MINUTES

HORSE HILL NATURE PRESERVE (HHNP)

01/16/06

Members Present:

Tim Tenhave, HHNP Ad Hoc, Master Plan Robyn Goinsalvos, Horseback Riding, Abutter

Andy Powell, HHNP Ad Hoc, Conservation Harry Watt, Mountain Biking

Linda Reid, Abutter John Hall, Watanic Bowmen’s Club

Terry Bernhardt, MYA Mike Ruggiero, HHNP Ad Hoc, MYA

Connie Kreider, HHNP Ad Hoc, Heritage Debra Huffman, HHNP Ad Hoc, Master Plan

Newton Coryell, HHNP Ad Hoc Janet Cormier, HHNP Ad Hoc, Parks

Tom Vaillancourt, Mountain Biking Roger Blais, Right Riders (ATV)

Denise O’Dwyer, HHNP Ad Hoc Bob L’Heureux, Hunting

Amanda Boerner, Horseback Riding Shannon Barnes, HHNP Ad Hoc

Karen Mattor, HHNP Ad Hoc Nelson Disco, Planning Board

Ruth Roulx, HHNP Ad Hoc, P&R, Heritage Comm. Rick DiOrio, Sno-buds

Members Excused:

Ron Simard, Watanic Bowmen’s Club

Chris Christensen, HHNP Ad Hoc

Others Present:

Tom Kokx, Thomas Kokx Associates

Darrel Covell, UNH Cooperative Extension

Steve Keach, Engineer for the Merrimack Youth Association

Kerrie Diers, NRPC Assistant Director

Steve Schaffer, NRPC GIS Manager

Karen Baker, NRPC Administrative Assistant

Meeting Opened

The meeting was called to order by Tim Tenhave at 7:10 PM. Happy New Year.

Announcements:

New Merrimack Town Ordinance – Target Shooting on HHNP is now banned.

Public Comment on Agenda

None

Minutes from December 5^th & 19^th HHNP meetings:

Minutes of December 5, 2005 were approved with changes by the Consensus Building Group, 16-0-1. The minutes of December 19, 2005 were also approved with changes by the Consensus Building Group, 15-0-4.

Tim Tenhave went over a page from the original proposal brought to Walter Warren by Kerrie Diers. Principle #3 was pointed out with emphasis that at the HHNP meetings, everyone is equal and all participant input is important. There should be no comments that would make someone uncomfortable. He also pointed out Principle #8 Neutral Facilitation, referring to Kerrie and Steve at NRPC & Tom with Kokx Associates as neutral parties involved.

Hard or Electronic copies of the entire proposal are available from Tim Tenhave.

Introductions

Kerrie introduced Darrel Covell of the UNH Cooperative Extension.

Mr. Covell presented a series of three habitat features maps of Horse Hill parcel and discussed wildlife impact based on the proposed uses which could exist before and after changes to HHNP. He pointed out the importance of the Riparian Corridor which is a corridor for wildlife travel that runs through the parcel. Examples of uncommon species are Bobcats, Wood Turtles, Spotted Turtle, and Red Shoulder Hawk. Impacts due to the proposed uses of the parcel could affect the corridor and the existence of the uncommon wildlife species. In addition, he discussed how the impact on vegetation could be affected by now allowing Hunting on the parcel. White Tail Deer is regulated by the NH Fish and Game. By not allowing Hunting, the deer population grows and become too dense, therefore effecting the vegetation and possibly other species

Bob L’Heureux made reference to Long Island & the consequences when Hunting was banned; Skinny and sickly deer, no vegetation, and people feeding the deer, leading to a whole other set of problems.

Tim Tenhave remarked that 84 deer were taken last season (2004) in Town according to the NH Fish and Game. A question was raised regarding Black Bear in the area. Darrel responded saying there would be size enough for 1 Black Bear to have opportunity to come through the corridor. Connie Kreider abuts the parcel and has seen Black Bear & Cubs along with Wild Turkey & Moose.

Darrel also felt that Recreational Use could impact some species, specifically the Bobcat. Darrel referred to two other helpful tools regarding wildlife; A CD put out by NH Fish and Game which has significant habitat features in detail; and the NH Wildlife Action Plan which could be found on the internet at www.nhfg.net

Tim Tenhave questioned if there was any information as to whether ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects were tracked.

Entomologists Alan Eaton and Stan Squire would be helpful contacts regarding insects. He also informed the members of a fact sheet put out by Alan Eaton on Deer Ticks.

Kerrie gave a brief overview of what was accomplished at the December 19^th meeting. The HHNP Stand Data Summary Sheet was then handed out and explained. Kerrie explained the reason for the summary sheet was for the members to look it over, take it back to their neighbors, make sure nothing was overlooked, and later vote on the criteria.

The next handout was the Objective Criteria for Suitability Analysis. This information was recommendations based on criteria. Tom Kokx proceeded with the discussions. The following additions, comments, and questions were brought forth in the Objective Criteria handout and are listed below:

A general consensus from the group was that “Avoid” (used throughout the Objective Criteria) was too strong a word and should be replaced with “minimize impact”.

General Considerations:

State Rules and Regulations on Wetlands (addition)

Every use will need to look at Wetlands, Wildlife, and Hydric soils.

3rd bullet, member input: Maintains integrity of minimum of 500 acres….

Considerations for Access:

Andy Powell – Based on 20 access points, less than 6 suitable for access roads. The roads in residential seem ideal (Palmeri).

Question: What do you consider primary roads?

Answer: Naticook and Amherst.

Athletic Complex (50 Acre Max.)

3^rd bullet, member input: within reasonable proximity to Town road

Steve Keach - Orientation of fields a consideration for safety and playability (sun in eyes).

30 parking spots per field.

Important that each group have consideration for whole parcel.

Question: Any incompatibility between complex and power lines?

Answer: Yes, can’t have irrigation near power lines.

Question: How much money to build a field?

Answer: Mike Ruggiero - $150,000 with parking and all amenities (180 x 300 playing surface).

Trail (Horseback)

1st bullet, members input: should read (“built to Town standards”).

6th bullet, members input: add “Based on Horse Trail Guidelines”.

Andy Powell: Horse trails have had impact on soils on grades greater than 10%. Response was to use town trail standards to develop horse trails.

Trail (Mountain Bike)

1st bullet, member input: (built to Town standards)

The “Note” at end was a thought put in by Tom. Andy Powell agreed that it should be a consideration.

Trail (Snowmobile)

4th bullet, member input: should be considered for all trails and the Forest Management Plan identifies deer yarding areas.

Hunting

1st bullet, Bob L’Heureux stated that a larger buffer would not be enforceable if State Law is 300 feet.

Debra responded that NH Fish and Game would provide safety signs letting hunters know.

Bob L’Heureux also commented that hunting is allowed 365 days a year and that sportsmen and hunters paid for part of that parcel and that should be taken into consideration.

Additional comments and questions throughout the meeting were as follows:

Darrel Covell informed members regarding NH Fish and Games definition of fragmented as developed and having drivable roads traveled regularly.

Mike Ruggeiro: Is space under power lines not considered fragmented? Darrel Covell: Correct.

Are there laws regarding taking down old stone walls? Tom Kokx was not aware of any but said to check with the Historical Society. Andy Powell commented “if it was a boundary line, it could not be taken down, only upon agreement with abutting parcel owner”.

Members requested source be footnoted when information is collected regarding trail standards.

Tom questioned the ability to do a multiple condition trail map based on what is out at the HHNP parcel. A comment was made that there was a proposed trail system in the Master Plan.

A member felt that having all these trails for individual uses would not be cost effective. Tom Kokx pointed out that there would be multiple uses of trails.

Steve Schaffer was introduced and went over the mapped features shown on maps brought to the meeting. Below is the list of the features that were mapped.

1. Corridors

2. Hunting Buffers (300, 400, and 500 feet)

3. Ecologically Sensitive Areas

4. Wetlands with 25 and 100 foot buffers

5. Soils – types, Hydric levels (Hillsborough County Soils Survey)

6. Cultural Data Map (stone piles, etc.)

7. Topographical (2 foot contours with slope information built onto it)

Tim questioned if we could make maps available to the group. Steve replied that we could PDF them and make them available online at the NRPC website.

Additional information for mapping exercises was requested as follows:

Deer yarding areas

Forest stands

Parking lots

Built to scale ball fields

Existing trails with accurate information

It was requested that a general disclaimer be put on maps regarding information gathered. Kerrie asked group to read over the information provided based on the maps and criteria and show it to there neighbors. At the next meeting, the members will go over everything to see if anything was missed.

Kerrie introduced Steve Keach of the Merrimack Youth Association. Steve Keach went over the proposed Athletic Complex for the HHNP parcel. He handed out an 11 x 17 map outlining the proposed fields.

Steve started by pointing out the extensive amount of data available on this parcel. He referred to Section 8.2.2 of the Master Plan and whether field work at the parcel was feasible, practical and cost effective. He also expressed the MYA’s need for a full size baseball field.

Key points of the proposed fields are listed below:

24 acre proposed field (even with construction, grading, and clearing)

Access on Amherst Road (decent site distance from parking lot)

Gravel surface road 24ft (2 cars able to pass at same time with pedestrian activity)

750 feet to first parking lot

Need for soccer, softball, youth baseball, and lacrosse fields (baseball field needs to be stand alone, other fields will have multiple uses)

Duplicity and multiplicity in use of fields more economical

Ability to double up games on soccer fields (younger players [7 on 7] use half length of soccer fields)

164 parking spaces due to multiple uses on fields

Ability to sustain water with a well

Conduit under road to bring electricity into transformer station for irrigation

Suitable orientation of fields (in relation to sun for playability and safety)

Can derive trail head access off parking lot areas

Quality of access using Amherst Road

Small 20 x 30 foot storage building

All fields to be used as game fields (not just practice)

Some questions and concerns are listed below:

1. Superfund site as a use for fields

2. Long range plan on the 26 remaining acres not used for the Athletic Complex

3. Is the YMCA parcel a potential for spot for future fields

Tim cautioned everyone in regards to whether Athletic Fields should belong on HHNP. He explained there would be no discussions in these meetings in regards to using other areas in town for fields instead of HHNP.

Steve Keach concluded his presentation and Kerrie reiterated the need for the evenings exercise and what they needed to do before next meeting.

Motion to Adjourn was from Debra Huffman and seconded by Denise O’Dwyer.

Meeting Adjourned at 10:10 pm

Next meeting to be held on January 30^th at 7:00 at the Merrimack Town Hall Court Room

KD/kmb

#235D-20