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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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