Horse Hill Nature Preserve Sub Com=
mittee
of MCC
Meeting minutes
March 19, 2007
Members Prese= nt: Tim Tenhave, Connie Kreider, Helynne Wenz, Harold and Barbara Watson
Call to Order= : Chairman Tim Tenhave called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.
Announcements=
:
-Notice of a town-wide opi=
nion
survey to be conducted on April 10, on election day with one question relat=
ed
to the use of taxpayer funding for potential ballfields on HHNP.
-On- going work on trail s=
igns for
the preserve by Ernie Buck, of the Dept. of Public Works. "Some
assembly required"! We can all expect to be invited to a small p=
arty
to help put these much needed signs together upon completion of the project=
.
-A mailbox for maps
and possibly hikers' notes may be added to the beautiful kiosk.
-Trail walks will continue=
on the
1st Sunday of each month, to be publicized in local newspapers by Connie.
Update from t= he MCC:
-Notice of projected
partial land surveys of the HHNP property to be conducted intermittent=
ly
over this and the next town fiscal year (which begins in July).
Boundary markers may be used by professional surveyors together with the
abutters.
-Ruth Roulx narrated a Pow=
erPoint
presentation on the Olde King's Highway (which runs through HHNP) restorati=
on
project for the Heritage Committee on February 26th and will
subsequently do it for the Town Council.
Trail Map/Bro= chure:
-Notice that trail functio=
ns may
be upgraded over time for certain purposes. for example: terrain may =
be
acceptable for equestrian use, but unless overhead branches are cleared to =
the
right height, travel would only be fun for Shetland ponies!
-A note about the Ledges t=
rail was
discussed.
-Power lines disclaimer/pr=
omotion
mention?
-Concern expressed that po=
tential
ballfields would intrude upon the space.
-A call to add individual =
trail
maps to the mix. Sample map from New Boston town trails was passed ar=
ound
for inspection. These little maps are reassuring and perfect for
beginners because they include landmarks like stonewalls, birch t=
ree
stands, ponds, as they appear along the trail loop. Helynne would
like to work on this approach for the Quarry Trail.
-Connie suggested that hik=
ers'
observations be recorded for us in a small mailbox at the kiosk.
The rules discussion was tabled until next month by
unanimous vote.
Discussion of= next Trail work day:
The exact day in April TBA=
-Barbara Watson will look =
into the
possibility of
-Connie suggested that Boy=
Scouts
may enjoy trail work.
-Tim stressed that only ha=
nd tools
are used for safety purposes.
-Helynne expressed a conce=
rn about
the Trail work being properly and wanted to ensure volunteers where properly
instructed.
Approval of M= inutes: The minutes of February 5th were acc= epted and seconded by Connie and Helynne with minor adjustments
An early adjournment was e=
njoyed
by all.