MINUTES

HORSE HILL NATURE PRESERVE (HHNP)

01/30/06

Members Present:

Tim Tenhave, Chair HHNP Ad Hoc, Master Plan Robyn Goinsalvos, Horseback Riding, Abutter

Harry Watt, Mountain Biking Linda Reid, Abutter

John Hall, Watanic Bowmen Club Mike Ruggiero, HHNP Ad Hoc, MYA

Harold Watson, HHNP Ad Hoc Connie Kreider, HHNP Ad Hoc, Heritage

Debra Huffman, HHNP Ad Hoc, Master Plan Newton Coryell, HHNP Ad Hoc

Janet Comier, HHNP Ad Hoc, Parks Tom Vaillancourt, Mountain Biking

Roger Blais, Right Riders (ATV) Denise O’Dwyer, HHNP Ad Hoc

Bob L’Heureux, Hunting Nelson Disco, Planning Board

John Herring, Abutter Ruth Roulx, HHNP Ad Hoc, P&R, Heritage

Rick DiOrio, Sno-buds Helynne Wenz, HHNP Ad Hoc

Bette Philo, Abutter (Farmer Road)

Members Excused:

Ron Simard, Watanic Bowmen’s Club

Chris Christensen, HHNP Ad Hoc

Andy Powell, HHNP Ad Hoc, Conservation

Others Present:

Tom Kokx, Thomas Kokx Associates

Kerrie Diers, NRPC Assistant Director

Steve Schaffer, NRPC GIS Manager

Karen Baker, NRPC Administrative Assistant

Roland Roberge, Abutter (Amherst Rd.)

Pam Skouira, Abutter (Amherst Rd.)

Phil Wetzel, Sno-buds

Meeting Opened

The meeting was called to order by Tim Tenhave at 7:04 PM.

Announcements:

Tim Tenhave announced that there was a sign put up on Amherst Road to designate the Parking Lot. He also mentioned that the kiosk for the parking lot was placed off to the side to keep it from being destroyed and that it should be installed later in the Spring.

Andy Powell wanted the group to know that there is a Farm and Forest Expo on February 3^rd and 4^th at the Center of New Hampshire in Manchester for those interested. There are 3 workshops that may be of interest: 1). Caring for Urban Trees: Your Town’s Natural Resource; 2). Creating Successful Wildlife Food Plots; and 3). Land Clearing 101: The Economics, Logistics& Basic Biology of Clearing Forest Land. Admission is $5.00

Public Comment on Agenda

Nancy Josephson, a Merrimack resident for 15 years spoke to the group. She asked the Consensus Building Group to please consider the increased tax impact, impact on those who live nearby, and the other ball fields that already exist in Town when choosing to allow ballfields in the Horse Hill Nature Preserve. She expressed how the area would be negatively impacted and a treasure such as the HHNP should remain undeveloped and without ballfields.

Tim Tenhave provided a brief overview of the process that the Consensus Building Group (through the meeting process of HHNP Committee) is going through to determine what will be done to the parcel. He also explained to Nancy that no decisions had been made for the parcel in regards to the Definitive Plan and that there would be a public hearing later on after decisions are made and why.

Introductions

Kerrie Diers introduced herself and explained what we do, why we are here and proceeded with an overview of the evening’s agenda. She explained that the group would vote on the objective criteria reviewed at the last meeting. Once this was done members would split up into small groups based on their interest, identify the access points, and outline a trail system used for their prospective activity. Once this is done, each interest group would then present their preferred priority plan. Kerrie expressed that everyone should be understanding of each groups use. In addition, while in the smaller groups, she asked that they talk about management options that were listed in the Master Plan. Kerrie concluded by asking if there were any questions on the overview. There were none.

Kerrie added that by developing the objective criteria, then applying it to the maps, the group would hopefully come up with an ultimate solution using this fair and objective process.

Tom Kokx was up next to go over the Objective Criteria discussed in the last meeting. Listed below are the changes brought forth by the group, additional changes or additions, and any comments, questions and concerns.

General Considerations: Most changes in this section were replacing “Avoid” with “Minimize”.

(Trail) Horseback: Robin felt that “Avoid Rocky Trails” was too broad and that you would not be able to ride anywhere in HHNP because most of the trails are rocky. General consensus was to delete it.

Conservation: Delete “(no driveable roads)” and replace with “no roads open to the public” (this was changed for safety and emergency vehicle accessibility).

ATV Trails: Delete “only (separate from other trail uses and built to Town standards)”.

Hunting: Delete “Provide ____ buffer”. Should read “State law requires 300 feet buffer from any permanently occupied residence”.

John Herring questioned what weapons were allowed for hunting on the property at HHNP. Bob L”Heureux responded all were, except for high powered rifles.

Bob L’Heureux commented that if there was a problem then they would come up with a solution, but there has never been an incident on the property.

Due to the many questions regarding increased buffers, applicable State Guidelines and Laws, Deer hunting with shotgun (buck shot vs slug), and increased buffers, it was agreed by all that an “ACTION ITEM BE TAKEN TO DETERMINE THE MAXIMUM LETHALITY RANGES FOR ALL WEAPONS USED FOR HUNTING ON THE HHNP.”

A member questioned impacts on the Town’s (offsite) infrastructure when it comes to drainage and wetlands.

There are some Class 6 roads open to the public.

Historic Commission is working on a plan for Old Kings Hwy.

Bob L’Heureux wanted to know if there was such a document available in regards to building trails to Town standards. Debra Huffman responded that there was, put out by the DPW.

Are the ballparks set in stone was answered with “In the Master Plan approved by the Board of Selectmen ballparks are listed as one of the uses.”

John Herring commented about a force of law as being a standard, otherwise there should be specification when referring to “Trail Standards”. The information provided by the town read as “Town Guidelines”.

There was a question regarding trapping on the site. Mike Ruggiero mentioned that 3 permits had been put out by the town in the past. Another member responded that Trapping was by land owner approval only (coyote).

Roland Roberge wanted to know why the ballpark could not go under the powerlines and what the criteria was in determining the location of the fields. Tom Kokx explained the reason for doing the map exercise was to determine, if you could put your fields/trails anywhere, where would it be and then see if it meets all criteria.

No decisions were being made at this time as to where everything will go, just recommendations on best possible place to put each groups use for trails, etc.

Motion to accept Objective Criteria with changes came from Newton Coryell, Debra Huffman seconded the motion. 18 approved, 0 disapproved, 0 abstentions.

Kerrie spoke next asking members to split up into groups for about 35 to 40 minutes, based on their interests, and using markers, outline their desired access points, trails, and parking on the provided baseline maps. She asked them to use the following as a guide when doing the mapping exercise.

ACCESS POINTS

PARKING – PRIMARY/SECONDARY

PRIORITY LOCATIONS

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

TRAILS – CURRENT/FUTURE

MANAGEMENT OPTION

Also available for reference were copies of the HHNP Master Plan and the Forest Management Plan and Ecological Assessment.

The mapping exercise concluded and each interest presented their preferred plan. Below is each interest group and key points, comments, concerns, and questions of their presentation.

MOUNTAIN BIKE (Harry Watt & Tom Vaillancourt)

Outlined biggest and widest trails/emergency trails

Outlined core loops (trails with offshoots)

Outlined where trails could be built for mountain biking/skiing

Suggested field trips with group to see other trail systems (Nashua, Bedford)

Old Kings Hwy for parking & access (possibility for Palmeri due to general access to trails)

Linda Reid had concerns with parking at Old Kings Hwy (room for 4 cars) and future impacts once area became desirable

Harry Watt suggested parking at Wasserman Park

Outlined multiple areas for core loops

Combining several interests with trail system (bikers, hikers, skiers)

Core trails for kids, others more advanced

No real easy way to connect to other trails in town (self-contained)

HORSEBACK (Debra Huffman)

Pink Outline – Additional trails

Orange Outline – Core trails (passive users)

Ideal for Horses, Hikers, Cross-Country Skiers, Snowshoeing, and Mountain Bikes

By-passed wet area (beavers overtaking)

Questioned ability to cut across Watanic property (would eliminate trail on part under powerline)

Purple Outline – Viewing trail to scenic area

Helynne Wenz spoke of NH Trail Specialist Bob Borrow who indicated that the trail by Gauthier Road was to rocky for use (maybe for horseback)/Robin Goinsalvos responded that she tends not to go on rocky trails with the horses (not good for their hoofs)

Question of ownership (Maloof) of class 6 road (Gauthier)

SNOWMOBILE (Newton Coryell)

Outlined in yellow

Most people coming in would be abutters

Access at parking lot

Outlined logging roads/big trails

Smaller loops by riverside

Some rough spots would need work

Mirrored other trails (Hollis share uses of trails)

Keep some swampy sections open for winter use when frozen

Responsible trail users

Connie Kreider questioned rider distance to Naticook Road/300 feet from residences is the law

Newton felt there would be limited late night riding (not past 11:00 pm)

ATV (Roger Blais)

Outlined in Blue

Same outline as Snowmobile

Head of NH Right Riders of Merrimack, Registered club with the State of NH (See info packet)

Full approval from selectmen to develop former landfill (see “Special Session of the Board of Selectmen” handout) showing club as responsible, organized, involved

Parking in existing parking lot (felt most users would be riding in) therefore need for less parking

Ability to restrict hours at multiple access points

Debra Huffman felt a lot of trails would be too wet for ATV use and requested he identify a doable loop. She was also concerned with wetlands from ATV use and the difficulty to get trails useable for ATV standards. She requested Roger come up with an affordable, maintainable loop.

ATHLETIC COMPLEX (MYA – Janet Cormier, Mike Ruggiero)

Outlined proposed ballfields (2 soccer/lacrosse (shared), 1 baseball)

Outlined 3 parking lots

Incompatible to have ballfields under powerlines for safety issues

Incompatible to have near Palmeri (private development) - drainage issue between a 3 and 5 acre parcel

Incompatible to have in old forest area – impact 3 wildlife habitats

Generally fences around ballfields (for protection of the beaver ponds)

John Hall felt the beavers would have to be controlled

Parking areas 3 times the size of what would be needed

Existing road used as access point (some mitigation required)

Concerns with late night game noise (No plans for lighting)

No issue with horses staying on road so they could cross and access Amherst Road

Plan was to mold proposed fields in with other uses

Road most likely be crushed asphalt (engineers to advise)

Security would be same as all other fields in town

Questions on wildlife corridor at access point and woodcock nesting areas

OUTDOOR EDUCATION & HISTORIC (Connie Kreider, Ruth Roulx, Harold Watson)

Historic Uses

Old Kings Highway in from Naticook – Historic

Trail to go to historic building

Cellar Hole from Spaulding

Sheep Pen – for early farming exhibit

Educational Uses

Field trips for school children (length 2 periods)

Use existing parking lot

Kiosks explaining areas in preserve

Overnight parking in Wasserman

Observation decks near beaver dams

Stands each to have a learning experience along with them based on surroundings

STAND 5 – Tree varieties, leave shapes, crowning of leaves, bark

STAND 6 – Hardwood oaks & their different uses of woods (Kids think wood comes from Home Depot)

STAND 7 – Wildlife corridor, turtles, beaver tracking

STAND 8 – Old growth, wildflowers, close to ground shrubs

SANDPIT – Contemplation of learning experience area

Proposal of a covered space (not building) to gather resources

Whole of property as an educational experience

Tim asked Ruth & Connie to explain the Historic Commissions idea for Old Kings Highway. Ruth used the map to explain how it want all the way through Merrimack, through Thorntons Ferry and the possibility to parallel it to town conservation land. The original state of the road starts at Naticook then turning into a passive walking path. Ruth explained that is worth preserving and they have permission from the Board of Selectmen to preserve it.

ARCHERY (John Hall)

Watanic Bowmen’s Club used to own to the powerline

Developments around used to be wooded

Old Kings Hwy passes through Watanic Bowmen’s Club

Club sponsors shoots a couple times a year with permission from Town for 30 or 40 foot shoots

Signs are posted for safety

Outlined in Orange - area used for shoots

Have given permission for access to public for special occasions (hikes, etc.)

Incorporated in the early 50’s with membership anywhere between 14 and 60.

Beaver dams on Watanic property (no beavers currently)

Possibility to form youth archery group

Kerrie concluded the meeting by explaining that all items were covered except for Hunting due to the Action Items. It was decided by Debra Huffman that Feedback on Management options would not be brief and was therefore rescheduled for discussion at the next meeting. Kerrie informed the group that we would continue with more mapping exercises (corridors, wetlands, etc.) next meeting as well. There were no further comments.

NOTE: During the meeting there were a few questions regarding financial concerns with the ballfields, blasting of ledge on the water, and hunting. Tim informed members that this would be discussed at a later meeting. This evening was about “Pie in the Sky”.

Motion to adjourn came from Connie Kreider, seconded by Debra Huffman. Meeting Adjourned at 10:03 pm.

Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 6^th at 7:00 pm in the Merrimack Town Hall Courtroom.

KD/kmb

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