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On September 22, Walpole resident John Chiodo was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony. Eagle Scout is the highest Boy Scout rank. Nationally, only 4 percent of Boy Scouts attain this esteemed recognition. The path to Eagle Scout requires years of dedication to Boy Scouts that includes earning merit badges, embarking on numerous camping trips, and working on service projects. In addition, each Eagle Scout must successfully complete an Eagle Scout Project.
John chose to do his Eagle Scout Project at Adams Farm. In doing so, John presented to the Adams Farm board his proposal to build and install four trail map kiosks along the trails at Adams Farm. The Adams Farm board had been working on new trail maps and wanted to place the maps in locations that would be seen by the many dog walkers, joggers and bikers that use the trails. The maps also needed to be protected from the weather.
Newly-minted Eagle Scout John Chiodo next to one of his trail map kiosks.
John designed the trail map kiosks to have a shingled pitched roof, protected with weatherproofing and used pressure-treated wood to construct the kiosks, which he then coated with multiple layers of polyurethane. He used acrylic plexiglass as window covers to protect the maps, but designed the kiosks so that the Adams Farm committee could have access to change out the maps as needed.
In order to succeed in his project, John needed not only to consider the effects of snow, wind and rain on the kiosks themselves, but also had to implant the kiosks securely to ensure that they would not topple in severe weather. In order to do this, John organized dozens of volunteers over a several week period to help him carry all the necessary tools and supplies to the trails and to help him dig three-foot holes for each kiosk post. Once the holes were of adequate depth, John and his volunteers erected the kiosks, surrounded each post with gravel and then cemented them into place. The four trail map kiosks are complete and now contain the newest Adams Farm trail map.
Walpole Boy Scout Troop 44 Scoutmaster, Jean Augusta, bestowed upon John the rank of Eagle Scout on behalf of the Boy Scouts of America. John received certificates of recognition from public officials for his achievement.
