At Wednesday’s Trails Committee meeting, a debate ensued about internal information sharing after the chair said he reached out to the School Committee to be on an upcoming meeting agenda.
Chair Peter LaGoy initiated the conversation by updating members about the installation of fitness equipment on the Center Trail, which is slated to take place next week. LaGoy said he informed the School Committee, because one of the four pieces is being set up where the high school’s cross country course meets the Center Trail.
This project was proposed a couple of years ago by a Scout. At that time, it was funded with participatory money in the town budget allocated to the Trails Club. The Trails Committee is overseeing the project now, with Scouts performing the equipment installation.
Also, LaGoy reserved time on the School Committee’s May 1 agenda to discuss the creation of a stone dust path from Loop Road to the Chamberlain street extension. Engineering plans will be completed within a month. He initially said he was appearing at the April 17 meeting, which caused confusion among members.
The School Committee approved this project a few years ago, he explained. But with several new members since that time, LaGoy wanted to make sure they were aware of the upcoming work. The Conservation Commission also was “given an FYI” about it.
Member Jane Moran said she “was caught off guard” by this because she believed it was supposed to be a woods trail. She asked that the plans be shared with committee members.
Added Moran: “I think it would be nice to have this information, since we’re ultimately going to be asked these questions.”
LaGoy also mentioned spine trails from the Center Trail to EMC Park and from EMC Park to the Marathon School. At that point, Moran said that the former Upper Charles Trail Committee, which she chaired, had “already invested a lot of money having those engineering studies prepared.” She did not want to see a duplication of efforts.
LaGoy said he hoped to initially engage the School Committee about its thoughts on trails near the schools. A deeper dive would be taken at a listening session.
Moran responded that LaGoy may be presenting these proposed trails “from a runner’s point of view.” The new Trails Committee, she said, should have input so that inclusivity would be recognized. Going forward, she hoped the committee would have a more thorough discussion on the topic.
Member Jack Buckley agreed, saying that he didn’t want the School Committee to think that the Trails Committee had come to a “premature conclusion.”
LaGoy reiterated that this was meant to be an introductory conversation.
Vice chair Scott Knous added that the School Committee may “make decisions and draw conclusions” depending on the way the information is presented. He proposed a special meeting for group to brainstorm what will be presented to the School Committee, and Moran agreed. This meeting will take place on April 23.
‘Blessing’ sought for trail signs
LaGoy said he intends to appear before the Select Board at its next meeting on April 22 to “get their blessing” for the committee’s trial trail sign initiative.
This project was started by the former Trail Coordination and Management Committee (TCMC), also was known as the Trails Committee at the time. LaGoy chaired this committee.
Secretary Linda Chuss, who designed the signs, will present the concept to the board. If approved, the test signs will be placed at the Center Trail, Center School, the Hughes Farm Trail and at Fruit Street near Whitehall Brook.
LaGoy added that he spoke with Town Manager Elaine Lazarus about the signs, “and she was good with the idea.” He also requested time for board members to ask how the “town’s reboot of the Trails Committee” has been progressing with its goals. The committee plans to hold listening sessions with various stakeholder groups for their feedback.
ATVs on trails an issue
As the Planning Board liaison to the Open Space Preservation Commission, Moran mentioned that the OSPC would like to appear at an upcoming Trails Committee meeting. It is proposing a “no motorized vehicles” sign on the land it oversees because of damage caused by all-terrain vehicles, commonly known as ATVs.
Chuss mentioned that potential signs could include more than one topic. Moran agreed, saying it merited further discussion.
Realtor supports meeting
Buckley spoke with real estate agent Chuck Joseph about the committee’s proposal to meet with local realtors as one of the stakeholder groups. He said Joseph offered to host the meeting at his office and said the committee’s idea of a townwide trail map would be helpful to realtors marketing the town’s assets.
Inclusion on apps encouraged
Member Sean Kimball said he would like to initiate a conversation with AllTrails, a company that provides an app that identifies trails, about how to get more Hopkinton trails included. Chuss added that there are several other trail apps that also could be used.
LaGoy said he spoke with Lazarus about working with the town to get more trails included on the town’s graphic information system.
This discussion will continue at the committee’s May meeting, when priorities will be reviewed.
Another LaGoy Moran dust up. I for one did not see that comin!
No “dust-up.” On committees, healthy disagreement such as this was, moves issues forward. As a committee, we’d discussed the need to inform the school committee of upcoming work on school land. I received time on their agenda, and I decided that that meeting would also be a good opportunity to start the process of listening to residents and town groups about concerns and hopes for trails in town. The committee felt it best to discuss the procedures for listening sessions prior to meeting with town groups, which we all agreed was a good idea, and which we are doing prior to the school committee and other meetings.
I was at that meeting and would have called it a very normal discussion, the kind of thing we do about many topics. I would not have characterized it as a debate, which to me implies arguing and opposition. It was the chair asking for input and members very thoughtfully and civilly providing it, and that input making a difference in next steps. Watching the HCAM recording would provide context. Maybe I’ll watch it to see if I missed something.
I want to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed their time and effort to planning and maintaining the trails. These trails are a valuable asset to our community, and they are accessible to all. I’ve never felt more connected to my community than I do now, thanks to the opportunity to enjoy these beautiful trails. They allow me to meet my neighbors, focus on my well-being and fitness, and appreciate the true beauty of Hopkinton. This is something that should be supported 100%. it’s a positive asset to our community.