Condensed from draft minutes
FNRT-MC Board Meeting held via Zoom on January 20, 2021
Board Attendees: Alex Bernhard, Steve Darling, George Heaton, Craig Heim, Lindy Heim, Charles Martin, Myra Mayman, Ricker Miller, Chris Norris, Steve Rasche, Jack Shields.
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Loyal Trail Supporters: Barbara Couturier, Don Moyer, Patrice Rasche.
Welcome Guests: Diane Kolifrath (Great American Bike Tours); Cheryl and Dana Swensen (East Andover)
Inaugurating the New Year
FNRT-MC’s first meeting of 2021 brought out a joyful crowd. We took the moment to introduce ourselves all around, reminisce about the Trail’s history, and work toward its future.
Recently Installed Replacement Signs
(Class I and II ebikes also permitted)
Business Matters
Treasurer’s Report: With no activity concerning payables or reports – as is usual at this time of year — the major event reported by the Treasurer was a continued inflow of funds from generous donors to support the Extension of the Northern Rail Trail in Boscawen. We are most grateful to the wide range of individuals and institutions that help put FNRT-MC in a good position to begin this project.
Modification of the By-Laws: Alex Bernhard led a continuation of the process, begun in December, to “update” our by-laws. Four changes were unanimously passed by the Board: 1) the ability to attend meetings and vote electronically/virtually; 2) change the definition of quorum from “5 Board members,” to “a majority of the Board;” 3) remove the language as to “physical” presence for Board meetings; 4) change references to Board “Chair” to “President or Co-President.”
Reports on Ongoing Projects
Erosion Control: Erosion problems near Bridge Street in Andover were brought to our attention last month by Barbara Couturier and Chris Norris. This month, Chris reported the good news from the New Hampshire Trails Bureau that AT&T, whose cables are underground, will remedy the problem.
Bridge Planking: Chris Norris has kept the Board apprised of the continuing need for bridge surface replacements. This month, he received the good news from Shawn Violette of the New Hampshire Trails Bureau that the Bureau will re-plank two or three bridges this summer.
Trail Crossing at Plains Street and Route 11: Don Moyer has led a group to devise a solution for the dangers of the intersection of the Trail, Route 11, and Agony Hill Road junction in Andover. With NHDOT unwilling to approve road changes, Don will make one more attempt to reach a consensus with the State on possible signage.
Ebike Usage. Barbara Couturier, Patrice Rasche, and Charles Martin, after researching the policies pertaining to ebikes on the Trail, have drafted a notice of permitted and non-permitted uses, as well as the location of charging stations, for inclusion on the FNRT-MC website and Facebook page.
Lighting in the Lawrence Street Tunnel: Tom Frantz and Don Moyer have been in frequent contact with the Andover Select Board and NHDOT, trying to reach a consensus about who can take responsibility for lighting the Lawrence Street tunnel. Lindy Heim will reach out to the Trails Bureau in our continuing efforts to bring this project to fruition.
Trail Extension in Boscawen: Jack Shields — who has been spearheading the FNRT-MC initiative to extend the Trail 0.6 miles in Boscawen to the Hannah Duston site – reported on the project’s current status. Most encouragingly, FNRT-MC has received more than $122,000 in donations specifically designated for this project and pledges that bring the total over $150,000. This puts us well on the way to the projection of approximately $150,000 to cover both acquisition of the right-of-way and construction of the Trail.
Given the multiple parties involved — Pan Am Railways; the State of New Hampshire; the Town of Boscawen; FNRT-MC – the legal, contractual, and logistical arrangements are complicated. FNRT-MC, along with our Counsel and these other parties, are working toward a conclusion as soon as possible.
New Developments
New Trail Signage: Peter Southworth, noticing the sorely deteriorated orange usage signage along the Trail, brought the matter to the Trail Bureau – with the happy result of new signs in black and white.
Bridge Replacement in Danbury: The Route 4 bridge just south of Danbury Center is slated for replacement by NHDOT in 2022. Given the historic importance of the site and its crossing of the Trail, FNRT-MC has participated in this project as a Consulting Party. At a large DOT meeting on January 14, George Heaton confirmed our prior understandings: incising of “Northern Railroad” in the bridge; careful preservation of the “tell-tale” at the site; historic signage.
Bike Repair Stands. In the context of a historic renovation at Gerrish Depot in Boscawen, FNRT-MC has been offered a bike repair stand, with tools, to be installed at the site. We voted to accept this gift and will consider whether to install others.
The Ed Hiller Papers: Ed Hiller, a faithful Friend of the Trail, has donated his historic files, mostly digitized, to the Andover Historical Society. These files will be available to scholars and the public for research on the history of our area and the Northern Railroad.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 17 at 5 PM via Zoom.