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Bike-Walk Alliance of NH ==
Derry Rail Trail Alliance receives good news
Town Council approves $225K funding for rail trail on March 4, 2008
"Derry officials kick in money for bike path"
By MIKE KALIL
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent
DERRY – Organizers who want to pave a bicycle path to connect to Windham have $225,000 in town funding if they can raise more than $150,000 on their own within three years.
Town councilors voted 6-1 last night, with Brian Chirichiello the dissenter, to approve funding the Derry Rail Trail Alliance-headed project. Organizers will now hustle to raise the additional money needed privately and through grants.
The $225,000 comes from a land and buildings capital reserve fund. The money's availability will lapse on June 30, 2011, if organizers don't raise the additional dollars by then.
"They get it only if the rest of the money is raised and we are ready to go," said council Chairman Craig Bulkley.
The alliance, which formed last fall, wants to pave just over two miles of town-owned trail to connect to Windham's popular bike path. An additional mile has already been paved. Organizers hope the trail becomes part of an eventual bike path stretching from Salem to Concord.
Erich Whitney, president of the alliance, has said he's hopeful donated services will defray some of the projected costs. Cost estimates range from $340,000 and $380,000, not including $75,000 worth of engineering services that have been donated.
Councilors who supported the funding said they believe the project will benefit the community.
"Clearly, it's a large amount of money, but it is money that's not going to affect the tax rate because we have it sitting in an account," Councilor Kevin Coyle said.
Once the paving is finished, the rail trail alliance will be responsible for routine maintenance. The Department of Public Works has agreed to help with problems requiring heavy equipment, such as removing downed trees. Town officials will seek to budget $3,000 annually for maintenance.
(The above article appeared in the Manchester Union Leader on March 5, 2008.)
