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Trails committee plans volunteer build days, bench installs and storage logistics ahead of spring
Summary
Committee members discussed volunteer recruitment, natural‑surface trail work with Appalachian Mountain Club help, bench purchases and a Home Depot order for boardwalk materials; shed storage and tarps were raised as near‑term needs.
The Town of Southborough Trails Committee discussed volunteer recruitment and near‑term logistics for trail and boardwalk work, including bench placement, material storage and small equipment assembly.
Committee members said an individual had contacted the town about helping with trails work; the committee will follow up before the next meeting to clarify whether the person seeks a committee seat or prefers occasional volunteer days. The town’s open volunteer seat has been publicized and the committee said it will continue outreach.
For trail construction, the committee reported an offer of help from the Appalachian Mountain Club to assess the proposed natural‑surface trail. Members said smaller‑diameter trees will need removal to make the proposed path and that the group should be able to begin volunteer trail‑building in March if weather allows. The committee discussed staging work parties after work hours (a few hours in the evening) during spring and summer rather than single full‑day events.
Logistics topics included assembly of a “gorilla cart” the committee plans to use to move benches and materials; a work party to assemble tools and equipment was proposed. The committee said it ordered boardwalk lumber and related materials from Home Depot; the store contact is coordinating to package cut boards by length. DPW agreed to store materials near the shed if everything does not fit inside, and the committee discussed buying tarps to protect wood stored outside. One committee member offered to donate a tarp from personal supplies.
Other housekeeping items raised included filing work‑order conditions with the Registry of Deeds (the committee noted a fee of about $100 each) and coordinating with Conservation staff (Laura Davis and Conservation Agent Melissa Danza) to process filings. The committee also discussed placing organizers and privacy film on the shed windows to secure tools and supplies.
No formal votes were taken on the volunteer, bench or storage items. Committee members asked to use the work plan as a guide and to schedule the next meeting in late February to confirm bid timing and spring work party dates.
