Eastham Bikeways Committee
Don Ouellette, Chair Ron Rencurrel, Vice-Chair Bob Donahoe, Secretary
David Badger Bernadette Burgess Tina Jas Michael Kain David Maynard
2500 State Highway Eastham, MA 02642-2544 Telephone 508-240-5900 Fax 508-240-1291
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MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES for the month of January 2005
Meeting called to order at 4:30 PM.
Members:
• Present were Bernadette Burgess, Mike Kain, Dave Maynard, Don Ouellette and Ron
Rencurrel.
• Absent with permission were, and. Dave Badger, Bob Donahoe, Tina Jas,
• Representing the town selectmen, P. Whitlock (absent)
Minutes of the December committee meeting were approved. The meeting took place at Ron
Rencurrel’s home as we had failed to properly post the December meeting.
Old Business
Trail Signage:
Don met with Sheila on 12/17/04. She agreed that we can move ahead to order the signs. She
recommended that he speak with Steve Douglas. Steve was very helpful and gave him a catalog
along with a few suggestions to consider when ordering signs. The town has an account with
Perma-Line Corp. Orders placed with this company will be billed to the town. Steve agreed to
review our order before we place it.
Forging Alliances: Peter Whitlock emailed Don that he had spoken with Fire Chief Olsen about
getting accident information. The chief indicated that the fire department’s new data base really
isn’t suitable for finding non-fire incident information, but he is willing to go through the files and
put something together about bike accidents stats. in Eastham. He would like someone from the
committee to meet with him again so that he can better understand what our purposes are and
exactly what information is needed. Barbara B. and Ron R. along with Don O will meet with the
Chief.
Open Space: No changes here.
Input from Terry Whalen:
Terry sent Don a copy of the NSTAR’s policy for its Rights of Way. Of particular interest
regarding parking at the Bike Path under power lines at Brackett Road are contained in Sections 5
and 6. The policy should help the Committee scope a potential project with a better understanding
of what NSTAR may find acceptable. Additionally, any project at the location would require the
approval of the landowner.
Trail Maintenance: No maintenance until Spring (May).
Eastham Bikeways Committee
Don Ouellette, Chair Ron Rencurrel, Vice-Chair Bob Donahoe, Secretary
David Badger Bernadette Burgess Tina Jas Michael Kain David Maynard
2500 State Highway Eastham, MA 02642-2544 Telephone 508-240-5900 Fax 508-240-1291
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Status of information program: Mike Kain suggested that the information be distributed from
two locations which can easily be accessed for restocking.
Americorp: A request was prepared and mailed from Sheila’s office to Jon Peterson on 12/22/04.
New Business
Input to Town Annual Report:
Don prepared the following input to the Town Annual Report:
Eastham Bikeways Committee
Input to Annual Report 2004
The Cape Cod Rail Trail continues to be our key focus. A summary report outlining long overdue
maintenance was prepared and sent to the Superintendent of the Nickerson State Park. Items
affecting user safety were highlighted.
Americorps-Cape Cod again provided much needed help to trim along the Rail Trail from Nauset
Road northward. Further cutting and trimming activities were conducted by members of the
Eastham Bikeways Committee in the Spring and in the Fall.
Eastham Bikeways Committee continues to participate in a Regional Bikeways Committee.
Efforts of the Regional committee to highlight the need for regular maintenance over the last few
years was partially responsible for a $5 million appropriation to re-do all the older sections of the
trail. Root barriers will also be installed as required to curtail the damage caused by root incursion.
A significant part of the trail in Eastham will be redone including much needed attention to the
infamous tunnel.
We participated in a State sponsored “Rail Trail Jam” in celebration of the 25th year of it’s
founding. The Cape Cod Rail Trail is the oldest rail to trail in the country.
New “BIKE XING” signs were painted on town streets to further highlight the use of caution at the
intersections with the Rail Trail.
The second annual “Tour de Trail” was held in September.
New signage was requested through the Eastham Visitors Tourism & Promotion Services Board.
New street name signs will be erected at each street intersection with the Rail Trail. Other
Eastham Bikeways Committee
Don Ouellette, Chair Ron Rencurrel, Vice-Chair Bob Donahoe, Secretary
David Badger Bernadette Burgess Tina Jas Michael Kain David Maynard
2500 State Highway Eastham, MA 02642-2544 Telephone 508-240-5900 Fax 508-240-1291
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information signs will be posted at key intersections. This will improve safety by giving visitors
improved points of reference in cases of emergencies.
We are working with the Town Planner to explore possible future plans to extend the bikeway from
the Rail Trail to route 6 on the north side of Brackett Rd. We are also considering the possibility of
a parking lot on the south side of Brackett Road along the Rail Trail.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Ouellette, Chair
Mesg. From Judy Brainerd:
Judy sent a note that The Open Space Committee is looking into purchasing land on Locust Rd.
where it intersects the Bike Path. The land is owned by a Dr. Schneider. She suggested that it
might be appropriate location for a parking area. The message was forwarded to Dave Badger.
Procedure: All request for clean up need to be sent to Sheila. Don had made a request directly
to Steve Douglas.
Letter from Dave Maynard: Dave M. prepared a letter to be sent to Danny O’Brien requesting
attention to specific issues pertaining to the reconstruction of the Rail trail. The letter highlights:
- steep banks in some areas
- tunnel approaches
- tunnel lighting
- tree roots .. near Nauset Rd.
- mileage markers
- parking area and rest room
The next meeting will be on Monday, March 7, 2005. There will be no meeting in February.
The Secretary will be certain that proper posting are completed for this meeting following a
personal lesson from the Town Administrator on December 6th!
The meeting ended at 6:00 PM.
Minutes submitted by Don Ouellette for Bob Donahoe, Secretary
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cc Clerk, Town of Eastham .. Terry Whalen, Jack Slavin
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