Members Present: Harold Watson, Newton Coryell, David Rutzke, Connie Kreider, Cathy Provencher, Denise O'Dwyer, Tim Tenhave, Chris Christensen, Karen Mattor, Janet Cormier, Peter Kahn, Jim Taylor, Lynne Wenz, Nelson Disco, Andy Powell, Tim Dutton, Mike Ruggiero, Debra Huffman, Sue Siena, Ruth Roulx and John Buckley.

Also Present: Jay Minkarah, Community Development Director, Scott McPhie, Community Development, Cliff Simmonds, Beaver Brook Association

Call to Order: Debra Huffman called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.

Beaver Brook Presentation: Cliff Simmonds, Executive Directory of the Beaver Brook Association, began his presentation with a brief history of Beaver Brook, which comprises 2100 acres of land, 30 miles of trails, and 16 buildings. They are a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the understanding of interrelationships in the natural world and to encourage conservation of natural resources through education and land stewardship.

Educational programs are a major activity for Beaver Brook, serving 10,000 children and 2000 adults each year. Their programs span pre-K through college level and attract school participation from up to 1.5 hours away. Cliff provided an overview of some of the courses offered, which include Native American Studies, Mom & Dad and Me, Wildlife Tracking, Food & Fiber, Survival, and Geology programs. Classes are limited to 24 students, with 12 to 15 students preferred for hands-on classes.

Their 30 miles of trails are maintained by approximately 24 volunteers. A volunteer coordinator devotes approximately 20 hours/week to overseeing the effort. Each maintainer is responsible for an assigned section of trail, which involves walking the trail periodically to identify areas requiring maintenance. The maintainer is responsible for cutting brush and water control (installation of water bars, stepping stones, etc.). More intense effort, such as bridge building, is a group effort. A monitor is also assigned to each section of trail to assist the maintainer as a "second set of eyes." Monitors may choose to learn maintaining techniques to eventually become a maintainer. Maintainers for all 30 miles of trails logged over 1000 hours last year.

Additional assistance for larger projects is coordinated on National Trails Day, New Hampshire Trails Day, United Way Day of Caring, and corporate sponsor days.

Volunteers also maintain the kiosks at which activities are advertised. Cliff believes that keeping kiosk information current reduces vandalism because it shows that people are frequenting the area. They have very minimal vandalism.

Beaver Brook includes both single-use trails (walking/snowshoeing/cross-country skiing) and multi-use trails (mountain biking/equestrian use in addition to walking). No motorized vehicles are permitted. Their map is color-coded and the trails are blazed to match, simplifying trail identification. Trails are separated for several reasons, including safety (e.g., not having speeding bikes come upon a group of students), erosion control, and environmental sensitivity. There are eight or nine miles of multi-use trails.

They have little trouble with improper trail use for several reasons. First, hikers can (and do) direct bikers and equestrians to multi-use trails. Second, Cliff believes that providing trails for bikers and horses channels them into appropriate areas. If no trails were provided, they would be more inclined to go everywhere illegally and there would be a constant conflict.

They do not yet have fully handicapped-accessible trails.

Andy Powell asked about their forestry plan and habitat planning. Cliff replied that two of their trustees are foresters. They conduct a yearly timber harvest to improve forest health.

Nelson Disco asked about ownership. They are a 501-3C private, educationally chartered non-profit. They receive no town or state funding and pay no taxes, but they make a yearly donation to the town for services.

Harold Watson asked about the charge for school programs. They charge $65/hour, $80 for 1.5 hours, and $95 for two hours. They operate below break-even and are reevaluating their fees.

Janet Cormier asked if their Intensive Gardener program was coordinated with the UNH Coop Extension program and commented that the UNH course is booked solid and has stringent restrictions for participation. Cliff responded that they are not coordinated and that Beaver Brook has no restrictions. They do run a wood lot course in conjunction with UNH Coop Extension.

Nelson Disco inquired about their sources of income. Cliff stated that 30 to 40% comes from endowments, 30% comes from donations, and the remainder is from program fees. They often run a deficit.

Cliff stated that structures are the bane of a non-profit and advised the committee to avoid building structures if at all possible.

Tim Tenhave inquired about their web site, how they handle trash, and parking. The web site (www.beaverbrook.org) is maintained by a volunteer and is increasingly important, saving money and paper. Their trash is carry in/carry out. It is well accepted and they have few trash problems. He advised that if you put cans out, you get diapers, car trash, etc. Their parking areas are at 11 trailhead entrances plus the main parking lots at the office. Plowing requires two plow vehicles and it is very expensive to keep the lots open in winter. Only the main parking area is lit with motion detector lights, since they are a dawn-to-dusk facility.

Sue Siena asked about the structures and asked if Cliff would recommend building a structure for educational programs. Cliff responded that facilities are important if you are going to run educational programs, but they are an incredibly expense. You should plan to put away 3 to 5% of the value of the building yearly for maintenance. Roofs, septic systems, furnaces, and expansion are a big burden. He advised the committee not to consider building a structure unless the town is willing to commit to future funding.

Lynne Wenz commented that the property is near Wasserman Park, which has facilities that could perhaps be used if necessary.

Sue Siena asked for more information about multi-use trails. Cliff said that hiking trails are naturally narrow and low, making equestrian use difficult. Bikers could use these trails, but if you provide biking trails that are technically challenging they are likely to use those. You should place signs at the start of single-use trails explaining why they are inappropriate for multi-use (e.g., they contain water bars that can be kicked out by horses).

Andy Powell inquired about how volunteers are selected and trained. Cliff responded that volunteers often receive training by participating in National Trails Day, and every spring the staff walks the trails with everyone and describes projects that need to be done. Volunteers work at their own level, some doing all maintenance tasks, some working with staff while building their confidence. It is important for each volunteer to have a sense of ownership over his or her trail. They decide if they will use stepping-stones or a boardwalk, for example. They contour the trail to their own liking. They can bring others to help them, but volunteers are not permitted to use power tools due to insurance. Some bring their own equipment. He noted that beyond hand tools, it is useful to have a front loading tractor, a Gravely brush hog, hand saws, a maddox, shovels, pry bars, and work gloves.

Debra Huffman inquired about camping. They have two cabins heated with woodstoves and a cookhouse. They rent to groups only and are booked every weekend throughout the winter. Camping is not permitted outside these cabins except when part of an educational program headed by staff. They did not have good luck with latrines and now use Port-a-Potties for $75 each/month.

Harold Watson inquired about hunting. Cliff stated that hunting is not permitted due to the numerous trail users, and they do not usually have any trouble with hunters.

Karen Mattor inquired about manuals for tail maintenance. Cliff said that there are numerous manuals, including a very good one by the Appalachian Trail Club. He recommended we ask TrailWrights to hold a clinic for us, and the New England Mountain Biking Association (NEMBA) to work on biking trails. He commented that once NEMBA has sweat-equity in a trail they will not want to lose their privileges and will work to patrol errant riders. It is important to monitor biking trails because if a trail becomes blocked a spur trail will develop and soon you have a spider-web of trails.

Cathy Provencher asked about the Friends of Beaver Brook program. Cliff brought forms for those who would like to join and commented that Friends often use Beaver Brook for birthday parties, etc., and attend numerous programs. Their programs are very popular and are limited by the legal requirement to have a nurse on staff if you have over 70 children per day in programs.

Cliff offered to take the committee on a tour of their trails and buildings. Debra Huffman thanked Cliff for a very informative presentation.

Goal Statements from Visioning Session: Jay Minkarah reviewed what the committee had done to date, and the committee then examined each goal statement in detail, modified wording where appropriate, and voted on acceptance of each goal. The vote in all cases was unanimous, with no dissenting votes or abstentions. The following is the list of goals agreed upon with a brief description of important points discussed for each.

1. Preserve and encourage the biological diversity of the property through the protection and careful management of existing, potential, and emergent plant and animal habitats and species.
   
   Inclusion of the word 'encourage' was intentional, implying potential management of habitat. For example, a dense alder grove next to a field is good woodcock habitat, but as alders mature the habitat is diminished. Management of the alder grove might be considered to preserve habitat diversity.
2. Preserve and protect the property's surface and groundwater resources including wetlands, vernal pools and beaver ponds to provide for wildlife habitat conservation, groundwater recharge and watershed and aquifer protection.
   
   It was noted that some activities, such as development of trails, might occasionally impact surface water. Use of the word 'protect' was not intended to stop all such development, only to ensure that surface water is protected to the greatest extent practical.
3. Develop and maintain a network of trails.
   
   It was noted that a trail network should be developed slowly to ensure that we are able to adequately maintain the trails.
4. Build upon the proximity of the property to other public and private open space through the establishment of wildlife corridors, access easements, and other means.
   
   The intent of this goal is to improve and/or protect the corridors that currently exist and to establish new corridors when possible.
5. Preserve and protect the historic features of the property.
   
   Extensive discussion clarified that we are creating goals, not regulations. In every case, the phrase "to the extent possible or practical" is assumed. For example, should an historic feature become a safety problem, preserving it may not be practical.
6. Balance competing community interests and uses of the property.
   
   Some potential uses might not be compatible. It is a goal of this committee to attempt to balance the needs of various user groups where possible.
7. Provide adequate public access and parking.
8. Minimize impacts to the property between different users and surrounding properties with regard to safety issues, trash, noise, erosion, and other potential impacts.
   
   Some uses generate more negative impact than others, and these impacts should be recognized when various uses are considered.
9. Emphasize uses compatible with activities such as outdoor education, wildlife conservation, forestry, walking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, etc.
   
   During the visioning session, these uses were overwhelmingly supported. The committee would like that fact recognized when various uses are considered.

Comments from the Press and Public: Jim Taylor announced that he, Lynne Wenz, and Debra Huffman put up a few temporary signs at critical trail intersections as a safety measure. Debra Huffman announced that Sue Siena and Denise O'Dwyer have volunteered to be Committee Librarians, ensuring that all committee documentation be stored in the Community Development office.

Approval of Minutes: The January 6^th minutes were approved.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:20.

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