The Point Road Bike Path will take shape this spring, but it is a matter of carefully stacked layers of materials designed to hold the grade and also properly process drainage.
Deb Ewing, Chairman John Rockwell and Marc Sylvia represented the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission at its January 4 Zoom meeting.
The meeting began with discussion of a December 27 meeting of vendors to discuss gravel placement and compacting. Rockwell forwarded questions and received several emails from vendors.
Expecting to read about a gravel surface, resident attendee Shaun Walsh pointed out that the donation being made by Makepeace A.D./Reed Custom Soils is listed as “a very fine sand.”
Walsh says that is one step away from silt, which would mean no drainage after compaction, but Rockwell explained that the sand is a sub-base material to be under base and top materials. “This is just to bring it up to grade,” said Rockwell.
Walsh also sought to clarify that the town will remain the responsible party for compaction testing.
“I’d be surprised if 10 years from now there isn’t some settling,” said Rockwell. “One of the issues that we’re going to have to look at is this issue of drainage coming off Point Road.”
He recommended putting in stakes and taking note of low spots to fill in and address those areas at the same time the final top is being put on.
Rockwell estimates the finished product will contain a top material of 3 inches of gravel to the 8-foot width of the path. It is yet unknown of that material will also be donated.
Ewing clarified that the current bidding process is regarding the fine sand and sought to establish direction for next steps.
Rockwell suggested that drainage requires on-site observation because, with every 1 to 2 inches in rise, water will flow in different directions.
Walsh articulated concern about the contract to grind down large boulders and asked about the vendor’s schedule. He thought the project would be completed by now but no longer knows what to expect.
Ewing said she would reach out to Arne Excavating, which had agreed to take 6 inches to a foot off the stones. Walsh called that activity a roadblock to the project’s progress.
Bids on the rest of the project were due January 10.
Walsh asked if Rockwell will be working on the next bidding document for the top material. Rockwell is thinking gravel with process stone on top, a fine material that does not hold up well against rain if placed on a slope. He intends to consult with experts before embarking on that piece of the project.
All MOSAC meetings except for site visits are held via Zoom, so Rockwell’s southern travel and Ewing’s will not impede their ability to hold meetings.
Resident Carol Molander volunteered to take photos of the work while Rockwell and Ewing are away.
The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission is scheduled for Thursday, February 1, at 7:00 pm via Zoom.
Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission
By Mick Colageo