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Swampscott Rail Trail Informational Meetings
It’s been years in the making, but the next big step to making the Swampscott Rail Trail a reality will take place during the May 15 Annual Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen have unanimously sponsored a warrant article requesting $850,000 to be used for the design and engineering of the trail location within the National Grid corridor as well as the legal fees and costs for the acquisition of the easement rights.
The Swampscott Planning Department will be holding two informational meetings before that Town Meeting vote. The meetings will provide an overview of the history of creating the rail trail, outline what the Town Meeting warrant article means, and provide a roadmap of next steps after Town Meeting approval of the funds. This is the perfect opportunity for residents to learn more about the trail, ask questions, and provide any feedback.
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS
- Thursday April 13 @ 7:00p in Swampscott High School, Cafeteria
- Tuesday May 2 @ 7:00p in Swampscott High School, Room B129
The rail trail has been a dream of community members for many, many years. It came to the forefront in recent years when the town was doing research, public forums, and surveys as part of the Open Space & Recreation Plan and the “Swampscott 2025 : The Master Plan”. Through both planning exercises, residents were loud and clear that the rail trail was a top priority for them. Town Meeting has also given the thumbs up by voting in support for the creation of the trail on three separate occasions. The May 15, 2017 Town Meeting vote is a step to making it a reality. The construction of the trail will not come from Town funds, however, as the plans call for the money to be raised privately, via donations, in-kind services, and grants consistent with how other communities have funded their rail trails.
A new project website has been launched that includes relevant information about the rail trail and the Town Meeting warrant article. Residents are encouraged to “like” the Rail Trail Implementation Committee Facebook page for news about the new website and other project details.
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