Groton Trails Committee

Meeting Agenda

15 August 2023, 7:00 p.m.

Conference Room 102 - The Groton Center – 163 W. Main St., W. Groton

Chair:  Paul Funch

Vice Chair:  Wanfang Murray

Co-Clerks:  Britt McKinley and Bob Fournier

7:00     Call to Order

7:00     VOTE to approve 18 July 2023 minutes

7:05     Reports

1. (7:05) Trail Projects
   1. Nashua Riverwalk – Meeting with new DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo and Central Region Director Jennifer Stowe on July 21^st; coordinating with DCR’s Interpretive Services on educational signs; update on DCR approvals
   2. Trail Maintenance – trimmed trails (Baddacook, Bates-Blackman, Floyd, Gamlin Crystal Spring, Groton Hills, Keyes Woods, MS XC Course, Northwoods, Sawtell, Sorhaug, Town Forest, Watson Way, Wharton Plantation); installed picnic tables and built up stone walls around parking area (Bates); mowed trails (Hurd, Keyes Woods, MS XC Course, Northwoods, Still Meadow); chainsawed trees (Longley II, McLain's Woods, Red Line, Rich SF, Shepley Hills, Skitapet, Sorhaug Woods, Town Forest, Walker, Wharton Plantation); turtle sweep (Shattuck Homestead)

• New Trail Projects Approved – Casella Preserve trail plan approved; trail construction planned for 8/19; Priest Family Trail (Martins Pond Rd. Connector) only approved from Shattuck St. to pond view.

1. New Trail Projects Planned – Harrison Ripley Forest trail plan submitted to Conservation Commission for discussion at future CC meeting

1. (7:25) 25^th Anniversary Planning – Review press/social media release; patch status
2. (7:35) Website and Interactive Map – updates
3. (7:45) State Earmark Funding Approved via Destination Groton Committee

7:50     Discussions

1. (7:50) Stoddart Trail enhancements – Meeting at trailhead on Long Hill Rd. on 8/22 @5:15; feedback to Haleys after that
2. (8:00) Grotonfest (9/30) booth information; business cards
3. (8:15) Liaisons to Town Boards/Committees/Commissions - status
4. (8:25) Parcel listing and stewardship updates - status
5. (8:40) Priorities/Goals for FY24 - status

9:00     Adjournment

The listing of topics that the Chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting is not intended as a guarantee of the topics that will have been discussed. Not all topics listed may in fact be discussed, and other topics not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.