WAKEFIELD DAILY ITEM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2007
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD - A feasibility study for, the proposed "Rail to Trail" recreational path to run through Wakefield and Lynnfield received the blessing of the Wakefield Board of Selectmen this week. The board authorized Town Administrator Thomas Butler to sign on behalf of the town a consulting contract with Fay, Spofford and Thorndike, the engineering and planning firm that will conduct the feasibility study.
The total cost of the study will not exceed $30,000, and the state will reimburse in full the towns of Wakefield and Lynnfield for their equal shares of the cost. Despite the fact that there will ultimately be no cost to the town for the feasibility study, Selectman Phyllis Hull opposed proceeding with the study and voted against it. (Last year, Hull similarly opposed a renovation project for Col. Connelly Park, which will also be financed entirely by grants and private donations, with no cost borne by the town.)
The Rail to Trail study would look into the feasibility of developing a paved recreational bike and walking path that would run on an inactive rail bed. Used until several years ago as a freight corridor, the rail bed in question stretches from Main Street in Wakefield along Water and Vernon streets into Lynnfield through the Reedy Meadow. Pending findings of the feasibility study, project proponents in Wakefield and Lynnfield are forming a non-profit corporation in hopes of raising enough private and grant funding to create the recreational path. No town funds are being sought for any phase of the project.
Hull spoke against spending any money on the feasibility study, even though the town will be fully reimbursed by the state. "I do not think we should be spending $30,000 for a feasibility study for a bike path, or whatever you want to call it, at this time," Hull said. "We could put that $30,000 to better use."
Chairman John Carney explained that there was no other use for the money, that would be a "net zero" cost to the town. "We're going to get this money back," Carney stressed; "so it has no effect on our budget. If we spent $30,000 on something else, we wouldn't get reimbursed for it."
Town Administrator Thomas Butler clarified that the $30,000 is the total for both Wakefield and Lynnfield, with both towns guaranteed state reimbursement for their equal shares of the cost.
Selectman Albert Turco, the selectmen's representative on the Rail to Trail Committee and a longtime proponent of the project, responded to Hull's comments.
"The legitimate issue," Turco argued, "is whether we'll get the money back. We're talking about $15,000 (for Wakefield), not $30,000." Turco pointed out that Thomas Mullen (who is town counsel for both Wakefield and Lynnfield) "has drafted a contract that is as iron-clad as it can be. We'll be out of pocket for a few months, but we'll get every dime back."
Hull also questioned the cost of the final project, if it ultimately goes forward "It must be going to cost the towns involved hundreds of thousands. of dollars," Hull said, "and where are we going to get this money?"
Carney pointed out that there has been much public discussion of the fact that there will be a non-profit corporation which would work to raise private money to get the final project done. "When we have private citizens willing to put in a lot of time to try to get something done that's going to beautify and add some recreational benefits to the town and it's not going to cost us money," Carney insisted, "I think we ought to encourage them and work with them." Responding to Hull, Turco stressed that all of the money for every phase of the project would come from private fundraising or from state and federal earmarks Turco reiterated that he would not support the project if those funds were not forthcoming or if there were any cost to the town. "The town of Wakefield does not have the money," Turco said.
Selectman John Encarnacao said that he supported the Rail to Trail concept, but harbored reservations that the timetable of the feasibility study was Overly ambitious. He also sought further reassurance that there would be no cost to the town at any phase of the project.
Turco responded to Encarnacao's concerns, adding that the feasibility study in no way commits the town to going further with the project Encarnacao indicated that he was satisfied with Turco's explanations and had a more complete grasp of the project.
The board voted 6-1 to authorize the feasibility study, with Hull opposed.