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Planning board pauses next phase of Boston‑Worcester Air Line Trail section 2 work; will monitor funding
Summary
The board decided not to move immediately forward with additional design work on a portion of BWALT section 2 despite having roughly $10,000 remaining in the GM2 contract; members cited competing priorities and rising costs and asked staff to continue outreach and pursue funding opportunities when appropriate.
Planning staff told the board that approximately $10,000 remained under the existing GM2 contract for design of portion(s) of Boston‑Worcester Air Line Trail (BWALT) section 2 and that the MassTrails grant round was due Feb. 2. After discussing competing project priorities (including East Main and Flanders projects) the board agreed to pause applying now for additional design funding for that small portion and to continue public engagement and easement work; the funds would remain available for future use if the board chooses to pursue them.
Staff said delaying pursuit of additional grant funding carries few near‑term downsides except that later design and construction costs may rise. Board members instructed staff to continue the Friends of the BWALT engagement and to be prepared to move quickly if new funding opportunities arise.
Next steps: continue public outreach and easement coordination; preserve the remaining contract funds for section 2 work in a future grant round, and be ready to re‑apply when the board prioritizes the phase.
