The articles will create committees for an open inclusive engagement with stakeholders to work on rail trail and bicycle and pedestrian safety and planning in the town of Needham. We have an opportunity to build a 4.8 mile rail trail and bicycle route across Needham, from Newton to Dover, and these articles will help move these safe and healthy opportunities closer to completion. Please support us. Thanks!

Article 8: Rail Trail Committee
-- Whereas the town has two distinct sections of unused rail right-of-way, from Newton to Needham Heights and from Dover to Needham Junction.
-- Whereas the board of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has voted to grant the MBTA authority to engage in a long-term lease for the two sections to the town for possible conversion into rail trail greenways.
-- The selectmen shall appoint a rail trail committee to study both sections and recommend a proposal for conversion of the unused rail sections into a linear park greenway. The committee shall conduct an inclusive public process of engagement with stakeholders, in particular the individuals, businesses and institutions in the neighborhoods near the rail lines to ensure the proposed project has community input and support. The committee shall recommend a rail trail conversion plan to the selectmen for their adoption, with town meeting approval.

Article 9: Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee
-- The selectmen shall appoint a bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee to prepare and recommend a comprehensive Bicycle and Pedestrian plan for the town, to include improvements to streets, sidewalks, street crossings and the proposed rail trails. The committee may consult with and make recommendations to individuals, departments, agencies and committees. The committee shall recommend a proposed Needham Bicycle and Pedestrian plan to the selectmen for their adoption.
http://www.needhamrailtrail.org/town-meeting-articles.html

Please note that MassDOT has stated very clearly that they will build whatever the MBTA requests when they widen route 128 in 2015-2016, so if the Needham Selectmen send a letter requesting a replacement rail trail bridge MassDOT appears to be saying they will build it. Please view MassDOT's statement here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcM4TcnAqNM#t=77m55s

Note also that Iron Horse Rail Trail building company will be building a free rail trail in 2013 and we would like them to continue all the way to the Needham Heights commuter rail station, where the new senior center is being built. 

Having a committee work on these issues can provide transparency to a project that has enourmous potiential to strengthen Needham, by providing a safe, healthy recreation and transportation option for all our residents. 

Remember -- there are many studies that document the very positive economic benefits of rail trails. More info here: http://www.needhamrailtrail.org/economic-benefits-of-the-needham-rail-trail-greenway.html

Contact info for the Needham Selectmen is here: http://www.needhamma.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/903

Friends of the Needham Rail Trail Greenway website: http://www.needhamrailtrail.org

Facebook for the Greenway: http://www.facebook.com/Needham.Rail.Trail

Your personal comments of why this is needed are closely read and appreciated. Thanks