HORSE HILL NATURE PRESERVE

AD HOC COMMITTEE

Minutes of Monday, April 4, 2005

Courtroom at Town Hall

7:30 p.m.

 

Members Present: Debra Huffman, Ruth Roulx, Janet Cormier, Connie Kreider, Harold Watson, Helynne Wenz, Newton Coryell, Denise O’Dwyer, Jim Taylor, Nelson Disco, Bill Keating, Tim Tenhave

 

Also Present:  Paul Wojciak, Ernie Buck, Parks Foreman with the Merrimack DPW

 

Call to Order: Tim Tenhave called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

 

Announcements and Updates: Tim Tenhave made the following announcements:

*      At its 3/17/05 meeting, the BOS approved creation of a donation account for Horse Hill. Tim distributed copies of the resolution creating the account. There is now a line item in the budget and a donation account in place.

*      Andy Powell and Tim Tieperman have discussed the requirements for the open space consultant.

*      The parking area will progress when the snow cover is lower. Dick Bond marked the wetlands.

*      Discussion of volunteers and liability issues will be postponed for another meeting.

*      Debra Huffman attended a seminar on invasive species and gave a copy of the CD of information to Ernie Buck and to Tim.

*      Tim provided an update on the committee's activities for the 2004 town report.

*      Scott McPhie provided information about conducting natural inventories and Tim forwarded the information to Helynne Wenz.

*      Andy Powell provided Helynne with a format for an amphibian and reptile report.

 

Approval of Minutes: The minutes of 3/7/05 were approved with minor modifications, on a vote of 9-0-2.

 

Trail Standards:  Tim introduced Ernie Buck, the Town's Parks Foreman. Ernie has written a draft of a standard to be followed for town trails. Ernie stated that he created the standards mainly to address liability concerns. There are best practices and RSAs for highways, but trails do not have state standards. The potential trail creation activity on Horse Hill prompted him to codify the standards for the town.

 

The standards are dependent on the type of activity to be permitted on each trail. Different activities have different requirements for trail height, width, material for the treadway, how to cross waterways, turning radius, and so on. The goal is for all trails to be consistent so hikers can pass seamlessly between land managed by the Conservation Commission, the DPW, or any other town body.

 

Ernie distributed pictures of prototype signs that he and the DPW team have created. Trailhead signs will be 7' tall but will be buried 3'. Internal junctions will be marked by 4x4 posts with trail names burned in vertically. Each will have activity tags showing permitted uses. They will use the tag designs developed for the first Horse Hill signs. The prototypes have been designed so that both types of signs can be made by competent volunteers, and construction does not even require a table saw.

 

Janet Cormier asked if the signs could be made in the Junior High woodshop and Ernie replied that they could.

 

Tim Tenhave asked about the type of wood used and Ernie replied that it was pressure treated, mostly 1x8s, which are ripped down and the scrap becomes the trim.

 

Harold Watson asked if the standards would include requirements for wheelchair accessible trails. Ernie said that the standards essentially state that a trail cannot automatically exclude handicapped people, for example they have to be wide enough for wheelchairs, but where the treadway becomes impractical you need not go farther. A handicapped-accessible loop would be a wonderful thing for Horse Hill but it would have to be driven by the committee.

 

Nelson Disco asked if a handicapped-accessible trail has to be paved. Ernie replied that it does not. It can be stone pack, stone dust, even a well-packed gravel road would be passable.

 

Newton Coryell stated that he volunteers at Camp Easter Seals in Gilmanton and that it is amazing where wheelchairs can get. He could arrange for a visit for Ernie to get some ideas of what works for them.

 

Ruth Roulx mentioned that lime spread over stone dust turns to an almost cement-like substance.

 

Ernie stated that whatever method is chosen, you have to think about maintenance. What will keep the edges from breaking down? How will weeds be dealt with? A group of volunteers would need to be formed for maintenance of handicapped-accessible trails.

 

Ernie stated that the Quarry Trail is almost complete. It runs from the parking lot at Wasserman Park, through the forest, to Naticook Road directly across from the Wasserman Heights easement to Horse Hill. He has spoken with Debra Huffman about finishing the trail through the easement. Debra stated that the committee has walked this section with Bob Spoerl from the Bureau of Trails and has a detailed list of tasks to be done to improve this trail, but they do not yet have permission to complete the work. Denise O'Dwyer, who has volunteered to monitor this trail, gave an update on its current condition. There is an issue with drainage problems from the new house washing away a part of the trail and there is some standing water.

 

Bill Keating asked if there would be a marker on the road. Ernie stated that it will be on the conservation land side.

 

Debra Huffman asked if there could be two standards for bike paths – one for families and one for mountain bikers. Ernie responded that the town might develop a strategy that separates standards for town trails versus standards for trails maintained by an outside group, like the mountain bikers. There is also the issue of who would assume liability for the trail.

 

Ernie mentioned that there are other issues to be resolved, such as how to name trails. He stated that another thing that will need to be worked out is what volunteers are capable of. The more rigorous the activity the more pricey it becomes.

 

Nelson Disco suggested that Ernie make the draft standards document available to the committee electronically, and that committee members should submit comments through Debra who will compile them to submit to Ernie.

 

Tim asked if the state had any standards to follow. Ernie replied that he used the state's recommendations as well as several other standards that have been successful elsewhere.

 

Tim mentioned the concern that volunteers sometimes start projects but after a few years the town is left holding the bag, making it important that everyone follow one set of standards so it is easy for any group to take over maintenance.

 

Tim stated that the committee would like to install directional signs, just simple arrows with a landmark, like 'Sand Pit' or 'Amherst Road'. He wondered if the new post design should be used for these. This is a temporary problem until the trails can be named, and they cannot be named until the trail locations are approved, and that cannot happen until the Trail Master Plan is approved.

 

Ernie would like to see the town's website used more extensively. Hikers would download a map.

 

Janet Cormier stated that many people cannot read maps very well but they can follow colors, and wondered if the trails will be color-coded. Ernie said that the Appalachian Trail has used a standard for 50 years of having main trails marked in white, loops or cutoffs marked in blue. If you follow a blue trail you will eventually come back to a white trail and a trail marker. Jim Taylor agreed that the Appalachian marking system works well.

 

Tim Tenhave noted that the Police Department requested periodic mile markers on the trail in case of emergency calls.

 

Janet Cormier noted that the Eagle Scout project to GPS the trails was also going to check phone coverage. Tim responded that there are four or more different carriers in this area and different types of phones receive different levels of service, so it would be very complicated to devise a standard by which to measure phone coverage.

 

Bill Keating asked if the trail signs could include distances to destination points, such as "1.2 miles to Peaslee Road." Ernie said he would consider it.

 

The committee thanked Ernie for his presentation and for creating the standards.

 

Direction Signs: Tim Tenhave distributed two maps showing the locations of the existing wetland and permitted use signs. He noted that most of the wetland signs are still up, except for those at the end of the Spaulding trail. The permitted use signs were installed at access points.

 

The BOS has given permission for installation of up to 12 direction signs to help people find their way. Tim asked the committee to consider if and how they should move forward with these direction signs this year.

 

Paul Wojciack asked where the direction signs would be placed. Tim responded that the exact locations had not been determined.

 

Harold Watson noted that he thought it was a good idea and that the committee should proceed promptly so people have a good first experience on Horse Hill.

 

Bill Keating wondered about the design of the signs and whether they would use an arrow to indicate direction. Tim described the signs and stated that this was a stop gap measure to be used until the trails are approved, named, and can have real signs installed.

 

Jim Taylor wondered if the committee actually had permission to install the signs. Tim responded that they did as long as they stayed within the guidelines approved by the BOS. Tim noted that the previous BOS had expressed concern about installing too many signs and that should be kept in mind.

 

Jim said he had some blank signs that conform to the standard and described how these signs have been done in the past. Jim, Helynne Wenz, and Debra Huffman volunteered to install the signs if that was the committee's wish. Tim asked for a show of support and there was general agreement that Jim, Helynne, and Debra should proceed with the signs.

 

Spring Clean-Up: Tim Tenhave commented that before the trail walk/clean-up that will coincide with the opening of the parking lot, the committee should do a little trail maintenance. The trail near the parking lot is very overgrown and the public would not have a good experience in its current condition. He asked if the Trail subcommittee should handle this. Debra volunteered on behalf of the subcommittee.

 

Tim noted that if any members of the public would like to help, they should call him at 424-0518.

 

 

 

 

 

Reports from Subcommittees:

 

Parking Subcommittee – Newton Coryell reported that the edges of the current wetlands have been marked and that a 25' buffer will be maintained just as is required of builders in town. He stated that the parking lot might not be completed until late June due to snow, water, and mud. He has tried to send an e-mail once a week to get a status update on the project. Before Brad Knight starts his work, Newton will work with John Lastowk to mark the water line running to John's house.

 

The status of the trail exiting the parking lot is less clear. Mr. Knight's commitment does not include that trail. Walter Warren is working on the wetland permit for that area.

 

John Lastowka is interested in restoring the well that was part of the Lastowka farm. Newton has a grate that can be used, similar to the one used on the well on the Wasserman Heights easement.

 

Clean-up Subcommittee – Tim reported that Newton cut up some vehicles and brought them out. Newton periodically goes out there and cuts some more up. He uses a battery powered saw to cut the metal so there is no fire danger. He has cleaned up all the cars from the sand pit and taken them to the end of Gerard and has taken others to the road on Harold Watson's property, where they can be easily accessed by the DPW. He said that the DPW has said they will remove the cars, but if they do not go in two or three weeks Newton will take care of it as he has before.

 

The cars near Farmer Road were discussed. The public knows who put the cars, doors, and fenders there since the man admitted putting them there. Tim noted that it was a delicate situation and that he would bring it up with the Town Manager.

 

Trails Subcommittee – Debra Huffman reported that they did not meet and that they can make no progress until they get approval of the Trail Plan from Walter Warren.

 

Historical Subcommittee – Connie Kreider reported that they met and will meet again on April 18th at 7:30 in the Town Hall Conference Room.

 

Wildlife Subcommittee – Helynne Wenz reported that she has received the extra copies of the inventory guides and she distributed them to subcommittee members. They will meet again on May 10th in the Finance Conference Room at 7:30. Paul Wojciak asked how he could become part of the subcommittee and was told that he could simply join in, but to become an official member he should send a letter of intent to the BOS.

 

Athletic Fields Subcommittee – Janet Cormier reported that the Parks and Recreation Committee has been learning a lot about accessibility issues and they will share what they have learned with the Horse Hill committee. They have learned that the logistics are more complex and more expensive than some expected, especially for porta-potties. Ernie Buck and Deb Robinson have done a lot of research on this topic. The Horse Hill committee and others in town will benefit from this experience.

 

Funding Subcommittee – There was no report from this subcommittee.

 

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.