On Dec. 16, 2008 a State House meeting took place which was arranged by Representative Katherine Clark at the request of the Wakefield Rail-to-Trail Committee. The meeting with Karol Ostberg, the director of Capital Finance for the Patrick Administration, was not only attended by Senator Tisei, Representative Clark and Representative Falzone but also by Representative Brad Jones (Lynnfield). Steve Maio and Bill Gustus, Town Administrators of Wakefield and Lynnfield respectively, were also in attendance; as were Selectman Al Turco and I, members of the Wakefield RTT Committee and Dick Simmons, member of the Lynnfield Recreation Path Committee. Several legislative staff members and the Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs for the Governor's Office were present, as well. All in all it was an impressive bi-partisan grouping of representatives from government, legislature and local citizens.
As acting chairperson of the Wakefield RTT Committee, I was very happy and grateful to attend the meeting. As you may be aware, our efforts to develop this project have officially been underway for four years. Our goal is conversion of the 4.4 mile railroad right-of-way that crosses through Wakefield and on into Lynnfield from the abandoned and overgrown track into a greenway to be used by pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized transportation methods. Traveling into Lynnfield through Reedy Meadow's natural resource area will only enhance the experience of utilizing this trail. We have overcome several obstacles (gaining recognition as a project; attaining the actual abandonment of the right-of-way; obtaining legislative approval for environmental liability insurance; receiving funding, through Senator Tisei's efforts, to contract for and complete a feasibility study) but we still have others to overcome. One thing that has kept us on track is the continued support we have received from Senator Tisei and our Representatives. Knowing the economic, environmental, safety and health benefits this trail would bring to our towns is another positive aspect that is recognized by our local officials and the public-at-large, with whom we have conversed over the years at various public forums and events.
The purpose of the State House meeting was a status inquiry into the release of the $500,000 funding for the engineering and design of the proposed rail trail which was included in the Transportation Bond Bill passed by the legislature this past summer. This is the next logical step in the process and we wanted the Governor's office to know that this is a project that is not being taken lightly. We are aware of all the necessary steps to be taken and we are implementing our resources to accomplish each one. The fact that all of our legislative delegation attended the meeting with us does much to show that we are serious in our commitment and knowledgeable of the process.
Director Ostberg was impressed with our presentation and "intrigued" with the project. She joined with the legislators present in saying that this type of local project is in-keeping with the Patrick Administration's outlook.
I would like to thank our legislators and town officials for attending this meeting and for their support of this worthy project.
We await word from the State House as to whether ours will be one of the projects receiving funding in fiscal year 2009. We are prepared to take the next step (engineering and design phase) in attaining our goal.
Dot Halpin
Acting Chair,
Wakefield Rail-to-Trail Committee