Swampscott gets wheels rolling on bike trail plans, easement needed

SWAMPSCOTT – After years of stalled negotiations with National Grid, plans for a proposed recreational trail in town are moving forward.Rail Trail Implementation Committee Chairman Roger Talkov said it appears National Grid will not grant a recreational easement and if the project is to go forward it could be necessary to take a recreational easement through the property by eminent domain. Talkov said an appraisal has been done for the 10-foot wide swath where the proposed trail would be located but he did not know the value of the property, which he assumes belongs to National Grid.In 2006 Town Meeting authorized selectmen to negotiate with National Grid or take by eminent domain property belonging to the utility company for a recreational trail through an old rail bed.Talkov pointed out the committee is only looking for an easement to use the property for recreational purposes, not outright ownership and precedent has already been set for this type of easement. Talkov said the Rail Trail Implementation Committee has completed the survey for the first portion of the trail, which extends from the Marblehead line to Bradlee Avenue and the title search is getting underway.”In order to do an eminent domain easement we need to do a title search,” he said. “We hope to complete a title search in the next couple of months then we’ll officially know who owns property. We believe National Grid owns it but have to go through the process. We’re completely focused on the acquisition of the property at this point.”Talkov said the group is also looking into the possibility of obtaining a grant through Mass Highway, which he said is funding some eminent domain roadway projects.”We have applied for some grants,” he said. “But we haven’t heard anything yet.”Talkov said a new recreation trail would not happen overnight. He pointed out the Minuteman Trail, which runs from Cambridge to Lexington, took 18 years to develop and construction is underway on the Peabody Bikeway, which had been in the planning stages for 10 years.Not everyone is in favor of the trail, however. At numerous public meetings held over the last few years, opponents expressed concern about a loss of tax revenue to the town and some individuals said they believe a portion of the property on the proposed trail route belongs to private homeowners, not the utility company.Abutters have repeatedly voiced concern that a trail in that area would cause noise, littering, vandalism and security problems for the neighborhood.If it does come to fruition, the proposed 1.3-mile recreational trail would start at Walker Road and continue to the Swampscott/Marblehead line where it would intersect the Marblehead Recreational trail.To help raise funds for the proposed trail, Swampscott Partnership Initiative Rails Into Trails (SPIRIT) has scheduled a bicycle auction on May 9 (rain date May 16) at the former Temple Israel, 837 Humphrey St. from 10 a.m. until noon. The group is looking for donations of bicycles, scooters, Rollerblades, bicycle racks and bicycle trailers. Donations will be accepted at 837 Humphrey St. from 10 a.m. until noon on April 18 and April 25. Donations will also be accepted on May 9 from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Anyone who would like to make a donation and needs the item picked up should call Marc Barden at 781-738-3898.Barden said all proceeds from the sale and auction would be returned to the town with proceeds earmarked for the Swampscott Rail Trail project.