![]() Trail surface decisions may be another issue where a two-thirds majority would be helpful in decision making. ![]() Said LaGoy: “It’s still a recommendation to the Select Board, which is going to make the decision in any case.” The number of members and the two-thirds majority on “big items” should be reflected in both entities’ structures. LaGoy said that, “on bigger money matters,” the Trails Committee and UCBC should have a two-thirds vote of members from each body to approve funding requests, giving state grant proposals as an example. The committee also discussed its relationship with the UCTC and then voted to recommend to the Select Board that it be incorporated into the Trails Committee as its subcommittee with a new name. This would allow the committee to be a resource for the Planning Board and increase connectivity among committees. Institutional knowledge can be balanced with new energy and skills, members said.ĭeYoung also suggested that a trail network master plan be “baked into” the town’s master plan, which is updated every 10 years. LaGoy said this will help the Select Board in determining the “balance of representation” of the committee members the Select Board will appoint regarding demographics and “a mix of valuable skill sets” that the committee can utilize. Members noted that not all Trails Committee members need to have trail experience, but they do need to demonstrate an interest in trails. DeYoung also suggested committee updates once per quarter. Instead, LaGoy suggested having at-large members commit to communicating with committee chairs on a regular basis to relay information between entities. Relying on the same people potentially could discourage new members from wanting to join, he said. He questioned the role of liaisons in both committees, noting that many of the same people tend to get tapped for committee service. LaGoy suggested that the UCBC be comprised of seven members to equal the number of Trails Committee members, with one of its members coming from the Trails Committee. The structure and makeup of the UCBC also were discussed. LaGoy also stressed that the committee’s role as a group of volunteers is to facilitate, fund and oversee trail construction activities rather than perform the actual work on the trails. ![]() Member Fran DeYoung put forward the need for the charge to align with the town charter and reflect the town’s character. ![]() “That covers all the bases,” noted member Chuck Dauchy. The mission statement articulated the committee’s goals of “maintaining, enhancing and developing user-friendly trail networks throughout Hopkinton.” The committee also formulated its mission statement, vision statement and charge after some discussion. “It makes it easier so residents will know where to look.” “Most other towns are simply trails committees,” LaGoy explained. It also is consistent with the Select Board’s request for the TCMC’s advice as “content experts,” LaGoy said. By contrast, the Upper Charles Trail Building Committee (referred to as the UCBC) would focus solely on creating a shared-use trail through the town to connect to Milford and Ashland. ![]()
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