Rail Trail Advisory Committee

Committee Charge

The charge of the Rail Trail Advisory Committee (RTAC) will be to monitor the design and construction of the portion of the Bay Colony Rail Trail in Needham, to provide a forum for abutters, residents and trail users to provide feedback and concerns after the trail is operational, and to make recommendations to the Select Board with respect to trail policy, maintenance, and future trail improvements, as appropriate.

The Rail Trail Advisory Committee shall consist of 7 members. When practicable, the committee should include a member of the Park and Recreation Commission, two residents who are members of the Bay Colony Rail Trail Association, and two residents at large. When possible, one member of the RTAC should be an abutter to the trail. The Director of Park and Recreation/designee and the Superintendent of Parks and Forestry/designee shall be ex officio and non-voting members of the Committee.

The Director of Park and Recreation/designee and the Superintendent of Parks and Forestry/designee will be the staff liaisons for the committee and will be responsible for ensuring that meetings are posted and minutes are taken, transcribed, and posted on the website in a timely manner. Additional staff resources include the Director of Conservation.

The Committee will meet at least quarterly for the first year, at a time and date convenient for the members.

The Committee will elect a chair who shall rotate at least biannually.

Nominal costs such as printing and mailing will be absorbed by the Park and Recreation Department and/or the Department of Public Works.

Approved by Select Board: October 28, 2014

The Committee

John Bulian, resident at large

James Goldstein, resident, member of Bay Colony Rail Trail Association

Dmitry Gorenburg, resident/abutter, member of Bay Colony Rail Trail Association

Gerry Koss, resident at large

Christopher Gerstel, resident, Needham Park and Recreation Commission

Bob Lewis, Assistant Director of Public Works, ex-officio member

Stacey Mulroy, Director of Park and Recreation, ex-officio member

The Committee will start meeting in late April and will determine its meeting schedule. All meeting agendas will be posted by the Town Clerk and on this website page.

Appointed by the Select Board: August, 2020