Horse Hill Nature Preserve Sub Committee of MCC

Ho= rse Hill Nature Preserve Sub Committee of MCC

Me= eting minutes

Oc= tober 16, 2006

Members present: Tim Tenhave, Denise O’Dwy= er, Lynne Wenz, Harold Watson, Newton Coryell, Connie Kreider, Debra Huffman

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Call to order: The meeting was called to order = at 7:31 p.m.

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Announcements: Tim Tenhave distributed the advi= sory signs that he and Denise O’Dwyer installed at entry points to the preserve.=

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Update from the MCC meeting: Tim distributed the information = that was given to the Merrimack Conservation Commission (MCC) at their last meet= ing and summarized the discussion from that meeting. The MCC approved all trail names and recommendations and gave permission for the HHNP committee to move forward on the new segment. Tim distributed the GPS maps of the new segment= .

The MCC is in discussions with Dan Cyr to cut a 1200’ safety access trail= from the Amherst Rd parking lot. They hope to complete the first phase of the work within 60 days. Denise O’Dwyer as= ked if they could use the brush to help block off the old trail. Newton Coryell no= ted that the intent was to put rocks at the entrance to the old trail, and Debra Huffman noted that Ernie Buck of the DPW was interested in planting Tamarack trees at the entrance. Tim Tenhave noted that trees or rocks could easily b= e removed if a road to the athletic fields is built in that location.

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Budget: Tim stated that he would like to= see a line in the Town budget for Horse Hill.

Andy Powell provided Tim with information on grants that could be available for = the next year.

Tim discussed reestablishing the finance subcommittee. There is $10,000 in the current budget in a line item under the MCC. Potential costs include parking areas, surveying boundary lines, pulling out large trash, kiosks, gates at = Old Kings Highway and the power lines, phase two of the woods trail at Amherst Rd, and clerical costs, suc= h as copying.

Lynne Wenz stated that an abutter on Fuller Mill Road is doing some survey work. She will follow up to see if the town can benefit from that work.<= /p>

Connie Kreider stated that funds could be used to print maps and create another parking lot. Tim stated that the second parking lot will require engineering work. Newton Coryell said he still has contacts as PSNH who he could talk to about the parking lot.

Trails: The volunteer trail work was discussed. Debra Huffman is coordinating the volunteers. Lynne stated that volunteers should bring water bottles. She volunteered to assist on that day. Harold Watson stated that volunteers should be reminded to stay on the trails and wear orange. <= /o:p>

&= nbsp; Debra will lead a public walk on November 5^th. Denise O’Dwyer wi= ll post signs one week before the shotgun deer season starts. Connie will advertise the walks.

&= nbsp; Tim stated that the town staff is working on the liability release forms for th= e volunteers. Volunteers must sign in and out.

&= nbsp; Tim distributed trail information from the Amherst Conservation Commission and discussed the format they used.

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Kiosks: Tim distributed pictures of two = kiosk designs and copies of sample text to be placed in the kiosk at Horse Hill. = The text will be critiqued at the next meeting. Tim will create a map to be pla= ced in the right panel.

&= nbsp; Connie mentioned that Dublin has a sign-in book for their trails, and Lynne stated that Ponemah Bog uses= a spiral notebook in a box with a cover for visitors to note what they saw. Denise mentioned that a suggestion box could be useful. Harold noted that t= he kiosk should warn people that they could get lost and advise them to stay on the trails. Newton= stated that he has a friend who is a sign maker and might be able to do the panels for free.

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Old Kings Highway: Tim distributed a statement from= Ruth Roulx, Chairman of the Heritage Commission, stating that the Heritage Commission would like to convert the Old Kings Highway to a trail. A legal change of st= atus would be needed, but RSA 231-A:1 states that the legislative body can do th= is, and that is now the Town Council. A Class A trail permits abutters to use i= t to access their own property, but a Class B trail does not allow any motorized use.

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Finance Subcommittee:<= span style=3D'font-family:"Bookman Old Style"'> The previous finance subcommittee gathered information but it was lost in a computer crash. It was noted that money might be available from sale of Moose license plates and other source= s. Tim would like to start this subcommittee in December.

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Meeting Dates: It was decided that the committe= e will meet on the third Monday of each month. The dates for the next meetings wer= e set for November 20^th and December 18^th.

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Approval of Minutes: The minutes of September 21^=
st were approved 7-0-0.

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Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:01= p.m.

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