Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Upper Charles Trail topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ashland committee flags $2 million Upper Charles Trail funding deadline
Summary
The Open Space & Recreation Committee heard that $2 million earmarked for the Upper Charles Trail must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026; members said staff and engineers are working on a 25% design but offered no timeline for construction.
Roberta Soolman, chairperson of the Ashland Open Space & Recreation Committee, said at the June 9 meeting that members received an update on the Upper Charles Trail design effort.
Martin Ring told the committee that town staff is still consulting with an engineer about a feasible 25% design for the full trail route. He said the town has $2 million in funding that must be spent on the project by the end of December 2026.
Committee members and local partners plan public outreach: Ring said the committee, the Friends of the Upper Charles Trail and the Select Board will share a table at the Farmers' Market on Sept. 12 to raise awareness.
The committee did not take a vote or set a construction timetable at the meeting. Members noted the spending deadline but did not provide details about specific design milestones, permitting status or whether remaining funding shortfalls exist.
