HORSE HILL NATURE PRESERVE
AD HOC COMMITTEE
Minutes of Monday, November 7, 2005
Town Hall Conference Room
7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Denise O’Dwyer, Andy Powell, Charles Buker,
Helynne Wenz, Connie Kreider, Debra Huffman,
Janet Cormier, Chris Christensen, Ruth Roulx, Nelson Disco, Harold
Watson, Bill Keating, Tim Tenhave
Also Present: Andy
Sylvia, Kerrie Diers
Call to Order: Tim Tenhave called the meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
Announcements and
Updates:
Andy Powell updated the committee on his
activities to further the progress of the gate across the PSNH easement.
PSNH has agreed to install a steel gate
10' wide. The town will provide boulders on each side of the gate and will
provide a lock. PSNH is waiting for a letter from Walter Warren to approve the
work. Andy also discussed the potential
for a parking lot on PSNH land on
Tim Tenhave reported that the
Walter Warren has sent thank you letters to Jack Longa, Jennings Excavation,
and Brad Knight for their work on the parking lot. The next phase is to get the
kiosk in place. The first Eagle Scout kiosk originally built for the parking
lot will be placed near the PSNH gate instead.
Helynne Wenz stated that people are already starting to use the parking lot.
The town should plow it in the winter. Connie Kreider stated that the town has
been plowing the entrance at Palmeri.
Chris Christensen reminded the committee that they had previously decided that
when the parking lot is officially completed there should be a ribbon cutting
ceremony to raise public awareness. Tim responded that he called three
newspapers to advise them of the progress and hoped they would cover the work
being done. Harold Watson agreed that it is important to publicize progress as
often as possible and to emphasize that the work and materials that were
donations, which can open the door for more donations. Andy Powell suggested
that the businesses be given certificates that they can display in their
offices.
Tim Tenhave stated that he has spoken with Nick
Lavallee about doing a show on Horse Hill, or possibly a show on the Definitive
Plan process. This was generally considered a good idea.
Tim Tenhave distributed a copy of a sign that he
and Denise O'Dwyer placed at strategic locations around Horse Hill. The sign
reminds visitors of the hunting season and suggests ways that everyone can
safely share the land. Charles Buker stated that the sign is a good idea. The
Master Plan stated that the town should educate users on these issues and this
was a first step.
Tim Tenhave reported that he has worked with CEI
to add the missing trail on the map created by the Eagle Scout. He distributed
the new map.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of October 3, 2005 were accepted on a vote of 8-0-5.
Definitive Plan Process: Tim Tenhave introduced Kerrie Diers, the Assistant Director of the Nashua Regional Planning Commission. Members of the committee introduced themselves. Kerrie distributed copies of the Definitive Plan proposal and stated that she met with Andy Powell, Denise O'Dwyer and Tim Tenhave to discuss the process. She has read the Maser Plan and the Forester's Plan and is impressed by the diverse people involved in the process. She stated that they were great plans and she sees no need to go back and cover that territory again. The plan is done. Now the job is to implement the recommendations.
Kerrie stated that she will be using a consensus building process to move forward. She will work with Tom Kokx, who is a professional recreation and open space planner. They were hoping to start mapping the property in early September but the process is running behind schedule.
There was discussion about the group to be involved in the consensus discussions. Kerrie would like a group as diverse as the Master Plan group was and stated that it is important for all interest groups to be represented. Participants must commit to coming to four facilitated meetings, plus it would be best to come to the other group meetings also.
A draft meeting schedule was distributed, discussed, and minor modifications were made. There was general discussion of how the meetings and mapping sessions would be conducted. Kerrie mentioned that the group has also been tasked with making a management recommendation, so those discussions will also be included in the meetings. At the end of the last mapping exercise the group will draw a consensus agreement map and resolve the management issue. Each member of the group will be expected to take the proposal back to the community and discuss it with interested parties.
Kerrie will write the Definitive Plan, including a description of the process and reasoning used, and will submit the plan to the group for approval.
Janet Cormier asked what the town's approval process would be and whether approval would require a warrant article or BOS approval. Kerrie stated that approval would be up to the BOS.
There was general discussion about how the plan would be publicized. Tim Tenhave stated that the committee can use the Town Meeting to educate people, show maps, etc. Janet Cormier suggested considering publicity at athletic events. Connie Kreider suggested a public information meeting. Kerrie stated that a public meeting should be held where displays are set up; the group can talk about the process and allow people to make comments. The members of the committee could then take the input back to their groups.
Chris Christensen stated that the facilitated meetings and consensus building seem to overlap the Master Plan process and asked if there is a similar project that the NRPC has been involved in that the committee can examine. Kerrie explained that the end product will be a site plan. The Master Plan said what, not when and where. The BOS rejected the management recommendation and indicated that other items need further vetting. There will not be any debate about the decisions made on uses, only on deciding how they best fit together.
Bill Keating asked about the BOS approval process. Kerrie responded that the BOS will decide whether or not to adopt the plan. Tim commented that they will be given the opportunity to participate and Nelson Disco commented that all members of the BOS should be invited to participate.
There was discussion about each of the recommended uses and how they would be represented.
To represent archery interests, it was suggested
that the Watanic Bowmen be invited to participate.
Representing the Athletic Complex interest would
be Janet Cormier, Ruth Roulx, and Chris Christensen from the Parks Committee,
and Jim Taylor and Mike Ruggiero from the MYA. Janet Cormier suggested that the
DPW be included since they have input on fields. Tim responded that Walter will
think about how to include staff.
Representing conservation of open space, Andy
Powell and Karen Mattor are on the Conservation Commission.
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking
are well represented by several members of the existing committee.
To represent horseback riding, Helynne Wenz
suggested inviting her neighbor Robin Goinsalvos and Denise O'Dwyer suggested inviting
Amanda Boerner.
To represent hunting interests, Chip Buker will
participate. Chip suggested that a Fish and Game professional should be invited
also. Debra Huffman stated that she has spoken with an abutter who is concerned
about hunting and is willing to participate to represent abutters concerns.
There was discussion of inviting other abutters. Janet Cormier suggested
contacting Bob L'Heureux. Harold Watson said he considers himself a hunter
although he doesn't actively hunt and he would participate.
To represent mountain bikers, Debra Huffman will
provide the names of the bike club members who have been involved in various
Horse Hill activities.
For outdoor education programs, the possibility
of including education professionals was discussed. Janet Cormier stated that
she has heard it suggested that the Bear Brook trip could be replaced by a trip
to
Snowmobiling interests would be represented by
Newton Coryell and the SnoBuds.
ATV use is currently not permitted, but since it
might be someday it was suggested that the Right Riders be represented. Roger
Blais might be interested.
Chris Christensen asked if an area should be set aside for non-use. Andy Powell suggested that it should all be managed as woodland at least. Helynne Wenz suggested that the older growth areas should be left alone.
Andy Powell asked if the committee should consider recommendations for an easement to a group like the New Hampshire Forest Society to ensure the land is protected. Tim Tenhave stated that the committee should look at all issues raised in the Forestry Plan to include those concerns in discussions.
Kerrie stated that she would work with Tim Tenhave to send out invitations asking people to participate. The schedule for the meetings was then discussed and finalized. It was determined that the group's activity should be advertised on the Community Cable channels and in the local papers.
Web Site Update: Tim Tenhave reported that since the committee had voted to approve the new web site at the last meeting, he advanced it to Walter Warren. Walter stated that he is hesitant to make any changes until the town's whole web site is redesigned. The new web site will not be put up until then.
User Survey: As authorized in a previous meeting, a preliminary draft of a User Survey was created by Tim Tenhave, Denise O'Dwyer and Debra Huffman, and it was sent to Walter Warren and Tim Tieperman. The purpose of the survey is to better understand who the users are and what they are using it for. If anyone is interested in the text of the survey, contact Tim.
Wildlife Committee: Helynne Wenz announced that there would be a meeting of the Wildlife subcommittee on November 30th at 7:30 in the Finance conference room.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.