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RTAC recommends dissolving; Town of Danvers will shift trail oversight to friends group and Natural Resources
Summary
The Rail Trail Advisory Committee recommended dissolving the volunteer committee after 15 years; the Town of Danvers has agreed that the Friends of the Danvers Rail Trail and the Danvers Office of Natural Resources will continue fundraising, maintenance and volunteer coordination.
The Rail Trail Advisory Committee (RTAC) recommended dissolving the volunteer committee during its Jan. 15, 2026 meeting, and the Town of Danvers has agreed to the change, RTAC members said.
Paul McNulty, an RTAC member, summarized the committee’s origin and role, saying RTAC was created in July 2010 to advance use of abandoned railroad corridors for safe pedestrian and bicycle recreation. After 15 years and “a significant increase in Town involvement,” RTAC concluded the committee’s administrative and volunteer tasks could be simplified by transitioning responsibilities, McNulty said.
Under the plan discussed at the meeting, the Friends of the Danvers Rail Trail (FDRT) will continue to lead fundraising, organize volunteers, perform smaller maintenance tasks and provide input to the Town. The Danvers Office of Natural Resources will continue its role in trail maintenance, RTAC members said. Active RTAC members expect to continue supporting the trail as members of the FDRT.
Mark Jones, an RTAC member, said he will update public communications to reflect the organizational change and emphasized that trail users should not notice an immediate change in maintenance or services. The minutes also note that RTAC originally recommended dissolution at its November 2024 meeting and that the Town reviewed and agreed to the recommendation.
The committee approved prior minutes by consent at the start of the meeting and agreed to meet once more on March 19 to cover open issues and plan spring activities with Town staff before full administrative changes take effect. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.
What happens next: RTAC members will coordinate with the FDRT and the Danvers Office of Natural Resources on communications and handover details; Mark Jones will update public-facing materials.
