The regular meeting of the Stowe Recreation Commission was held Wednesday, January 20, 2010 in the David Gale Center starting at 5:00 P.M.
Members present: Holly Rochefort; Bill Kelk, Phil Scott and Leah Hodari. Absent: Paul Lawson. Also present were Marge McIntosh and Neil Korn re: a new adventure being proposed for use on the Rec Path.
Neil Korn present re: using a Bike Taxi on the Rec Path, teaming up with AJ’s Sports. Neil explained the plan, saying he will try and coordinate with hotels/motels. Bikes are approximately 55” wide; 2 passengers (one bike can take a child as well). There is 8’ on each side of the bridges; plans are to use the motels for reference. (Leah) arrived to the meeting. Neil felt this project would enhance the village even though they cannot be run on sidewalks; he will use them in the road. Neil said he would possibly purchase a 4 seater with 2 people pedaling. Neil stated the Taxi would only be used at night on the Rec Path, with lights, as it is not wide enough for other things at the same time. Neil said he would stay off Rte 100, except in the village, but use Rte 108. The Bike(s) would be left at AJ’s at night. Members commented about the traffic on Rte 108 going fast. Marge said it is proposed to have a bike lane when the Mayo Farm Road is repaved. Holly said, like Segways, it could be considered a non motorized thing on the Rec Path. Marge said there is no law in Vt. which prohibits these bikes on the roads but there are safety issues. Members questioned if they want to promote a commercial enterprise. The Commission will discuss at the next meeting and recommend their decision to the Selectboard. SEE end of Minutes.
Minutes of November 18, 2009: Holly moved to accept as amended, seconded by Bill with all in favor. Next meeting FEBRUARY 24th at 5:00 P.M. at the David Gale Center.
Trash Cans: Marge has asked Bruce to place two trashcans, one to the Dog Park and one at the entrance to Mayo Farm Road as a test this winter. Bruce put them out, reluctantly and will empty them when they plow the parking lots.
Marge said they are trying to introduce open rec to people at the Rec Center Skating, dodge ball, capture the flag etc. Plans are to start with 3 Friday night “teen events” and possiblt expand if successful. These can all be done with existing staff. Ages groups from 3-4 graders to 7th. Trying to encourage kids to come in so will keep trying to promote. Trying to get own web site started, stated Marge. Plans are to start with 2 Friday night “teen events” and possibly expand if successful.
Marge said they are trying to get “team leaders” (adult) to help organize pick up sports and take responsibility. There is currently a basketball team and badminton existing.
Rec Path Uses Discussion: Marge presented a draft saying she was trying to capture what the Commission does/does not like for non-winter uses on the Rec Path prior to recommending to the Selectboard. There is now a group wishing to have an all winter Rec Path groomed. Marge got a memo from the Rescue giving some statistics of where they have been called, particularly on the Rec Path from 2006-09. It was stated some information couldn’t be divulged. An accident report is not done and Marge said she is working to get information when an accident happens (from every facility the town is responsible for). It appeared that most (6) accidents happened on a bridge or near a bridge. tape 1 side 2 The Path has not been used for commercial purposes as far as known and there is not provision for vending on town property. Skateboards: members felt to allow is OK; In Line Skates: are not in the uses for the easements but they are in the allowed uses in the highway regs but in line skates are on the Path all the time; Segways & Bikes: question is do the town want commercial operations on the Rec Pat? Stowe has no vendor license; Holly felt there is a fundamental question if commercial operations on the Path should be allowed. Leah felt there are bike tours now (Holly- not that we know of). Town takes kids on the Path as part of the Rec Program. Phil felt any outside group which came in should pay a certain percentage. Marge said asked how the community would see the Rec Path as a commercial entity. Leah said yes as there are commercial things on it now. Bill felt Neil is a taxpayer (business) in Stowe and Segway is from out of town so should pay a percentage. Bill said he did not want to see a hot dog stand. Marge asked if selective vendors could be allowed and what criteria would there be: educational; non competitive with existing businesses; safety; fits with the culture of Stowe; not infringe on current users; out of town should give a percentage back to the town. Marge said the question is” do we want the Rec Path used for commercial operations and the answer was“ maybe or should be consider with the listed criteria”
Barbara asked what happened to those people who just wish to walk on the path saying if all the commercial adventures were to fit the criteria, when during the day would one walk—it is not safe. Holly said she hears of people walking the Quiet Path because the Rec Path is not safe and becoming too busy. Barbara said in her opinion the original intent was a walking path. Marge asked how the community perceives the path now. Phil agreed the path is becoming much more used and skateboards deserve a try. Segways:
Leah felt they are dangerous on the path when they come up behind one. It was agreed if commercial uses are considered, Segways should compensate the town for some amount. Marge felt people would have to walk across the bridges. It was agreed Segways would bring a different use but agreed to allow a test trial.
Bike Taxiis: Holly felt theconcept would expand very quickly. Marge said there is activity on the Path every night and expands each night according to the data collected last summer (which is when the taxi would be on it) and at 55” wide would preclude 2-way traffic on the bridge. Marge asked Chief Kaplan who said there are issues but there is nothing which prohibits them being on the streets. Leah and Holly agreed they are too wide and would not support them being on the Path. Leah said she could not support it on the road, which is a safety issue and others agreed it is unsafe at night, but supported the taxis on the road while recognizing that there would be safety issues to address prior to implementation. It was felt by members the taxiis are too wide for the Rec Path (which is 8’ wide) and the bike taxi would take more than one-half the path. Members could not recommend the use on the Rec Path.
Marge said the Memorial Park Master Plan is on the Selectboard agenda January 25th showing the 3-phase plan.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 P.M.
