[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6248239,"mediaKeyId","3211843-96e7205eb5cd913ee055e17803e0b341","parentId",3211843,"title","Trails committee to draft work plan; confirms mowing budget and will check contractor coverage","audioSeconds",96,"startMs",2615000,"endMs",2711000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3211843-96e7205eb5cd913ee055e17803e0b341&start=2615&end=2711","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3211843-96e7205eb5cd913ee055e17803e0b341/thumbnail_2615000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6248239/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Trails-committee-to-draft-work-plan-confirms-mowing-budget-and-will-check-contractor-coverage","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248239-389b1f30c2085f90798169100f59a54f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163988&Signature=fDnjPj-TVga6nlHSLrDREiMAWnVAK8onjAeLr-UCHhCkLC8wAqLtebuReGdBh5UibIj-hFjwyhHjhewAjOY7UJESIAJu5bA15w8up6uG2sJU2YuX1C-7o2x~X7N49RVKf1slu0T5JPkUcF8AVK66VmU30hAHOnlt7z5Os2D0OcJTyYcxZnoBqA2r7408nmtRcH8h912Z3wGyPwQ4MrChVqWzGluC5eDtjA3YvFFTpZVuJwNwA46MUTw5RakeooiCG55GNfcA-EdlGYRzqBQo~jOLCwM9XofVHem1xrOTYgOyjrbEwTIQmr2H0q3rtcv9dqdVirhWa3k1YgSWLaBvCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Southborough, MA","date","2025-05-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Trails Committee said May 6 that it will draft a formal work plan covering annual maintenance and special-project permissions for property owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and that it has confirmed the town’s mowing budget is unchanged from last year.

Committee members said they will contact Bill Cundiff, superintendent of the Department of Public Works, to confirm the town’s contract terms and to verify whether the contractor (J and J) completed mowing in the open-channel sections near I-495. The committee asked staff to check whether gates were opened, whether ground conditions affected mowing and whether additional cleanup will be required.

“I did confirm our budget is the same as last year. So I'm gonna reach out to Bill Cundiff, the superintendent of DPW, and just reconfirm that the contract that they're actively using is still the same contract this year,” a Trails Committee member said. The member added they would follow up with J and J to confirm the scope for the open-channel section that can get wet and difficult to mow.

Why it matters: a consistent maintenance budget and a clearly documented work plan will help the committee coordinate volunteer efforts with DPW responsibilities and ensure the committee’s special projects are covered under the town’s agreements for DCR property. The committee said it will include annual maintenance tasks and permissions for special projects (for example, parking or boardwalk work) in the draft work plan.

The committee said its recent field scoping found no extensive tree cleanup required at present but acknowledged conditions can change between meetings. The committee will report back with confirmations from DPW and the mowing contractor at its next meeting.

Background: the committee also discussed whether upcoming in-person assembly sessions would need to be posted as meetings or could qualify as administrative/site visits that do not require a Zoom recording, and said it would consult town staff (Jim) for procedural guidance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Southborough: Trails Committee 5/6/25","oneSentenceSummary","Committee said it will draft an annual work plan to add to its agreement for DCR-owned property, confirmed the mowing budget is unchanged from last year and will check with DPW and the contractor (J and J) about scope and gate issues.","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},6248245,"Trails committee schedules bench assembly nights, discusses dedicated plaques and additional benches",177,1118000,1295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3211843-96e7205eb5cd913ee055e17803e0b341&start=1118&end=1295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3211843-96e7205eb5cd913ee055e17803e0b341/thumbnail_1118000.jpg","/articles/6248245/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Trails-committee-schedules-bench-assembly-nights-discusses-dedicated-plaques-and-additional-benches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248245-4dcd19a1369daf8c65f7d14a9b311a59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163988&Signature=GQeSfBXVgxcoHA4lOdskpLHbDQn~IJhzplTqa7RNYiqmzEjyyUhSjhqfjroki343EOS0KcLsWb4ckpeXifujua~OCIrzPuyoAuZC0U1D6WbEZdX~RDKAANG8PB-R2NiJFo438L8uE7P3JUyYEmN72FbnPSn9rmCzeY3kpybB3HeDIrqTWBUwV0jXrRiOiQxFBWOvmsKj6VaTX6zliI-Fx3wsKNuQjrHDQ6vPTaWg7XfI3CIQkykno-uKicq6Yvs6b6dix~0xVfrMwyOqOh9gvIUz~96ngTtg1ugLir6K0Qxj11iyCj57kZ-UUzEPFjCeKb~4IQkTeSDw1nyNhNY~lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Southborough Trails Committee set two work sessions — May 15 and May 22 at 5:30 p.m. — to assemble and install benches and related equipment, and discussed dedicating benches with small plaques as part of fundraising and community engagement.

Committee members said four benches are available and mostly assembled; one accessible bench was disassembled because of an assembly issue and needs reassembly. The committee agreed to hold two evening work parties at the shed to tighten screws, assemble a gorilla cart and move benches to selected spots along the trails.

“We have 4 benches. And, again, I think we might have said that if we had enough budget left in our budget, we could maybe buy a couple more,” a Trails Committee member said during the meeting. The group scheduled assembly nights for May 15 and May 22 at 5:30 p.m. and agreed to meet at the shed.

Committee members walked through candidate locations on a shared map, including two viewpoints along the Burrows Loop and a site near the Burnett House that overlooks the reservoir. Members emphasized avoiding locations that impede mowing and confirmed that at least one bench was intended for the accessible section of the Sudbury Trail.

The committee discussed enriching bench installations by allowing dedications or donor plaques. Members noted the vendor that supplied the benches can add small plaques and that local groups, including the Rotary Club, have expressed interest in donations and dedications. The committee also discussed whether to coordinate dedications with Southborough’s tricentennial planning for 2027 to potentially secure additional funding or public interest.

No formal vote was taken to purchase additional benches or accept donations during the meeting; members said they will draft an outreach plan and consider launching a call for bench dedications on local channels.

Background: the committee said benches are sized and light enough to be transported by car in multiple trips; they plan assembly and siting work during the scheduled evenings and will return to the committee with final placement and any requests for additional funds.","The committee set two work nights (May 15 and May 22) to assemble and place four benches, discussed locations and an accessible bench that needs reassembly, and considered a bench-dedication program tied to the town tricentennial and Rotary donations.",{"_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},6248249,"Boardwalk and bridge bid delayed as structural engineer seeks clarity on flood height and liability",192,712000,904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3211843-96e7205eb5cd913ee055e17803e0b341&start=712&end=904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3211843-96e7205eb5cd913ee055e17803e0b341/thumbnail_712000.jpg","/articles/6248249/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Boardwalk-and-bridge-bid-delayed-as-structural-engineer-seeks-clarity-on-flood-height-and-liability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248249-a78efd705181321b3410a95d15d1fa1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163988&Signature=HNGlQ3fmW2P7bKN1Fa46swYKRSxmxUUjUUBNKodzLoXIiShTB77RyZH2jfWTDlAo4DlrC45jWDtKOW52vfg8NRHV3kXqpoIu6X2DlAIBxlacWeiWFy8hSQystZ60WSo-BRsyYb1nePnuvx3rRF71HoCfsyEbrA2vTVbFvoTMrH8FSdrTQTA6wEJmKhVtIdIu6iARwtbkP2Amcl7ZQx9n1vOY8JIhiQbrSjtcMRLIF38I2RIek3gRqsp5CKmYXRoHADVG3Aprb3BxLEme6NZn2JJz2WUm4e6aTcQXkVBQGVLGN1g6hWv98z7vJy7bAdSxOxesK1ltfJAT9BlrMGCRjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trails Committee said May 6 that work to finalize designs for the planned boardwalk and bridge — the next phase after paving — is on hold while engineers resolve questions about bridge height, flood exposure and liability.

Dave Lapointe of Beals and Thomas is coordinating with MWA to determine whether the existing controlled flow reduces the need for a new hydraulic study; the structural engineer said unresolved risk about debris and branch impacts could require raising the bridge or commissioning a study, which would increase cost and delay bidding.

“We may need a hydraulic study of the water level, but that's cost money,” a Trails Committee member said. “Spend another $10,000 that we don't have on a hydraulic study, which I don't know that we really need.”

Why it matters: the committee cannot issue a bid for the boardwalk and bridge until engineers and relevant agencies confirm the design meets safety and liability standards. Possible remedies discussed include a call with the structural engineer, consulting MWA for existing hydraulic information, or accepting design changes that could alter abutments previously reviewed by conservation commissions.

Committee members said the structural engineer’s primary concern is being comfortable that the design will not leave the engineer or the town liable if the bridge is damaged by floating debris or fallen trees. The unique local factor, the committee said, is that the waterway’s level is controlled by MWA, which could reduce peak heights; Lapointe is exploring whether MWA can provide data to avoid an expensive new hydraulic analysis.

Members said a design that raised the bridge enough to meet the engineer’s stated clearance could make the pedestrian structure higher than the adjacent road bridge and would also affect abutment details already approved by conservation commissions. The committee said it prefers the lowest bridge height that meets safety standards to avoid visual and structural conflicts.

The committee did not vote on budgetary changes or approve a hydraulic study at the meeting; members said they may schedule a group call with Beals and Thomas, the structural engineer and MWA to resolve the outstanding technical questions before proceeding to bid.

Background: the bridge and boardwalk design is part of the larger MassTrails-supported project. Committee members said they will pursue follow-up calls and report progress at the next meeting.","Beals and Thomas' structural engineer raised concerns about bridge height relative to the 100-year flood; the firm is consulting MWA and the committee said a hydraulic study could be required, delaying bids.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6248254,"Southborough trails committee says MassTrails paving complete; signage, map and funding questions remain",467,167000,634000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3211843-96e7205eb5cd913ee055e17803e0b341&start=167&end=634","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3211843-96e7205eb5cd913ee055e17803e0b341/thumbnail_167000.jpg","/articles/6248254/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Southborough-trails-committee-says-MassTrails-paving-complete-signage-map-and-funding-questions-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6248254-be3a838625ad3bbba180c2f09cb7cf14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163988&Signature=CLG62VqrAlslceIs2-jXsmYfhg4MWnBz-3e4ChrIcE25MruIb70tzU2P8GNkrgXU755k8Irh-VhuTHuwcrC9SpD~tEklCnXTM~eRLVLB~KFmiO9Qwwt5nBgBxwgIojMYlrQPvBSqNIwQQARt23EGDN1bWdXKro5KRfN4Lv~ZbBpnwNt0Dsnu0mNCAs62jUs2bfrlRGBCbqWkXxxBg2W9q0XR2vgfEdr4OH4QZD~9hpy-LCcuShBOjYUTtx3XqtiCYrRrx7F9vWmo4LlltP9jaazLdx5whRwTI67ip4lrVwfxTO94gkcqGySXgO8Kx60kpl-~Z~P~7-9awt5Pz-YMOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Southborough Trails Committee reported May 6 that paving funded through the MassTrails grant for the Burrows Loop segment is complete and that a vendor will install interpretive kiosk signage the following day.

Committee members said the paving work finished on schedule and praised the vendor; the group discussed next steps for interpretive signage, a trail map for the kiosk, and how to apply town funds — including $47,000 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) money and an ARPA allocation — toward remaining costs.

“The paving happened. It looks great,” said a Trails Committee member during the meeting. The committee added that Asphalt Engineering will return to the site to install posts and put signage on the kiosk.

Why it matters: finishing the paved section completes a visible part of the MassTrails-funded scope and allows the committee to move from construction to interpretation and wayfinding. Committee members told the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) they intend to report on funding use and next steps at CPC’s meeting the following day.

The committee discussed two signage efforts: a kiosk-level trail map for the newly paved section (with context showing the larger Burrows Loop) and a separate set of smaller interpretive signs along other trails funded by an earlier grant. The committee noted that the town’s website previously hosted maps but said they prefer to contract a professional mapmaker with GIS expertise for the kiosk map rather than using internally produced images.

Committee members said they had not yet secured a contact to advise on Native American history content for an interpretive panel and planned further outreach, including phone calls, to find an appropriate resource. The group reviewed a draft interpretive sign focused on eastern white pine prepared by a committee volunteer and agreed it was a usable starting point.

On funding, committee members said ARPA money already paid for the paving and therefore served as the local match for the MassTrails grant; that left the previously earmarked $47,000 in CPA funds available for other needs. “We put away money from ARPA bucket to pay for the paving, which will serve as a match for the MassTrails grant,” a committee member said. The committee plans to tell CPC that the CPA allocation could supplement costs for the boardwalk/bridge bid or cover signage if initial quotes exceed remaining grant money.

No formal vote was taken on reallocating CPA funds during the meeting; the committee said it would ask CPC clarifying questions about invoicing and whether CPC would provide additional funding if quotes exceeded the committee’s remaining grant balance.

Background: the committee ordered kiosk and interpretive signs from a vendor and said it prefers smaller, tree- or post-mounted signs rather than large ground-mounted installations. The committee said it would continue drafting sign copy and budget estimates and report back at future meetings.

The committee approved routine minutes at the start of the meeting and adjourned at 8:35 p.m.","Committee members said paving under the MassTrails grant is finished and vendor work to install kiosk signage will start; members discussed using ARPA and a $47,000 CPA allocation for remaining signage and future boardwalk bids.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Trails committee to draft work plan; confirms mowing budget and will check contractor coverage

Trails committee schedules bench assembly nights, discusses dedicated plaques and additional benches

Boardwalk and bridge bid delayed as structural engineer seeks clarity on flood height and liability

Southborough trails committee says MassTrails paving complete; signage, map and funding questions remain