Published in the March 14, 2018 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The design of the proposed Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail is inching closer to the 25 percent design stage.

The Recreational Path Committee (RPC) gave a status update on the project during last week’s Board of Selectmen meeting. As part of the rail trail’s design process, RPC Chairman Gerard Noumi said a workshop will take place on Tuesday, March 27, beginning at 7 p.m. at Lynnfield Middle School.

The workshop will include both community members from Wakefield as well as WorldTech Engineering, said Noumi.

RPC member Rob Almy said the committee decided to hold the workshop for several reasons.

“First is to familiarize town residents with the project,” said Almy. “Second is to have conversations about what changes or details can be added to the project to make it better for the town whether you are a user or an abutter. Third is to talk a little bit about a public hearing that will be held by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation in the May timeframe. That is a formal hearing and there is less opportunity for discussion. We felt the workshop was a good opportunity for residents to talk about the project.”

Noumi said the RPC is “neutral” on the rail trail. He said the RPC’s role is to collect and distribute facts to the selectmen and residents, including addressing people’s concerns. He also said the committee is working with different committees as part of an effort to “advise the town moving forward.”

Alternatives explored

Almy said the RPC investigated possible alternatives to the Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail project. He noted the proposed rail trail would begin in downtown Wakefield near the Galvin Middle School and would go to the Peabody line. A portion of the rail trail would go through Reedy Meadow.

“The rail trail project we are working on is the only feasible project,” said Almy. “The initial committee did look at alternatives and we spent some time going through the old reports. We objectively evaluated their conclusions, and we agree that the appropriate focus now is on this trail.”

Noumi said one of the alternative trails looked at was on land owned by the Lynnfield Center Water District. However, he said an LCWD official told the RPC the district might need the land in the future.

Additionally, Noumi said another rail trail alternative that would have connected Lynnfield High School and Lynnfield Middle School was deemed not feasible because MassDOT prefers funding large projects.

Design update

Noumi informed the Villager in an email WorldTech anticipates the 25 percent design will be competed by June 30.

After the 25 percent design of the rail trail is completed, Almy said the next step is completing 75 percent of the rail trail’s design.

“It’s where the preliminary engineering is fine tuned, input from the towns is added to the project and the project goes through a formal permitting process,” said Almy. “After MassDOT approves the 75 percent design, the environmental protections that show up during the permitting process are incorporated into a final design. That is the basis for construction.”

Almy said the RPC and local officials have spent a lot of “time and energy” working on the project.

“The town has not put any direct dollars into this project,” said Almy. “However, the 75 percent design is supposed be paid for by the towns involved. “There is a rough estimate and we hope to refine that in the future. We think the 75 percent design would cost about $300,000 for the Lynnfield portion. That would be subject to a future status report to the Board of Selectmen when we better understand what those numbers are. DOT will pay for all of the construction costs, and the payment would be based on the final engineering design and not any estimates today. So if the project becomes more expensive because of design decisions or inflation, the state would pay for the construction costs.”

Almy said the $300,000 would be used to pay for “temporary easements.”

“It might be necessary for the construction equipment to go off of the existing right-of-way for some number of feet, typically five or 10 feet,” said Almy. “Those excursions onto private property are subject to payment for use of that property.”

Almy said the town would be responsible for the rail trail’s maintenance, insurance and public safety costs.

The rail trail’s environmental review process has begun, Almy said. He said federal and state agencies as well as the Lynnfield Conservation Commission will conduct the review.

“It will be thorough,” said Almy.

Almy said permits will need to be obtained if the rail trail moves forward.

“These permits are pretty typical for any transportation project,” said Almy. “The permits need to be obtained and made part of the project during the final engineering phase, and need to be signed off on before the project can start.”

Concerns reviewed

Almy said the RPC reviewed “a number of concerns raised by residents in town.”

In regards to safety, Almy said Lynnfield’s narrow roads are not optimal for bicycle transportation, particularly since “distracted drivers have become more of an issue.” He also said the town’s sidewalks “are not conducive to people riding a bicycle.”

“We conclude that this rail trail would improve transportation safety,” said Almy.

Almy said the RPC reviewed the potential impact of crime by evaluating previous studies, survey results and letters from law enforcement officials. He noted the “FBI’s crime statistics indicate rail trails provide safe places for recreation.”

“We conclude crime can happen anywhere,” said Almy. “The data suggests that rail trails aren’t any more crime-ridden than many areas and because of the nature of their use, tend to see less crime.”

Almy said WorldTech has been collaborating with the Fire Department, and they determined current access to the rail trail’s location is “exceptionally difficult.” He said the RPC is recommending that the boardwalk that would cross Reedy Meadow be “fire resistant.” He said the boardwalk should be able to support emergency response equipment.

The RPC has been looking at the project’s impact on adjacent neighborhoods as well.

“We conclude that in a neighborhood where there is a rail trail, people often move there because of that recreational opportunity,” said Almy. “On the other hand, people who live there are concerned.”

Almy said the RPC has learned that people in other communities who initially opposed those rail trails later changed their opinions.

“They found it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing in the neighborhood or they actually began to like it,” said Almy. “This is a value judgment and we don’t want to suggest that anyone should feel a certain way about this.”

While Almy noted there are a number of people in Lynnfield who oppose the rail trail, he said, “The success of these projects depends on how well the residents of that community do in shaping that project.”

“I understand there are people who don’t like the project,” said Almy. “That’s okay. But I will urge them that they interact with the project as it is developed so if it’s approved, they will have input on what it looks like. If they don’t, they are going to have to accept the way it is.”

Next steps

In addition to the March 27 workshop, Noumi outlined several recommendations moving forward.

Noumi said the RPC recommends the project should advance until the 75 percent design stage. He also said the selectmen and Finance Committee should implement a “funding strategy” for the 75 percent design stage.

The RPC chairman also recommended that the rail trail project be put on the town ballot.

Reaction

Selectmen Dick Dalton and Phil Crawford both commended the RPC for giving the board an extensive report.

“As the liaison to the committee, I can tell you first-hand the committee has spent a lot of hours and a lot of evenings over the past year doing research and gathering facts,” said Dalton.

Crawford encouraged the RPC to consider holding a second workshop.

Similar to previous meetings where the rail trail has been discussed, rail trail supporters and opponents weighed in on the project.

Patrice Lane resident Pat Campbell took issue with the proposed workshop on March 27.

“That’s not a hearing,” said Campbell. “The purpose is to get input on the design. It doesn’t give you a choice if you want a rail trail or not.”

Friends of Lynnfield Rail Trail member Vince Inglese suggested that the RPC provide more information to residents about the workshop’s format.

In an email sent to the Villager, Noumi said the workshop will feature a brief presentation. He also said WorldTech engineers will be located at different tables to discuss the project with residents.

Rail trail opponent Gill Giugliano said a lack of parking at Jordan Park has created traffic problems on Wildewood Drive and surrounding neighborhoods. She said the rail trail would make the problem worse.

Meservey Lane resident Jill Jorgenson expressed concerns about the RPC requesting $300,000 for the rail trail’s 75 percent design.