Selectmen Plan to Draft a Letter of Concerns Over Bike Path

After site walks of the proposed DCR bike path from Central Avenue to Mattapan Square,  on both the north and south of the Neponset River last month, residents were eager to further discuss the issues at Thursday's Board of Selectmen meeting at Town Hall.

Thursday was the first time the board had met since the July 22 walk along the Mattapan side of the river and the July 26 walk on the Milton side. Chair Marion McEttrick and Town Administrator Kevin Mearn took both tours, which were led by DCR and MBTA officials.  During the meeting, McEttrick shared what she saw as issues with the path on both sides of the river.

The most recent tour was the one on the south side of the river, which in most cases would include an at grade crossing of the trolley line at Capen Street. Members of the neighborhood, including residents for a path in that area, those against and some who would like further studies, rose to speak during citizen speak.

The first speaker was Capen Street resident Brian O'Mahony. O'Mahony presented the Selectmen with  map of his neighborhood, including Capen Street, Cliff Road and Byrne Road with the results of an impromptu petition he took last weekend. He went door to door and asked residents to sign if they were opposed to DCR Options A, D and E, which all have a crossing at Capen Street.

O'Mahony reported that 93% of those surveyed signed the petition. The map displayed five people who were in favor of the path and nine who were not home after several visits.  O'Mahony also pointed out that the houses closest to the proposed path and the trolley line were all opposed to the plans.

"I just wanted Capen Street to be heard and I think it's pretty clear we're opposed," O'Mahony said.

Donna Dickerson, also of Capen Street, stood in favor of the path, citing her belief that public land should be public.

Later in the meeting, the board discussed issues such as archeological complications in Mattapan and a new at grade crossing over the trolley line, which the MBTA is against.

McEttrick recognized the concerns of Capen Street residents, but shied away from an endorsement. "I'm not prepared to say, 'this is the best option,' but I would be prepared to say there are a lot of problems with that Capen Street crossing," McEttrick said.

With the public comment period ending August 14, two days before he Board of Selectmen's next meeting, McEttrick suggested the selectmen prepare their concerns for a letter that will be sent to the DCR after that meeting.