HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-15
Dryden Rail Trail Friends and Task Force
Minutes of the Meeting Monday, March 15, 2021
Via Zoom
Attendance: Chris and Diane Tessaglia-Hymes, Bob Beck, Loren Sparling, Steve Winans,
Susan Ashdown, Todd Bittner, Judy Pierpont, Rose Borzik, Dan Lamb, Alice Green
Call to order at 7:03 pm – Bob Beck, Alice Green
Additions to agenda: none
Approval of February minutes: unanimous
Ithacatrails.org Update – Todd
Myra Schulman from Cayuga Trails Club (CTC) approached the coordinators of
Ithacatrails.org to see if it could connect with TCat to provide more information about bus
connections along county trails. As one of the organizers of that website, Todd reported that
the group is interested in putting public transit info into the mix of resources on the site
CTC is now collaborating with a student team from the Cornell Design Connect Group,
on plans to integrate info with TCat for bus stops and scheduling, and perhaps even
augmented or altered routes to give access to trails.
Todd noted that a lot of TCat routes intersect with the rail trail. Right now the main way
finding is car-, pedestrian-, and bike-focused, but it could be bus and public transit focused as
well. Susan suggested the DRT could start by adding TCat stops to our own maps on the
kiosks.
Bob thanked Todd for getting Ithacatrails.org started, and asked about the timeline for the
work. Todd said this is a Cayuga Trails initiative and they may apply for grant to finish the
work. Phase one of the project is in three parts: planning, writing the grants for CTC, and
then interacting with TCat to see how that info should be integrated into the ithacatrails.org
website. Todd noted that having the TCat route information incorporated onto the trails site
requires ongoing maintenance to keep up with route changes. Phase two will cover
implementation.
EPF and TAP Grant Update – Bob, Todd, Alice, Dan
Todd walked the Task Force through a spreadsheet created by Bob. He said that the
project has received so many grants that it’s important to document spending, and which may
match with other grants. A goal of this spreadsheet exercise, which is a work in progress, is to
see how much grant money is left that might be applied to new parts of the trail.
Summarizing the report:
• The total of all grants is $2,262,500.
• The NYS Parks Environmental Protection Fund grant authorizes spending $364,000 over
a five-year period. About $150,000 has been spent to date, leaving approximately
$213,000 to cover the remaining scope of work
• The goal is to complete $364K and recapture the 50% Town match, through DPW and
volunteer work and donated materials.
• It appears the project will be able to complete the earthen trail from Dryden to Freeville
and Game Farm to Route 13 under the originally estimated costs. So it may be possible to
extend the scope of work to additional sections, such as clearing and drainage of the
section from Hall Woods Rd. to Pinckney Rd.
• A portion of the EPF grant can also provide a match for the TAP grant.
• The EPF grant scope does include a spur trail from the west side route 13 north to the
sidewalk under the highway bridge at Fall Creek. Todd and Bob plan to meet with DPW
chief Rick Young to figure out costs to cross the wetland on that spur trail with fill and
culverts or a boardwalk. They said if the impacted wetland is less than a tenth of an acre,
the project might qualify for a linear transportation permit. Otherwise a more extensive
permitting process (or offset for the wetland impact) may be necessary. Susan asked if
boardwalks would have less environmental impact. Todd said yes, but we also have to
consider DWP access for maintenance,
Reynolds Game Farm Update & DPW Work Plan – Dan, Bob, Alice
Bob thanked Dan for sending the Town’s signed Use and Occupancy agreement to DEC
in Albany, and also two stamped plans for trestle repair and trail surfacing in the Game Farm.
Dan reminded folks that the certificate of occupancy was mailed just two weeks ago, and it
still may take a while for the state to return it.
Alice and Bob and Rick Young met this past Thursday and began mapping out a DPW
work schedule. This will begin with trestle repair and trail surfacing at the Game Farm
section, as soon as DEC returns the signed agreement and approvals. Susan reported that
maintenance is also needed in the Monkey Run to Route 13 section. There is a lot of mud and
puddles, and it looks like sections need more fill to dry them up.
Todd reminded that the EPF grant only calls for earth surface, so there is no EPF funding
for the estimated $10,000 it will cost to apply 1800 feet of stone dust in the Game Farm, as
described in the resurfacing plan that went to DEC. Bob said it was decided to submit a plan
that included the final surface, and that the project will have to find a way to cover this cost.
Options include asking State Parks if they could include this in the scope of work under the
EPF grant, or seeking added funding, like from the Triad Foundation.
Etna Area Update – Bob, Chris
Chris reported on talks with his neighbor about how to work around that property for the
trail access in Etna. He explained that the neighbor doesn’t want the trail to stick to the rail
corridor because it is so close to his home. However he did offer a workaround through the
perimeter of his property if the Finger Lakes Land Trust were willing to bring the trail along
eastern edge of their property. Then he might allow the trail to angle up toward the other
edge of the creek to Etna Lane through his property. He is open to working with the DRT on
that side of Etna Lane. On the other side of that road, he owns a second parcel, with a
dilapidated barn at the far corner. He doesn't want trail users close to that barn, but he’d be
ok with a spur trail coming behind his property back into the rail bed.
Bob said he has talked recently with reps from the Finger Lakes Land Trust, and the FLLT is
willing to work with the DRT on crossing their preserve.
Bob also recently met with two other homeowners who may be willing to offer a
workaround across their property on the other side of Etna Lane. Todd shared a map of the
Etna section, and Bob traced how the trail could possibly be extended all the way to Kirk Rd.
with the workarounds suggested.
Chris said he hopes the diagonal through the Land Trust will stay closer to the original
rail bed than the previous sketches. But there’s a need to retain enough shrubbery to screen
view of the trail from the adjacent property.
FH Fox Bridge/Vet College Alumni Update – Bob, Diane
Bob said he has shared the DRT Design Committee’s proposal with Jerry Bartoldo, the
Vet School alum who’s heading up an effort to raise $50,000 for the right to name the FH
Fox Bridge in honor of Prof. Fox. Bob reported that the alums found the proposed designs
“appealing.” Diane shared the design options, including a sign that hangs on the rail above
the current graffiti on the bridge, another sign that would be mounted in the center of the
bridge wall, and a mock up of an informational panel about Prof. Fox.
Diane said her committee’s next step is to get some design quotes for the costs of the
installation. Bob said he reminded Gerry that this is a naming opportunity and the individual
elements’ costs aren’t relevant. Todd said the signs are least expensive part; mounting is the
largest expense. In addition to the signs on both sides of the bridge, the project elements will
include a graphics panel and a bench by the trail on the west side of the bridge.
Todd suggested getting prices from several sign vendors. The DPW will be in charge of
determining the best way to mount the signs. It’s not clear how long it will take for the Vet
alums to raise the necessary funds. They may be able to work with the Vet School Alumni
Giving Council.
Upcoming TC Parks & Trails Network Meeting – Bob
This group has been meeting twice a year since 2014. The next meeting is Thursday
afternoon. Bob said it’s a great group and a good way to get updates on trail progress around
the county. Anyone interested in attending on zoom was encouraged to contact Bob or Todd
for the link.
Covid relief assistance to Dryden – Dan
Dan reported that the Town has been allocated $1.56 million, of which some goes to the
Villages. Spending under this package has to be COVID related. The money can be used for
water, sewer and broadband projects. It may not be available for the trail project, but Dan
believes there will be an infrastructure bill coming, and the trail project will be perfect for
that. Todd asked whether some of the relief assistance could be used for culvert maintenance
on the water and sewer lines along the trail, or utility re-location for the Route 13 Bridge.
Dan said the Town Board would be working on making sure that the money is spent well for
the largest benefit to the entire Town. He said the municipal broadband project is a very high
Town priority.
Next meeting scheduled for April 19, 2021 via Zoom
Adjournment at 8:34 pm
Respectfully submitted, Alice Walsh Green