Courtroom at Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Cathy Provencher, David Rutzke, Andy Powell, Nelson Disco, John Buckley, Mike Ruggiero, Debra Huffman, Harold Watson, Newton Coryell, Tim Tenhave, Connie Kreider, Karen Mattor, Denise O'Dwyer, Susan Siena, Janet Cormier, Jim Taylor, Lynne Wenz
Also Present: Jay Minkarah, Community Development Director; Scott McPhie, Community Development
Call to Order: Debra Huffman called the meeting to order at 7:15 PM.
Clean-up Day Presentation: Tim Tenhave showed slides and pictures from clean-up day and discussed the success of the event. 40 to 50 volunteers completed the majority of the clean-up tasks, with some areas to be revisited at a later date.
It was reported that a pile of beer cans and two television sets have already been dumped in the sand pit. The need for ongoing trash monitoring was discussed and several options were presented for short-term and long-term monitoring:
· Posting a sign in the sand pit stating fines for littering. Permission will be requested at the next BOS meeting.
· Creating a team that will volunteer to monitor for trash on an ongoing basis.
· Requesting assistance from abutters who frequent the property. Connie Kreider will organize a neighborhood meeting and invite Captain Doyle to speak.
· Asking the DPW to place trash barrels at entrances to the property as they do at Gilmore Forest.
· Educating the public about a carry-in carry-out policy through the press.
· Creating an 'Adopt a Trail' program for local groups, such as the scouts.
A small clean-up group will revisit the area on June 7th.
Wetland Abuses: The committee discussed the fact that DES wetland regulations are being ignored at several points on the property, with one wetland being located on a main ATV trail near the sand pit. Since ATVs will continue to be allowed on the property in the immediate future, several short-term solutions were discussed:
· Posting a sign near the wetland advising users that this is a designated wetland. This will build on the public awareness effort being launched by the Merrimack Conservation Commission. Permission will be requested at the next BOS meeting.
· Asking the Merrimack Police Department, which has stated that they will be increasing patrols of the property, to be aware of this issue.
Non-Motorized Trail Use: Several non-motorized uses were discussed, as described in the sections that follow. In addition, some issues were identified that pertain to all uses. These issues will be addressed in the master plan under a separate "blanket" heading:
· Parking. Any use of the property will require a parking area. Since parking has already begun to be an issue, the Access subcommittee's report will be presented to the BOS on Thursday with a request to permit the DPW to begin to evaluate the scope of work and to permit Jay Minkarah to begin negotiations with PSNH.
· Funding. In addition to general needs such as parking and kiosk construction, any trail use will require improvement of trails, such as bridges and culverts. Funding possibilities discussed were grants, establishment of a capital reserve fund, and inclusion of a line item in the town budget.
· A master trail plan. The committee recommends that a master trail plan be created. This will be a design concept for a network of trails that will accommodate recommended uses in a safe, maintainable, and environmentally sensitive manner. This plan should be developed in consultation with trail management experts, such as the Bureau of Trails. A variety of trails should be designed to accommodate different fitness and challenge levels for all approved uses, including relatively flat, wide trails for family use. The committee recommends that each trail in the system be evaluated individually, as not all activities will be appropriate on all trails.
· Current trail system. The master plan will describe potential issues with the trails as they currently exist, including encroachment on environmentally sensitive areas, erosion problems, and areas of known wildlife impact (e.g., the turtle nests in the sand pit) and will note areas where specific uses should be restricted. The current trail map will be included in the master plan. Karen Mattor will research whether the NRPC has overlays that could be used to improve the information on the current trail map.
· Future management. The master plan will recommend an approach to future management of the property. The plan will recommend that this management body have the authority to limit use at various times of the year for different users for reasons of environmental sensitivity.
· Kiosks. The committee recommends that rules, maps, and other useful information be displayed on kiosks at the entrances to the property. As a safety consideration, the kiosks should note that cell phone coverage is unreliable on the property.
· Benches. The committee recommends that benches or other resting structures be constructed at logical resting spots. Funding through sponsorship by local businesses could be considered.
· DES permits. The master plan will include information on obtaining DES permits for construction of trails over or adjacent to wetlands.
· Trail identification. The committee recommends that appropriate signage be placed at trail intersections. Color coding of trails and other means should be considered to identify multi-use trails.
· Trail naming. The master plan will suggest that the community be involved in naming trails, ponds, and other areas of interest. Some trails should be named for historical persons or families.
· Trail construction. Trails should be developed in accordance with generally accepted trail construction guidelines, with consideration for all approved uses of each trail.
· Trail maintenance. The committee recommends that a program of regular trail maintenance be developed and implemented by the future management body. Erosion and trail degradation caused by various user groups should be carefully monitored. Monitoring the volume of all uses is critical.
· User courtesy code. The committee recommends that a user courtesy code be developed to assist in successful shared use of the property.
· Any group that requires or desires a separate trail system unique to their activity must follow the guidelines set forward in the ATV statement developed previously.
· The property is intended for private, non-commercial use. Any use of the property is contingent on the volume of use not unduly degrading the property.
Walking/Hiking: The committee recommends that this be a permitted use.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compatible Trails: David Rutzke advised the committee that the ADA requires that a new trail network include an ADA compatible trail. Denise O'Dwyer will research the requirements. The trail leading in from Amherst Road, currently being designed as an Eagle Scout project, is a likely candidate for an ADA compatible trail. It is relatively level, has easy access to a proposed parking area, and has attractive viewing potential. Requirements for handicapped parking could be an issue on a gravel surface and this issue will have to be researched.
Interpreted Trails: The committee recommends that one or more trails be designed as an interpreted trail for education purposes, and further recommends that the future management body should develop a plan for educational use of the property. Janet Cormier noted that grant money is available for this purpose through the UNH Coop Extension, but that the grant is partially based on per capita income, making it difficult for Merrimack to be competitive.
Cross-country skiing/snowshoeing: The committee recommends that these uses be permitted. The following points were raised:
· Cross-country skiing may require wider trails than other uses.
· Parking lots must be plowed for winter access, with care taken not to block trail heads.
· The User Courtesy Code should include mention of the fact that walkers/snowshoers should attempt not to destroy cross-country ski tracks.
· Well designed hiking trails will automatically be good skiing trails, with the inclusion of a wider turning radius at corners.
· If the committee recommends permitting motorized winter use, the trail system should include trails that would be mixed-use as well as trails that would be designated for non-motorized use only.
· The Merrimack High School cross-country ski team should be contacted to discuss whether this property can accommodate their training needs.
Mountain Biking: The committee recommends that mountain biking be a permitted use of the property, with the understanding that certain areas might be inappropriate for wheeled use.
The New England Mountain Biking Association (NEMBA) has been recognized by the EPA for their trail work throughout New England. They are currently working with the MCC on designing trails at the Grater Woods site. They can provide a large group of knowledgeable volunteers to assist in trail design, construction, and maintenance.
Interconnection of town properties and open space might be of more interest to mountain bikers.
Horseback Riding: The committee recommends that horseback riding be a permitted use of the property, with the understanding that certain areas might be inappropriate for equine use. Seasonal restrictions (e.g., mud season) may be required and, if volume of use increases dramatically, issues may arise due to manure on multi-use trails. It was noted that this issue may arise from any domesticated animal, including dogs.
As knowledge of the property spreads, there is a potential for horse owners to trailer to the property for trail rides. The adequacy of the parking areas should be monitored.
Large group meetings: Scouts and other groups sometimes require large outdoor meeting areas and this would be a potential use of the property. Large groups would require sanitary facilities. Parks and Recreation contracts for portable facilities and the potential for including a portable facility at Horse Hill should be mentioned in the master plan as a consideration for group use.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes of April 21 were approved with amendments.
Comments: Denise O'Dwyer noted that this committee's official name still references Greens Pond. A name change will be requested of the BOS on Thursday night.
How to best thank the many businesses that donated to clean-up day was discussed. Several options were reviewed. Sue Siena and Denise O'Dwyer will follow up.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 p.m.