At forum, pros and cons and fears about trains

CORNWALL — A forum to look at the perceived pros and cons of resurrected passenger rail service here was held April 5 in the Cornwall Consolidated School gym.Nearly 100 people came to the much-anticipated opportunity, sponsored by the Cornwall Association. Housatonic Railroad Company (HRC) is seeking to upgrade track on the Berkshire Line between Pittsfield, Mass., and Danbury to provide direct service to New York City.The panel included First Selectman Gordon Ridgway, Northwest Hills Council of Governments Community and Economic Development Director Jocelyn Ayer, Todd Shearer (a founder of the Facebook page Restore Rail Service – NW Connecticut) and Mark Wilson, who lives in West Cornwall village and presented research and personal experience that spoke to the possible negatives of passenger trains here.It was a much-needed first conversation and primarily a chance to voice concerns and ask questions. However, there were few real answers since Colin Pease, director of special projects for HRC, was unable to attend as planned.The last half hour of the forum was devoted to enjoying pizza from the Berkshire Country Store and continuing the conversation more casually. Many residents expressed their disappointment that there was no firsthand information about plans and costs. There is a fear that, without local control, the project could move forward suddenly without a chance for the public to be heard.Residents of the center of West Cornwall have rallied to the point of a petition to the Board of Selectmen to let them know there is pretty solid opposition to passenger trains. Upgrading the tracksFreight trains rumble through the gated Route 128 crossing at a steady clip. They crack plaster walls and foundations, residents said. They are imagining greater impacts with passenger trains, as well as lowered property values.Ridgway spoke first, urging open-mindedness about a complex issue. While trains may not stop in Cornwall, an influx of younger people could be a positive result. Freight service takes a tremendous amount of truck traffic off roads, he said. Passenger service or not, he is concerned for the regular derailments blamed for track that is about a century old for most of the line.Ayer gave a slide-show presentation of a feasibility study by Market Street Research conducted about five years ago. It shows things such as an estimated one-way ridership of two million annually.It looks at an influx of residents; however, there are no predictions as to when population and development might increase to the point that the area will lose the rural character that attracts people.The study looks at subsidies — tax dollars used to underwrite railroads. The Metro North New Haven line currently receives about half its operating expenses from public funding. HRC has said its line will be financially self-sufficient.Ayer noted that in Massachusetts, the governor put $113 million in the state’s budget to upgrade that section of the Berkshire Line. It was cut to $35 million. Nothing has been allocated by Connecticut.She displayed Pease’s contact information on one of the slides, and gave people a chance to write it down. His email address is fcpease@comcast.net.Pros and consShearer spoke of an online petition signed by about 3,000 people favoring passenger service. He has been speaking to a lot of groups and businesses, and said they are mostly supportive, but realizes there are two sides to consider.He summed up the negatives as safety and the intrusion on homes along the track, and spoke about seamless rail that would eliminate track noise and failure points. The character of towns would change, but change is already needed in the way of younger residents. “I believe the train is the best way to attract those young families.”Shearer said he hears a lot that HRC is a “bad neighbor,” and noted he lives near the switchyard in the center of North Canaan, which can be very noisy.“I don’t mind the train or the noise,” he said, “but absolutely, they have some work to do. I suggest you talk to your legislators to address the problems. This is the perfect time. They want to expand their business and should want to repair relationships with the communities.”As positives, Shearer listed safety with improved rails, less wear and tear on roads, a draw for people east of here for whom the Wassaic, N.Y., station is too far and a plan for the future of small towns here. Shearer answered a question about plans by HRC to not use Canaan Union Station as a stop, saying he would fight for it.Wilson noted he lives about 100 feet from the tracks and knows firsthand how it can damage homes. He lost some credibility when he claimed freight trains travel through the area at up to 70 mph, but made a good point when he referred to Wassaic, and asked what economic development passenger trains had brought to towns there. Costs and funding remain big questions. One resident criticized the report Ayer presented as “barely a business plan.” (It was, in fact, a market and feasibility study, done as a first step). The only cost mentioned is a $200 million estimate to upgrade the tracks. That is, as Ayer noted, less than the annual subsidy for the New Haven line.Perceptions and concernsWilson referred to the 2009 Oxford Review of Economic Policy that shows costs on a national average for projects are underestimated by 44.7 percent and ridership by 51.4 percent.Comments from the audience included travel time from Pittsfield to New York City (about three hours) and the fact that it still won’t be a direct line. There were concerns that the railroad won’t respect complainst about impacts from the line, that attractions along the route would not be promoted and there was a query about fencing that might be installed where the tracks abut developed properties. According to Shearer, the rail corridor will remain unfenced, as it is now. Ridgway responded to a question about what happens to freight transit while the line is upgraded. He said he saw a video that shows track replaced at walking speed, and guessed it would be done a section at a time in between train runs. Compensation for those whose property values may drop was another question.Ridgway said he didn’t think it was likely and noted the village centers are there because of the railroad.It was also noted that the state owns the tracks and leases them to the railroad company. No local regulations factor in.Ayer offered a clarification that the study done by HRC does not look at feasibility primarily as a way for people here to get to New York City, but more as a revenue source of riders who want to come here as tourists or to second homes.Meanwhile, at the DepotHRC owner John Hanlon spoke to The Lakeville Journal this week about Canaan Union Station. A higher platform is needed for handicapped accessibility to trains. That adjustment is a possibility there, but parking is the real issue.The northerly site has the needed acreage. Adding a second stop in town is not a good plan.“We usually plan for at least 10 miles between stations so the train can get up to speed,” he said, but added that a stop there can only work if more parking can be found close by.