GREENS POND MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE

Minutes of Monday, December 2, 2002

Courtroom at Town Hall

7:00 P.M.

Members Present: Karen Mattor, Debra Huffman, Jim Taylor, Cathy Provencher, Tim Tenhave, Greg Kirby, Andy Powell, Mike Ruggiero, Harold Watson, David, Rutzke, Janet Cormier, Ruth Roulx, Denise O’Dwyer, Susan Siena, Chris Christensen, Connie Kreider, Lynne Wenz, Newton Coryell, John Buckley, Shannon Barnes.

Also Present: Jay Minkarah, Community Development Director; Ellen Snyder, Biodiversity Specialist; Nelson Disco, resident and Chairman of the Merrimack Planning Board

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

Biodiversity Presentation: (Minutes not yet completed.)

Discussion of Visioning Session Results: Jay Minkarah led a review of the results of last month's visioning session. Nelson Disco commented that the summary was in the form of raw data and suggested that it be processed. Jay responded that after the discussion he would make some recommendations about how the committee might organize the data. Sue Siena asked for clarification of some terminology to ensure that the template subcommittee was using terminology consistently with the visioning session results.

Jay reviewed how the visioning session was conducted and discussed the results in each category. He drew attention to the fact that there was a surprising amount of consistency between the findings of each group across all categories.

Jay then discussed how the results of the visioning session might be used. The items most commonly sited as features or problems might be the basis for goal statements. For example, since most people placed a high value on several common features of the property, it might be a goal to preserve or protect those features. Items repeatedly listed as problems might indicate that it would be a goal reduce or improve these items.

The current and proposed future uses could then be compared against the goal statements and the list of known constraints. The plan would address the issues specific to each proposed use measured against both subjective (goals) and objective (constraints) data. Jay stated that he is willing to compile the results of the visioning session in this way. Debra Huffman offered to work with Jay to process the results and received approval from the committee.

Sue Siena stated that our plan must include all background data and the resources we use to derive our conclusion, since in her research into plans from other towns she has often found that background material is missing.

Karen Mattor wondered if the plan would include the committee's preferences for future uses. Debra Huffman responded that since the goal statements are subjective, the committee's preferences are represented.

Debra Huffman thanked Jay for leading this useful exercise.

Discussion of subcommittee procedures: Denise O'Dwyer prepared a list of suggested procedures for subcommittees to follow to avoid miscommunication. Debra Huffman described each item on the list, which included requirements for public notice of meetings, taking and posting of minutes, how to book a conference room at Town Hall, how the subcommittee's work should be reported to the main committee, and the necessity of having a librarian maintain background material.

Sue Siena emphasized the importance of the librarian's role in providing useful information for those who need to use the plan in the future.

A general discussion ensued concerning the wisdom of posting draft minutes on the web. At a suggestion by Tim Tenhave, it was decided that draft minutes would be available on request from the subcommittee chairman. Only approved minutes will be posted on the web. Subcommittee chairmen will be identified in a list to be posted on the web.

Reports from subcommittees:

Natural Resource Inventory subcommittee - Debra Huffman reported that they met last week and have approved minutes. They expect to have a preliminary report completed in February. Their presentation will include four maps and a discussion of the data available on each, a discussion of forestry issues, and a discussion of biodiversity issues. Some sections of the report, such as botanic information, will likely not be completed until spring.

Greg Kirby distributed a notebook-scale topography map. Sue Siena asked if this map is available on the web. Debra Huffman responded that it is in AutoCad format and they are still learning to work with it, but that the hand-drawn trail map digitized by Mike Ruggiero could be made available on the web.

Wetland Restrictions subcommittee - Karen Mattor reported that they have gathered their information but have not yet put it in report form.

PSNH Issues - Newton Coryell distributed two documents describing the PSNH easement and the potential use of the PSNH land. He reports that PSNH would be willing to discuss allowing the town to create a parking area on their land.

Nelson Disco asked if PSNH ever used chemicals to control growth on their land. Newton responded that they do not currently and haven't for many years but he is not sure if they ever did.

Sue Siena inquired if PSNH would let us know if they ever decided to use chemicals in the future. Newton responded that they are amiable to working with towns but he'd have to ask PSNH about a specific notification policy.

Karen Mattor wondered about a stipulation about prohibiting junkyards and wondered about the old cars that are in the sand pit. Newton responded that the reference was to commercial junkyards.

Access subcommittee - Andy Powell reported that they have not yet met but have exchanged some e-mail. Amanda Boerner has put together a first draft of a table describing each access point and it has been distributed to the subcommittee.

Broader context subcommittee - Andy Powell reports that they have gotten together and have data but it needs to be written up.

Walks subcommittee - Debra Huffman reported that there were no committee walks during the month, although a few walks were conducted by individual members.

Karen Mattor wondered if the committee could organize a cross-country skiing trip this winter. Debra Huffman said that she would look into it.

Template subcommittee - Tim Tenhave reported that they would have a draft template in February. They would like to incorporate the visioning session information into the template. They will distribute the template before the February meeting to allow time for the committee to review it before the February meeting. He also noted that they were joined at their last meeting by Harold Watson, who provided welcome input, and Tim encouraged others to drop into their meetings as well.

Current uses subcommittee - Debra Huffman distributed copies of their report, completing the subcommittee's work.

Wasserman Heights subcommittee - Debra Huffman reported that the developer has said he is amenable to allowing a walking trail in the committee's preferred location, but they are still in the planning phase.

Andy Powell noted that the Conservation Commission requested the developer to permit this access when the plan was presented to them.

Historical uses subcommittee - Ruth Roulx reported that there is nothing more to add to the report previously distributed. This subcommittee's work is complete.

Town liability subcommittee - Andy Powell reported that they have not met, but that they did receive an opinion from Jay Minkarah that it is similar to other town-owned property and there are no unusual concerns. There are no liability issues that would impact the uses that should be considered for this property.

Community input - Shannon Barnes read two e-mails she has received. E-mail from Robert Jones stated that when he was walking with his family on a narrow trail, four ATVs drove past them showing no courtesy for the walkers. He stated that ATVs detract from walkers' enjoyment and urged the committee to ban motorized vehicles from the property. E-mail from Harold Watson recommended that the property be used for trails, with benches at scenic vistas, and a trail for elderly or physically challenged visitors. He recommended that different trails be designed for exclusive use of different uses - horses, ATVs, etc. He also recommended that the existing trails be labeled as soon as possible.

Trash clean-up subcommittee - Greg Kirby reported that they have discussed ideas but have not yet written a report. They will have a report in January.

Tim Tenhave asked whether Greg planned to contact other organizations to determine their interest in helping if those organizations are part of the clean-up plan. Greg replied that he has talked to a scouting organization.

Naming subcommittee - Greg Kirby was not at the last meeting, other members reported that things are going well and they are getting good ideas. Their report might be ready in January.

Approval of Minutes: The October minutes were reviewed and, on a motion by Jim Taylor, approved.

Comments: Jim Taylor noted that he believes the presentations from outside organizations have been very successful and suggested that we line up others. He suggested geology and archeology presentations.

Jim Taylor suggested that the committee chairperson periodically update the BOS on the committee's progress. His suggestion was enthusiastically received. Cathy Provencher suggested that it would raise the community's awareness of our committee's work. Karen Mattor wondered if we could face unexpected obstacles. Jim noted that he would rather know of obstacles now rather than later.

Sue Siena suggested that we advertise our presentations on the web site.

Andy Powell suggested that we get in Jon Nute or Dan Cyr for a presentation on land management planning.

Cathy Provencher suggested that we get the SnoBuds in for a presentation. Newton Coryell, being a SnoBud member, offered to do a presentation at the January 6^th meeting.

David Rutzke asked if we could get in a representative of an ATV club. Andy Powell said that the Conservation Commission has been trying to get an ATV group to speak with them and haven't had any luck. Newton Coryell said he would try to contact one.

Tim Tenhave suggested a presentation from the Merrimack Village District about water issues.

Karen Mattor asked if the police would be interested in doing a presentation about enforcement issues they might face out there.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 9:15.