Update #4from the Chappy Path Committee  7/3/09

We wish to update the Chappy Community on the activities of the Chappy Path Committee over the Spring and early summer. 

•	The Town approved our request for CPA funds at the April Town Meeting to do a survey of the Dyke Bridge road to evaluate the potential for a bike/shared use path.  The surveyors started two weeks ago and should be finished in July.  They report to Stuart Fuller, Head of Transportation for Edgartown.

•	An open meeting of the CPC was held on June 27th 2009 at the Chappy Community Center to inform and update the community on our activities.  About 40 people attended, including those in favor and against a path, and most participated in the discussion, which was generally collegial and lively.  The agenda and summary of the proposals handed out are attached.

o	After a brief update of progress by the moderator, Bob Colvin, an annotated survey with photographs and potential solutions to difficult areas was presented by Peter Wells, with everyone gathered around the map (about 30 feet long).  Tom Tilghman presented alternatives for the path surface using photographs, which included blacktop and a composite resembling sand that is firm.  The merits of three alternative demonstration paths were presented by Melissa Kagan, Peter Wells and Tom Tilghman, including the Gardner property, the Land Bank near the CCC and the Dyke Bridge Road and discussion followed.  In a straw vote the Gardner option was favored among the three, although a dozen were against any path.

o	Among the points made by the attendees were the advantages of burying the power/phone cables, the issue of safety at road crossings, the appeal of non-asphalt surface, and the importance of the wetlands.  Suggestions for the future included negotiations between representatives of the pros and cons to help find a common ground and sponsoring a debate with a neutral facilitator.  

o	The final point by the moderator was to ask the participants to think about the best process to reach a decision, assuming that we will never get unanimity.  The CPC has always advocated a democratic process and we assume the opposition does as well.  How this can be done efficiently and fairly, needs to be discussed and agreed upon.

•	The next step planned by the CPC is to hold a second open meeting at the CCC on Saturday, July 25th 9-10 a.m., in which we will present a similar agenda for those unable to attend the first meeting, as well as some of the issues raised above.

Prepared by the Steering Committee: Contact: Chappybikepath@aol.com

Bob Colvin, Chair, Melissa Kagan, Co-Chair, Will Geresey, Dick Knight, Joe Sullivan, Tom Tilghman, Peter Wells