MINUTES

HORSE HILL NATURE PRESERVE (HHNP)

03/06/06

Members Present:

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

Andy Powell, HHNP Ad Hoc, Conservation Harry Watt, Mountain Biking

John Hall, Watanic Bowmen’s Club Shannon Barnes, HHNP Ad Hoc

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

Helynne Wenz, HHNP Ad Hoc Bette Philo, Abutter

Ruth Roulx, HHNP Ad Hoc, P&R, Heritage Comm.

Members Excused:

Ron Simard, Watanic Bowmen’s Club

Chris Christensen, HHNP Ad Hoc

Nelson Disco, Planning Board

Amanda Boerner

Others Present:

Kerrie Diers, NRPC Assistant Director

Steve Schaffer, NRPC GIS Manager

Todd Szewczyk, NH Fish and Game-Game Warden

Karen Baker, NRPC Administrative Assistant

Meeting Opened

The meeting was called to order by Tim Tenhave at 7:07 PM.

Announcements:

Tim Tenhave welcomed the group and informed them that the town meetings 1^st sessions were Tuesday and Thursday of this week. He also informed them of 2 programs the Conservation Commission was sponsoring for the spring. 1^st, 4H Summer Camp is giving away 3 free summer camp weeks for 3 qualified Merrimack kids. Interested children ages 6 to 16 should apply by March 15^th. A good program with a value of $400. Additional information is available by contacting Scott McPhie at the Community Development Department. In addition, the Merrimack Conservation Commission would also be handing out Native Plants (winterberry holly, American Hazelnut, Dogwood, etc) on a Saturday in April. 200 seedlings free to Merrimack residents on a first come first serve basis. Plants would be nursery raised about 1-2 years old and 6-12 inches in height.

Public or Press Comment on Agenda

There were no comments/questions from the public and no Press was present.

Review of Meeting Minutes for 02/06/06

Newton Coryell made the motion to review the minutes of the 1/16/06 meeting. Denise O’Dwyer seconded the motion. Changes were as follows:

Andy Powell was not present but should be marked as an excused absence.

Page 2: last paragraph (bolded section) - Remove the words “by all” (Bob L’Heureux said he never would have agreed to that because it is impossible). Tim Tenhave agreed.

Minutes of the January 30, 2006 were approved with changes by the Consensus Building Group, 16-0-3.

Motion to approve the minutes of February 6, 2006 came from Shannon Barnes. Newton Coryell seconded the motion. Minutes were approved as presented, by the Consensus Building Group, 16-0-3.

Introductions

Kerrie Diers spoke briefly about the questions and issues regarding hunting and proceeded to introduce Todd Szewczyk, a Game Warden (10 years experience) with the NH Fish & Game Department. He provided information regarding hunting laws, addressed concerns, and answered questions from the group. Below is an overview of the questions, answers, concerns, and comments brought forth during Todd’s time with the group.

NH State law for buffer is 300 feet from dwelling (500 feet is the Massachusetts law)

Majority of the hunters on HHNP property are hunting for Deer. Geese and Waterfowl are down significantly. Aware of 1 Moose hunter. Could be other species being hunted, but Todd had not checked.

Ammo used for hunting Deer is buckshot or slugs (12 gage shotgun), Birdshot (12 or 20 gage) for Geese and Waterfowl.

1 of the Hunters 10 Commandments is to know your target and beyond. If you can’t see beyond, don’t shoot.

Law to hunt Deer with handguns became effective 2 years ago. Todd had never seen anyone hunting with handgun in Merrimack (only in Hollis & Brookline).

Harold Watson questioned if there was any way of restricting hunting (Bird hunting) in the fall when everyone is out enjoying the leaves. Todd said it could not really be restricted out there and gave the White Mountains as an example of an area that restricts hunting from any trail or commonly used paths.

In some towns they have ordinances against hunting waterfowl (ex. Osgood Pond-Milford) and Todd had known of 2 instances in 10 years where someone tried to hunt from there.

Todd does not enforce town ordinances. If reported to him, he notifies local law enforcement.

Bob L’Heureux said identify problem, then come up with a solution and let the group know that he had statistics on hunting risks in the area. He also said that if you dispel the myth and take out the emotional issue, there is no issue.

Todd covers 12 towns in New Hampshire

Bette Philo wanted to know if there was a limit on the number of hunters allowed in and if there was a way to track them or have hunters register. Todd replied that they only need to register the time and date when they take a deer but do not have to say where they got the deer, just the town.

The most number of hunters that Todd has seen on HHNP is been 6 or 8 at a time and estimated that there are roughly 50 to 60 Deer on the HHNP site depending on the time of year.

Todd pointed out that the chance of getting shot was very slim and in cases where there are incidents it has been mostly hunter to hunter.

Mike Ruggiero asked if there were any problems with hunting co-existing with other uses. Todd replied that he sees co-existing conditions all the time and there have been no problems.

Connie Krieder questioned if there was a time when hunters were more prevalent. Todd responded that hunters hunt throughout the day, but the majority are early morning (Duck hunters).

Shannon Barnes asked what the buffer for a ballfield was. Todd replied 300 feet (public gatherings fall under that State statute), and told the group that there was less of a chance of hunters being in an area where there are ballgames going on.

Harold told the group to call an imaginary dog when you are out on the site to let the hunters know you are there.

Andy & Bob both pointed out that Hunters are very aware of their surroundings and everything going on in them (Bob added your chances of getting struck by lightning are higher than getting shot by a hunter).

Helynne Wenz pointed out that hunting was necessary and that things could get out of whack in terms of population and informed the group of the literature available in regards to consequences of limiting hunting to certain times of the year.

On Page 52 of the book Bob handed out there is a list of hunting seasons for all species.

Roger told the group of the decrease in the purchase of hunting licenses.

Todd pointed out that Zone M gets extra permits for hunting due to the high population of Deer in that area.

Bette questioned if there would be spraying for mosquitos (if ballfields built) on the site. Todd said that was not his thing and NHDES would handle that. Mike informed the group that they had sprayed last year at Reeds Ferry for bees only.

NH Fish and Game would still be available in June if a kid were to get lost at HH (Police or Fire Dept. would call him in).

Range of 12, 16, and 20 gauge is 100 yards effectiveness (a rifle bullet can go nearly a mile if missed target).

Range of 44 and 357 pistol is 60 yards (potentially with a lethal punch if missed target). Mostly used on the short distance.

Tim Tenhave asked Todd if the signs put up last season were effective. Todd replied yes, but there was some confusion.

Kerrie handed out and briefly went over the summary of Management Recommendations and asked the group to take it home and look it over. If there is something they wanted to change or propose, bring it up in the next meeting (final mapping meeting) and vote on it. She also let them know that # 6 of the summary could be reworked. Some changes, questions, and comments from the summary were as follows:

#2 - Consensus Recommendation should start “The HHNP Sub-Committee should…”.

#2 - Consensus Recommendation RSA for Conservation Commission sub-committee limits # to 7 members (Harold thought should be larger).

#6 - Mike wanted to know if they had to follow the RSA and the answer was YES.

#6 - Conservation Commission is appointed by the BOS and could change the make up of a committee.

#6 - Conservation Commission just formed a sub-committee w/Conservation Commission members. Sub-committee can make recommendations.

#6 - The Governing Body -BOS (in determining who handles what) can take a job out of Conservation Commissions hands and give it to a different group to handle.

#6 - Until a ballfield is built the site is handled by the Conservation Commission.

#6 - Mike thought we were recommending Wasserman Model.

#6 - Janet felt there should be a definitive area marked out for each are to handle (ballfields - P&R, Trails – CC).

#6 – Tim stated that we all want to arrive at the same point and that the wording should be stated as follows “if plan includes athletic field, the site should be managed by the Conservation Commission until construction begins, then turn over that portion to Parks and Recreation”. Connie added “shall manage or maintain the entire site until such time”.

Mike was afraid that there was a movement in the room to stop the ballfields and therefore did not feel comfortable with #6.

Kerrie then introduced Steve Schaffer to go over the next item on the agenda. Steve Schaffer went over the mapping exercise done at the last meeting and outlined the overly wet areas, trails, and, motorized accessible areas. Mapping Exercise #3 which would have everyone break out into 4 groups for about 35 to 40 minutes (different people in groups than the past exercise) was next. In this exercise, the group had to use the Objective Criteria if they felt a proposed use for the site should not be there. Once this was accomplished in the exercise, each group would report out. Also in this exercise, the idea was to come up with a final plan by addressing each use listed in the Master Plan. Woods Roads would be listed as Forest Management Roads.

Before they broke into groups there was a question on if the Heritage Commission came up with their Old Kings Highway Plan, how would this effect the HHNP site. It was answered that Old Kings Highway would not be disturbed and that it would require voter approval to take it out of its’ Class 6 status. Ruth Roulx read a passage from “A Hard Road to Travel” Class 6 roads as follows: “A Class 6 Road can be changed to a Class A trail and not lose its’ Class 6 status and be wide enough for emergency vehicles, non-motorized”. Deb Huffman did not think it would conflict with what the group was doing.

The group returned from the Mapping Exercise and reported out. One person from each group reported out. Below is an overview of what each group reported out:

Harry Watt reported out first:

Old Kings Highway - Agreed on the use of but wanted Heritage Commissions input and to incorporate both plans.

ATV- No issues on seasonal motorized use along powerlines.

Athletic Complex - Issues on general impact on wildlife - parking lot close to wetlands and beaver dams. Noise, congestion, security, forest fires. No consensus if reconfigured, resized, or moved to the other side.

Hunting - Did not discuss.

Debra Huffman reported out 2^nd:

Athletic Complex - Same problems with ballfields as reported by Harry. Parks and Recreation rejected areas near powerlines and neighborhoods. Only logical place based on criteria. Could not say it was physically impossible. Traveled deer route near area is a corridor and Woodcock area. Issues with location of field on the southern area of the proposed area.

Hunting – Issues with policing area, need more posting. Due to harvesting of deer there was consensus to continue to allow hunting.

ATV – Parking impact on wetlands. Possible use for harvesting deer. Too many sensitive areas. Frozen areas okay, but what about days with drastic temperature changes.

(Deb felt central area should be devoted to wildlife/quiet area where corridor is)

Janet Cormier reported out 3^rd.

Athletic Complex – Potential area near Palmeri would impact neighborhood (could not put field there). Potential problem with Woodcock, but felt it they could be impacted by any other activity proposed for the property and did not know if Woodcock would be impacted. Lower gray trails not possible (not owned by the town).

Hunting – No issue and Bob mentioned that posting could be put up when and if ballfields built.

Snowmobiles – Okay with snowmobile routes.

Trails – No issues.

Horseback – No issues.

John Hall asked that on future maps that Old Kings Highway be continued up to where it meets the other roads. Andy said it should be on tax maps. John asked that the width be checked and that the road should maintain the same width when shown on the maps.

Bob L’Heureux reported out 4^th.

Hunting – No issue but felt area should be revisited if and when a ballfield is built.

ATV – Felt they should get a shot (they voted for this). ATV use for bringing out a deer as long as they stay on trail. State has guidelines set for ATV use and should give opportunity for ATVs to use property on a gradual basis.

Roger Blais spoke of walking the trails along the powerlines with a state official to see what could and could not be done in order to come up with a loop with parking out by the proposed fields.

Other comments from the group were as follows:

Only registered 2 wheeled motorcycles are allowed on road – Not 4 wheelers (ATV’s).

Did not feel they were going to get out-of-towners coming to the site.

Tim had a problem with the purple trail (designated wetland areas).

Difficulty during certain times of year getting a loop for ATV use due to the wetlands.

Tim asked Roger to be more specific or definitive. He felt there could be a place for ATV’s but that Roger needs to be more definitive.

Harold suggested that Roger come up with 3 or 4 other places to designate for parking and unloading in addition to the parking area currently located in the northwest corner.

Amherst Road parking lot was designated to have parking and unloading for trailers.

Andy let the group know printouts of habitat requirements (Woodcock) available on the NH Fish and Game website

Kerrie explained the reason for the mapping exercises was to come up with a blueprint or concept plan that will take the group forward. Members felt that in the final report it should be written that the report be evaluated every 5 or 10 years or on a regular basis due to condition changes from year to year. Kerrie said that any time frame that the group agreed upon could be written in the final report. Bob recommended that it should also be written that no portion of the property be sold unless there is a 2/3 majority by registered voters.

Tim asked if there were any final comments. Andy asked for support on defeating warrant article 16. Bob thanked the group for their support in defeating warrant article 18. Tim had a final item for the group regarding the HHNP chairman. If anyone was uncomfortable with the situation and wanted to vote for a change, they should speak up and if they did not want to do this publicly they could send him an email.

Bob L’Heureux made a motion to adjourn and Connie Kreider seconded that motion. The meeting adjourned at 10:08pm.

The next meeting is on March 20, 2005 at 7:00 pm in the Merrimack Town Hall Courtroom.

KD/kmb

#235D-25