Vegetation Control
Myra Mayman, co-president, summarized where we are in the process of obtaining approval for the application of herbicides stating that approval by the state departments of Pesticide Control, Natural Resources, and particularly Trails Bureau, is required before we can proceed. A request for approval from Trails Bureau has been submitted and we are awaiting their response.
Linda Howes, a nutritionist and Trail user from Springfield, is alarmed at hearing about our plans to apply herbicides. She believes there are safer ways of controlling vegetation along the Trail. Ms. Howes stated that there is a wealth of evidence that the herbicides we propose to use may harm the environment as run off and drifts can endanger wild life. If the trail is treated before May 15 we do not have to notify the public but she believes that we should notify abutters and the general public even if not required. Ms. Howes then handed out maps on wild life habitats along the rail trail and information on the herbicides our consultant planned to use and other related matters. She also recommended we talk with Eversource Energy about an “excavator mower” they use on their rights of way and explore other possibilities to control vegetation.
Approval of February 17, 2016 minutes. Approved
Treasurer’s Report
No outstanding payables and no large receivables; $850 in new donations since last report; $441 spent on reimbursement for stamps for the annual appeal mailing.
Correspondence
Steve reported on a note and contribution from a couple from Bermuda with a nice compliment on their use of the Trail during their summers in New Hampshire.
Old Business
Maintenance:
In response to a question, Alex reported on the two historic Northern Line granite mileposts in Boscawen owned by Mr. Sanborn and his reluctance to make them available to be put on the Trail to fill milepost gaps. Jack Shields reported that he could ask the head of the New Hampshire Bureau of Historic Sites if he were willing to contact Mr. Sanborn regarding this matter and he was encouraged to do so.
2016 Recreational Trails Program Grant Applications Update (Alex and Nita). No deadline yet; Chris Norris and Ricker are working on a project statement.
Benches. (Ralph). Too wet to do much at the moment. Received an inquiry from a member to fund a memorial bench noting that there are some great locations for benches. The benches could be made available through FNRT/MC. Ralph’s next step is providing Alex with the location of benches so that they can be submitted to Trails Bureau for approval (of the location).
National Trails Day, Saturday, June 4, 2016 (Lindy, via e-mail). Lindy had been trying to partner with another group to have an activity on the Trail but has asked to be relieved of responsibility because she will be unable to be present on that day. Her request was approved and there being no other person present able to assume the task we will pass on any special activity in honor of National Trails Day this year.
Action Items
Steve Darling: web hosting found; Steve was commended for his digital archaeology and the updated list of people getting notices when an e-mail is sent to info@nullfnrt.org.
Heather Deardorff: Uno Pizzeria of Concord is willing to have a profit sharing dinner to benefit the Trail. August availibilty is fully open. The manager is excited about the possibility. Our first choice would be August 18; August 25 is our second choice. Heather will clear date.
Ralph: Will continue monitoring impact on the Trail of Route 3 roadwork by Edmunds near Webster Valve in Franklin.
New Business
Upcoming Meetings/Events:
Annual Appeal stuffing/mailing party: Wednesday, April 6 at Highland Lake Inn, East Andover. Will be held 3 to 5 PM. All welcome.
Thursday, April 14 Thursday’s Child Dinner, New London Inn. All encouraged to attend and bring friends and eat as much as possible.
Franklin Day, May 14 – do we want a table? (Nita will look into this by e-mail).
June 23-25 Market Days in Concord. Heather will pursue getting us a space preferably shared with Merrimack River Greenway as we did last year.
Steve Darling reported that Hannaford Franklin had donated about $42. based on sale of bags.
Next meeting will be held at the Andover Fire Station on April 20 at 7 PM.
Alex asked whether rotating meeting locations was something people continued to favor and the consensus was that we should continue rotating meetings. Suggestion was that we meet at Merrimack County Nursing Home in Boscawen on Route 3. Nita offered to check to see if we could meet there.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.