Chappy Bike Path Committee Presentation 7/ 25/09, 9-10:15 am 
Bob Colvin welcomed the audience and introduced himself and the Chappy Path Steering Committee: Will Geresy, Melissa Kagan, Dick Knight, Joe Sullivan, and Tom Tilghman. He gave a brief history of the group’s efforts since last summer and reported the completion of the Dike Bridge Rd. survey early this summer. The purpose of meeting was to review the road surveys, path surface options, three demonstration paths and “next steps”. A handout offered written descriptions of the proposals, “Route, Surface, & three Demonstration Paths.” The option of no path was not considered or discussed. 
Several Committee members reviewed the proposed route on the 1995 survey laid out full length and accompanied by pictures of the tar road. The survey showed the path as a narrow 5 - 8 feet. It has been said the State standards are 12 - 15 feet wide. Bob Colvin acknowledged that final specs are determined by funding source. Several Committee members explained path issues and necessary changes, such as designing a safe path to move bicyclists from the ferry across the ferry line to Chappy Point beach, moving two Beach Club buildings, moving the tar road in a number of places (such as into the Francis Sheriff Meadow Property and away from wetlands), moving telephone poles, securing easements to cross private property, crossing the tar road to enter Dike Bridge Road and moving Dike Bridge Road into Mytoi’s fenced area. 
The new Dike Bridge Road Survey was also reviewed with comments, e.g. that Dike Road moving was easy and minimal. This was contradicted by notations on the survey indicating most of Dike Bridge Rd would have to be moved north. To avoid the most obvious wetland, the road will be moved into an area with some wetland indicator plants. 
Tom Tilghman discussed Path surface options. He showed three pictures of asphalt and stone dust paths. He was optimistic that Chappy residents could choose an attractive surface option and said asphalt could be colored to improve its appearance. Although stone dust has been said to be significantly more expensive to install and maintain, cost wasn’t mentioned. The buffer strip between the road and path would be covered with “vegetation”, the type not specified. 
Joe Sullivan introduced himself as mayor of Braintree and as a person involved with the State transportation dept. and other State and local groups. He has worked with the Steamship Authority. He described some of the state (Chapter 90) and federal funds available for bike path construction. He spoke of increased flexibility for state bike path standards, such as dimensions. Questions from several audience members about specific standards were answered with general, nonspecific replies. When asked about some of the major construction features along the State Edgartown/W. Tisbury Rd., such as the heavily reinforced bridge along Sweetened Water Pond, he reiterated the possibility of increased flexibility of State and federal standards. The suggestion of using existing conservation land paths was discounted because multi-use path users “need to get where they’re going” with little regard for purely recreational path users. 
Three demonstration paths were described: Peter Wells discussed the importance of a Gardner Property path; Tom Tilghman urged a path over Land Bank property by Brine’s Pond for safety reasons, and Melissa Kagan argued for a path along Dike Bridge Rd. No vote was taken. Some audience members believe $33/ft. underestimates demonstration path cost, especially for a stone dust surface. The new Dike Bridge Rd. survey belies the “feasibility of moving the sand road within the right of way to avoid obstacles, wetlands, or close properties.” 
Little time remained for general discussion. Questions were taken during the presentations. Three mothers with young children made emotional pleas for the path. Some of the questions included, the number of trees to be cut down. Was there concern about beach club traffic crossing the road to use the Gardner Property demo path if 70% of bike/vehicle accidents occur when bikes cross the road? Bob Colvin responded this was a good argument for continuing the bike path and omitted mention of all the roads and driveways crossed enroute to Dike Bridge. 
Cynthia Hubbard stated she had not yet heard adequate facts to support the path. Tom Aretz listed the three stages of large construction projects: "desirability, feasibility & doability". He urged the CPC to provide more facts and to professionally prove feasibility before desirability could be determined. He repeated that more facts were needed to generate community support and to change the minds of the 200 people opposed. 
Bob Colvin stated several times, “There’s nothing like the facts”. When asked about safety, he waved his hand at two road pictures on the mantel piece. Friendly anecdotes took up some of the limited meeting time. 
H. Potter