Committee reports MassTrails beacons complete, Malone Trail contract chosen; Dotty Rock plan scaled back

Committee members reported several near-term, MassTrails-funded projects and contract developments affecting trails around Mount Jefferson and the Malone/Dotty Rock area.

Flashing beacons installed at the Williamsville rail-trail crossing are functional and nearly closed out under the grant; the project came in about $250 under the budget and the town is awaiting the canceled check to submit for reimbursement. The beacons activate from pedestrian buttons and motion detectors and are designed to warn approaching vehicles when trail users cross.

The Malone Trail construction contract was described as awarded to Terramor LLC of Montague (the committee said Terramor had provided earlier estimates for the grant application). The project lead said contract paperwork was being completed and work is expected to start around the end of May with completion by the end of summer. Committee members said four bidders responded; the initial range discussed during the meeting ran from about $83,000 to roughly $260,000, with the contracted amount later referenced at about $215,000. Committee members said all four bidders were capable but the successful contractor had relevant experience.

The Dotty Rock element of the Mount Jefferson work was scaled back after a field review: instead of a freestanding deck, the plan will create a cleared landing roughly the size of the previously proposed deck (committee discussion estimated about 15 feet square), add benches and possibly a picnic table, and place an interpretive sign and a dedication plaque for Dottie (committee said a plaque text from "Jessie" will be circulated). A committee member described using a face grinder to inset and secure a brass plaque on the rock.

Committee members discussed signage requirements tied to Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funding: CPC-funded properties such as Lombard Road and a church parcel will need CPC acknowledgment signage; the committee estimated custom plaques/signs could cost in the low hundreds of dollars rather than thousands and suggested using existing kiosk signage templates where appropriate. The committee noted that some MassTrails signage and kiosk-style signs could satisfy CPC acknowledgment requirements.

Members also discussed the MassTrails grant cycle administration: grants awarded in the 2024 cycle are treated as a pot of funds that can be partially redistributed if other projects close out under budget; the committee said that as projects are completed there may be an opportunity to claim additional funds later in the grant cycle if a local match can be provided.

Committee members described plans for trail furniture, interpretive signage, and follow-on loop-trail work; they said remaining scope decisions and any additional work would be reviewed after main trail construction and furniture deployment are complete.