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Trail construction slowed by wet ground; contractor to add gravel and seek inspection before reimbursement
Summary
Committee members reported wet conditions at the middle-school entry and along the rock-wall section of the trail, discussed placing additional gravel and culverts, and said an inspector will visit before the contractor is reimbursed; a completion date in October remains the target.
Chair said the committee visited the work site twice and described sections that are unusually wet, particularly by the middle school and the rock wall, saying crews had only been able to cut one machine path so far and that the contractor may need to reconfigure work zones if conditions persist.
"If it winds up being a lot, I'd ask for, you know, a change order," the Chair said, describing the contractor's expectation that ‘‘it’s just a couple of truckloads’’ of gravel to build up the base. The committee agreed that placing a gravel base and then testing machine access would be the immediate next step.
Why it matters: the committee said the work must balance durability and cost, and that the town's reimbursement process requires an inspection before payments are released. Chair said the contractor will notify the committee when he is about one-third finished so NTP can inspect prior to reimbursement, which the committee expects will occur in the next few weeks if weather cooperates.
Members also discussed drainage and safety details. A committee member reported Sean had retrieved two 20-foot, 12-inch culverts from the transfer station for use where the trail crosses wet spots. Committee members debated two grading approaches at the parking-lot entry — a more gradual swing to the left vs. an S-shaped alignment to the right — and noted DigSafe had been contacted to mark underground utilities; the Chair emphasized care around the scoreboard wiring.
The committee reviewed logistics for inspections and volunteer support: members set up a weekly rotation for quick site checks and photo documentation in July, and agreed to circulate a shared inspection log (Google Doc) to record visits and findings. A member said they would attend an upcoming Woodier Woods workday to salvage lumber for bridging and smaller trail repairs.
Benches and amenities: the group discussed buying benches before construction ends. Members preferred low-maintenance, heavy designs — solid composite or anchored benches on concrete pads — to prevent theft or vandalism and to avoid easily moved units.
Schedule and next steps: the committee noted the contractor’s stated expected completion date is Oct. 20, though members emphasized that the date depends on weather and ground conditions. The committee will monitor progress through the weekly checks, ensure NTP inspects before reimbursement, and consider approving any necessary change orders if additional material is required.
The meeting closed after final remarks on wood removal and trail maintenance.
