by Lonnie Brennan
REGIONAL − The town of Topsfield received $46,200 for a rail trail maintenance shed.
Topsfield was one of 65 municipalities that received a portion of $8.6 million in taxpayer money distributed through the recent MassTrails Grants program managed by the state.
Boxford received $233,760 of taxpayer funds for the “design of the
Border to Boston Rail Trail (1.5 miles).” With prior tax funds received through the Mass. Dept. of Transportation, Boxford should have enough to “develop (their) design to 75%,” then apply for more funds.
Georgetown is slated to receive $408,838.21 in this round of funding for “Design/Engineering/Permitting/Title work and right-of-way work, including potential takings” of residents’ lands to construct the trail.
Similarly, Newbury is slated to receive $455,619.97 in taxpaper funds for
Design/Engineering/Permitting/Title work and right-of-way work, including potential takings.”
Much controversy remains along the trail as regards the forced government taking of lands from landowners, and issues with titles on various lands. ♦
