1. Franklin & Bellingam Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC)
May-13
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Overview
 The Committee
 The Trail
 Our Accomplishments
 Our Plans
 How You Can Help

2. The Trail – Franklin Through Bellingham
May-13
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 3 mile segment
 Starting at Grove Street
in Franklin
 Extending past Spring
Street to Prospect Street
at town line
 Through Bellingham into
Blackstone
Franklin
Bellingham
Blackstone
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3. The Committee Foundation
May-13
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 Changed name to incorporate regional focus
 Revised Mission Statement
 Created and approved Bylaws to give the group
definition

4. The Committee – Our Mission
May-13
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The Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
(FBRTC) is a volunteer advocacy group dedicated to
the development, maintenance, and financial support
of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail as a
multi-use, universally accessible recreational path.
Working in partnership with federal, state and local
governments, members of the FBRTC are committed
to exploring all private, state and federal funding
avenues to implement all necessary design plans.

5. The Committee – Our Structure
May-13
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 Simple committee structure
 Monthly meetings open to the public
 Second Tuesday, 7:30pm, Franklin Y
 Special working groups/sub-committees:
 Membership
 Grant writing
 Public relations
 Key community, local government, and state agency
representation

6. The Trail – Welcomes the Public Today
May-13
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 Walkers, Hikers,
horseback riders, bikers
 Accessible to non-
motorized vehicles
 Free parking at Grove
Street and Lake Street
 Over one mile of flat,
graded soft dirt and
stones
 Connections to Franklin
State Forest trails

7. 7
The Southern New England Trunkline Trail
 Also known as the Titanic Rail Trail
 Supported by the Grand Trunk Trail Blazers, a non-profit
501(c)(3) chartered in 1992 to collaborate with local trail
groups to establish a non-motorized 60-80 mile East-
West trail linking the Blackstone Valley with the Pioneer
Valley.
May-13 7
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8. The Committee – Supporters, Grants, Fund Raising
May-13
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 Towns of Franklin and Bellingham
 Open Spaces Committees, Grove Street parking lot
 Franklin Hockomock Y
 Meeting facilities and logistical assistance
 Mass Department of Conservation & Recreation
 Trail improvement, maintenance, and signage
 Annual Road Race
 50 participants in first year
 Local business sponsorship

9. Accomplishments
May-13
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 Phase I-a: Grove Street to Spring Street
 Clearing, tree removal, grading, finishing and packing of the trail
 Grove Street barriers and gates at Spring Street and Lake Street
 Grove Street Access and Parking
 Paved lot with 10 parking spaces (built by Town of Franklin)
 Informational kiosk and bench (built by local Eagle Scout);
 Informational trail signage installed by MA DCR.
 Parking area and signage at Lake St (Town of Bellingham)

10. Necessary Trail Improvements
May-13
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11. Our Plans – Franklin Segment
May-13
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 Phase I.b: Grove Street to Spring Street
 Drainage, rail fencing, bollards or gates along with signage, historical
placards and traffic control
 Phase II: Spring St. to the Bellingham Town Line
 Clearing, tree removal, grading, finishing and packing of the trail
 Install tunnel under Prospect Street (20 x 12 ft. box culvert with
sheeting and headwalls, including temporary street closure)
 Drainage, rail fencing, asphalt road repairs, gates and seating areas,
with added signage, historical placards and traffic control
 Phase III: Trail Surfacing
 Including asphalt paving of the Franklin section of trail
 On-going Coordination of Trail Maintenance

12. Our Plans – Bellingham Segment
May-13
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 Phase I: Franklin Town Line to Blackstone Town Line
 Clearing, tree removal, grading, finishing and packing of the trail
 Drainage, rail fencing, gates along with signage, historical placards
and maintenance of traffic
 Earthen ramp for Prospect St crossing
 Phase II: Trail Surfacing
 Including compacted stone dust or paving of the Franklin and
Bellingham section of trail
 On-going Coordination of Trail Maintenance

13. The Future
May-13
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14. Become a Member
May-13
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 Join us to help us achieve our goals
 Serve on working groups / sub-committees
 Participate and vote at meetings
 $25 membership
 Stay connected through newsletters/minutes
 Get 10% off on parts and accessories at Crossing Cycle in
Franklin

15. Ways to Help
May-13
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 Engineering assistance/Planning for Prospect Street
Ramp
 Signage around town

16. Become a Donor or Sponsor
May-13
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 Support our efforts and special events
 Your contributions will help us purchase:
 Committee basic supplies
 Brochures and promotional materials
 Supplies for fund-raising events
 Get acknowledgement or promote your business
 On our website and in our promotional materials
 Event T-shirts, brochures, and media advertisements

17. Become a Volunteer or Advocate
May-13
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 Sign up to help us with committee activities and
special events
 Help with trail improvements
 Participate in special events
 Promote use of the trail with your group and friends
 Petition your elected officials for support

18. The Rails to Trails Movement
May-13
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 Nation-wide efforts to turn abandoned railways into
recreational trails
 Benefits include access to safe recreational pathways
for all abilities
 Successful local examples include Cape Cod Rail
Trails (over 22 miles) and Blackstone River Valley
(over 11 miles)