At its meeting Wednesday night, the Trails Committee provided project updates that included meetings with town staff and the need to prioritize its initiatives.

Chair Peter LaGoy and member Jack Buckley told members about their meeting with Town Manager Elaine Lazarus earlier that day. Buckley described the meeting as “very productive.”

One topic reviewed was an easement issue at the entrance to a planned parking lot on East Main Street. It is owned by Algonquin Power & Utilities Corporation, which was described as being “less than enthusiastic” about the application of stone dust on the access way.

“We can still build our parking lot,” LaGoy explained. “It would do what we want, which is a visible parking lot. We could put our signs in and everything, so people would know it’s a trailhead parking area.”

The issue, LaGoy said, was that Algonquin did not want cars moving in the same direction as the pipeline.

Another topic raised to Lazarus was a desire to build bridges on land owned by the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation. They are proposed to cross Indian Brook and a channel that flows from Duck Pond.

LaGoy said he expected to get money allocated from the Community Preservation Committee for the town’s share of the construction project. He noted that the committee also could submit an application for a MassTrails grant. The bridge would allow a connection from downtown to the trail system there.

Clerk Linda Chuss suggested that a written proposal be drafted for review that included a map.

A third issue was trail crossings through private property. While LaGoy said there are no formal easements, he proposed a license agreement that would protect landowners from lawsuits should an accident occur on their properties.

Lazarus will look into these issues, he added.

LaGoy also said that the committee should leverage the town’s representation by state Senate president Karen Spilka in pushing projects forward. A potential project would be funding for a flyover bridge to connect Hopkinton with Milford’s Charles River Trail.

DPW OK’s trial trail signage

Chuss said she and member Jane Moran met with Kerry Reed, the Department of Public Works director, and Highway Manager Mike Mansir regarding the committee’s trial roadside trail sign initiative. In that conversation, Chuss said Reed explained that people become “desensitized” by too many signs, but she approved of the proposed trial program.

Signs would be placed at trailheads at Hughes Farm Trail, Hopkinton Town Forest at Pond Street, the new Main Street parking area and on Fruit Street near Whitehall Brook. They would be designed by the company used by the DPW. The Trails Committee will pay for the signs, while the DPW will cover the installation.

One issue raised during that meeting, Chuss said, was which entity should be responsible for maintenance of the parking areas related to trails. This will be added to the committee’s project list.

Vice chair Scott Knous stressed the need for prioritization of projects and setting goals to be achieved within specific time frames. Chuss suggested forming subcommittees that capitalize on members’ strengths and interests.

Knous also pointed out that public outreach and engagement should be a key priority.

E-bike speed limits on trails proposed

LaGoy noted that he attended the July 10 Open Space Preservation Commission meeting, where the use of e-bikes on trails was raised. He explained at that time that the Trails Committee has been exploring the issue and that it falls under its purview.

Chuss noted that LaGoy’s input at the OSPC meeting “raised the level of the topic” by pointing out that e-bikes are “a viable method of transportation.”

He noted that enforcement of speed limits by the Hopkinton Police Department would be critical. Lazarus told LaGoy that speed limit signs could be placed on Center Trail. Committee members will research appropriate speed limits used by other communities before the next meeting on Aug. 20. Once the information is collected, the committee can bring its recommendation to the Select Board.

Members said speed limits may need to vary for different trails based on their usage patterns and topography.

Misc.: Trails Day celebration approaches

LaGoy said abutters to the new trail on the Colella property, located just north of the Hughes Farm property, appeared happy with the trail after initially raising concerns.

This news came as the Hopkinton Trails Club prepares for its special 20th anniversary Trails Day celebration this Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (rain date July 20). The event will start at the Hughes Farm Trail at 192 Hayden Rowe Street. It will include guided walks of the trail on the Colella property and a scavenger hunt. …

LaGoy told committee members that the next step in the process of creating a trail from Loop Road to the Chamberlain Street Extension is to approach the Conservation Commission for a notice of intent (NOI). The NOI process includes the notification of 127 abutters. …

LaGoy said he met with the property owners regarding the expansion of a small parking area near their home at 101 Ash Street. In response to their concerns, the parking area will be moved closer to 97 Ash Street. This issue previously was discussed at a June 2 Planning Board meeting. The board voted to remove three trees to improve this parking area for trailhead access. …

The committee voted unanimously to approve spending $3,500 for consultant Beals & Thomas to map out the trails at Legacy Farms North. The company approved the proposal recently. …

Committee members elected officers, who all received unanimous support. LaGoy will serve a second term as chair, while Knous was reelected as vice chair. Knous nominated member Sean Kimball to serve in his previous role as treasurer. Chuss was reelected as clerk. Members also welcomed Andrew Proos to the Trails Committee. He was appointed at the July 2 Select Board meeting.