Marion’s long-awaited recreational pathway has hit some minor snags but has moved forward on some issues.
Pathways Committee Chair John Rockwell reported at the April 15 meeting, held at the Music Hall meeting room, that the March Special Town Meeting for a land swap with the town was approved and is now before the Massachusetts Legislature. However, an environmental firm appointed by the state Environmental Protection Agency has reported that it will not be able to conduct the report in a timely manner, which could delay the August 15 construction of the pathway.
Other than that bad news, all aspects of the pathway project are moving along. Rockwell reported to committee members that the land swap, which requires 3,000 feet of Washburn Park to the committee, is now before the legislature for approval.
The town held a Special Town Meeting last month instead waiting for the Annual Town Meeting in May to keep the project on schedule.
Rockwell said the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has also conducted its critique of the project, with mostly minor issues such as the location of the path before a telephone pole as people from Spring Street cross to Front Street.
Rockwell said the DOT is deliberating over some of the issues that were marked “with red ink” in the hopes of modifying the path to meet current safety and other guidelines.
Rockwell said the project survey team has completed its work.
The chair said the committee still awaits some funding, including a grant for an appraisal and for easements, which need an extension and will go before voters at the May Town Meeting.
According to the Pathway Committee, the 3.8-mile, proposed pathway is designed for bicycling, walking and jogging. It would start around Point Street and end at the Mattapoisett line. The project calls on converting an abandoned former railroad trolley bed.
The next meeting of the Marion Pathways Committee was not scheduled at adjournment.
Marion Pathways Committee
By Jeffrey D. Wagner