Trails Committee of the Mahoosuc Land Trust

www.thebetheljournals.info/Trails/betheltrails.htm

Help Extend the Bethel Pathway!

Saturday, June 28^th, 8am – 2pm

10 volunteers needed to help clear brush and rough out the trail from North Road to the Good Food Store.

Lunch will be provided, thanks to the Jolly Drayman at Briar Lea Inn, Rooster’s Roadhouse, and the Inn at the Rostay.

Contact Andy at jae13@cornell.edu

or 617-970-5104 to volunteer.

Bethel Trails Committee Meeting Minutes – April 16, 2008

Attendees:

Jim List, Bonnie Pooley, Barbara Russell, Ken Hottop, Sylvia Van der Sluis, Burnham Martin, Jim Mitchell, Michele Perejda

Guests:

Don Bennett

George Jordan

Matt Perejda

Chuck Thibodeaux

Tim Bruce

I. Previous Meeting Minutes Approved

II. Old Business

Jim List reported on his request to the Mahoosuc Land Trust for a $3,000 seed grant to fund an archeological study needed to proceed with the Gateway trail project. The MLT responded to the request by accepting it as a project of the MLT, providing assurance for the funds needed in excess of Trails Committee ability to meet them and agreeing to commit MLT staff time to helping the Trails Committee raise funds for the project.

Robin Zinchuk reported to the MLT Board that she had gained approval from the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to solicit area businesses on behalf of the Trails Committee.

III. Financial Update

Jim List reported that the Bethel trails account balance is $2,200. Subsequent to the request to the MLT Board, a bid of $4806 for the archeological study was received from Ellen Cowan at the University of Maine at Farmington.

IV. New Business

A. Bonnie Pooley reported that she had received a positive response from the Bethel Outing Club to her suggestion that the Club host a fundraiser in support of the Gateway/Mayville projects. The event is conceived to be a family-oriented “Fun Run,” beginning at the Gateway property and ending with a barbeque at the Good Food Store. The race would start at the top of the Gateway.

B. Burnham Martin agreed to take the lead role in preparing a proposal to the state Recreational Trails Program to fund development of the Gateway trail section.

C. A fundraising letter will be generated and will go out through MLT.

to a list of names to be provided by the committee. Current mailing lists are outdated and need to be brought current.

Chuck Thibodeau also suggested a “Developer Mailing,” essentially contacting all the local developers and educating them as to the benefits of supporting Bethel Trails, i.e., incorporating “lifestyle benefits” to their subdivision projects, a win/win for everyone.

Andy Eichelberger, a new Trails Committee volunteer, has written a grant application to the New England Grassroots Environmental Foundation, asking for $2,500 in support of the Committee’s Gateway/Mayville projects. The Committee reviewed the grant and recommended that it be directed toward the Gateway segment, since the needs are more clearly defined and urgent there.

Steve Wight sent Plum and Spring into Action Grant information as as possible resources for funds. Jim requested a volunteer to look into this. Sylvia stepped up.

D. The need to have a “Mission Statement was discussed, also the strategic use of that Statement for fundraising and community awareness. The importance of presenting this to the MLT board and the “larger membership” was also discussed. Don Bennett agreed to review an existing draft to write a mission statement that, after committee review, could go out in a MLT quarterly e-newsletter.

V. Sunday River Update

Tim Bruce reported confidence that the Sunday River Resort would donate proceeds from the resort’s Columbus Day 5K Race. The event historically raises between $800--$1,000. He suggested that the committee man a station/table at South Ridge Lodge during the event. Further details and planning to be discussed.

Sunday River is planning to develop a 3-mile trail from the resort’s Summit Hotel to its Jordan Hotel in 2009. Sunday River is a major resource in the connection of Bethel and Newry trails. Jim List anticipates hearing back from Mark Hall, Head of Real Estate Development at Sunday River, with regard to a specific route for the trail, in the form of a map.

VI. Project Updates

A. Safe Ways to School

Barbara Russell met with Scott Cole, who reported that there is definite support from the town to follow through on recommendations to improve pedestrian movement along Mason Street. There was an indication at the March Selectmens that funds were available to match State construction funds there.

B. Mayville

The town manager and Don (John) Cheney, principal landowner for that part of the trail, flagged this area. An archeological study will not be needed. Wetlands have been previously mapped -No expense there.

Still need to address the fencing. There is nothing in the agreement. It was mentioned that Don (John) Cheney feels there is a moral obligation to address the fencing. It was recommended that we should check in with the abutter as a courtesy. George Jordan committed to call/ check in with Frank Harrington to see if fencing is needed.

Easements are in place up to Twitchell Brook.

VII. Miscellaneous Items

• Multi-user group meeting should probably be rescheduled. Robin Zunick requested another meeting.
• Integrating the trails….maps, a website Downloading maps and cost associated with web base issues were brought up.
• Trail use in the Summer and Trail use in the Winter..How do we appeal to everyone?
• Surfaces for the Trails? crushed stone, possible paving. Great Glen was a model that was mentioned.

VIII. Agenda Items for Next Meeting: May 28^th (4:00pm)

· Developing a relationship with the MLT board

· Possible website: www.betheltrails.com

· Follow-up regarding Sunday River 5K Race

· Format for fundraising letter: Goal: Timing, mailing and letters Draft and mailing list.

· Address “Questions” from previous meeting

· Follow-up with guest/volunteer initiatives

· Review Mission Statement

· Discuss web marketing

· Project updates

Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Monthly Meeting

Draft Minutes

Attending: Jim List, Burnham Martin, Bonnie Pooley, Barbara Russell, Robin Zinchuk

1. The February meeting minutes were approved

2. The Trails Planning Retreat was briefly discussed in the anticipation of a written report at a future date. The central conclusion of the retreat as recollected by participants was that Bethel Area Trails would formalize and strengthen its status as a committee of the Mahoosuc Land Trust. (A key participant in that conclusion was the MLT President Steve Wight). On the basis of that conclusion, the group agreed to refer to itself henceforth as the Trails Committee of the Mahoosuc Land Trust.

3. Project Updates
1. Barbara Russell reported that Don Murphy will follow through on his offer to complete the DEP permitting for Phase I of the Davis Park to Telstar trail (the Gateway project). Cost estimates are now in hand, with final figures conditional on Jim Sysko’s final design for a bridge to cross wetlands at the Gateway property’s northwest corner. Don Murphy has committed to getting together with Jim Sysko to help move the design process forward. Before the project can commence, an archaeological survey must be performed, at a cost of $3,000 (estimated from prior service). The window of opportunity for contracting this service is short (this spring) if the project is to have any prospect of moving forward this year.

The Gateway project’s budget includes $2,000 for a project coordinator. Barbara indicated she would be willing to take on that responsibility if the committee so desired.

2. John Cheney gave an update on the Mayville extension of the Trail committee’s first successful project—the trail connecting the multi-use bridge across the Androscoggin to the North Road. The Cheneys, the Town of Bethel, and adjoining land owners have now completed all necessary legal agreements to establish an easement for a trail extending from North Road to Twitchell Brook behind the Good Food Store, and from that trail to Route 2 through property of the Inn at Rostay. The Town of Bethel has agreed to maintain the trail, and has already expended funds for legal documentation; however, the Town will be seeking funding assistance for the trail’s physical development. Mr. Cheney offered to help make improvements that would make the trail usable in the near term before its construction to final specifications (e.g. paving with stone dust). In the interim, he stressed the importance of maintaining good relations with the owner of an adjacent agricultural field, Mr. Harrington, who has been assured that trail users will be restricted from accessing his field. Mr Cheney expressed his preference that a fence be installed of the same style that lies alongside the bridge/North Road trail segment (“split rail”).

Mr. Cheney reported that he and the town manager would be marking the precise location of the Mayville trail on Friday, March 14.

Bonnie Pooley volunteered to follow up with Bethel to confirm whether the Mayville project lies within an area for which archaeological surveys are required.

Barbara reported that Don Murphy would have to charge for his service to prepare a DEP permit for the Mayville extension. Fortunately, wetland data exists from earlier work done for the Town of Bethel, so new wetlands mapping should not be necessary.

3. Jim List reported on his follow-up to a proposal advanced by “Fuzzy” Thurston, developer of the Locke Mountain Estates subdivision adjacent to Sunday River resort. Mr. Thurston desired to develop a public, non-motorized trail through his development as a way to provide access from Sunday River Road near the old Gould ski-jump to the parking lot of Sunday River’s Summit Hotel. At Mr. Thurston’s request, Mr. List took his proposal to Dana Bullen, general manager of Sunday River. While enthusiastic about a trail connecting Bethel to Sunday River, Mr. Bullen and staff rejected the proposed route on the grounds that it lay athwart an area slated for future residential development by the resort. In addition, the resort has plans to develop a walking trail of its own from the Summit access road adjacent to the Sunday River Skiway to the vicinity of the Jordan Hotel, and the proposed trail was seen as requiring too tortuous a route to connect with the proposed resort trail.

In spite of the rejection of the developer’s proposal, Mr. Bullen expressed his support of the project, indicating another route from Sunday River road that would more practically (in his view) connect with the planned resort trail, which will extend 3 miles through the resort. He offered assistance in the form of staff support (Joe Aloisio and Kevin_) for trail development-related activities and land-owner negotiations, and S.R. Development Director Mark Hall offered to send a digital copy of the resort’s map outlining its trail route.

4. Barbara Russell reported on the Mason Street sidewalk component of the Trails Committee’s Safe Routes to School objective. The state DOT rejected the proposal as modified by the town-appointed committee, but invited a re-submission that would project a larger project and additional money.

4. Funding needs and strategies for fundraising
1. The committee resolved to approach Mahoosuc Land Trust for assistance with a $3,000 “seed grant” to enable contracting an archaeological survey this spring. It was hoped that Trust staff could be assigned to writing grants for trail development. In addition, it was agreed that mailings by the Trust on behalf of the Trails Committee would benefit both the committee and the Trust as a whole, providing Trust members a way to become more involved and “step into the trails arena,” as well as a way to attract new Trust members and support by extending the mailings to the business community and beyond (i.e. Chamber of Commerce “leads”).

Don Bennett suggested that a 1-page memo describing the Trails Committee objectives and a 2-page list of needs be compiled for presentation to the Mahoosuc Land Trust. Any assistance with this and/or research into Committee archives for existing materials would be appreciated.

2. For purposes of fundraising, the committee resolved that the Gateway and Mayville projects should be combined into one package as extensions (at both ends) of the Bethel Pathway. The combined cost for the two segments is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $100,000.
3. Jim List urged the committee to take another look at the database of grant possibilities assembled by Ken Hotopp, Burnham Martin, and him. The committee continues to seek individuals who would be willing to help draft proposals to agencies they see as likely sources of support.
4. Opportunities for fundraising events/activities were discussed. Of particular interest was a 5km footrace or (mountain?) bike event. Bonnie Pooley agreed to approach the Bethel Outing Club and Beth and Brad Clark to discuss the possibility of a collaborative event of that type to support the objectives of the Trail Committee.

5. Robin Zinchuk projected a Joint Trail User Meeting could be scheduled sometime around May. More discussion is required to tighten up the format and participants.

6. Meeting adjourned.

Next full committee meeting: Wednesday, April16, 2008 Submitted by Jim List

Trails Committee of the Mahoosuc Land Trust

Friday, February 15, 2008 Monthly Meeting

Minutes

Attending: Bonnie Pooley, Jim Mitchell, Burnham Martin, Robin Zinchuk, Sylvia Vander Sluis, and Jim List.

The meeting commenced with a review for accuracy and completeness of Jim List’s project summaries. The first subject was signs, and Sylvia Vander Sluis clarified progress made to date with not only sign and logo design, but also analysis of existing Bethel signs, styling, and placement and recommendations for placement of Trails Committee signs. This work was done largely with the help of Hal Moran, who met with the Bethel manager and code enforcement officer during its development.

An issue that needs re-visiting is whether or not the Mahoosuc Land Trust could be included on signs marking trails funded by the town of Bethel. To date, this is a moot point, since the Town hasn’t been the sole funder of a trail promoted by the committee.

The committee resolved that Bethel Pathway signs and signs for the proposed Mayville and Gateway extensions should all match; however, it was noted that the design of existing Bethel Pathway and Davis Park signs made them potentially too expensive to duplicate widely. It was noted that although a network of Chamber of Commerce signs existed that met town ordinances, the town would not permit commercial information on trail signs, such as featuring sponsors or giving directions to nearby commercial establishments.

Bonnie Pooley recommended adopting safety and directional signs (as opposed to trailhead signs) in the style used by area snowmobile clubs, which adhere to Maine’s “uniform traffic control device” manual.

Discussion then moved to particular trail projects under consideration, starting with the Bethel to Newry route. First to be discussed was a potential link through Locke Mountain Estates to Sunday River property. The developers of this property desire to dedicate rights-of-way for public trails that would provide an overland route to the Summit Hotel from Sunday River Road near the old Gould Academy ski jump site. The developers are seeking consent from Sunday River Ski Resort to map approximately ½ mile of trail on resort property that would form part of the route, and have asked whether the Trails Committee had made any contact with Sunday River in that regard. The committee resolved to follow up with Sunday River staff. Bonnie Pooley, representing the Mahoosuc Land Trust as a board member, expressed opinion that the Trust would be willing to hold easements assigned by the developer if that were deemed helpful. As Kirk Siegel had earlier recommended easements held by the towns of Newry and Bethel for the development area situated in each respective town. The committee resolved to ask Steve Wight about Newry’s stance toward accepting an easement, and to ask Kirk Siegel about the legal distinction between a trail right of way and a trail easement.

The Locke Mountain Estates trail would comprise the northernmost segment of a Bethel to Newry trail.

Significant obstacles have arisen with respect to a river-side route from Bethel to Angevine Park. It may be that a road-side bicycle-pedestrian path may be the most acceptable route. Potential funding exists in a Maine Department of Transportation’s Transportation Enhancement Program, which is a federal/municipal match program (typically 80/20) that supports establishment of multi-use trails and paved shoulders on local roads. It was the view of the committee that DOT resources are currently focused on improvements to Rte. 2 from Bethel to the NH state line, and that second in priority to local road improvement is a strong desire to improve Sunday River Road. In light of these existing priorities, the committee felt that an effort to focus transportation resources on North Road would not be cost effective at this time. The committee resolved to keep an open mind as to alternatives for a trail connecting Bethel with Angevine Park. Robin Zinchuk offered to speak with Ernest Angevine to solicit his recommendations.

The Davis Park/Bethel Gateway project has now attained a route description, landowner approval, wetlands delineation, location and description of necessary structures. A draft budget prepared by Barbara Russell follows.

Gateway Cost Estimates (2053' does not include Rte. 26 segment)
Rough cost estimates from Jim Sysko
Bridge	$6,000.00
Culvert extension	$2,000.00
Subtotal		$8,000.00
Estimates based on Pathway to BIG
Archeological research	$3,000.00
Project Coordination	$2,000.00
Permitting	$1,000.00
Design	$2,000.00
MDEP permit fee	$55.00
Clearing and site prep	$12,318.00
Base Material	$6,159.00
Clearing, rip rap, loam, etc	$6,000.00
Subtotal		$32,532.00
Inflation estimate		$10,000.00
Total		$50,532.00

A southern segment of a Bethel to Newry route has moved closer to realization with land swaps and landowner agreements making possible the extension northward of the new trail linking the snowmobile bridge (and Bethel Pathway) to North Road. It is anticipated that costs for this Mayville project would be comparable to Davis Park/Bethel Gateway. Rather than prioritize for action one project over the other for the seeking of funds, the committee resolved to treat them together as extensions of the same existing (Bethel) core trail. It was felt that combining them would elevate their prospects of attracting significant funding. Burnham Martin offered to contact Don Murphy about contributing his services to assess wetland permitting needs on the Mayville route. Jim List reported he would be contacting a potential new volunteer who is a possible candidate for assistance with the Mayville project (basically duplicating the steps coordinated by Barbara Russell for the Gateway project).

The Trails Committee resolved at its planning retreat to remain a committee of the Mahoosuc Land Trust. [A full report of that retreat will be distributed when it is finished by Michele Perejda]. Considering that decision, the issue was raised as to how the Trails Committee would interact with Mahoosuc Land Trust in time to come. Uppermost among committee concerns was that adequate trail project coordination is not feasible without staff time devoted regularly to trail issues.

Jim List reported his observation from the MLT annual retreat that the Trust’s approach to project adoption and support depends on a “champion” coming forward who is passionate about a project. At this point, no strategic plan exists that would guide MLT decision-making in this regard.

Executive Director Jim Mitchell’s request at the MLT retreat for prioritization of his time by the MLT board was met with instruction to construct his own priority list, based on his more complete information. Jim List requested that he include the Trails Committee as an item on his priority list.

Consensus at the MLT retreat was that the Trails Committee should function as a sub-unit of the MLT Lands Committee. Consequently, as a means of further defining the Trail Committee’s role vis-à-vis MLT, Jim List was invited to represent the Trails Committee as a member of the MLT Lands Committee.

Robin Zinchuk asked whether it would be feasible for the MLT to approach the Mahoos