Needham advisory committee backs DPW resurfacing, eyes extension, and boosts signage and outreach

The Needham Rail Trail Advisory Committee met Oct. 29 to review trail maintenance, signage and promotion and to finalize priorities for a joint meeting with the Needham Mobility Planning and Coordination Committee and the Transportation Safety Committee on Nov. 10.

Committee Chairman Chris Gerstl opened the session and asked members to identify priorities to present at the joint meeting. James Goldstein, the committee’s designee to the mobility planning group, said resurfacing and drainage work on the existing trail is the top near-term priority and noted, “It's already funded. It's already in the capital plan,” with work expected in early spring/summer next year.

The meeting centered on three near- and long-term themes: trail condition and safety, signage and outreach, and extension/major capital projects. Jerry Koss, a committee member and long-time rider, reported that parts of the trail are underused but pleasant and raised safety concerns about one segment: “the part of the trail between Fisher Street and the river was covered with leaves … I just felt unsafe.” Members agreed the trail’s surface and periodic…