WARWICK TOWNSHIP TO EPHRATA BOROUGH RAIL TO TRAIL

FEASIB                                                                                                                                  FEASIBILITY STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

April 13, 2006

INTRODUCTIONS:  Matthew Knepper, Director of the Agricultural Preserve Board, was introduced to the committee.  Present at the meeting were Rick Jackson, Damien Clawser, Herbert Flosdorf, Jim Summers, Gerald Pfautz, Dan Zimmerman, Ty Zerbe, Ed Stone, Tony Kilkuskie, Luke Zimmerman, Mike Domin, Bob Thompson, Tom Bollinger, Paul Wenger, Amos Hurst, Landis Martin, Janice Wenger, John McBeth, Ellen Rupp, Marvin Weaver and Jan Brubaker.

STATUS REPORT ON INVENTORY/ANALYSIS PROCESS:

A.  All Property owners have been contacted:

B.  Only one request being contacted prior to the start of field work:

C.  Coordinating schedules and contracts with our sub-consultants: Field work to be done by ELA Group, Inc., GTS Technologies and Gannett Fleming for structural evaluation on bridge

PURPOSE, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: Purpose: The purpose of the Rails to Trails Feasibility Study was indicated to determine the feasibility of converting approximately seven (7) miles of the former Reading and Columbia Railroad corridor into a linear trail.  This trail would serve several purposes, such as recreational and alternative transportation (bicycle /agricultural community).  The rail corridor passes through four municipalities (Ephrata Twp., Warwick Twp., Ephrata Borough, Akron Borough), all of which are participating in this study.  Ultimately, if this rail trail is approved, it could provide a link from Lititz to Ephrata Borough.

Several requests were made by members of the Steering Committee: to strengthen the wording in “Purpose”, regarding legal/land ownership inventory; to address Agricultural Preservation issues; and the need to provide for handicap accessibility.

Funding for the study is being provided by a grant from Community Conservation Partnerships Program, administered by Commonwealth of Penna. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.  The four municipalities involved are also providing a portion of funding for the study.  As part of the feasibility study, the committee will consider legal ownership; physical conditions; demand and potential usage; financial implications and phasing/prioritization (Please refer to hand-out “Purpose of the Feasibility Study” for more specific items to be addressed)

Environmental, safety, security and liability concerns to be addressed as they pertain to Police, Surveillance, vandalism, crime, trash, trespass, structures, crossings, etc.  The benefits of a trail system will be explored, as well as the creation of linkages within the community, opportunities to educate the community and possible grant opportunities for upkeep and maintenance.          

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS AND GENERAL DISCUSSION: Ownership issue of the railbed was raised by some of the property owners.

NEXT STEPS:

A.  Project communications (website, media, etc.)

B.  DCNR contract requirements (reporting, etc.) - to be coordinated by municipal representatives 

NEXT MEETING: May 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Ephrata Borough Hall

Respectfully submitted,

Daniel L. Zimmerman

Warwick Township Manager