Weston Rail Trail Committee Selects Granite Benches, Approves Sign Design

WESTON -- April 8, 2019, Weston Rail Trail Advisory Committee unanimously chose granite benches and a low-cost metal sign style as construction contracts finally moved forward. The committee voted to install granite at all five bench locations, ending a prolonged debate with the Weston 300 fundraising group, which is purchasing the benches while the $14,000 trailhead construction contract covers installation. A budget crisis was resolved when DCR supplied an additional $93,000 after bids came in at roughly twice the expected cost, with project manager Tom Cullen issuing a formal intent to award the construction contract on April 8 and approximately $130,000 required to be spent by June 30. The approved sign design follows the metal-plate-on-wooden-post style used along Concord's conservation trails, estimated at $40 to $50 per sign and described as "cheap" and "easily replaceable." The committee set its next meeting for May 13.