Weston Rail Trail Committee Clears Grant Application, Engineering Contract Votes

WESTON — June 26, 2018 — Weston's Rail Trail Advisory Committee voted unanimously to pursue a DCR partnership grant for trail-edge plantings estimated at $99,600 and to authorize negotiations on an engineering contract for trailheads at Church Street and Concord Road. The committee agreed to contribute up to $73,000 of its $78,000 in authorized funds as the matching share for the planting grant, reserving roughly $5,000 to pay landscape architect Allison directly for on-site installation oversight — work DCR would not cover under the standard program. Member Eli, who is preparing the application due June 29, said the committee would refer to Allison as a "town representative" during construction rather than a contracted architect to avoid complicating the application. Member Paul reported that updated planting plans, revised after screening meetings with Stonegate and four individual abutters, pushed the project estimate from $96,600 to $99,600. A separate discussion of unauthorized trail access at Conant Road ended with the committee rejecting a chain-link fence in favor of dead-end signage and continued coordination with DCR's Paul Janicki, with DCR expected to install a bike-style barrier at the Concord Road crossing within weeks.