Westford Selectmen Vote Access to Rights of Way for Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Another step in Phase 2 of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail has been completed as the Westford Board of Selectmen voted by a margin of 4-1 to approve right of entry to survey on right of ways near the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.

The agreement was written by Acton Town Planner Roland Bartl. It requires approval from the Board of Selectmen of the four towns along Phase 2 of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail (Westford, Carlisle, Acton and Concord) due to an inter-municipal agreement that the towns entered into related to the trail in 2009.

If approved by the boards of all four towns, the agreement allows an agent of the four towns access from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT) for surveying on adjacent rights of way near parcels in all four towns. This includes the Bose parcel near the corner of Carlisle and Concord Road and the Cresthaven/Sweetzer Parcel near the corner of Acton Road and Anne Teresa Way.

. However, additional approval was required to allow the towns’ agent, which Westford Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail member Emily Teller said is expected to be Phase 2 designer GPI, access to the rights of way since they are controlled by the Mass DOT. This is something that can be given under state law according to the agreement with the permission of the four-town inter-municipal alliance.

Speaking in opposition to the motion, Selectman Valerie Wormell cited the view that the agreement was misrepresentative and that the extra steps relating to permission from Mass DOT were not needed.

Wormell spoke in opposition to motions relating to the earlier surveying measure, as well to other Bruce Freeman votes this fall including and

Phase 2 in Westford begins just south of where the Phase 1 portion of the trail at the intersection of Acton Road and Carlisle Road ends. The trail is divided into three phases, with Phase 1 in Lowell, Chelmsford and Westford complete.

Phase 2 is expected to be completed sometime between 2021 and 2025, and the final phase to complete the trail through Sudbury and Framingham at a date yet to be determined.