Town of Newton
Trails Committee
P.O. Box 378
(603) 382-4405
Committee Members:
Sandra Estabrook, Chairperson
Trisha McCarthy, Selectmen’s Representative
Elizabeth Belsak, Shelia Bergeron, Mary Anne Lapierre, Rick Milner, Ann Miles, Brian Valimont, Kim Vaillant, Pat Wonson
Trails Committee Minutes for July 14, 2010
Attendance:
Elizabeth, Trisha, Sandy, Shelia, Rick, and Mary Anne.
Guest: none
Meeting called to order at 7:15pm. Sandy recorded the minutes.
Second meeting:
This was the second meeting of the trails committee. We are still in the formation stage. Trisha suggested we might want to start by doing some organizational things like setting up a chairperson, co- chairperson, note taker, meeting dates and frequency etc. After some discussion Sandra Estabrook was nominated as chairperson. She accepted the request and was voted in. The co-chairperson and note taker position remain open.
Meeting Date and frequency: In an effort to hold all interested person in the group we had a lot of input as to when we should meet. Many of the committee members belong to other organization and it was difficult to come up with days that could accommodate everyone. Sheila suggested that we might want to meet more often in the beginning because we have a lot to do, just in trying to organize ourselves. Everyone agreed. Therefore, Meetings will be held on the second (2nd) and fourth (4th) Thursday of the month at 7:00PM in the rear meeting room of the Town hall (with the stipulation this could change going forward). Sandy will ask Mary Winglass to hold the room for the Trails Committee per this schedule.
Finding ourselves: The trails committee is new so much of the talk is about what we would like to accomplish, and establish. Below is a list of things I can remember that were talked about. I’m sure this may not be completed and it will be added to in the future.
- Maintain existing trails
- Mark trail head
- Map town owned and conservation lands
- Connect old trails with new ones
- Educate and get input from town residence
Trisha handed out a map showing some of the town owned and conservation lands. Discussion followed as to where some of the properties were and how to get to them. This will be our first action item. To walk some of the areas so members are familiar with them. We will meet at the Busch Farm property on North Main St. at 7:00PM on Thursday July 22 which will be considered a working meeting. Please wear appropriate clothing as we will be walking the trails that run through this area. Bug spray might be a good idea.
Sheila said that there was an article in the Carriage Town news that Kingston just reopened a trail with the help of a business. Sheila will see if she can find the news clipping and bring it next time. The article mentioned that Kingston has a trail committee. It was decided that we might want to invite one of their members to a future meeting of ours and “pick” their brains. Get ideas about what worked and what did not. They might also know of some agencies that could help us and how to fund raise.
Next meeting Thursday July 22 at the Busch Farm property North Main St. Meet in the parking lot on the site at 7:00 PM.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:17 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sandra Estabrook
Chairperson
Newton Trails Committee
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