The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2018-08-27Dryden Rail Trail Friends and Task Force Minutes of the Meeting Monday, August 27, 2018 at Dryden DPW Attendance: Dan Lamb, David Keifer, Steve Winans, Travis Stelick, Bob Beck, Judy Pierpont, Bruno Schickel, Chris and Diane Tessaglia-Hymes, Alice Green, Marie McRae, David Fogel Guests: Hall Woods Road Residents Iris and ? Goldfarb? Call to order (7:04 p.m.) – Bob Beck Additions to agenda None Approval of July minutes Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Implementation (STI) Grant – Bob, Todd • The $26,000 grant covered the costs of two sets of engineering studies for portions of the Rail Trail. • T.G. Miller prepared specifications needed for NYSDOT permit applications for the F.H. Fox Bridge and for the Fall Creek spur trails that will bring trail users to and from the Route 13 Fall Creek bridge underpass • Barton and Loguidice (B&L) Engineers studied options for crossing Route 13 (bridge and tunnel) and made preliminary designs. A comparison of the costs showed that the bridge option ($1.84 million) is significantly less expensive than the tunnel alternative ($4.33 million). Bruno commented that B&L’s bridge design looks functional and attractive. Travis asked about “bridge to nowhere” near Buttermilk Falls, and also whether the B&L bridge design accounts for a potential widening of Route 13. Dan said the Buttermilk Bridge will eventually connect with trail systems. Bob said DOT officials have stated that Route 13 widening, is not in any future plan for the section between the Route 366 and Hanshaw Rd intersections • Bob wants to make sure that the Task Force publicly recognizes Tompkins County for their assistance in funding studies that are crucial to completing the trail. • A final grant report to the county will detail the results of the studies Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application – Judy, Todd, Bob • Judy assembled an impressive package of 24 letters of support for the TAP grant. • In preparing the grant application, Bob and Todd were able to incorporate feedback from NYSDOT in response to the earlier Pre-Review application. • B&L engineer Chuck White also provided review and comments for the final application and a P.E. letter. • The total request was $2, 476,000, based on the results of the bridge study, and estimates for finishing the trail surface with stone dust to make it ADA accessible from Game Farm Rd. to Pinckney Rd. • Some of the scope of work for the already approved NYS Parks Grant can be applied to the local match. The final application was submitted about four hours before the Aug. 16 deadline. • A Multi-Modal funding grant from the NYS Assembly may also contribute to the overall funding of the project, although it would not serve as a local match. • The Town of Dryden Board voted in July to “backstop” up to $200,000 to meet the standard 20% required local match, but it’s expected that other grants and contributions will make the Town’s contribution significantly less. Announcement of $10,000 grant from Cornell University - Dan Joel Malina, Cornell University VP for University Relations, had provided an enthusiastic letter of support for the TAP Grant. Todd Bittner suggested writing him back to request a Cornell contribution to reduce the burden of the local match from the Town. Alice, Bob and Dan worked on the letter, which was sent by Supervisor Leifer. Dan said the Town received a letter back this week confirming a generous donation of $5,000 this year, and a second $5,000 next year. Compost Road near Game Farm –Bruno The Town DPW installed asphalt millings along this trail section earlier this month. This work was part of an agreement for obtaining an easement from Cornell’s Agriculture Department. The Town also paid $7,000 for CU to install fencing and vegetative barriers along that trail section. Dryden–to-Freeville Trail Updates – Bob, Alice, Bruno, Diane • AARP Community Challenge grant: $8,000 – Alice This award from a national competition has received good media coverage so far. • Continue planning for signs, maps, history & natural history graphics – Diane Diane circulated drafts for a Welcome sign and kiosk sign with map and further trail rules. There may be panels added to include natural history and historical information in kiosks. A decision on sign size will be based on final kiosk dimensions and standard sizes offered by sign makers. Travis suggested that the Dryden Historical Society may have good info to include in kiosks and trail signs. • Logo signs ordered and installed – Bruno Bruno purchased and installed metal logo signs temporarily on DPW Drive and two at George Road at different sizes to test them out. They have reflective surface so cars can see them well. Pedestrian crossing signs will warn approaching drivers about pedestrian crossing and then a second sign at crossing with slanted arrow will show the location of the cross walk. The trail logo can’t be added to street signs (because too much info on one sign reduces the impact of the safety message), but can put it at the trail entrance. • Directional Signage Bob said signs to direct folks to parking will be needed, especially from West Main St. in Dryden Village, across from the Jim Schug Trail, to parking at Elm St. He noted that there will be signs on the Fox Bridge and Route 13 crossing to advertise the trail. • Crosswalks DPW recommends flashing lights and painted crossroads at George Rd. and Springhouse Rd. The Schug trail has solar powered, flashing crosswalk signs at Weber St., which cost $15K per set. Bob will check prices and inquire whether the NYS State Parks grant can be used for this. Eventually the trail will need DOT permission for installation on State Routes 13 (Dryden Main Street) and 366 in Etna. Plan for community build and installation of kiosks and benches –Bruno • Bruno shared drawings for kiosks, modeled on those at the Irish Settlement Rd. Park Preserve, but smaller for the trail’s multiple sites. • Kiosk display areas will be flexible, so they can be changed if necessary, and the design is scalable. Posts and beams will be made of locust (smaller sections will be free from Tom Brown’s Locust Lumber in Newfield.) • Suggest copper roof, but DPW’s Chris Clauson suggests using copper colored steel roofing to avoid theft. Bruno likes copper. Lasts long. Turns green to black. • There was discussion about whether to put all maps with north on the top. Bob agrees with Todd that they should be standardized with kiosks oriented so viewers face north so that sign reading is consistent, but that won’t work in every kiosk location. Separate signboard could allow placement to vary. Kiosk Locations: 1) George Rd. 2) Freeville Village David F. explained current Village questions about where the best place will be. Construction of the Village’s Pocket Park is underway. It will have a Railroad Station theme, and loads of displays. Crews will be pouring concrete for walkways; the park wall is started. Bruno- suggested the kiosk should go on the north side of trail, and on the east side of Factory Street, close to the Village Hall parking lot. From that kiosk, the trail will proceed on a diagonal over to DPW Drive next to the Village barn. 3) Dryden Village – Possible locations: Elm St.? W. Main St? Which side? Bruno felt that W. Main St. would give the most visibility for the trail, even though trail users will be directed to parking a block away at Village owned property on Elm St., to avoid non-public spaces at Agway or Dryden Monument businesses. Alice suggested installing the kiosk across W. Main from Agway because of the amount of use already centered at the entrance to the Schug Trail (Farmer’s Market, Butterfly Garden, etc.) Memorial benches w/plaque; requested donation, desired locations • 10 Benches will be delivered to DPW next week. Roscoe Brothers Millwork will donate routing of “Dryden Rail Trail” in bench boards. • A field trip to determine the best placement was scheduled for Saturday morning, September 1. • Bruno noted there are lovely vistas on the stretch between George Rd. and Freeville Village, looking NE toward Route 38 and the chapel at the William George Agency. Bruno wonders if the Agency ground crew might be willing to clear some overgrowth at the hedgerow to open up the vista. • After locations are selected, steps will include assembling benches at DPW, installing benches along the trail, installing kiosk posts in concrete, building the kiosk elements at a site to be determined, and final kiosk installations. • Bruno is working on the project steps and determining how many volunteers will be needed at each stage • Based on recommendations from Cornell Natural Areas and NYS Parks, it was decided that the cost of installing and maintaining a memorial bench will be $750 per bench. A brass plaque instead of routing would provide more space, for the memorial description. Bob will contact a group that wishes to install a memorial for Stephanie Gardner, a beloved local tri-athlete and parent, who frequently ran on the trail and who died in December. • Request to address the Task Force 2 Hall Woods Rd. property owners Iris Goldfarb distributed information about a Supreme Court decision she thought related to the Town’s conversion of the rail bed to the trail. She said her property and house is across the road from the existing rail bed at Hall Woods Road, but she and her husband don’t own land on the trail or contiguous property. Bob explained that the Town retained an easement for utilities across the entire length of the trail, and that the Supreme Court ruling does not apply. He said that spruce trees were planted on the south edge of the raised rail bed after it was abandoned for trains, and the roots now extend across the walking area. These will need to be moved for the trail construction. Plan for documentation of project and recognition of AARP Alice said it will be important to take photos and record each step of the Dryden-Freeville trail section work for the final report to AARP. Volunteers are needed to help with this documentation. The quick action grant requires completion by November, with the report due shortly after. Plan for October Celebration It’s hoped that the bench and kiosk installation will be complete in time for a late October celebration. Alice said the Dryden Recreation Department is on board to assist with logistics. Representatives will be invited from the County Office for the Aging, which helped with documentation for the AARP grant application. ROW Update – Bob, Bruno, Dan • The Town Board approved five previously signed easements at their July meeting • F.H. Fox Bridge – ownership was finally transferred from former Town Attorney Mahlon Perkins to the Town via a quitclaim document. Now applications for DOT permits to use it can be submitted. • DEC Game Farm – The Volunteer Stewardship Agreement has been approved by the DEC and signed by the Town Supervisor. The three year agreement begins August 1, 2018 • NYSEG lease has been received by the Town Board and is awaiting final signatures • Hanson Aggregates - Their corporate office in Allentown PA must still approve it. • M&R Entities (Gary Sloan) His lawyer is working with town attorney Peter Walsh to finalize the terms • Brown Dog (Vanguard Printing)- This easement is still in process. • Kathy Perkins property in the Village of Freeville. Attorney is reviewing the paperwork • Bruno is ready to begin working on the Etna to Freeville section to look for solutions. • There is further discussion with John Leonardo and the County Planning Office on the stretch between Pinckney Rd and Etna. A Pink Paint Walk (to determine and mark kiosk and bench locations between Freeville and Dryden Villages) was scheduled to begin 9 am Saturday at Freeville Village Hall. Cars can be dropped along the way for walkers to travel shorter segments. Next meeting – Sept. 17 at Freeville Village Hall. Adjournment at 9:05 pm