Meredith Pathways Committee

November 8, 2012

Town Hall Annex

Attending: Liz Lapham, Andy Bourn, Carol Gerken, Janis Roberts, Angela LaBrecque, John Edgar, Lissa Goodby and Chris Schwidder

Meeting was called to order at 9:40 am by Chairperson Liz Lapham. Liz introduced Lissa Goodby, a newly approved Board member. 

Angela will follow-up if swearing in is required for the board members that had not been previously done

Minutes for the September and October minutes were approved.

Meredith’s 1st Trick or Eat held on Oct. 28, 2012 was a great success. Better Together and Interlake Got Lunch each received approximately id="mce_marker"700 from the event.  Janis requested that copies of the historical tour scripts be sent to her for the Historical Society records.

Andy reported on the web cast presented by Mark Fenton on November 2^nd and it’s connection with Safe Routes to School, Healthy Communities and the Hawkins Brook project. Discussion took place regarding Meredith’s school district policies’ on busing (State law, legal issues and district policies), walking to school, and pick-up. The committee will invite the Superintendent of School to attend our January meeting. Although we have decided to refocus our attention away from SRTS, we could include this in Pedestrian Pathways or Healthy communities which would encompass this issue.

Andy will develop this portion of the agenda to cover this subject for the Jan. meeting.

New Business

Starting in January 2013, the meeting date will be changed to the 2^nd Wednesday of the month at 9am. The next meeting will be on January 9, 2013.  There will be no meeting in December.

John updated the committee on the direction the WOW committee will be taking in the future.  Three organizations WRTA (Franklin), BRAT (Belmont), and WOW (Laconia) will be working together to create a regional identity and focus.  Major issues facing the groups are the fencing that is now required along the railroad routes and getting like answers to questions. Meredith is supportive although not involved at this time.

Paula Wanzer, who recently attended the Crotched Mountain Sustainable Tails for All and Trail Accessibility Guidelines conference, presented an overview to the committee. The conference was presented by Peter Jensen, Master Planner and Builder and Janet Zeller.  Crotched Mountain is a residential rehab center and school located in Greenfield, NH.

Overview

• Trail Accessibility Guidelines
• Trail Connection
• User’s View-wheelchair users personal stories
• Trails at Crotched Mtn.-guided hike of Dutton and Greg Trails-3 miles of trails over low and highlands

Questions for Paula to obtain answers

• Where they used TREK versus Presser Treated wood?
• How long to build the Trail? 
• Cost of building trail?

Trails

• Trek decking with Lotus wood, hard to get in this area, very durable and best used in wetland areas to set supports in water area.     Lobster fencing used on railing for better unobstructed views.
• Tails best if built 60 inches wide with rest areas (allows wheelchairs to pass easily).  No less than 42 inches
• Safely-beveled edges (3-4 inches high by law) and risers for drainage. Know building codes, policies and guidelines
• Accessibility-guidelines
• Plan for Sustainability
• Types of materials
• Grade- 0-11%
• Drainage
• Railing-required if area 33 inches above water with suggested use of lobster fencing
• Signage-discreet and informative-in shape of subject
• Placards-science and history.  Also trail information specifying
• Grade
• Slope
• Width
• Who is allowed and not-positively stated using pictures a good idea
• Interesting and Informative
• View
• Placards
• Play structures/natural playgrounds (rocks, balance logs, or swings/rest area
• Consideration-vehicles allowed or not
• If not allowed must maintain up to date and accurate records when used for maintenance
• Speed limits-Possible Not faster than one could walk. 
• Law- only National at this time but changing

Resources

Peter Jenson and John Monroe

US Forest service

Crotched Mtn. Foundation-website

Forest Service Accessibility Guidelines-website

Conference PowerPoint

We could consider financing by contribution drive as done for Page Pond and also get onto the CIP (Capital Improvement Program).

John will set up a date to walk Hawkins Brook before snow fall and will let us know by email.

Adjourned at 11:15 am for field trip to the Science Center.

Next meeting January 9, 2013 at 9am,

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Schwidder