Right or wrong path? Townsend divided over proposed rail trail ...

Progress continues on the proposed Squannacook River Rail Trail connecting Townsend to Groton, despite concerns from some residents about the impact of the trail.

[Ken Burgess]

$4 million could have been spent elsewhere...

[Ken Burgess]

Let's not forget, Leominster and Fitchburg are working on a trail also. Where will the
money come from ? Looks like rail trails cost an average of $1 million per mile.

[Martha Harrington]

Ken Burgess wrote:

$4 million could have been spent elsewhere...

The $4 million is coming specifically from a Federal fund to convert rails to trails, it's not like the $4 million is just sitting in an account for Townsend to use any which way...Your comment makes it sound as though the town already has the $4 million in hand.

[Christiandadx6]

Does anyone remember when the train used to utilze these tracks? I grow up with the back boundry of our lot being those tracks. I remember cross counry skiing along those tracks when the train wasn't running. I understand the cost concerns of the trail, but as a security issue, it is already easy enough for criminals to use the old tracks to gain access to homes. To have people (law-abiding) using the tracks to walk, cycle, or run may make it safer for those living along the tracks.

[tim]

Martha Harrington wrote:

<quoted text>
The $4 million is coming specifically from a Federal fund to convert rails to trails, it's not like the $4 million is just sitting in an account for Townsend to use any which way...Your comment makes it sound as though the town already has the $4 million in hand.

well you should know that the Federal monnies you speak of were taken from tax payers so maybe we should be questioning the need for this

[Paul from Leominster]

No matter where you go there are going to be people questioning or even against supporting a safe and healthy life-style. They see no benefit to the community to having a place to safely walk or bike, and these people are probably against town pools and swimming areas as well. These people are most likely even against Little League baseball fields and town soccer fields. But you know if you take away all these places where people can congregate doing safe activities that some of them are going to congregate doing more non-desirable activities.

The rail to trail tax money is going to be spent somewhere to improve a community. The government is covering 90% of the cost, with the town only absorbing 10%. If you can improve your town and only pay 10% of the cost I don't think it is that bad a deal. Any infrastructure improvement that benefits the town ultimately benefits property owners as well. It's all the little things added up that makes people want to move to your town, thereby increasing property values.

[tim]

The government is covering 90% of the cost, with the town only absorbing 10% well with my math thats boils down to 100% taxpayers I'm not against bettering a community but 4 mil could help the schools fire and police a lot more which also improves the infrastructure which in turn makes people want to move to your town, thereby increasing property values

[Robert E]

tim wrote:

The government is covering 90% of the cost, with the town only absorbing 10% well with my math thats boils down to 100% taxpayers I'm not against bettering a community but 4 mil could help the schools fire and police a lot more which also improves the infrastructure which in turn makes people want to move to your town, thereby increasing property values

Let's try this again, maybe you can't understand. The 4mil will not be given to Townsend for any other reason, like schools or fire or police.
As for those of you who would never get out to walk or ride a bike, life is not all about you. There are many residents who would enjoy these activities and hopefully that number would increase as our children and their children learn to live a more active life.
The NIMBY who says not in my backyard, you can check with Ayer, Groton and Pepperell and you will find there has been no increase in illegal activities. Any of you ever been to the rail trail that goes through these towns? I'll bet not. Wake up Townsend.

[Kathy Harvard]

I would add that the rail trail will bring business to the area, as biking families and individuals stop for refreshments, or even a meal. This would be a continuing, three-season source of revenue for the local economy.

[resident]

I think if it doesnt cost anything to us tax payers why not . Townsend doesnt have enough stuff for the youth in town to do maybe it would get a few more away from video games or away from t.v . and get healthy !Someone will always have something to squawk about.

[Hairy Potter]

I love the comment about how gas is $4 a gallon and the economy stinks. A rail to the shopping center would allow people to go shopping and to school without the need for gas (its a big school).

The comments about how the trail would cut right across people's property. ITS NOT YOURS...THE RR OWNS IT! You have not paid a dime in property taxes on that land and you are not entitled to use it to extend your property line.

Isn't the body shop the place that is illegally using the RR property? Interesting that his comment is the first one in the article....way to go S&E! Fair and unbiased all the way!

[Choo Choo]

Of course Mr Shank doesn't want the rail trail, he would have to move the fence he put up on the m.b.t.a property. I like the comment about how gas is $4 a gallon. Is this not reason enough to construct a rail trail connecting the two ends of town? Maybe we can forget all about the rail trail and have a commuter train to connect the harbor to the center of town. How would the abutters like that! Most of the opponents would probably prefer the train because they are probably so lazy they cannot even understand the benefits of exercise/physical activity. Come on Townsend, isn't it about time we do something to benefit this town. Open your minds people......

[TGR]

Shank is one to talk. Why don't you take a lesson from the rest of us decent business owners and quit complaining until you you toe-it like we do?

[Ken Burgess]

RE: The RR Owns the property

In many cases, there are people who build upon old
railroad beds, including buildings, driveways and
other structures, with the "understanding" that the
railroad bed is abandoned. Some use the excuse that after 7 years of non-use, they can take over the property.

The MBTA still owns the road bed along Rt. 20 in Weston and Sudbury, but that hasn't stopped people from building on it....

[tim]

Robert E wrote:

<quoted text>
Let's try this again, maybe you can't understand. The 4mil will not be given to Townsend for any other reason, like schools or fire or police.
As for those of you who would never get out to walk or ride a bike, life is not all about you. There are many residents who would enjoy these activities and hopefully that number would increase as our children and their children learn to live a more active life.
The NIMBY who says not in my backyard, you can check with Ayer, Groton and Pepperell and you will find there has been no increase in illegal activities. Any of you ever been to the rail trail that goes through these towns? I'll bet not. Wake up Townsend.

there was no need to try again the point i made is our goverment is holding our money needed for crutial services fine lets get everyone out biking and skipping to the beat of about 5% that will really use this trail. before these trails were there or proposed to be there people road bikes went for walks and played in parks I'm sorry if your company has the contrract for the trail but i would rather see safer streets better schools than this trail so really no need to respond because as many of the one great things about us being Americans is we can disagree and have different points of view

[Burg Resident]

I wouldn't mind it... esp if it got bikers off the road. Nothing against them - but on narrow roads - its dangerous.

[Townsend Townie]

Hairy Potter wrote:

...The comments about how the trail would cut right across people's property. ITS NOT YOURS...THE RR OWNS IT! You have not paid a dime in property taxes on that land and you are not entitled to use it to extend your property line.
Isn't the body shop the place that is illegally using the RR property? Interesting that his comment is the first one in the article....way to go S&E! Fair and unbiased all the way!

In several instances, the business that could potentially be impacted by a rail trail in the Harbor area have documentaion that shows they purchased the property in question from the B&M Railroad at times in the past.

The MBTA - current owners of the rail bed - are making several claims that may be up for legal dispute.

The MBTA claims they made eminent domain takings in the past of those properties when they took over from B&M Railroad - however, legally, an eminent domain taking is a legal process that involves hearings and ultimately some compensation for the takings; a process that appears to not have happened, or did not happen with legal proceedings as required by law.

At the very least, it could possibly cost the taxpayers a lot of money in legal fees to clear up any potential legal problems/claims that arise from this project.

And by the way - several of those business owners and home owners HAVE been paying property taxes on the land the MBTA claims is theirs - another huge problem for the taxpayers if the town has been collecting thousands of dollars over the years from these people; these people could be due huge refund amounts of collected taxes they did not owe if the properties are indeed owned by the MBTA.

Messy, messy legal problems all the way around with this project - all at a cost to the taxpayers who are hurting already as it is...

[Townsend property owner]

Paul from Leominster wrote:

No matter where you go there are going to be people questioning or even against supporting a safe and healthy life-style. They see no benefit to the community to having a place to safely walk or bike, and these people are probably against town pools and swimming areas as well. These people are most likely even against Little League baseball fields and town soccer fields. But you know if you take away all these places where people can congregate doing safe activities that some of them are going to congregate doing more non-desirable activities.
The rail to trail tax money is going to be spent somewhere to improve a community. The government is covering 90% of the cost, with the town only absorbing 10%. If you can improve your town and only pay 10% of the cost I don't think it is that bad a deal. Any infrastructure improvement that benefits the town ultimately benefits property owners as well. It's all the little things added up that makes people want to move to your town, thereby increasing property values.

The town will still have to pay 10% of the cost, AS WELL as the regular maintenance. This is not free, us property owners will have to pay for it. Since you obviously dont live in Townsend, you dont know that the town does not have funds lying around for this. The added annual cost to the town budget each year for maintenance will be a big cost for a town that barely could get a 2 1/2 override to keep the school systems running. I think having teachers and progams in our schools are more important than having a trail so people from out of town can walk.

[townsenite]

OK so people don't want strangers litteraly in their back yards. Understandable, but something has to be done about kids riding their bikes down route119. The road is narrow and puts both the rider and driver in a very dangerous situation. Why doesn't townsend go after the state for a sidewalk from the center of town to the highschool. People can walk or bike on it and it's out in the open for all to see.