Eagle Scout proposes kiosk and memorial bench at Middlesex Canal; commission asks for maintenance plan

Molly Murphy, a LifeScout with Troop 502 in Woburn, presented an Eagle Scout project to the Woburn Conservation Commission on March 13, 2025, proposing a history kiosk at the School Street entrance to the Middlesex Canal and a two-person memorial bench further down the railroad bed.

The kiosk, Murphy said, “will contain historical information initially and then it will be handed over to the city of Woburn to put whatever they want in it.” She told the commission the bench is intended as a memorial to a scout parent, John Caviello. Murphy said the work will be limited to hand digging and that she has notified five nearby homeowners about the project.

Commissioners praised the idea as useful for canal users and asked for details on materials, content and long-term maintenance. Commissioner Jim said the kiosk could include history and wildlife information; Jim also asked about maintenance after installation. Murphy said she plans to build the kiosk for New England weather and that, afterward, “the city of Woburn will have control over it.” The commission reiterated that a stewardship or maintenance plan should be specified before the city accepts ongoing responsibility.

Chair of the commission noted that, at the prior meeting, the commission had waived the RDA requirement for the project with the condition that Murphy notify the property owners identified on the plan; the chair read the map reference numbers included on her proposal and opened the item for discussion. Multiple commissioners and members of the public spoke in support, noting limited disturbance and that the kiosk and bench would add interpretive value to the towpath.

Murphy said she plans to begin work in April and that disturbed material will be hand-placed back around posts to minimize landscape impact. Commissioners asked her to confirm final kiosk materials, to document how the kiosk will be weatherproofed and to provide a written maintenance plan or an identified steward before the project is accepted by the city.

Murphy closed by describing what she learned from the permitting process; she said the experience taught her more about local government approvals and the time they require. Commissioners thanked her and wished the project luck.

The commission did not take a new formal vote on the project at this meeting; members said they will expect the maintenance plan and coordination to be documented before final acceptance by the city.