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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-19 Dryden Rail Trail Friends and Task Force Minutes of the Meeting Monday, July 19, 2021 Dryden Town Highway & DPW Attendance: Bob Beck, Diane and Chris Tessaglia-Hymes, Alice Green, Rose Borsik, Dan Lamb, Judy Pierpont, Michelle Blackmore, Jeanne Grace, Jolene Lyon, Jim Gustafson, Joe Osmeloski, Loren Sparling, Kevin Vorstadt, Moira Scheuring, Call to order at 7:02 pm – Bob Beck, Alice Green Additions to agenda: none Work update on Game Farm trestles and trail – Chris, Bob, Dan Bob said he is happy to announce that the 150-year-old trestles in the Game Farm are almost completely renovated. Next step is to add railings on both bridges. The decks will have a plywood layer, waterproofing, and then will be finished with stone dust. Across Stevenson Rd from the Game Farm section, the Trail is open through to Route 13. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) gave approvals to complete the bridges and trail, which will soon allow opening from Game Farm Rd. right through to Route 13. The plan is to finish the trestles by the end of the month. Then the area needs to be cleaned up, then stone dust will be laid, and grass seeded on the shoulders. Discussion about trail amenities at the Game Farm trailhead followed. The Task Force will seek additional content about the ecology and history of the trail section. Alice reported she’d been contacted about a professor from SUNY Cortland who is interested in assigning internships to study rail trail history. This could provide content for kiosk displays along the trail. Chris reported that he’s shared the photos of the trestle restoration to several railroad and trail groups and reached some 6000 people via Facebook. One group is called Abandoned Railroads. The original guidance from DEC was to tear out the old railroad trestles. Bob reminded the task force that it took persistence to get the DEC to approve the plan for the renovation. Bob said he’d post to the website the names of the books available from Cornell detailing the rail history. There is now an on-line interactive history for the railroads in our area (There’s a copy at the History Center). Review draft Game Farm Road crossing plan and parking ideas – John Lampman, Bob, Dan John Lampman’s pro bono plan for Game Farm crossing has been delivered to Rod Howe, Supervisor of the Town of Ithaca, and to the Jason and Rick Young. This details what kind of signage, lights etc. will be necessary. Both roads on either side, Ellis Hollow and Route 366, have a 45 MPH speed limit. The two Towns have submitted a request to the county and state to reduce the Game Farm speed limit from 55 to 45 MPH. There was a discussion about parking for the Game Farm section of the trail. The small parking lot for 5 or 6 six cars on the western side of the road is inadequate for the volume of expected users, and it creates a dangerous backing out situation at the crossing. Bob discussed the communications with Cornell and DEC about approving additional parking for the DEC section. Dan said there’s plenty of room for parking near Stevenson Rd at the eastern end of the Game Farm section. He’s talked with Rod Howe about signage directing folks there from the inadequate lot. The Town’s Certificate of Concurrent Use and Occupancy agreement with DEC covers the next 19 years, and took years to negotiate. It would take another DEC agreement to create a better parking lot off Game Farm Rd. in the field on the east of Game Farm crossing. The crossing plan will emphasize safety for users, and calls for gates or bollards and signs to call trail users’ attention to the need to stop before entering the marked crossing from the trail, as well as signage to alert vehicles of the crossing. Jeanne asked about whether parking lots will be plowed. Alice said town parking lots are usually part of the snow removal operations by the highway department. There was further discussion about whether the Game Farm section could be opened before the County approves the crossing plan. The crossing plan is required by the MOU. Dan is concerned that it may take some time to get this approved and when the work is completed, people will start crossing to use the trail. It’s hoped that the county will expedite approval of the plan so proper markings can be installed. The section may need to remain closed off with additional barriers until the plan is approved. Eventually the trail plan calls for installing a kiosk and signage at Game Farm to mark it as the trailhead. DEC officials have talked about having their own kiosk there. This is not resolved yet. Bob plans to schedule a meeting with Rick Young, Evan Wills, and himself. There was additional discussion about the possibility of a “soft” opening celebration for the Game Farm section, in the fall if it is ready, or if not, in spring 2022. Review new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet, Map Flier and other documents – Task Force The chair opened up the discussion to guests who might have questions. Jolene asked what is the misinformation alluded to in the opening paragraph of the FAQ sheet? Kevin said that over the weekend, he experienced an example of false information being spread when petition signatures were being collected at Clark’s. He said Mr. Schickel told him that two properties would be condemned for the bridge project. Kevin said he has learned since then that no property would be “condemned” for the rail-trail bridge. After additional discussion it was decided to delete the opening statement about misinformation, and let the questions and answers stand. Moira asked how many easements are still needed. Bob explained the process of securing 42 of the 48 necessary trail segments; only 6 are left to be secured. Extensive discussion followed, in which Task Force members answered further questions and clarified many points, including the following: • The Town Board action June 17 authorized the DOT to assist the Town with acquisition of only two properties (not six). • The Task Force continues to be hopeful that an amicable agreement can be reached with both property owners. • Eminent domain, although it serves a purpose for public good in some important instances, would only be used as a last resort after many steps, including strong efforts at negotiation. • No property would be “condemned” or “stolen;” fair market value would be offered and paid for the property. • One property owner has already responded a possible agreement. • The Task Force bridge subcommittee worked diligently to reduce the amount of ramp space needed on the other property. • The design now calls for less acreage than covered in the original easement given by that property owner. The Task Force is eager to present that new option, but so far, the property owner hasn’t responded. • No farm lands are involved in the proposed acquisition process; • The $2 million dollars in approved grants for the bridge would be lost to the Town if the bridge were not built. It’s available for transportation alternatives only • Additional funds are being sought to close the bridge cost gap • Construction of the bridge has been paused for a year Next Meeting Scheduled for August 16; Location TBA Adjournment at 8:52 pm Respectfully submitted, Alice Walsh Green.