Courtroom at Town Hall
7:00 P.M.
Members Present: Susan Siena, Denise O’Dwyer, Cathy Provencher, Janet Cormier, Chris Christensen, Tim Tenhave, Harold Watson, Debra Huffman, Andy Powell, Connie Kreider, David Rutzke & Lynne Wenz.
Also Present: Jay Minkarah, Community Development Director & Scott McPhie, Community Resources Planner.
Call to Order: Debra Huffman called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
Announcements and Updates: Sue Siena announced that Cliff Simmonds, Director of the Beaver Brook Association, will lead a walk of the new trail they are constructing using funds from a Bureau of Trails grant. Those interested should contact Sue.
Sue also announced that copies of e-mail communication between committee members have been placed in the committee's files at the CDD office.
Debra Huffman announced that the Watanic Bowmen are having a shoot on July 13th. Committee members are invited to attend.
Tim Tenhave announced that he is organizing individuals to pick up some more of the trash on the property. Contact Tim if interested.
Andy Powell announced that the duck box in the beaver pond near Amherst Rd has come off its tree. It would be appreciated if anyone with a canoe or inflatable raft would re-hang the box.
Andy also gave an update on the Eagle Scout project. He and Jim Taylor walked the trail with Tanner Pearson (the Scout). Tanner is compiling the information to be presented to the MCC.
Lynne Wenz announced that she has put together information about alternatives to hunting for control of wildlife overpopulation.
Discussion of Future Management: The committee resumed its discussion from the last meeting. Andy Powell stated that he had spoken with Jay Minkarah and with the Merrimack Conservation Commission (MCC) members and has come to the conclusion that the MCC can handle the management duties. The MCC has been involved with this parcel for several years. They contributed $150,000 of conservation funds toward its purchase. They are involved in managing 900 acres in a manner similar to management of this land, including developing forest management plans.
Andy read a proposal for the land to be managed under the direction of the MCC by a subcommittee consisting of one member appointed by the MCC, one member appointed by the Parks and Recreation committee, and other interested citizens. The committee discussed his proposal and made several modifications.
On a motion by Andy Powell, seconded by Tim Tenhave, the statement on future management was approved unanimously, with six members voting by proxy. (See attached statement.)
Master Plan Review: The committee began reviewing the draft master plan and made several modifications. The review will continue at the meeting on 7/21/03.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Attachment A
Statement on Future Management
The committee recommends that the Board of Selectmen (BOS) should assign management responsibility for HHNP to the Merrimack Conservation Commission (MCC). The MCC would be charged to manage the parcel under the HHNP Master Plan guidelines as approved by the BOS. The BOS may choose to reserve the right to make determinations on issues such as athletic fields.
The BOS would authorize the MCC to form a HHNP committee to assist in carrying out the management tasks of the HHNP under the direction of the MCC. The HHNP committee may propose specific activities for review by the MCC. The MCC would review and in consultation with the BOS if necessary (for example, the creation and management of athletic fields), determine if the proposal is within the HHNP Management Plan guidelines.
The HHNP subcommittee would consist of a minimum of five and a maximum of seven members. One member would be designated by the MCC and would serve as the liaison with the MCC, one would be a representative nominated by the Parks & Recreation Department/Committee, and the others would be volunteer citizens. The chairperson would be elected annually.
The HHNP subcommittee would be encouraged to accept volunteers to handle specific tasks - building trails, maintenance, educational programs, and other tasks as needed. These individuals would not require BOS approval.
The HHNP subcommittee would meet quarterly in a public session, at a minimum, and report to the MCC at their next regularly scheduled meeting.