Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board (MARTAB)

MARTAB is a volunteer board, appointed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.  As an independent entity, it provides advice to DCR staff on issues and projects of importance to the trail community.  It represents every major trail user group from motorized users to non-motorized users and seeks to promote a cooperative, practical approach to solving trail issues.  It’s most important function is to make recommendations to the Commissioner on the distribution of the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds that come to each state from the US Department of Transportation.  Massachusetts disburses approximately $1 million each year.  MARTAB’s recommendations are the first cut on how these funds could be spent and it involves the Board reviewing each proposal, discussing them and rating them according to an agreed list of criteria and weights.  At the end of the review process, a ranked list of the applications submitted from communities and organizations throughout the state is created and forwarded to the Commissioner and Governor for their approval.

MARTAB is involved in other activities, including sponsorship of statewide trail workshops to improve the skills and experience of the many trail volunteers working to enhance our trail network within the Commonwealth.  They also assist in organizing the Massachusetts Trails Conference.   These educational and community-building opportunities are funded through the Recreational Trails Program.

Member Name                 User Group / Member Organization                        

Board Co-Chairs:

Tim Craig                          Youth Corps / Student Conservation Association (SCA)

Marianne Iarossi               Municipal Planners / City of Framingham 

Board Members

Bill Boles                            Mountain Biking / New England Mountain Bike Association

Lawrence Tucker               Snowmobiles / Snowmobile Association of Massachusetts 

Liam Cregan                      Hiking  / Appalachian Mountain Club

Becky Kalagher                  Equestrian / Bay State Trail Riders

Benton Phelps                    All-Terrain Vehicles / New England ATV Association

Mike White                         4-Wheel Drive Vehicles / Northeast Association of 4WD Clubs

Dick Williamson                  Bicycling & Rail Trails / Friends of Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

Joe Geller                           Rail Trails / Topsfield Rail Trail Committee

Sarah LaValley                   Municipal Planners / City of Northampton

Kathy Baugh                       Community Trails and Greenways / Appalachian Trails Conservancy

Bryce Spare                        Skiers and Snowshoers 

Agency Liaisons                                      

Amanda Lewis                    DCR, MassTrails Program Manager

Elijah Fry                             DCR, MassTrails Planner

Ellen Huffman                     DCR, State Parks and Forest Trails Planner

Scott Morrill                         EOEEA, Off-Highway Vehicle Coordinator