6/10/16: Tree clearing begins on Phase II Rail Trail; Dumping of private yard waste in corridor needs to cease

During the past month, the Rail Trail contractor has been providing a number of “submittals” – information provided for approval of subcontractors, equipment, materials, etc. before they are fabricated and delivered – so that MassDOT and the City’s consultants can verify that appropriate products and quantities will be installed on the project.  Surveyors have marked the centerline of the trail as well as labelled trees for protection vs. clearing.  The contractor has begun mowing and brush-cutting portions of the trail corridor.  Tree clearing is scheduled to begin the week of June 13 at the southern end of the trail off Parker Street, and the first week of tree clearing will be devoted to the corridor between Parker and High Streets.  Tree clearing crews will continue to move north along the corridor for the rest of the month of June.  The contractor’s superintendent and City representatives have had individual discussions with a number of abutters regarding the clearing vs. protection of individual trees.

Some abutters have been observed continuing to dump private yard waste into the trail corridor.  Please note that all such dumping is illegal, potentially punishable by fines, and hinders development of the trail.  Some abutters have indicated that they thought such waste would simply be buried on site, but it all must be removed in order to install appropriate fill and foundation for the trail.  For many years, numerous abutters have dumped large quantities of yard waste and other items into the corridor owned by National Grid and formerly by B&M Railroad.  However, the corridor is now public land controlled by the City of Newburyport, and we ask that all such dumping cease going forward.  Homeowners can take yard waste to the City’s Crow Lane Yard Waste Facility or place it in backyard compost bins on the homeowners’ property.  We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.