[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6359809,"mediaKeyId","2175640-9f26991b05f350fc9ccfed9bd71e8bad","parentId",2175640,"title","Trails committee files annual report, schedules budget and maintenance discussions for next meeting","audioSeconds",717,"startMs",593640,"endMs",1311000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175640-9f26991b05f350fc9ccfed9bd71e8bad&start=593&end=1311","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175640-9f26991b05f350fc9ccfed9bd71e8bad/thumbnail_593640.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359809/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Trails-committee-files-annual-report-schedules-budget-and-maintenance-discussions-for-next-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359809-9db4a3a1bcf87dc39400803053fb6dfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139719&Signature=Z2I7dqEGxiB-ZcpI-SRtP4Ba4N-VKRRJTDLRXcQ8caz6HGiM-RD6QSyQ5rSNUO7AMS7DLJgT3GT1NlWY6y8FqfwF3CEvcswENpvd6hR3Wh0CQOhbijyhn3A1c9bV9CgjgDX7~9HOs5ZOldXT8dB3wkH8WV3lYVeLSNu-rQCzccKvBUMeDoSO2yr1kZX86weKUuHmZGRZ4s04V4zn0q9BCZXtQU5kuHFdmY88N1t9mwiXTDtJtyYmaOnRw7Hr9sgqcYdIGhJ8mg33uSrPuiXyk7Bu02y3DQ~idFHUjhwoZ65XiEPGYcZAIuil0N1rDwj142IFK1zB4EFA6LYJB6ac0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Southborough, MA","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Town of Southborough Trails Committee confirmed that the annual committee report was submitted, and members planned next steps on budgeting, closeouts and maintenance scheduling.

The chair credited town staff (Melanie and Mark) for helping finalize and submit the annual report. Committee members said the report focused on items completed during the year — a yoga series, engineering work on the bridge/boardwalk and purchases of benches and other trail‑enhancement materials — and that the submission was lighter than some prior years but reflected the committee’s priorities.

Committee members agreed to take up budget and grant closeout items at the next meeting. The chair said the committee received a budget document and will review whether small remaining balances or “low‑hanging fruit” (for example, tarps or organizers) could be used to close out grants and expend remaining funds. Members also asked staff to follow up on who had volunteered to help with the DCR (Division of Conservation and Recreation) or work‑order filings so the committee could finalize paperwork and close the loop with the state agency.

The committee discussed trail‑maintenance scheduling and agreed to use the committee work plan as a roadmap for spring, summer and fall maintenance. Members suggested short evening work parties during warmer months, rather than single all‑day weekend events, to keep weeknight participation feasible. The committee also discussed improving shed organization and having a budget conversation about small purchases and the Home Depot boardwalk order at the next meeting.

The meeting concluded with a formal motion to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.; members voted by roll call in the affirmative. No other formal votes were recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Southborough: Trails Committee 1/30/25","oneSentenceSummary","Chair reported the committee’s annual report was submitted and committee members agreed to use the work plan to prioritize trail maintenance, close out grants and review the boardwalk budget at the next meeting (target late February). The meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.","taxTitle","Town of Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",56453,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359814,"Trails committee plans volunteer build days, bench installs and storage logistics ahead of spring",465,329050,794966,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175640-9f26991b05f350fc9ccfed9bd71e8bad&start=329&end=794","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175640-9f26991b05f350fc9ccfed9bd71e8bad/thumbnail_329050.jpg","/articles/6359814/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Trails-committee-plans-volunteer-build-days-bench-installs-and-storage-logistics-ahead-of-spring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359814-23189a02bb4fd163144fd7f81c048ef6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139719&Signature=dH~kPry9xPvoejaVYlvZknXW0A~iqmN2Wb4bZ5i~bEXOxjmapcmzAgFprkiHXmZr6kbAYvyVEgn8kUDSfFObIuA9qa6urEBuIRuG6QVKliuvKoa3MXmFY~xHcMi91-72LYe966tNmgdR8usCy938asyttR3DFrKbr12cX2t6RXzzXYfd8YElmWB5Pmug36-MrCikIRbF33se~nrShrf9yipWgrkBvqG8b2c1NioGH~H8xX8uTAt0JqLwk~pIPfjVb2XYACZcT23F37u~VUKHLneHY4FX2-uQkiMMaB~xWFWC72L1j~9emZsgwUzMuXPTajbTZX5EfCYcjS-yxtZdLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Southborough Trails Committee discussed volunteer recruitment and near‑term logistics for trail and boardwalk work, including bench placement, material storage and small equipment assembly.

Committee members said an individual had contacted the town about helping with trails work; the committee will follow up before the next meeting to clarify whether the person seeks a committee seat or prefers occasional volunteer days. The town’s open volunteer seat has been publicized and the committee said it will continue outreach.

For trail construction, the committee reported an offer of help from the Appalachian Mountain Club to assess the proposed natural‑surface trail. Members said smaller‑diameter trees will need removal to make the proposed path and that the group should be able to begin volunteer trail‑building in March if weather allows. The committee discussed staging work parties after work hours (a few hours in the evening) during spring and summer rather than single full‑day events.

Logistics topics included assembly of a “gorilla cart” the committee plans to use to move benches and materials; a work party to assemble tools and equipment was proposed. The committee said it ordered boardwalk lumber and related materials from Home Depot; the store contact is coordinating to package cut boards by length. DPW agreed to store materials near the shed if everything does not fit inside, and the committee discussed buying tarps to protect wood stored outside. One committee member offered to donate a tarp from personal supplies.

Other housekeeping items raised included filing work‑order conditions with the Registry of Deeds (the committee noted a fee of about $100 each) and coordinating with Conservation staff (Laura Davis and Conservation Agent Melissa Danza) to process filings. The committee also discussed placing organizers and privacy film on the shed windows to secure tools and supplies.

No formal votes were taken on the volunteer, bench or storage items. Committee members asked to use the work plan as a guide and to schedule the next meeting in late February to confirm bid timing and spring work party dates.","Committee members discussed volunteer recruitment, natural‑surface trail work with Appalachian Mountain Club help, bench purchases and a Home Depot order for boardwalk materials; shed storage and tarps were raised as near‑term needs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6359816,"Trails committee: engineers to confirm bridge height before late‑February bid for Peninsula Trail Phase 2",319,696000,1015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175640-9f26991b05f350fc9ccfed9bd71e8bad&start=696&end=1015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175640-9f26991b05f350fc9ccfed9bd71e8bad/thumbnail_696000.jpg","/articles/6359816/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Trails-committee-engineers-to-confirm-bridge-height-before-lateFebruary-bid-for-Peninsula-Trail-Phase-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359816-eaf232c1142ad4fdc5f5886f436431c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139719&Signature=kOQyU5YASszr7xPXvp-8M5IBwehUZj7dhv8lxqQLX~qWLAVJeUnQL1yczYekRJ28IeBnuY1TM2sMTVzQ7TbyVF9Izg8hJP6a1hz4OtAdVpnCTjTadlqm5vg6VHcEkOfoWKWxJQSkDXEvqHbEfaWsE10tI4tjoZB9t8TNcIrtzO1JDCJfjr1fv1O~xsJobdkQ664-aa2~~KMaXSP5zEJ1YYsyM38UfTRvScG4jVRRh5v7mhpfjIy0H43DacNfvt-s6U4ZoYaekZNLDvwrkF7h9WsQquRDpgUG43mw7D8kfWpm7xI1GqbztdiZ3Iwof-P6MuQqS2PKjfymACB-9UZEXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Southborough Trails Committee heard an update on Peninsula Trail Phase 2 focused on bridge design and procurement planning. Representatives said engineers from Beals & Thomas have been coordinating with water‑management authorities to confirm the planned bridge height and other specifications before the town issues a construction bid.

Committee members said Beals & Thomas contacted the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and other water‑management staff to check whether the proposed bridge elevation would be acceptable given historic flood flows. Committee members described differing technical opinions from MWRA/MWA staff during that review and said Beals & Thomas will seek written confirmation that the town’s proposed bridge elevation and details meet MWRA/MWA requirements. The committee emphasized that, if the project had to accommodate a worst‑case hydraulic scenario, the required structure could be far longer (the town described a hypothetical 400‑foot structure), which the committee said the project will not pursue.

The committee expects that written confirmation from MWRA will clear a major technical hurdle and allow Beals & Thomas to complete the bid package. Committee members said the firm will prepare the full solicitation, work with town staff to include municipal specifications, and, once the package is posted through the central registrar, host a pre‑bid meeting to answer contractor questions. The committee said it aims to post the bid and begin the procurement process by late February; procurement would proceed to a contractor selection after the town and project consultant review bids.

The Phase 2 update also included a brief operational note: paving on a separate Peninsula Trail Phase 1 segment is still planned for early spring, and the committee will follow up on signage for completed sections.

The committee did not take a formal decision on Phase 2 during the meeting; work remains to secure written MWRA confirmation and to finalize the bid package before procurement begins.","Engineers from Beals & Thomas are finalizing bridge specs for Peninsula Trail Phase 2 and will seek written confirmation from MWRA on flood‑related design limits; committee expects to release the bid package late February and begin the procurement process soon after.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trails committee files annual report, schedules budget and maintenance discussions for next meeting

Trails committee plans volunteer build days, bench installs and storage logistics ahead of spring

Trails committee: engineers to confirm bridge height before late‑February bid for Peninsula Trail Phase 2