Attendance

NAME	REPRESENTING	ADDRESS	TELEPHONE NUMBER	E-MAIL ADDRESS
Don Odell	Friends of MHBHT	97 Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12203	482-4574	dodell@nycap.rr.com
John DiMura	NYS Canal Corp	200 Southern Blvd. Albany, NY 12209	436-3034	John_Dimura@canals.state.ny.us
Louis Rossi	retired NYSDOT	72B Devonshire Dr. Guilderland, N 12084	221-3782	lourossi@nycap.rr.com
Patricia Rush	ECOS & Friends of MHBHT	1177 Oxford Pl. Schenectady, NY 12308	374-6995	c.c.rushassociates@verizon.net
Arden Rauch	ECOS	2346 Knolls View Dr. Schenectady, NY 12309	372-2932	raucha@union.edu
Ivan Vamos	NYBC	13 Maple Lane South Loudonville 12211	459-2026	ivanvamos@hotmail.com
Henrietta O’Grady	Mohawk Townpath Scenic Byway & Trail Cmte.-Half Moon	44 Church Hill Waterford, NY 12188	371-8374	hennyo@hotmail.com
Eric Hamilton	Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway	67 Pico Road Clifton Park, NY 12065	383-8565	ejh.bkh@juno.com
Bob Speece	NYSDOT, Reg. 1	328 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305	388-0282	rspeece@dot.state.ny.us

1. Presentation on the Mohawk Towpath Trail Scenic Byway.

q Eric Hamilton provided a review of the progress on the establishment of the Mohawk Towpath Trail Scenic Byway.

The byway basically follows scenic roads and incorporates the scenic, historic, archeological features, and focuses on lower speed corridors. The corridor goes from Waterford and to Church St. & Route 5 in Schenectady. It is intended to part of the larger Revolutionary War Trail Byway providing a lakes to locks passage. The roads presently part of the Mohawk Byway are relatively rural roads and are heavily used by cyclists. Eric noted that any increase in tourism development will encourage cyclists.

· There is presently an application to the NYSOPRHP to improve trails along either side of Vischer Ferry Drive in the Vischer Ferry Preserve.

· There is also a bill on the Governor’s desk to establish the Byway. This is likely to open up funding sources.

· There is also the possibility of an off-road trail along considerable portions of River Road and Canal Road.

· It was noted that there is a breech in the old tow path caused by a pond.

· Also, there is hope that the 8 to 9 mile Zim Smith Trail may be completed by Fall.

2. Continuing Discussion on where we are going.

q In follow up conversations regarding the connection of the Hudson and Mohawk corridors, the following points were noted.

· John DiMura had some conversations with Ralph Pascale, who has some ideas about

- the incorporating Mohawk Street and Saratoga Ave. (SR 32) over the Mohawk River in to possible connections of the Hudson and Mohawk corridors;

- Trail extension along the road being built in the industrial park in Green Island,

- visual opportunities focusing on the old locks and along the presently overgrown old canal.

· Develop a simple map to identify how to get to canal resources.

· In nearer term – use Mohawk St. corridor to SR 32 and develop a connection to the existing trail.

· Perhaps get an arrangement with the NYPCA (New York Parks Conservation Assn.) to do a simple east-west connection study.

· Longer term – requires completion along Hudson River to Waterford.

· It was noted that there will be a Spindle City Historic Society tour in August. (Aug. 9?)

· Meet with NYSDOT and Friends of Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail to address signage in the City of Schenectady.

· Let’s address and do a piece at a time.

· The next meeting should focus on signage project.

· Schenectady officials (Steve Feeney and Milt Mitchell) must be involved.

3. Review of design charette in Rotterdam Junction.

q There were approximately 25 persons present. Different groups came up with different perspectives. Getting around the Guilford Rail crossing was a major concern. Alternatives to a tunnel under the rail line (which will be costly) were considered, such as a route parallel to SR 5S, and one along the river.

q The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has notified the Federal Surface Transportation Board regarding acquisition of the West Shore Railroad in the project area that would be the preferred right-of-way. John has not heard an update on the status. OPRHP has until October to work out an arrangement with the owners of the rail line.

4. Regional Updates

q For Thruway plans in the Albany Corridor, consult www.thruway.state.ny.us.

q The Cycle the Erie Canal ride. John DiMura reported that there were 400 cyclists. Ivan Vamos reported that Jesse Day took video footage.

q Ivan Vamos reported that the Albany Visitors Center does have plans to rehabilitate Lock 1.

q Ivan also noted that the NYBC has been keeping track of the Segway bill in the Legislature. The suggested maximum speed of 12.5 mph was okay on multiple use trails, but not sidewalks.

q Arden Rauch reported that while Lock 23 has been restored, undergrowth has obscured the lock. There is a need of maintenance. This former Union College project is now in the hands of the Town of Rotterdam, which is looking for some party to take over the project. This is a possible volunteer project.

q Pat Rush reports that the Friends of the Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail is considering a newsletter and membership campaign in the Fall.

5. Next Meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for August 18 in Schenectady County at the NYSDOT offices.

SUBMITTED BY:

Don Odell, recorder