New Town Forest Planning Committee

Meeting Minutes - June 11, 2009

Opening

The meeting of the New Town Forest Planning Committee was called to order at 7:30 pm on June 11, 2009 in the Town Hall by Kristen Sharpless.

Present

Andrea Morgante, Tim Clancy, Kristen Sharpless, Stew Pierson, Lenore Budd, Mike Snyder

Absent

Lisa Godfrey, Kate Tarkington

Guest

Colin McNaul

Public meeting to get feedback on Recreation section of the plan

Lenore opened the floor to comments and questions to Colin, the one stakeholder who attended the meeting. Colin raised a number of questions about the trails including the expanding ravine at the intersection of Hidden Meadow and the South Gillman entry road.

"Does the natural process continue or is there to be an intervention?”

"When will a good connection be made between the southern and northern portions of LaPatte Headwaters Florest (LHTF) ?" (It is planned but personal contacts with landowners needs to take place.)

"Is the present permissive policy towards non motorized activities in perpetuity or could it be changed at any moment?

Who would be responsible for such a policy shift?" (Select Board)

"What might trigger the need for a policy change? " (Greatly increased use would be one cause.)

"What can we do about wet spots?" (They can not be moved, so try to avoid them.)

The group discssed strategies for moving forward to provide a good access between the South and North sections of LHTF. We agreed that we would approach the Tufo family and trail use. Tim and Andrea will do this. Tim to initiate the contact. The next contact would be the Meade Farm Home Owners Association.

Lenore will take comments from the meeting and any received from stakeholders who were not able to attend and edit the Recreation section.

Next Meetings

The next meeting will be on July 16 and August 20.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00PM.

Respectfully submitted by Stweart Pierson and Kristen Sharpless