Town, Legislative Leaders, Take Next Step Along Path To Trail

When last we heard back on April 9, Lynnfield residents voted in support of the rail trail. That night at town hall, when asked "what's next," Lynnfield Board of Selectmen chair Phil Crawford said:

"We will bring this vote to our state officials, both Brad Jones and Brendan Crighton, and ask if we can get the funding for the bond bill at the state level for the final design engineering cost. That's the next thing we have to look into."

Well, we're here to tell you that process has started. Following is the letter sent on April 16 to Stephanie Pollack, Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and Matthew Beaton, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Dear Secretary Pollock and Secretary Beaton,

We write to request the release of a $500,000 earmark from the 2018 Environmental Bond Bill that will allow the towns of Wakefield and Lynnfield to c0mplete the design of their rail trail. we respectfully request that these funds be in the 2019 Capital Improvement Plan.

", provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for the completion of the feasibility study for the Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail in the towns of Wakefield and Lynnfield"

The rail trail will begin near the Wakefield commuter rail station, then enter Lynnfield and head toward Peabody; the total distance is 4.4 miles. The trail will provide a great recreational resource for Lynnfield and Wakefield residents of all ages. Whether it be school age children using it to get to school or older residents using it as a safe walking path, this path will be a great addition to both communities.

We appreciate your time and consideration of this project as you develop your capital plan, and please don't hesitate to reach out to our offices with any questions you might have.

Sincerely,

Brendan Crighton, State Senator Third Essex District

Jason Lewis, State Senator Fifth Middlesex District

Bradley H. Jones Jr., State Representative 20th Middlesex District

Paul Brodeau, State Representative Thirty-Second Middlesex District

Donald Wong, State Representative Ninth Essex

There's still a long ways to go, including approval by the Governor’s office with input by the appropriate state agencies before the money can be released. But hey, one step at a time.