TRTC has coordination meetings on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Woodcroft Professional Center on Woodcroft Parkway in Durham. Members of the public interested in local trail activities are welcome to attend our monthly board meetings.
For more information contact: Bill Bussey (545-9104) or Curt Devereux (544-3948) or Dave Connelly (544-6372).
President Bill Bussey called the monthly meeting of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TRTC) to order at 7:44 p.m. Board members introduced themselves. First time attendee Andrea Carpenter (Duke University Medical Center) was welcomed. Treasurer's Report: In Dan Clever's absence, Bill indicated that finances are in good shape. American Tobacco
Trail (ATT) news: The contract to construct Phases C & D was awarded in August. Completion is due in 270 days. Cost was just over $1,000,000. Bill said he met with a bridge engineer regarding the 3 bridges to rebuild in Wake County. After diligent pursuit, Bill has obtained liability
insurance for phase "G" and Chancellor's Ridge from Franey, Parr
& Muha Inc.
<www.franeyparrmuha.com> Work days: Thad Howard reported that Duke Power (Duke Energy) will
install gates along Scott King Rd. TRTC
has received a large load of gravel next to the ATT at Scott King Rd. Trail problems observed:
Trash dumping; Rick Herndon running his motorcycle on the trails. Grants: We are still waiting on the Chancellor's Ridge developer, Mr. Pat O'Neal, to actually take title to the 2.6 acre property which he will then transfer to TRTC for the trailhead/parking at the Fayetteville Rd. bridge. Until this occurs, our clearing/clean-up/development efforts have been suspended. City Staff Changes: Guillo Rodriguez has left.
William Royster and Johnny Ford (Parks & Rec.) are now in charge of
Durham's trails. Azaleas: Capital Broadcasting (TV 5) this year is donating 50,000
azalea cuttings for planting in Wake, Durham and Orange Counties. The Durham Open Space & Trails (DOST)
Commission (Annette Montgomery) and Durham Parks & Rec. will have an azalea
task force to help plant some azaleas along the ATT. Other business: Gail Austin Curry has seen new dumping near Durham's Southwest Elementary School (Cook Rd.).
Thad suggested she call Parks & Rec. about cleanup. Bill volunteered to write them a letter. Notes submitted by Dave Connelly, Secretary, TRTC
Treasurer's Report:
Dan said that he has transferred $30,000 from a Certificate of Deposit. He also has membership records. Thad used Betsy Howard's spreadsheet to explain matching grant dollars.
Wake County Bridges:
Bill has engineering drawings. Resurfacing of the 3 bridges in Wake County may begin in June 2002. Before then we will do more clearing near the bridges in order to improve access to them. Cost per bridge will range from $150,000 to $211,000.
CP&L Transmission Line Project:
Carolina Power & Light (Progress Energy) is planning a new electric power transmission line in southwestern Wake County. One of their options would use part of the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) corridor, clearcutting a 70 foot swath. Leslie urged members to send opposing comments via their website OR by email OR by calling 919-546-7500. Curt agreed to post an article on this issue on our web site. We could also contact the
NC Utilities Commission's public staff .
Chatham County Commission Meeting:
The North Carolina State University (NCSU) plan for the ATT will be presented to the Commissioners on 12/10/2001 at 7 p.m.
ATT Workdays:
Thad reported that 452 hours of volunteer labor have been recorded to date. Cotten said that piled gravel was blocking the trail entrance just south of Massey Chapel Rd. Thad will make calls to try to solve the problem. Our final 2001 workday will be held on December 15.
Status of Lease to Durham Portion of ATT:
A third review of the draft lease was completed in late November. It should be signed by the City in a matter of weeks. After all signings are completed TRTC needs to increase its efforts to line up volunteers and organize work teams for our Phase G development work.
Membership Card Mailing:
Gail Austin Curry is to get labels from Bill for an annual membership mailing.
Other Business:
Darrell McBane says we need to expend all remaining funds (~$24k) for the Trailhead Parking grant by March 31, 2002. Bill will continue to work with the Chancellor's Ridge developer on any options for expedited transfer of the property so that TRTC can resume its efforts on trailhead development. If transfer is not possible before that date, the remaining funds will have to be returned to the State.
The meeting was adjourned by Bill at 9:20 p.m.
Notes submitted by Dave Connelly, Secretary, TRTC
Please send changes/additions to Dave Connelly at pedaling@mindspring.com, 544-6372 and/or connelly@mail.duke.edu
Treasurer's Report:
Bill, in Dan Clever's absence, said that TRTC has a balance of $67,000. We've spent $36,000 out of $50,000 from a bridge grant and $7,000 out of $17,000 from a Chatham trails grant.
Chatham Trailhead parking:
Bill has been in touch with the Chatham County Planning Dept. The County Commissioners have heard the plan for parking at O'Kelly Chapel Rd. but have not acted upon it. Developer Pat O'Neal says he will reserve easements on one corner for parking, but this may be NCDOT's property, not his to grant.
ATT workdays:
Cotten and Bill reported that more clearing is needed on trail sections leading up to the Wake County bridges. There is a deadline of April 2002. Bill has spoken with Tim Maloney of Wake County re: trail width, signage, surface, and bollards.
Upcoming elections:
At least 2 new board members will be needed for a vote at February's board meeting.
Membership card mailing:
Dave is to generate labels for Gail from Bill's disk for an annual membership mailing. Dave has questions about the effort ("hoops") required to qualify for the lowest bulk rates.
Other Business:
ATT phases C and D in the city of Durham are now under construction. Please do not trespass on the construction sites. Minutes from the Dec. 3 meeting were submitted by Dave. The meeting was adjourned by Bill.
Notes submitted by Dave Connelly, Secretary, TRTC
Please send changes/additions to Dave Connelly at pedaling@mindspring.com, 544-6372 and/or connelly@mail.duke.edu
The Feb. 12 Wake County Board of Adjustment hearing was discussed.
Guest Fred Horch of Eco Access described plans for Earth Day, to be held on April 20, 2002 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the old Durham Athletic Park.
Al Capehart circulated a completed printing of the Dunn-Erwin Trail master plan. Compliments were paid on the report's professional appearance.
Treasurer's report:
Dan Clever presented the Treasurer's report.
Chatham Trailhead parking:
Bill led a discussion on trailhead parking at New Hope Church Rd. [or O'Kelly Chapel Rd.?]. Bill will talk with Tracy Burnett of the Chatham County trails staff.
ATT workdays:
Thad reported on last Saturday's (Feb. 2) workday. Drainage pipe was laid south of Scott King by a healthy crew of volunteers. A grant from the Tree Trust has been approved and will furnish TRTC with 300 trees. These will need to be planted by us this Spring.
ATT phases C and D:
Thad said that the City of Durham has fired its contractor, according to Beth Timson & Sheri Rosenthal (city attorney). It was not clear whether the city has fired or threatened to fire this contractor for its slow construction pace. Bill is to see Lisa Smith on Wed. Feb. 6.
Elections:
Thad moved to accept the slate of 13 new and returning board members for 2002. Motion passed. Al moved to carry over the 2001 Officers into 2002 by acclamation. Motion passed. (See our Board page for names and contact information.)
Other Business:
The upcoming mass mailing was discussed. Gail has obtained a similar mailing from which the USPS' "CASS" entries may be copied.
The meeting was adjourned by Bill at 9:20 p.m.
Notes submitted by Dave Connelly, Secretary, TRTC
Please send changes/additions to Dave Connelly at pedaling@mindspring.com, 544-6372 and/or connelly@mail.duke.edu
Next work days on the ATT scheduled for Oct. 6 and 20 at 9 a.m. Meet at crossing of ATT and Massey Chapel Rd. for work between Fayetteville Rd. and Scott King Rd.
Convene:
President Bill Bussey called the monthly meeting of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TRTC) to order at 7:36 p.m. Board members (Dan Clever, Dave Connelly, Curt Devereux, Thad Howard, Leslie Kennedy, Cotten Tyler) introduced themselves. First time attendee Tony Matthews was welcomed.
Convene:
President Bill Bussey called the monthly meeting of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TRTC) to order at 7:40 p.m. Board members (Bill Bussey, Dave Connelly, Gail Austin Curry, Curt Devereux, Leslie Kennedy, Cotten Tyler) introduced themselves. First time attendees Brian Ascher and Allison Reddy were welcomed.
Convene:
President Bill Bussey called the monthly meeting of the Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (TRTC) to order at 7:40 p.m. Board members (Bill Bussey, Al Capehart, Dan Clever, Dave Connelly, Gail Austin Curry, Curt Devereux, Betsy and Thad Howard, Leslie Kennedy, Cotten Tyler) introduced themselves. First time attendees David Stein and Fred Horch were welcomed.
In regard to the CP&L (Progress Energy) transmission line project Bill reported that the town of Apex is leaning toward Richardson Rd., not the ATT right of way. A decision is expected later in February.