| 1993 |
The
Holliston Open Space and Recreation Plan outlines goal to seek creation
of a bikeway with linkage to surrounding towns using existing abandoned
railway. |
| December
1994 |
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. |
| January
10, 1995 |
Holliston
Board of Selectmen issued letter of support for the feasibility of
the Upper Charles Trail. |
| Sept.
18, 1995 |
Holliston
Board of Selectmen letter to Conrail Corporation requesting abandonment
of its line in the Town of Holliston. |
| March
12, 1997 |
Letter
from Board of Selectmen to Conrail Corporation requesting interest
in lease of 2-mile section of rail. |
| May
6, 1997 |
Holliston
Town meeting votes to authorize Board of Selectmen to enter into a
lease agreement with Conrail Corporation. |
| May
1997 |
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. |
| May
21, 1997 |
Public
meeting held in Milford on Feasibility Study being performed by MAPC. |
| June
1997 |
Metropolitan
Area Planning Council issues the "Upper Charles Trail Feasibility
Study. The study finds that the Upper Charles Trail is feasible. |
| July
28, 1997 |
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. |
| 1998 |
Town
of Holliston applies for grant under Transportation Enhancements for
$500,000 for the construction of a 2-mile section of Upper Charles
Trail. |
| October
20, 1998 |
Holliston
receives approval from Massachusetts EOTC for funding of Phase 1 ($500,000). |
| January
25, 1999 |
Holliston
Board of Selectmen voted to create a committee of 7 members creating
the Holliston Trails Committee. |
| August
16, 1999 |
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. |
| October
4, 2000 |
Commonwealth
of Massachusetts Highway Department holds a public hearing on the
25% Design Submission for Phase 1 project plans. |
| November,
2000 |
Town
Meeting approval for $20,000 for appraisal and acquisition assistance
on Phase 2 portions of the trail. |
| November
27, 2000 |
Upper
Charles Conservation Land Trust, Inc. establishes account for donations
to the Trail under 501 (c) (3), non-profit provisions. |
| June
29, 2001 |
Greenman-Pedersen,
Inc. submits the 75% Design Submission to Massachusetts Highway Department
for review and approval of the Holliston Phase 1 section. |
| July
10, 2001 |
O’Connor
Real Estate Associates, Inc. completes appraisal report for 3 sections
of the railbed (excluding Phase 1, 2-mile section). |
| January,
2002 |
Trail
Brochure completed and printed under Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Protection Greenways Grant. |
| February,
2002 |
MHD
issues comments on 75 % Design Submission of the Holliston Phase 1
section. |
| May,
2004 |
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. |
| January,
2005 |
The governor of Massachusetts has signed the Transportation Bond Bill which has earmarked the funding ($1.25 M+/- ) for the purchase of the entire railbed in the Town of Holliston and a portion within Sherborn. Therefore,negotiating the deal with CSX and getting that money released are key
to getting the Phase 1 under construction. |
| February,
2005 |
Phase 1 "construction costs" are secured under TEA 21 funds ($ 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. |
| June,
2005 |
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 independant appraisals. |
| June 17th ,
2006 |
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. |
| October,
2007 |
A $10,000 grant was awarded for improvements to the rail trail from Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI)
|
| February, 2009 |
Third party appraisal is completed and provided to CSX and Town of Holliston.
|
| March, 2009 |
Phase 1 construction funding under Transportation Improvement Program was removed by the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization.
|
| March 10, 2009 |
CSX agrees to third party appraisal and commences negotiations on the sale of the Right of Way.
|
| November 13, 2009 |
Town of Holliston purchases Parcel (0.5 miles) between an area west of Hopping Brook Road to South Street.
|
