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Bike trail meeting produces progress July 16, 2007...Crucial land rights needed for Milford to push forward with its Upper Charles Trail Phase II plans are close to being obtained, officials said, following a meeting yesterday at the State House. Facilitated by state Executive Office of Transportation's Thomas Cahir, the session addressed the tug-of-war over National Grid land rights for Bay State trail projects. The meeting, with "lot of legal talk," left attendee and Milford trail committee Chairman Reno DeLuzio feeling confident. "There's no question - everyone sees the value of these projects," he said. "We're all pulling on the rope in the same direction. We still have a little lead weight on the other end, but we'll get it ... shortly." Securing rights to a mile-long stretch owned by National Grid has been Milford's big roadblock as it moves forward to build the second half of its 6.5-mile recreational path. Leaders behind recreation paths in Newburyport and north of Boston are encountering problems similar to Milford's, Executive Office of Transportation spokesman Erik Abell said. The power company and federal highway department have grappled over the technical distinction between land leases and licenses, granted to towns for trail use. "We were in a position to help bring both parties together," Abell said. "It was a very fruitful discussion. We left the meeting feeling that both parties are moving in the right direction." Representatives from landowner National Grid, the Federal Highway Administration and the offices of U.S. Reps. Richard Neal, D-2nd, and Michael Capuano, D-8th, attended the meeting. Capuano sits on the House Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure. National Grid spokesman David Graves said his company is concerned about keeping access easy and open for its power line maintenance. However, the company is willing to grant Milford use of its land, leading from Rte. 109 to Holliston. "Both the Federal Highway Administration and National Grid will work on wording of an agreement that would be acceptable to both sides to allow for use of this land in question," Graves said. In June, Milford celebrated the ribbon cutting of the 3.5 miles of trail constructed so far. The 12-foot-wide, handicapped-accessible path has branching entrances on Main Street from Sacred Heart Church and Dunkin' Donuts that meet at Fino Field and lead to the Rte. 85/Interstate 495 overpass. "It's just a really nice walk or ride," said state Sen. Richard Moore, D-Uxbridge, who spoke at the ceremony. "The little ride I took with Reno DeLuzio ... it's just a very beautiful view." Read more at milforddailynews.com |
