[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6569345,"mediaKeyId","3187589-2fb05d55c292165e12809e101137c9ad","parentId",3187589,"title","Votes at a glance: minutes approved; meeting adjourned","audioSeconds",2549,"startMs",43000,"endMs",2592000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3187589-2fb05d55c292165e12809e101137c9ad&start=43&end=2592","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3187589-2fb05d55c292165e12809e101137c9ad/thumbnail_43000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6569345/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-minutes-approved-meeting-adjourned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569345-731232b9e2cc91f5c989f084a7b9df16/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452943&Signature=lPxW~jTiuGIayHDg6pDN~SDcGDmGg71n4mwJtSfl-NQX6WIZnPn4rWDW7pqBpca537iOKEl4LI2KMKla6dZU4lJWOZNkG4oGNObcy3yXIevcBTsFNQcjsU4RB-DR2DX6PgvNQSH7R7yuueG5lq-QtayH3NAoxySxeqRrXlkNvb6TnPIAnZQf50jk4YIJU~s1-T~PpwT1OmA8fclvSO5rkGuc-W8418khwvO41v9vrSagM0xAM79jALieSpi7KThuDaBaDWc4-TZa5gSpTGnGAcZw1Qbc4XsxtlmqnHlyxm89R6TFsfz6WvgDfjTkCUjBhWGhPs~J4RBNRY5OpFHvgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Hubbardston, MA","date","2025-05-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Town of Hubbardston Open Space Committee took two procedural votes during the meeting: approval of the prior meeting’s minutes and a motion to adjourn. Both motions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: “I move the minutes be accepted.” Mover: unnamed committee member; Second: unnamed committee member. Outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote.
- Motion: “So moved” to adjourn; Second: unnamed committee member. Outcome: approved by unanimous voice vote.

No other formal motions or roll-call votes were recorded in the provided transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Hubbardston: Open Space Committee 4.30.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Open Space Committee approved the minutes as presented with minor corrections and adjourned at the end of the meeting.","taxTitle","Town of Hubbardston, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",61645,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6569350,"Committee urges targeted signage and Complete Streets review to improve cyclist and equestrian safety",298,1793000,2091000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3187589-2fb05d55c292165e12809e101137c9ad&start=1793&end=2091","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3187589-2fb05d55c292165e12809e101137c9ad/thumbnail_1793000.jpg","/articles/6569350/Massachusetts/Committee-urges-targeted-signage-and-Complete-Streets-review-to-improve-cyclist-and-equestrian-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569350-f85b0da7436f6543786500edbc4d7c08/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452943&Signature=Nmh8CvQAOnMYthpkg~PXpeONII-JYTOYOsIYtUKJNfrk2FSbwwYupRBMv7mbeXo4KZY51s6Y0xEx0MPxdOtGSe3GSzJIbZ8rHO-qBIKTMoJtoKE7ciMTGS2jOoZ-MzV8BARvFCw1uM2dJflM3WE~6Y5GrijUBroLlRs-8lfw5abC3rJc7OL6~ozwczZhh2mI8OWOYsNhHjgLd3y4I2Noru-V0iIAXs3faTxaVeud7nmGdMHfLlC06bguvEkOmBuEMZ0cF8xhawVfMh0ReUv41y2fzsXQgLLhOlIQHvdKLuK7t6kc6Pjv9WTaUKCLwYrUoS-hmwG0xcaMMgUzva5Q7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members raised road-safety concerns for bicyclists and equestrians and suggested requesting additional “give 4 feet” signage on key connector roads. Members noted existing signs at some town lines and suggested targeting long connector roads with limited shoulder or guard-wire hazards, naming Williamsville Road, New Westminster Road and Lombard Road as priorities.

Members referenced Complete Streets principles and said that when a road is repaved or redone, required signage and design elements should be considered; they suggested asking the Department of Public Works for a list of prioritized locations and specific sign placements. The committee also discussed hazards where guard cable and concrete posts leave no escape path for cyclists or equestrians and advised prioritizing locations with no sideline refuge.

Why it matters: better signage and attention to roadway design can reduce injuries for cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians who use town connector roads to access trailheads and preserves. The committee agreed to prepare a specific request with targeted locations for DPW to act on.","Town of Hubbardston Open Space Committee discussed adding roadway signage reminding motorists to give four feet when passing bicycles, identified specific connector roads with hazards, and suggested asking the Department of Public Works for targeted installations under Complete Streets principles.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6569354,"Committee discusses contractor payments, hay use and options to extend field maintenance contract",264,906000,1170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3187589-2fb05d55c292165e12809e101137c9ad&start=906&end=1170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3187589-2fb05d55c292165e12809e101137c9ad/thumbnail_906000.jpg","/articles/6569354/Massachusetts/Committee-discusses-contractor-payments-hay-use-and-options-to-extend-field-maintenance-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569354-f9acb9adea0cad0913162ecb33a8ff80/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452943&Signature=fSZknlheGVWAcgLI-pH1KXpjkWZfLX9rrCA6zwJ5-PhpC~og1RFB1UNwuZePgyG9xlzpb3b1-5B-HreDDl9S9jlOyJGnRl1ChOBB3HhGyF~QFqO-4P4eSCrHeUMs-dbBCFh4T5qLi~xGviWy0iPTjrBMRCR44VYWcpd2rxgx7uW2lwPbGaZMTymvm889~TwZTSt5z-OGcP663gNmVKz9jsR12hY7TFdw675HkmoKNb57KtOeJQDVU4ua9KwEHfxJPGrO4xydbDUdrsgc8Z5lvLgNslljK2KR2LqCYyFpSWsKL7GhnZsiHVR-Xe8gTzyD19sDOgF~es1bsfkzqyLk-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members reported receiving a payment from contractor Lance Lane and said Lane has not completed all required paperwork related to the town’s contract. Lane asked if future payments could be simplified to a single annual payment rather than staged disbursements; members said they would discuss options with town procurement staff.

The committee discussed two options to allow fertilizing this season: (1) exercise an existing contract option year (one or two years) so the contractor could apply fertilizer and retain benefit if the contract continues, or (2) issue a new request for proposals (RFP). Members noted that a new RFP would have to go out “by law” and that it would likely be too late for fertilizing to have benefit this season. The committee said an extension of one or two years could be easier and faster.

Committee members said Lance Lane has been selling hay cut from Malone Road fields and that the hay is suitable for cattle but “not for horses.” Members also discussed whether Lane would recoup fertilizer costs within a year; the group estimated roughly a year before seeing benefit but did not confirm a precise payback. The committee noted interest from another potential bidder, Rick Green, who might bid if the town issues an RFP.

Why it matters: decisions about exercising contract options or issuing a new RFP could affect field condition, timing of fertilization, and small local revenue streams from hay sales. Members agreed to consult Nate (town staff) about whether the committee can exercise an extension and to follow up with Lane and prospective bidders.","Members reviewed payments from a field contractor (Lance Lane), discussed hay use and whether to exercise an option year or run a new RFP to allow fertilizing, and flagged interest from another potential bidder, Rick Green.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6569359,"Hubbardston committee reviews MassTrails-related trail work, sets small projects and volunteer timeline",508,262000,770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3187589-2fb05d55c292165e12809e101137c9ad&start=262&end=770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3187589-2fb05d55c292165e12809e101137c9ad/thumbnail_262000.jpg","/articles/6569359/Massachusetts/Hubbardston-committee-reviews-MassTrails-related-trail-work-sets-small-projects-and-volunteer-timeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6569359-e37728b7b820ad302a572c98fd08d66e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452943&Signature=n52imwaSZmeBLPh9ksNBmIa7nRZ9a9g1268iPldjbPTNhI9OIt0k1aknTPwnjHJQG9qLnKNKrR5ouNben06I1yZ0jIgwIOGT5P-KZMPgJPdb03PVVuvcFO5zTYOhUBElA56iiYdisZ4j9PPmhU0Bf3EFDwMFzu0Hvd37sCojc6gKRZzFZkKLEFtCWzzrt4C~9hoRUnHo2gMSmYJ1~bRlCfnSIax8c-A7BI8x8e6yiAuoGB6beYlsEEfjbPMcLwzrnK4yzao9r7NUO76IG7buQ3Im4YdmnrZwJX50S1CgCH8enSvseWUs5eeKZn2wXuxoz6AFtpIIthkJH99twmTxNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Hubbardston Open Space Committee discussed several trail projects tied to a MassTrails grant and local maintenance work, including a new loop at Mount Jeff, a narrow point near a large hemlock, and a planned volunteer “bridal” (bridle?) event with the Bay State Trail Riders. Committee members said they expect construction or active work to start soon but that some work may not begin until late spring or June.

The committee heard that Maddie Stauter has drafted a project description for clearing and improving a trail segment near Malone Road; the draft initially attempted to compress the work into one day and committee members recommended expanding the window to three or four days to make the work realistic. The committee’s estimate for building the upgraded surface — four inches of base material and two inches of top material — on the Malone Road segment is roughly $3,000 to $3,500, and members said they hoped to cover that with grant funds or by requesting support from the town recreation committee.

Committee members described progress on other maintenance work: finishing the Gates Hill Bridge tie-down and correcting stripped screws, clearing a route around a boulder near Beaver Pond that narrows the trail, and finishing a new loop at Mount Jeff that extends roughly 1,600 feet out to a bow and another approximately 800 feet back to the connection point. They flagged a large beech limb and a big hemlock near the new loop as things to avoid while work is under way.

Members said they expect Bay State Trail Riders to run a bridle/bridal event in June (the group also runs an October event) and that volunteers should coordinate timing around that event. The committee also said the broader MassTrails project may not move into construction until June, based on prior remarks from Mark (first referenced in the meeting), and that committee members would request updates from him by email.

Why it matters: the committee is using a combination of grant money, in-house volunteer labor and small town funds to expand accessible loop options in the conservation network and to maintain existing trail infrastructure. Committee members emphasized realistic schedules for volunteers and short funding requests to fit grant timing.","Town of Hubbardston Open Space Committee discussed progress on a MassTrails grant project and several local trail-maintenance activities, identified a roughly $3,000 short project cost for a footpath upgrade, and flagged timing and volunteer availability for work this spring and summer.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: minutes approved; meeting adjourned

Committee urges targeted signage and Complete Streets review to improve cyclist and equestrian safety

Committee discusses contractor payments, hay use and options to extend field maintenance contract

Hubbardston committee reviews MassTrails-related trail work, sets small projects and volunteer timeline