MINUTES

HORSE HILL NATURE PRESERVE (HHNP)

12/19/05

Members Present:

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

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

Linda Reid, Abutter John Hall, Watanic Bowmen’s Club

Helynne Wenz, HHNP Ad Hoc Mike Ruggiero, HHNP Ad Hoc, MYA

Connie Kreider, HHNP Ad Hoc, Heritage Debra Huffman, HHNP Ad Hoc, Master Plan

Newton Coryell, HHNP Ad Hoc John Herring, Abutter

Tom Vaillancourt, Mountain Biking Roger Blais, Right Riders (ATV)

Denise O’Dwyer, HHNP Ad Hoc Leonard Worster

Amanda Boerner, Horseback Riding Harold Watson, HHNP Ad Hoc

Karen Mattor, HHNP Ad Hoc Nelson Disco, Planning Board

Ruth Roulx, HHNP Ad Hoc, P&R, Heritage Comm. Rick DiOrio, Sno-buds

Others Present:

Tom Kokx, Thomas Kokx Associates

Kerrie Diers, NRPC Assistant Director

Steve Schaffer, NRPC GIS Manager

Karen Baker, NRPC Administrative Assistant

Excused:

Bob L’Heureux

Meeting Opened

The meeting was called to order by Tim Tenhave at 7:06 PM. In response to concerns regarding plowing of the Amherst Road Parking lot Tim informed members that DPW would be plowing the lot, but as a low priority. In addition, all Hunting Notices had been removed. There were no comments from members.

Introductions and Review of Minutes

All members were asked to sign in and wear nametags. Kerrie Diers explained NRPC’s mission for the project, participant responsibilities, ground rules, and touched on key points of the 1^st meeting minutes. Tom Kokx (use requirements), Steve Schaffer (development of maps based on collected data), and Karen Baker (meeting minutes), were introduced and an explanation of their involvement in the HHNP project. A brief overview of the agenda for the evenings meeting was given (see HHNP Meeting #2, Staff Agenda handout).

Presentations

Steve Schaffer presented examples of Base Maps (aerial imagery map and topographical map), that could be generated based on data collection and input from members showing access points, trails, power lines, parcel outlines, bedrock geology, soils geology, and wetlands. Some suggestions from members on maps that should be generated were:

NH fish and game habitat;

Animal migration paths; and

Protected open space as a whole in Merrimack.

Tom Kokx expressed that knowledge from group could be used for mapping.

Before getting into his agenda, Tom relayed background information and experience about himself to the group which included 8 years in consulting, former employee with the White Mountain National Forest, and involved in recreational designing and planning.

Tom proceeded by identifying use requirements (see handout) for the HHNP site. Tom referred to a process that the Forest Service uses called a Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (ROS). This process is used to identify and measure the consequences of alternative allocations of and management actions on opportunities for outdoor recreation. Tom also discussed five key attributes with goals necessary in identifying use requirements.

1. Biological

2. Social

3. Managerial

4. Physical

5. Technical

Information in blue font was discussed in two breakout groups run by Kerrie Diers and Steve Schaffer, later during the meeting.

Goals brought forth by Tom Kokx that were adopted in the Master Plan:

Maintain 500 acres of un-fragmented land;

Minimize impact on wildlife habitat (south of power line is primarily managed for habitat);

Create maps identifying parcels, this will help determine how they should be used;

Create a map for the significant wildlife habitat on the site; and

Due to the wetlands and terrain, a slope analysis should be done to determine if it is possible to have the 50 acre athletic complex.

Tom concluded his portion of the agenda. Kerrie Diers passed around two more handouts (blue and salmon colored) to be used for reference during the 2 breakout meetings and did a quick overview of them.

Comment - When the Master Plan was originally introduced, many people did not like the word “Preserve”. It was thought that this project would be a cooperative venture between animals and people.

Response – For each use, there are technical requirements or buffers. The need for this exercise is to establish what activities are compatible and if anything was missed or overlooked.

There were no further comments and Kerrie proceeded to the final portion of the evening’s agenda.

Breakout Group Meetings

The members were split up into two different groups headed by Kerrie Diers and Steve Schaffer. Each group was designated a group leader. Contents of the above mentioned handouts and the blue font text in Tom’s hand out would be discussed. Below is a list of the members if each group and their leader.

Kerrie Diers – Facilitator Steve Schaffer - Facilitator

Andy Powell – Group Leader Debra Huffman – Group Leader

Newton Coryell Robyn Goinsalvos

Harold Watson John Hall

Harry Watt Mike Ruggiero

Karen Mattor John Herring

Ruth Roulx Roger Blais

Linda Reid Leonard Worster

Helynne Wenz Nelson Disco

Connie Kreider Rick DiOrio

Amanda Boerner Tom Vaillancourt

Denise O’Dwyer Tim Tenhave

Tom Kokx floated between both groups. Key points, input, comments, suggestions, and conclusions from both groups are outlined below.

Kerrie Dier’s Group

ARCHERY

Parking or Access required for organized events. (Old Kings Road only access road into Watanic Bowmen’s Club)

Special safety requirements and permissions will be necessary for special events

Notification to public when events scheduled

Quarry trail was set up to avoid Bowmen Archery

*Note: Hunting is allowed anywhere on Horse Hill Site following the rules of the NH Fish and Game.

A section of Horse Hill has always been used for Fund Raisers (3 times annually).

ATHLETIC COMPLEX (Fields)

Support building/fields/parking/access roads not to exceed 50 acres

Access road that can support traffic

Adequate parking lot

Prepared ball field w/proper drainage, irrigation

Recognizing impact on abutters

Wells (water source)

Electricity.

Ambulance access for emergencies during sporting events

Safety due to proximity of road

Vandalism/damage

Drainage from roadway/parking lot/top of hill

Boundary survey (Gauthier Road) ownership?

Not compatible with natural resources

Buffers for abutters and other uses including athletic field

*Note: Comparison property – YMCA Wright parcel (Horseshoe Pond).

Questions and comments:

1. Is there a need, based on number of kids in town, with the baby boom era virtually over?

2. Nothing town owns would be suitable for ballpark with the exception of Merrimack NH Plating Superfund site and the ability to use and develop the YMCA parcel.

3. Ruth from P&R: existing fields are overused.

4. Some upcoming potential for parks-Horseshoe and superfund site.

CONSERVATION OF OPEN SPACE

500 minimum acres of unfragmented land (wide open spaces, absence of roads, hiking & wooded trails)

Biodiversity (minimum of 500 acres to preserve, protect & expand upon)

Significant wildlife habitat (Map) - NH Fish and Game Critical Habitat Map

Incompatible

Paved roads

ATV use

Athletic complex

Compatible

Trails; Hiking; Woods Trails; Horseback Riding/Mountain Biking (under certain circumstances); X-Country Skiing; and Snow Shoeing

Self-sustaining source of funds (tax saving) if managed properly (Forestry)

*Notes: There are not many 500 acre unfragmented parcels in the southeastern part of the state.

Fish and Game is doing a study on the significant wildlife habitat on this parcel.

TRAILS - CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING (non-motorized)

Snow

Parking (accommodate trailers?)

Identify separate trails for cross country skiers and snowshoers

Map trails for different uses

Existing trails network needs to be re-directed/re-configured

Questions and comments:

Is trail appropriate for horses (height and width requirements)?

*Notes: Property has over 20 entrances on public roads paid for by the town.

Tom Kokx-Forest Management Plan specifically identifies different guidelines set forth for each use example (snowmobiling, Skiing, etc.). Each trail use should be identified.

TRAILS – SNOWMOBILE (motorized)

Soils evaluation for determining appropriate uses (horseback riding/skiing/hiking)

Impacts

Noise

Nighttime use

Wildlife (Blodgett Hill snakes)

Mountain bikes

*Notes: Motorized and non-motorized trails should be separated out

HUNTING

Compatible with open space-conservation

Education and notification needed (public users)

Noise (larger buffer than the 300 ft proposed in master plan

Post signs and notices to users

Wildlife Management (overpopulation)

*Notes: Some abutters against hunting.

Fish and game manages wildlife herds.

ATV USE

Safety

Parking needs

Noise levels

Sensitive wildlife areas

Unmanageable-unenforceable

Wetlands violations

Terrain erosion

Other locations in town

*Notes: ATV use listed as incompatible in Master Plan but with restrictions.

Snowmobiles require 8 inches of snow coverage as opposed to ATV.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION (Compatible)

Wasserman Park buildings

Parking for buses a problem at Horse Hill

Spring vernal pools

Wildlife

OVERARCHING (General) CONSIDERATIONS

**Road system around property for parking and access

Sight distance at access points

Incorporate broad view and connection with other town land and conservation areas

Steve Schaffer’s group

ARCHERY

Parking established

Close to Watanic Bowmen’s Club

Shoot notices in new parking areas/trails

Control access

ATHLETIC COMPLEX (Fields)

Near fields-parking

Issues of crossing wetlands for parking

Vehicle access to playing field (emergency vehicles)

22 ft wide road, 8% slope

35-100 parking spots (30 spots for field)

Large relatively flat area (< 10% grade)

Different field sizes

Irrigation - access to water, well or town

Compatibility – housing/traffic/hunting

Pesticides/herbicides

HORSEBACK RIDING

Properly groomed trails (height)

Not in athletic fields

Less rocky trails

Designated trails only

Trailer parking is not a constraint/requirement

OPEN SPACE

Large unfragmented space

Fragmented by trails, but not roads(width?)

Variety of terrain (wetlands) (elevation

Migration paths, corridors

Compatibility issues with athletic field

TRAILS - CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING/HIKING

Some trails without snowmobiles

Mixed topography

Issue with trail turning radius

Markings

Shared use hiking

Develop loop trails

Town recommendations

ADA flat terrain/access

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Variety of terrain, elevation, rocky

Erosion issues around sensitive areas, soils

Designated trails only

Incompatibility to hunting

Design their own trails

Access through multi-use trails

SNOWMOBILE

Variety of terrain

Loop trails

Designated trails only

Club – guidance

8 inches of snow

HUNTING

Bigger buffer than 300 feet

Compatibility issues: ballfields, residences, hiking (everything)

Potential seasonal limitations

Proper noticing and education

No access requirements

ATV USE

Trails maintained by club

Designated trails

Must bridge wetlands

Erosion issues/soil types

Compatibility with residences

State controlled season – mud

Appropriate access (trail)

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Easy access/ADA

Bus parking

Incompatibility: hunting

Kerrie concluded the meeting and pointed out that the information collected from the group would helpful in identifying areas compatible and not compatible based on their input. Using GIS system and data collected, NRPC will be back in January with a report and maps with different possibilities.

Next meeting is scheduled for January 16th, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the Courtroom.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:33 PM.

#235D-17