FP&R has requested $160,000 annually for maintaining both trails. The MVRT Linear State Park bill introduced by Representatives Gervis and Ferry is in the House Natural Resources Committee. No action is expected this year. Council members directed R. Larose to request a letter in support of the bill from the Northwest Transportation Advisory Committee and Northwest Regional Planning Commission.
Meeting Date - Council members confirmed that the Council would continue to meet the third Wednesday of the month, as needed.
Youth Corps Crew - B. Waninger noted the Council had received a letter from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps(YCC). The Council was awarded a YCC crew and $5,000 for enhancements to parking areas in Sheldon Junction, North Sheldon, and East Berkshire. The work is scheduled to begin in late-July and continue for three weeks. The crew is funded through a grant from the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
Millennium Trails Program - B. Waninger noted the federal government has initiated a program to honor 2000 trails for the new millennium. As part of the program, each state can nominate two trails that best represent the state's resources. VAOT has suggested the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail be one of those trails. The Council supports the application.
B. Kade moved to adjourn at 9:05p.m. J. Gale seconded. Motion carried.
Minutes Approved: ______________________
Sheldon Junction Bridge Replacement: The Northwest
Transportation Advisory Committee selected the Sheldon Junction
Bridge Replacement as a regional priority project for the 1999
VAOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. A program
application has been prepared and is available in the NRPC office.
Green Up Day Event: Thank you to the Scout troops
from St. Albans, Sheldon, Fletcher, Enosburgi Berkshire, and
Richford and to several trail volunteers who helped in the Green
Up Day clean up on the RailTrail. Volunteers
collected 50 bags of litter and several large appliances along
the Trail.
Richford Informational Meeting: More than 30 people attended the informational meeting in Richford. They were pleased with the Trail and thanked the Council for its tremendous effort on the Trail.
Bike Racks: The bicycle rack program information is ready for distribution. Eleven businesses have already expressed an interest in buying a rack. Enosburg Falls has decided to apply for grant for municipal racks.
YCC Crew: A site visit has been scheduled for May 18 at 9 a.m. at the NRPC office. A Youth Corps representative will tour the three parking areas and discuss how the program operates. Council members are welcome to attend. The visit will take approximately 2 1/2 hours.
The Northwest Regional Planning Commission will coordinate all aspects of the project management and administration for the enhancement grant. Commission staff will:
1. Coordinate environmental review of the project (obtain categorical exclusion)
2. Develop and/or procure final design for the project
3. Obtain Right of Way clearance
4. Develop Final Plans and obtain VAOT approval
5. Maintain all project related financial information
6. Draft for Council approval regular invoices for cost reimbursement
7. Develop bid package and procurement process
The Commission will bill the Northwest Vermont Rail Trail Council an amount not to exceed $5,440. Costs will be billed at an hourly rate of $40 per hour plus the actual costs of direct expenses. Any costs over and above the maximum amount will be borne by the Commission.
The Commission will prepare regular bills for submittal to the Council. The Commission will also prepare the invoices for submittal to VAOT that include the Commision expenses as well as other project-related costs. Once the invoices to VAOT are approved and the Council is reimbursed, the Commission will prepare payment checks for signature and approval of the Council Treasurer. The Commission will assign different employees to each function to ensure oversight.
This purpose of this agreement between the Northwest Vermont Rail Trail Council, hereafter referred to as Council, and (business name) , hereafter referred to as Cosponsor, is to create a bicycle-friendly environment in communities along the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail through the purchase and installation ofa bicycle rack. The Council agrees to reimburse the Cosponsor the amount of$ (amount) for the purchase of a brand and style bicycle rack. The Council and the Cosponsor agree to carry out their respective roles and responsibilities as outlined below.
Council:
Cosponsor
I agree to carry out the roles and responsibilities shown under "Cosponsor."
Signature
Business/Organization Name
Date
I agree that the Council will carry out the roles and responsibilities shown under "Council."
Chair, Northwest Vermont Rail Trail Council
Date
Copied using scanner & OCR software by Kenyon F. Karl <railtrails@crosswinds.net> from materials supplied by the NVRTC. Unintentional errors are likely!
