Horse Hill Nature Preserve Sub Committee of MCC

Ho= rse Hill Nature Preserve Sub Committee of MCC

Me= eting minutes

Oc= tober 2, 2006

Members present: Tim Tenhave, Bob Croatti, Helyn= ne Wenz, Newton Coryell, and Debra Huffman

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The me= eting was called to order at 7:33 p.m.

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Update from the MCC: Bob Croatti updated the subcommi= ttee on MCC discussions. Bob told the MCC that the subcommittee would like to mo= ve forward with naming trails. The MCC directed the subcommittee to propose a = set of names and present them to the MCC at their next meeting. The MCC would t= hen provide the names to the Town Council for approval.

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Bob al= so reported that the MCC was discussing having Dan Cyr handle the woods road project. It would be done in two phases. First, the path would be cut from = the parking lot to the beaver pond by the end of October or early November. DES would be notified. The second phase would be completed during the dry seaso= n, probably the summer of 2007. Culverts, rocks, and trenches would be install= ed to handle the water flow and a top coating of gravel and/or ground asphalt would be placed on top. The estimated cost for phase 1 was $4,000 to $5,000= .

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Bob al= so indicated that the MCC approved volunteers using handsaws on the property b= ut not chainsaws or other power equipment.

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Tim Te= nhave stated that he met with Bob Croatti, Andy Powell, and Ernie Buck to talk ab= out trails. They agreed that there was no need for supervisor representing the = town if no power tools were used, just as was done for the Quarry Trail. They are working on creating a release for volunteers to sign. Tim or a staff member will discuss this with the town attorney.

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A leng= thy discussion ensued about the woods road. Debra Huffman expressed concern abo= ut the expectations of something called a road. She would prefer that this be = a 10 foot wide trail with wood chips on top rather than ground asphalt. Bob suggested that the subcommittee draw up a plan of what they would like to s= ee and submit it to the MCC.

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Trail System: Debra Huffman distributed a seri= es of maps showing the existing trail system, the proposed changes to that system, and proposed names for trails. Tim Tenhave noted that some trails defined in the Definitive Plan were not included on this map. Debra explained that this map included the trail system as it could exist in the near future. Other trails could be added as time and volunteer effort allowed. Newton Coryell suggested that the map state that it identifies work that could be done in = the coming year and that the map include a revision date so outdated maps could= be identified and replaced as trails are added or modified. =

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There = was discussion about access points and it was suggested that a sign at unmonito= red access points should direct visitors to use the Amherst Road entrance.

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There = was a discussion of trail names and some proposed names were modified. On a motio= n by Newton = with a second by Lynne Wenz, the subcommittee voted unanimously to accept the trail names as amended.

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Lynne = Wenz volunteered to head up the signs effort. She will work with Ernie Buck to g= et official signs completed this winter.

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It was mentioned that a future project might be to clip some trees on the top of Blodgett Hill to open up a view.

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It was mentioned that since the MCC was planning to have Dan Cyr handle the parking lot trail, Debra should discontinue her work on the DES paperwork.

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Oversight from MCC: There was a discussion of how the subcommittee should communicate with the MCC for oversight and direction. It was suggested that plans should be written up, referencing the Definitive P= lan, and presented to the MCC. For the next MCC meeting, the write up should inc= lude the parking lot trail, names of trails, and proposed trail improvements, listing the top priorities.

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Amherst Road Kiosk:<= span style=3D'font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> Tim Tenhave met with Ernie Buck = and other town representatives to determine how to complete the kiosk. Tim will= put together a proposal including rules for the property, description of the property, and a trail map. The middle panel will be easily accessible for seasonal updates, for example to include notices during the wet season or hunting season.

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For th= e next subcommittee meeting, Tim will gather some map concepts. It was suggested t= hat he look at the booklet of maps created by the Amherst Conservation Commissi= on.

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Taping Meetings: Tim reported that Andy Powell requested that the subcommittee meetings be taped. He feels that the Horse = Hill project would benefit from more public awareness, and allowing the public to view the meetings will increase public interest in Horse Hill. Tim will spe= ak with Scott McPhee to set this up.

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Hunting Signs: Tim will put up signs alerting visitors to hunting season, just as he and Denise O’Dwyer did last ye= ar.

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Subcommittee Business:= Tim suggested that the subcommit= tees that existed under the Ad Hoc committee should be reinstated, particularly = the funding subcommittee to look at grants. Future meetings will begin to define educational, historic, and wildlife inventory activities, which might be ar= eas where individuals would want to volunteer to focus on one specific area of interest. Bob Croatti said that a list of subcommittees should be presented= to the MCC.

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Bob al= so reported that the Horse Hill subcommittee has been assigned three alternate positions. Harold Watson is now an alternate.

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The da= te for the next meeting was set for October 16.

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The me= eting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

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