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Open Space Committee meeting minutes November 10, 2015
Meeting began at 7:00 p.m.
Members Attending: Deb Cary, Rick Gardner, Kelton Burbank, Kim Houde
Guests Attending: None
- Reviewed/approved last month’s minutes.
- Four Corners to Dickens: Discussed proposal to go down Goodnow and then up through Audubon/Stimpson boundary to the corner of Thompson and Rhodes Rd, then up Rhodes to trail across Mastermann and Audubon property. Deb will discuss this possibility with Steve Stimpson to see if we can get approval.
Also, Kelton heard from Stephanie (nee Krashes) on the idea of a more northern route from four corners to Krashes property off Thompson Rd, then to Rhodes road. No news on possibility of the trail through Krashes swamp area. Suspect that the trail will be OK, but DCR Watershed may insist on restrictions.
- Landowner Packet: Kelton is pulling this together. We will then collaborate to bring it to completion.
- To include map, mission, landowner liability and agreement, rules of the trail, a bit about organization.
- Would love to have a nicely crafted map of Princeton showing the trail and all of the points of interest, illustrated. This would take some artistic skill and some work! Maybe using pictures instead of drawing to simplify the idea?
- We will plan to have this at least drafted for Trail Summit.
- Kelton will send out existing mission statement and we will collaborate to improve it and bring it up to date.
- Should we add Audubon as an eighth node? Or add points of interest or connecting trail systems. For example: Redemption Rock, Poutwater, Little Wachusett, Savage Hill, Fieldstone, others
- Route through Wachusett Mountain: We reviewed a map provided by Rick of the route through Wachusett Mountain. The map is incorrect. We would take Harrington trail up to Administration Road (not take Westminster to Admin). Also would follow Midstate down to Ski Area parking lot. Still have not heard from Dwayne and Denise about the plan. Kelton working to follow up with them. They have concerns about signage but seemed generally receptive to the plan. Rick wil correct this for the next meeting.
- Deb asked about Quinapoxet rules about bikes and horses…seems like they had some kind of permit process (perhaps on a trial basis). Deb will check this out. The idea would be to have a registration process to get approval to use the trail, indicate that you have read rules of the trail etc. Kelton: would be useful to have users of the trail sign off on pledge to keep rules…get a badge to wear.
- Need to better articulate the mission of connecting points around Princeton. TAP is a network of trails. Trails around Princeton. Allow people to walk from point to point. Access/connection to Thomas Prince School was originally an important consideration. Also, can we connect to Poutwater or other ‘points of interest?
- LSF to East Princeton: Need to see if Kathy Sweeney or Sue Cranford know Jim Hillis to ask for permission, but let’s wait until we have the Landowner packet together.
- East Princeton to Krashes: Need to meet with Norco after we get Landowner guide together. Get Landowner guide and then hold closure meeting with Mosher and Hay, who seem receptive to the trail through their property.
- DCR: Deb is going to find a way to approach DCR Watershed to share ideas.
- Trail Summit: Jan 31 would be the target date. 1PM.
- Introduction and Mission, etc.
- Talk through trails discovered
- Need Press Release to announce the meeting. Kim will do this. We may also want to do a postcard mailing to encourage attendance.
- Collect Names and eMail for Newsletter to keep everyone up to date, ask for help, etc.
- Have large maps…assessor maps, Audubon, Savage Hill, LSF, etc. Put them on poster board (we do have a budget for this sort of thing). Rick will tackle this.
- Next meeting: December 8 at 7PM.
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