Courtroom at Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Denise O'Dwyer, Cathy Provencher, Ruth Roulx, Harold Watson, Debra Huffman, Mike Ruggiero, Andy Powell, David Rutzke, Karen Mattor, Lynne Wenz, Jim Taylor, Peter Kahn, Janet Cormier, Chris Christensen, Newton Coryell
Also Present: Jay Minkarah, Community Development Director
Call to Order: Debra Huffman called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
Discussion on Hunting Statement: The discussion began with input from the audience.
Local residents Gene Lavallee, Howard Yand, Michael Estey, Bob Lynch, and Scott Simpson each spoke in favor of hunting on the property. They have hunted this property for many years and believe it is in the town's interest to continue to allow this activity. They believe that if hunting is eliminated, there will be an overpopulation of the deer herd, as there is in other areas that have limited hunting. They expressed the belief that hunters form a sort of self-policing brotherhood.
State Representative Bob L'Heureux distributed a fact sheet on the safety of hunting and strongly supported permitting hunting on the property. He stated that since there isn't a problem, no change is needed.
Todd Szewczyk, NH Fish and Game Conservation Officer for this region, spoke in favor of hunting and answered the committee's questions about enforcement issues.
Dan Lynch, Assistant Director of the NH Department of Fish and Game, spoke in favor of hunting. He discussed the fact that the state allows taking 5000 extra deer in this region to try to keep the deer population in check.
During questions and comments, the following points were raised:
§ Since tracking by town began in 1978, there have been no incidents of injuries by hunters in Merrimack.
§ Hollis and Milford both have similarly sized properties, with residential abutters and multi-use trails, that allow hunting. Milford has a hunting property next to soccer fields. There have been no problems.
§ If the town limits hunting hours or seasons, Fish & Game will not be able to enforce the rules, and the town will not be eligible for Fish & Game programs or grants.
§ Andy Powell stated that he has attended wildlife management seminars since 1995 and has come to understand the importance of the interaction of hunters and wildlife.
§ Areas in New Hampshire and New Jersey where hunting has been prohibited were cited as examples of how other species are impacted by eliminating deer hunting. Deer overpopulation destroys the vegetation required for other species, increases the coyote population, and increases traffic safety issues when deer cross the roads looking for food. Goose overpopulation leads to excess bacteria in ponds.
§ During waterfowl season and the beginning of deer season, the Fish and Game Conservation Officer patrols this property every day or at least once every three days.
§ Trapping is highly regulated by the state and requires state and local permission for each individual trapper. Several committee members expressed serious concerns about the safety of trapping. Gene Lavallee noted that when beaver trapping was eliminated near Mitchell St., the town had to hire a trapper due to excess beaver population.
A motion to permit hunting on the property was made by Andy Powell, seconded by Newton Coryell, and was approved unanimously with two additional proxy votes.
Discussion on Biodiversity Statement: A motion supporting maintenance of a minimum of 500 acres for biodiversity was made by Jim Taylor and seconded by Denise O'Dwyer. Minor wording modifications were made and the motion was approved unanimously.
Discussion on Municipal Buildings Statement: The committee discussed whether municipal buildings should be considered for this property in the future. It was noted that the Town's Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan do not project any municipal buildings for this area of town through buildout, and that the Town's Master Plan specifically calls for preservation of this area as open space. The committee discussed whether a nature center or small warming hut might someday be needed, but decided to leave that decision to the future management body. The fact that athletic fields would require sheds or buildings was discussed, but it was decided that if athletic fields are built they would require different management guidelines.
A motion to adopt the modified statement on municipal buildings was made by Jim Taylor and seconded by Andy Powell. The motion was approved unanimously.
Discussion on Outdoor Education: The committee discussed a statement on use of the property for outdoor education. Potential use of the Wasserman Park buildings for classrooms was discussed.
A motion to support use of the property for outdoor education was made by Newton Coryell and seconded by Mike Ruggiero. The motion was approved unanimously.
Discussion on Additional Community Uses: The committee discussed whether the property should be considered for additional uses not specifically described in the master plan. It was decided to list the issues to be considered as new uses are suggested in the future.
A motion to list issues to be considered was made by Chris Christensen and seconded by Denise O'Dwyer. The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion on Future Management: The committee discussed how the property should be managed in the future. Extensive discussion ensued. The three possibilities discussed were management through the Merrimack Conservation Commission, management through the Parks and Recreation department, and management by an independent body. Concerns were raised about all three management structures. It was decided that the committee required additional information about each option and the discussion was tabled until the next meeting.
Approval of Minutes: Lynne Wenz commented that protection of the older growth forest area should be mentioned for protection in the statement on athletic fields. It was decided that this protection should be mentioned elsewhere as it is not unique to athletic fields. On a motion by Lynne Wenz, the minutes were approved with one abstention.
Comments: Chris Christensen noted that the BOS will be discussing construction of athletic fields at Wright Avenue at their next meeting. Those who are concerned about athletic field construction, whether at Horse Hill or elsewhere, were encouraged to attend.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:37 p.m.