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November
13, 2009
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Town
of Holliston purchases Parcel (0.5 miles) between an area west of
Hopping Brook Road to South Street.
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March
10, 2009
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CSX
agrees to third party appraisal and commences negotiations on the sale
of the Right of Way.
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March,
2009
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Phase
1 construction funding under Transportation Improvement Program was
removed by the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization.
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February,
2009
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Third
party appraisal is completed and provided to CSX and Town of Holliston.
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October,
2007
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A
$10,000 grant was awarded for improvements to the rail trail from
Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI)
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June
17th , 2006
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The
Milford Phase One
section from the center of Milford to an area north of Route 495 and 85
has been completed. It is a great preview of what our trail is going to
look like soon! Visit Milford's Upper Charles Trail
website to see the latest developments. The friends of the
Milford Upper Charles Trail meet regularly at the Senior Center on
North Bow Street in Milford. Check out their website to find
out when the next one is.
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June,
2005
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The
Trust for Public Land
(a national, nonprofit, land conservation organization that facilitates
corporate land transfers is involved with helping CSX come to an
agreement with the town on the sale of the corridor. We are also
pursuing legal advice and other resources to secure unbiased and
independent appraisals.
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February,
2005
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Phase
1
"construction costs" are secured under TEA 21 funds ($ 450,000). The
use of these funds is waiting on two items. The first is that the
Massachusetts Highway Department must review and approve the
construction documents, being prepared by the town's consultant. This
is pending.
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January,
2005
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The
governor of Massachusetts has signed the Transportation Bond Bill which
has earmarked the funding ($1.25 M+/- ) for the purchase of the entire
railbed in the Town of Holliston and a portion within Sherborn.
Therefore, negotiating the deal with CSX and getting that money
released are key
to getting the Phase 1 under construction.
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May,
2004
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A
separate "Friends of the Upper Charles Trail" group was established for
the purpose of raising money for interim trail use and maintenance
until such time that the improvements are installed, and for special
improvements or amenities for the trail. The "Friends of" are preparing
a documentary DVD of the Boston and Albany railroad and the impact that
the railroad has had on the town. The video will be used to generate
funds for the trail. The "Friends of" are also coordinating the
acquisition of a caboose to be used as a potential visitor center in
the proposed Town Common area.
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February,
2002
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MHD
issues comments on 75 % Design Submission of the Holliston Phase 1
section.
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January,
2002
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Trail
Brochure completed and printed under Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection Greenways Grant.
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July
10, 2001
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O’Connor
Real Estate Associates, Inc. completes appraisal report for 3 sections
of the railbed (excluding Phase 1, 2-mile section).
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June
29, 2001
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Greenman-Pedersen,
Inc. submits the 75% Design Submission to Massachusetts
Highway Department for review and approval of the Holliston Phase 1
section.
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November
27, 2000
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Upper
Charles Conservation Land Trust, Inc. establishes account for donations
to the Trail under 501 (c) (3), non-profit provisions.
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November,
2000
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Town
Meeting approval for $20,000 for appraisal and acquisition assistance
on Phase 2 portions of the trail.
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October
4, 2000
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Commonwealth
of Massachusetts Highway Department holds a public hearing on the 25%
Design Submission for Phase 1 project plans.
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August
16, 1999
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Holliston
Board of Selectmen voted to approve Greenman Pedersen, Incorporated as
Designer for Holliston’s Phase 1. Contract is for $50,000 for the
design of the 2-mile section of the trail.
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January
25, 1999
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Holliston
Board of Selectmen voted to create a committee of 7 members creating
the Holliston Trails Committee.
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October
20, 1998
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Holliston
receives approval from Massachusetts EOTC for funding of Phase 1
($500,000).
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1998
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Town
of Holliston applies for grant under Transportation Enhancements for
$500,000 for the construction of a 2-mile section of Upper Charles
Trail.
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July
28, 1997
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Conrail
grants Town of Holliston an easement for use of a 2-mile portion of its
abandoned railbed for use as a trail. Portion is generally from Cross
Street to Hopping Brook Road.
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June
1997
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Metropolitan
Area Planning Council issues the "Upper Charles Trail Feasibility
Study. The study finds that the Upper Charles Trail is feasible.
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May
21, 1997
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Public
meeting held in Milford on Feasibility Study being performed by MAPC.
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May
1997
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Holliston
Board of Selectmen issue Resolution in Support of the Upper Charles
Trail and Town will assume maintaining and policing the section within
the Town’s borders.
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May
6, 1997
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Holliston
Town meeting votes to authorize Board of Selectmen to enter into a
lease agreement with Conrail Corporation.
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March
12, 1997
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Letter
from Board of Selectmen to Conrail Corporation requesting interest in
lease of 2-mile section of rail.
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Sept.
18, 1995
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Holliston
Board of Selectmen letter to Conrail Corporation requesting abandonment
of its line in the Town of Holliston.
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January
10, 1995
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Holliston
Board of Selectmen issued letter of support for the feasibility of the
Upper Charles Trail.
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December
1994
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Upper
Charles Conservation, Inc., a local land trust, approached Metropolitan
Area Planning Council (MAPC) concerning a proposed multi-use path
utilizing a railroad right-of way. In April, 1996 MAPC prepared and
submitted a grant application under the Massachusetts Turnpike
Authority’s Public Works and Tourism grant program. A grant was awarded
in May 1996 and work on the study began in July 1996.
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1993
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The
Holliston Open Space and Recreation Plan outlines goal to seek creation
of a bikeway with linkage to surrounding towns using existing abandoned
railway.
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