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Footpath Plan
East Street Pathway Plan
Pathway System Maintenance
Pathways in the News
Construction of each pathway will be done consecutively, as originally planned, but it was decided to obtain surveys of all roads of the footpath plan, to see if there would be major construction obstacles which would effect the overall pathway budget. The survey of East Street conducted in 2004 had revealed the difficulty of a steep grade that will require a retaining wall.
In fall 2005 the contracted surveyor, Stamski & NcNary, conducted surveys of the remaining three arterials of the footpath plan: Concord Road, Westford Street, and Lowell Street, and submitted the surveys to the Pedestrian/Bike Safety Advisory Committee. Committee members, then with surveys in hand, walked each of the proposed pathway routes, noting the pathways distance, desired siting, and potential obstacles and issues in the future pathway construction. Obstacles or complications as severe as those on East Street were not found, except for Westford Street. It was decided that a pathway will not be built on Westford Street as a part of this plan, after all.
The Committee worked an a financial analysis, including an analysis of different surface material options, and presented it as a comprehensive analysis to the Board of Selectmen on Fenbruary 21, 2006, with the objective of determining what type of surface to use on future pathways.
East Street pathway plan (pdf): page 1 (43 Bedford Rd. - 129 East St.), page 2 (129 - 241 East St.)
East Street retaining wall design (pdf).The construction of the East Street pathway, originally hoped for last year, is behind schedule for a combination of reasons, and is expected to take place in 2006. Unlike the Bedford Road pathway, the pathway crosses wetlands that will require a filing of a notice of intent to disturb wetlands with the Conservation Commission. A steep hill next to the road near St. Irene's church will require the construction of a retaining wall, which requires design and engineering. An easement from the Archdioceses will be necessary, and this will take more time to procure than any easements from private residential properties. Finally, the exact surface of the pathway for along East Street and the rest of the pathway system needs to be reconsidered in light of the less than satisfactory nature of the Bedford Road pathway with regard to maintenance.
As portions of East Street lie along wetlands, approval of the proposed East Street pathway will be necessary from the Conservation Commission. A public hearing was held with the Conservation Commission on May 26 and continued to June 9, 2005, at which the Conservation Commission made a positive determination, which will require the filing of a notice of intent. Impacted wetland will need to be flagged by an expert, indicated on the plan map, and construction details will need to be submitted. This is hoped to be done this winter.
As East Street is designated a scenic road, approval of the proposed pathway was also necessary from the Planning Board. A public hearing was held on May 9, 2005, and continued to July 18, in accordance with the Scenic Roads Bylaws and the Shade Tree Act. At the hearing the Planning Board and the Tree Warden approved the cutting down of marked trees and the removal of portions of stone walls, as proposed by the Pedestrian/Bike Safety Advisory Committee (see Photos of affected trees and stonewalls).
As portions of East Street lie within the Historic District, approval of the proposed pathway was also necessary from the Historical Commission. A public hearing was held with the Historical Commission on June 14, 2005. The Historical Commission approved the concept of the pathway plan, but would like to be kept informed of any alterations to stone walls and would like the Pedestrian/Bike Safety Advisory Committee to look into the availability of pathway surfaces of tan (dirt-sand) color, if they are not more expensive than the gray crushed stone surface.
The growth of weeds in the Bedford Road pathway has become a cause for concern. The weeds are making the surface unstable in some areas, which compromises the ADA compliance of the pathway. The crushed stone/stone dust surface inevitably requires some resurfacing and re-compacting to reduce the encroachment of weeds. The size of the crushed stone laid down in some areas of the Bedford Road pathway was larger than expected, resulting in more spaces in which weeds could take root. An initial idea of limited use herbicides during the first year or two, while the pathway was still not completely compacted, has drawn regulatory and health concerns, and thus has not been implemented.
Testing of an infrared weed torch in late spring was not successful. Testing of mechanical removal of weeds with a string trimmer in late July was successful at cutting back poison ivy on the sides, but was not successful for removing grass within the pathway. The temporary presence of cut poison ivy leaves in the pathway, however, may also be a concern. Testing of any chemical treatment of weeds has been put on hold, pending further study of the the state Pesticide Board's Rights of Way Management regulations. Merely pulling weeds out only loosens the surface more, allowing for future weeds to take root. Instead, resurfacing of gravel and stone dust and re-compaction is planned.
A public hearing on the maintenance issues of the pathways, with a focus on weed control, was held on June 20, 2005, at Town Hall. Representatives of the Carlisle Pesticides Awareness Group made their position on the use of herbicides known at the meeting. A recommendation for maintenance, especially for weed abatement, was formulated by the Committee at its July 9 meeting and was presented to and accepted by the Board of Selectmen at its July 12, 2005, meeting. The Pedestrian and Bike Safety Advisory Committee voted in July to spend up toe $5000 in funds approved by the Board of Selectmen for the mechanical maintenance and repair of the Bedford Road pathway, including the addition of materials and re-compacting.
The Board of Selectmen, collaboratively with the Pedestrian and Bike Safety Advisory Committee, held a meeting on September 19, 2005, to improve communication and share information on the issue of pathway maintenance. Attendees included representatives from the Board of Health, Historical Commission, and the Carlisle Pesticides Awareness Group. While the use of the herbicide glyphosate (in the brand Roundup) is permitted by state regulations with with certain restrictions, the Town needs to decides whether we will actually use it. The Board of Health and the Carlisle Pesticides Awareness Group made their opposition to the use of herbicides be known.
The Pedestrian and Bike Safety Advisory is now considering different surfaces that are less amenable to week growth. The Committee has decided to research costs per linear foot of alternate pathway surfaces, and compare them to the current 1/4" crushed stone/stone dust aggregate used on the Bedford Road pathway. These alternative surfaces include a crushed stone/stone dust aggregate combined with a binding polymer, organic stabilizer, asphalt, and a type of concrete surface that can have a stone appearance impressed on the surface. (It is understood that certain surfaces, such as asphalt, will not be used in the Historic district, but may be used on pathways outside the Historic District.) At its October 3, 2005, meeting, the Committee decided not to spend the time testing additional surfaces on the Bedford Road pathway for weed growth, which would require waiting until late 2006 or 2007 to make decision, but rather, will research the maintenance issues of these different surfaces based on applications in other New England communities. The cost and maintenance alternatives will then be presented to the Board of Selectmen and then put before the Carlisle Land Use team. The Pedestrian and Bike Safety Advisory Committee would like to get approval this winter from the BOS and Land Use team on what surface to use in order to proceed with further repairs of the Bedford Road pathway and the construction of the East Street pathway in spring 2006.
In a meeting with the Board of Selectmen on February 28, 2006, the Pedestrian and Bike Safety Advisory Committee was told to work through Land Use team and get a consensus on the surface and then report back to the Board of Selectmen with the outcome of process, the recommended surface(s) and the cost. The Committee will request to meet with the Land Use Team in April. In the meantime, repairs of the Bedford Road pathway should commence when the weather permits. The Committee will report to the Board of Selectmen on the best of use of remaining funds and then request additional funds at the May 7 Town Meeting.
Pathways in the news
“East Street pathway plans take shape” by Heather Behn Hedden. Carlisle Mosquito, November 5, 2004.
“The way to Carlisle Village” by Nancy Shohet West. Boston Globe, October 11, 2004.
“A pathway runs through it” by Penny Zezima. Carlisle Mosquito, September 24, 2004.
“Footpath plan takes its first steps” by Mary-Lynne Bohn. Carlisle Mosquito, April 30, 2004.
Additional letters to the editor on the subject of the pathways are not listed here.
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Page last updated 2/28/06