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| King & Low-Heywood Thomas School and the Sierra Club, CT Chapter have joined the Steering Committee; SWRPA has joined the Alliance as Advisors and the newest Members are Connecticut Forrest and Park Association and Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club. (Updated List Attached) Discussion: To increase membership, it was suggested that we target: Local Merchants and Bicycle Shops, Realtors, Hospitals and other Facilities concerned with Health Issues, Corporations, Universities along the Merritt (UCONN, Sacred Heart, etc) and Groups involved with Handicapped issues. Cheryl Dunson agreed to follow up with the League of Conservation Voters to assess whether/how they can support the Merritt trail initiative. Linda Hoza asked all members to be proactive inviting other organizations to join the Alliance. Please invite them or send her suggestions and she will contact them. |
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| The Alex G. Nason Foundation funded the Landscape Study and also funds the Alliance. We are down to our last few copies of the Study and our last few dollars of funding. While we hope the Nason Foundation will continue to fund the Alliance, it is important to look for other sources. Discussion: Alex Nason mentioned working with a group called Fairfield SAFE KIDS to seek additional funding sources. He offered to make the contact and work with the Alliance on this. He also indicated his Foundation would continue to support the Alliance. Vivian Gluss suggested that UCONN and Yale might be willing to give in-kind assistance by helping with public outreach, research and internships. Linda Hoza mentioned that RPA had Yale interns in the past and that she will follow up on this. Franklin Bloomer agreed to contact the Fairfield County Foundation, which donated some of the funding to print an ECGA map. |
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| No response, to date, to the letter that went out over the Mayor's signature to Senator Jepsen and Moira Lyons requesting bond money for the trail. No response, to date, to the Alliance's letter to Gov. Rowland requesting his support for a Merritt trail and request to mandate the DOT to incorporate trail access into future Merritt improvements. A second letter and an updated membership list will be sent the governor. Discussion:Barbara Irving and others suggested that the letter to the Governor be succinct and to the point. Cheryl Dunson offered to assist with the process for getting policies implemented or legislation passed that would require the DOT to follow Federal (and hopefully Transportation Strategy Board) policies to incorporate bicycle/pedestrian safety and access when making major improvements and interchange design revisions. |
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| Deborah Lewis has volunteered to assist leading walks along the Merritt to increase public awareness of the project. Discussion: Everyone agreed this was a good idea. It was also suggested that we lead an excursion to a completed urban trail along a major highway similar to the Merritt (for example the Belt Parkway on Long Island) to give legislators and other interested persons an idea of how well such a trail works and how enjoyable it can be. Ray Rauth suggested planning an event to correspond with the opening the Housatonic River Bridge in March of 2004. Sue Prosi offered to contact Ray with an exact date for the bridge opening and to assist with an event. |
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| Q and A Sheet Linda Hoza passed out a Merritt FAQ sheet that both Ray Rauth and Jane Moffat had recommended be prepared. Discussion: Some minor corrections were made and additional questions suggested. Jane Moffat thought that multi-user trail safety should be addressed. Sue Prosi suggested the pedestrian/bicycle lane on the new Housatonic Bridge should be mentioned. Cheryl Dunson recommended including a Q & A about similar trails that exist along major roadways. She also suggested adding a question about who to contact for additional information. Logo Linda Hoza asked everyone to think about a good logo for the Alliance. Discussion:Richard Dupuis (after the meeting) suggested that one of the unique bridges along the Merritt could be used as a logo. Are there any other suggestions? Does anyone know an artist who would be willing to donate his or her services to design a logo? Please contact Linda. Internship: RPA's Connecticut office has applied through SACIA for an intern to assist with the Alliance. Trail Walk: For those of you who had previous engagements or who were improperly dressed (or simply wimped-out!), the trail was somewhat difficult to navigate and discern but Franklin Bloomer, leading the way, found a deer trail for us to follow. It was a good experience and provided confirmation that the right-of-way is a very pleasant place to walk and has more than adequate space for a trail. |