Column by Chris Churchill in Biddeford Journal Tribune, March 7, 2003
Group says new trail needs help from city
By CHRIS CHURCHILL/Journal Tribune
BIDDEFORD — The Eastern Trail Alliance, concerned that Biddeford might withdraw from the group, is warning the move could jeopardize a $3.3 million
pathway from the city to Kennebunk.
Twelve cities and towns - from Kittery to South Portland - have paid $2,500 annual membership dues to the Eastern Trail Management District since it
formed two years ago. The dues increase to $5,000 this year, however, and that has some cities and towns rethinking the investment.
“The concern is, can we go from $2,500 to $5,000?” said Rick Towle, the city’s recreation director. “If I have to make a choice between a $2,500
scholarship and the Eastern Trail Alliance, I’m choosing the scholarship.”
John Andrews, the alliance’s president, wants every city and town to re-enlist, but he’s particularly concerned about Biddeford. That’s because the alliance
is gearing up to build a pathway from the Southern Maine Medical Center area on Route 111 to West Kennebunk. The walkway would follow old
railroad tracks abandoned in 1944, now used and cleared by Granite State Gas. Funding from Kennebunk and Arundel seems assured.
The path, which would follow the path of a gas pipeline, would pass near Biddeford’s two largest employers - SMMC and Interstate Brands - and five
of the city’s 10 largest employers, providing recreation for workers in a booming but pedestrian-unfriendly area.
Construction of the walkway, including pedestrian bridges over the Turnpike and the Kennebunk River, depends on $2.3 million in federal money from the
Maine Department of Transportation and a $1.3 million contribution from the Maine Turnpike Authority.
But those contributions might not come if state officials and the gas company believe Biddeford is not fully behind the project, Andrews said.
Compared to the overall cost of the project, Biddeford’s $5,000 contribution is puny. But Andrews said the $5,000 funds alliance office and staff, which
are needed to corral the $3.3 million. “I can understand the pressure that every finance committee is under,” he said. “But the return on investment is
going to be dramatic.”
Biddeford, which is only in early budget planning, has not made a decision on Eastern Trail Alliance funding. But tight resources and pressure not to increase
property taxes could make the decision difficult.
“I can’t look the mayor straight in the face and say that money can’t be better used,” said Towle, adding that the city needs a better understanding why
membership fees are increasing. Money for the alliance would come out of the Recreation Department’s budget, which Towle is now putting together.
The alliance has already opened a trail from Kittery to South Portland. Signs for that trail, which mostly follows roads, can be seen along the Biddeford
Connector, which links Route 1 to the Turnpike.
But, following the example set by the Appalachian Trial, the alliance hopes to gradually move the entire trail off-road.