[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6164523,"mediaKeyId","5428390-2e128267d285a78e6d2fd84aa13d2dbd","parentId",5428390,"title","Committee reviews mowing contracts, invasive species work and launches ‘Yoga on the Trails’ series","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1001000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428390-2e128267d285a78e6d2fd84aa13d2dbd&start=1001&end=1001","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428390-2e128267d285a78e6d2fd84aa13d2dbd/thumbnail_1001000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164523/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Committee-reviews-mowing-contracts-invasive-species-work-and-launches-Yoga-on-the-Trails-series","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164523-fb641b7c0540a736e2a1a32bbf65b6b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920704&Signature=gz9zHVWoypvL2sFHm5QUCN3ASPUS8lNAQoZoCNsx2Vzh23oM6AhHU8KjY9DvihIg5qUJBml4pwgmnYmWscistiH4L7mIqJXylXekzgEwD-g7hJIHv7sMGjO8SG~PvWxej7AWCgQcrOLBc96dJxr3lQHryblNYMe5E02aeAanNrYSdxXyxDXYit6a0SUvM~DPUCS0pZTPFi4OE8mj12xRDhvUeva0oBjeAgOTEdYZM2hpHpHNretA7Jf3bDlrD3cpvnI~I1p4mrXsomTeAOidxBBHsZnv3gIX8fKS-xRwK0RtgEHQZh3OOV87-JPMPfvjNuysPDt3LHoWrlSquA0IPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Southborough, MA","date","2025-07-19T03:19:01.25Z","article","At the July 17 meeting the Trails Committee reviewed trail maintenance status, confirmed contractual mowing arrangements, and announced a new ‘Yoga on the Trails’ Eventbrite series scheduled through October.

A committee member said the mowing contract is handled by the Department of Public Works and discussed contacting Bill at DPW and the contractor J & J to confirm whether the first mowing had been completed. One member reported that the Breakneck Hill trail they walked looked mowed and that signs posted at a site indicated an invasive-species spraying project was underway there.

On programming, the committee launched an Eventbrite listing for the 2025 Yoga on the Trails series; members said there is one July date and additional sessions planned in August, September and October. Staff said they will promote the series via Facebook and the committee’s followers on Eventbrite.

Committee members agreed to follow up with DPW and the mowing contractor to confirm mowing schedules and to check stewardship signage for invasive-species work. They did not take any additional votes on contracts at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Southborough Trails Committee 7/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","Members confirmed mowing is contracted to DPW and a vendor (J & J), noted invasive-species spraying at Breakneck Hill, and announced an Eventbrite series of yoga sessions across July–October.","taxTitle","Town of Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts","taxId",56453,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6164528,"Committee schedules bench installs, plans shed reorganization and inventory",298,1136000,1434000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428390-2e128267d285a78e6d2fd84aa13d2dbd&start=1136&end=1434","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428390-2e128267d285a78e6d2fd84aa13d2dbd/thumbnail_1136000.jpg","/articles/6164528/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Committee-schedules-bench-installs-plans-shed-reorganization-and-inventory","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164528-146cffb5fa83e617b031469dec4813ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920704&Signature=nRukleE1QfjFKYjAe9OGBY~m5-0hHPbJe8mRnFBBhMtt-6nlMF0igD0HfEv-MR0FiRTSufx-Bh9vStLdhSxD-8j36L8bqj06Y-AVMinpXsBf4dAtVseKtRxRh9~h5-Ms7xOczraaWz2uAuJO9Lmo8M5iF5AOEKTiKQf7ILgyRLTZn9LBAHmkGkVr5cXjtAA5sr~6vNktagrC1TXgZFPJ-db4HQajH7PnYBtJAAA61JHqHuTpQ-EM9DojgKKdqaaO31~yQO4b8s3lwNYTSNuoxt8hFudALlsjSRK3-peg~rs-CPR2uck50IE0j7lBaEdPe79tVkx3RL1tdi~0heJrwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trails Committee discussed delivery and installation logistics for new benches, agreed to hold an evening work session to move and install benches, and planned a shed reorganization and inventory of tools and equipment.

Members said a newly ordered bench would arrive and be picked up from the Department of Public Works and stored in the trails shed until installation. The committee proposed a work session meeting at the shed in the early evening to load benches and transport them to installation sites; members discussed the need for a cart and a large vehicle to move benches farther into wooded locations and agreed to divide tasks if the cart or large vehicle is unavailable.

Committee members proposed concrete organization steps for the shed: install wall-mounted tool holders, add lights, photograph equipment, create an electronic inventory, label tools, and store some tools in the shed so they are available for work parties. Members volunteered to bring a label maker and suggested having a photo record and inventory to support insurance documentation.

On insurance and asset protection, a member said they would contact town staff (Melanie and Mark) to confirm whether the shed and its tools are covered under town insurance and whether the committee needs to provide an inventory and photos for coverage.

The committee agreed to schedule and confirm the work session and to coordinate vehicle availability and volunteer roles in advance.","The Trails Committee set logistics for installing newly purchased benches, planned a shed reorganization including inventory, labels and lights, and agreed to check town insurance coverage for stored tools.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6164531,"Peninsula Trail bridge bid nears as engineers report minimal footing changes; committee flags funding questions",108,312000,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428390-2e128267d285a78e6d2fd84aa13d2dbd&start=312&end=420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428390-2e128267d285a78e6d2fd84aa13d2dbd/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6164531/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Peninsula-Trail-bridge-bid-nears-as-engineers-report-minimal-footing-changes-committee-flags-funding-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164531-e768f3bb4cbf341dfe6e199d602aa6bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920704&Signature=JeRMpOcGBZEbTnxpD2~p-GyFRQy3T3N4EwN4UIWWqUMJFJvOzqf-ltBjwzga~w901R38mzZmzipUeQWEcvvFyUti4BbdgTAGioqLrbIraGAih4e-0i-68KdZ1dMyyxhglkfThw7hFs56HzS89uz9SYcJml4cevStP0Lhs6Xiwv~qSdEQ5gUZQ~25jLzBSw6gA4aJUFmCjJ-4XhSGvGR~Dk6bJMPe2MLuGuQfeKaH1L1wonKguA-jXM0WNid2miJzrz8vuNb9fQkW9w2nn3Gl3H9OEaI33yTB37XUhSsNzxctd64BR~gxG~6Rp6pAl7PxWq8Uylq7eGRiQAfj-jfXGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trails Committee on July 17 heard an update on the Peninsula Trail bridge: engineers completed additional flow testing, concluded the bridge height will not change significantly, and said footings need to shift by about one foot from their original location. Committee members were told the bid package should be ready in July, with a formal bid posting expected in August.

A committee member said Beals & Thomas completed the extra analysis after rescheduled flow testing with MWRA. The member said the structural engineer is comfortable with the updated measurements and expects the bid-ready package within one to two weeks.

Committee discussion focused on project funding. The member reported the committee had paid a partial invoice toward additional testing and that the Trails Committee covered about $1,800 of an invoice; about $3,200 remains to be covered for the testing work, which committee staff proposed paying from phase‑2 funds while the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) confirms whether $47,000 previously designated to phase‑1 can be reallocated to this phase. The member said phase‑2 funds had been set aside primarily for project management, bridge purchase and boardwalk construction, and that the $3,200 is not expected to be project‑breaking but that steel prices and market conditions could change contract pricing.

A committee member asked whether the bridge manufacturer’s financial standing had been checked; the member who presented the update said the town does not prepay manufacturers and that the general contractor selected through the bidding process will manage contracts and payments.

Timeline: bid package expected in July; legal posting and procurement processes to follow; committee planned to coordinate with the recreation director on posting and bid facilitation.

No formal vote on the contract or bridge specification occurred at the meeting; members instructed staff to proceed with bid preparation and to follow up with CPC on the funding reallocation question.","Engineers finished flow testing and report little change to bridge height; bid package expected in July, but the committee is resolving whether $47,000 in phase‑1 funds can be applied to phase‑2 costs and identified a $3,200 shortfall for recent testing.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6164535,"Trails committee pushes to finalize MassTrails signage as grant deadline nears",315,69000,384000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428390-2e128267d285a78e6d2fd84aa13d2dbd&start=69&end=384","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428390-2e128267d285a78e6d2fd84aa13d2dbd/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6164535/Town-of-Southborough/Worcester-County/Massachusetts/Trails-committee-pushes-to-finalize-MassTrails-signage-as-grant-deadline-nears","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164535-03d57d3c78b2f3caea2ca1ff333e3932/orig.mp4?Expires=1770920704&Signature=OmaktSoVa1Hwy07trdmiWe~2zFlG0Nti5~Lye~t4NclKOv8jQRSiEDcwVpTM5Zk6qHnTMuK9AvQXEhekh~47gzUQDn2tUH7~TAJs4kDLhPVEOgbXDLFKVZfbR1AHyZBuv3mJThg~q3FvQgIR0u0jIb3cJ1InhYHAr3ASGf89OgdarnsxyZ2hvtErBffsccszlxzkNfLm7C4JEJOXJfgwyimCQhN2DLBfrQHID0lauGaoI~jRysj1cXUAkpFLby1I3V4Hcl4hc1o3OJeRsIqV~mpv58yj~3XxvRxx~wLHgPPVtvvhijo94VrKU2KnK~oDws40rnFcHN5kZdzhzQ79XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Trails Committee on July 17 agreed to advance design and installation of interpretive signage and a trail kiosk tied to a MassTrails grant, and set steps to finalize sign text and contractor outreach before the grant closes at year-end.

Committee members said the project needs sign text and a map resource to complete kiosk artwork and locate interpretive panels. A committee member said they will bring draft wording to the next meeting for review and then reach out to the historical society and historical commission for fact-checking once the text is ready. The member added the committee has not been able to find a contact for the Native American material mentioned for the signs and will try to locate that information before publication.

The committee clarified the kiosk will include a map plus accompanying text and that interpretive signs will appear at other locations along the trail. Will Warren volunteered to continue finding a map resource but said he has been busy and asked for more time. The committee noted the kiosk panel will be a manufactured sign (roughly 2x3 to 4x3 feet, per committee discussion) with a mounted map and some text.

On installation, a committee member said the installation will be outsourced to a sign-install company and will use post-driven, double-pedestal posts anchored into the ground. The member said the town’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the municipal authorities responsible for the parcels were aware of the planned mounting method and had not objected in prior discussions.

The committee set a near-term schedule: drafts of copy to be circulated at the next meeting, outreach to historical reviewers after text is ready, and contact with an installer in the coming week to confirm interest and availability.

Committee members emphasized the timeline is driven by the MassTrails grant closeout date (Dec. 31). Several members asked staff to prioritize the sign text so reviews and installation can proceed this fall.

The committee also discussed logistics for sign content review, who would be asked to provide historical or tribal context, and the need to keep text and map materials coordinated so the kiosk and interpretive panels are consistent.","The Trails Committee advanced work on interpretive and kiosk signage tied to a MassTrails grant, agreed next steps on text and installation, and flagged outreach to the historical commission and a Native American contact before the grant closes on Dec. 31.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews mowing contracts, invasive species work and launches ‘Yoga on the Trails’ series

Committee schedules bench installs, plans shed reorganization and inventory

Peninsula Trail bridge bid nears as engineers report minimal footing changes; committee flags funding questions

Trails committee pushes to finalize MassTrails signage as grant deadline nears