The Needham Rail Trail Advisory Committee met Oct. 29 to review trail maintenance, signage and promotion and to finalize priorities for a joint meeting with the Needham Mobility Planning and Coordination Committee and the Transportation Safety Committee on Nov. 10.

Committee Chairman Chris Gerstl opened the session and asked members to identify priorities to present at the joint meeting. James Goldstein, the committee’s designee to the mobility planning group, said resurfacing and drainage work on the existing trail is the top near-term priority and noted, “It's already funded. It's already in the capital plan,” with work expected in early spring/summer next year.

The meeting centered on three near- and long-term themes: trail condition and safety, signage and outreach, and extension/major capital projects. Jerry Koss, a committee member and long-time rider, reported that parts of the trail are underused but pleasant and raised safety concerns about one segment: “the part of the trail between Fisher Street and the river was covered with leaves … I just felt unsafe.” Members agreed the trail’s surface and periodic leaf clearing deserve regular attention and suggested making maintenance a standing agenda item.

Debbie Anderson, Director of Conservation and the committee’s conservation representative, described a townwide trail signage program funded with Community Preservation Committee (CPC) money. “We just got our funds, our CPC funds. We're starting with the Ridge Hill and Town Forest,” she said, and added that posts have been installed, sign designs are in review and kiosks will include updated maps and QR codes linked to GIS. Anderson reported an enforcement problem: roughly 11 recently installed sign posts at the Town Forest disappeared shortly after installation; the town filed a police report and estimated replacement adds about $2,000 in cost.

Committee members discussed sign placement (entrances and trail kiosks), the town’s rebranding constraints for sign color and font, and a volunteer steward program to help install signs. Hannah Corgan, assistant director of Needham Park and Recreation and committee liaison, offered to connect volunteers or any draft promotional materials to the town public information officer, Amy Haleson, and recommended distributing outreach through Park & Rec materials, school parent-teacher communications and the town newsletter.

On longer-term projects, Goldstein proposed four priorities for Nov. 10: (1) proceed with DPW’s funded resurfacing and drainage work, (2) update the WorldTech 2020 feasibility study, select a preferred alternative and proceed with design for an extension from High Rock Street to Needham Junction, (3) open formal discussions with Dover to pursue funding for replacing the rail-trail bridge over the Charles River, and (4) pursue MassDOT engagement on the Needham–Newton Community Way (a very long-term project with an earlier estimate in excess of $20 million). He said the WorldTech study needs updating because costs and conditions have changed since 2020.

Members emphasized realistic sequencing and public engagement. Several speakers urged more public outreach before significant roadway or trail changes, and the committee agreed to prioritize near-term, fundable items while continuing lower-cost, no-cost work such as forming a working group on the Charles River bridge. Speakers also noted right-of-way and technical constraints: the MBTA retains a rail corridor that complicates extension options, and ledge and grade at High Rock can increase construction cost and complexity.

The committee set one clear action: Goldstein will prepare five questions for the Nov. 10 joint meeting on priorities and barriers; Hannah Corgan will distribute the draft questions to members and requested replies by Nov. 8 so Goldstein can finalize materials. The meeting was adjourned by roll-call motion and unanimous voice/yes votes.

Details the committee recorded but did not vote on at the meeting include the timing of DPW resurfacing (early spring/summer next year), the planned sign-print schedule (signs printed over the winter, with volunteer-assisted installation by January), the number of stolen sign posts (~11) and the use of CPC funds for initial signage effort at Ridge Hill and Town Forest.

Next steps: Goldstein will finalize and send a short question set to Hannah for distribution; members will return answers to Hannah before the Nov. 10 joint meeting so the Rail Trail Advisory Committee’s priorities can be presented.