Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee

Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee- Nov. 5, 2012 Minutes ATTENDEES: Joshua Segal, Greg Andruskevich, Nick Caggiano, Sherm Sewell, Richard Gillespie, Mike Dillon, Peter Testa, Ed Moran, Carol Rust, David Silva: Guests: Pam Anderson, Dick LaRose, Todd Guay, Ed Lecius, Nashua Police Community Policy Coordinator. TOPIC LEAD DISCUSSION / CONCLUSIONS 1. Approval of minutes Joshua - Meeting called to order by committee chairman Joshua Segal at 7 p.m. - Motion by Greg, second by Dave to accept minutes for October meeting and approved unanimously without change. 2. Police Presence Ed Lecius - Variety of issues covered. Joshua stated the committee has followed instructions from Ed the last time and nothing has changed. Believes police don't have a clue about GPS signage. Has given up calling about dogs off leash in the park. - Joshua and Dave stated police enforcement is needed in regards to parking on Whipple Street circle as cars are blocking emergency vehicles when needed. - Dave also has issues with partying by adults in the UPS parking area as he has picked up 45 cans of beer from the site. Lots of drinking and absolute disregard for trash by those partying. And those parking illegally in the circle should be ticketed. Todd mentioned ticketing was tried but doesn't seem to work. - Suggestions made to close off the circle or have vehicles towed. - Ed responded sector issues are prioritized and previously there was no parking enforcement on Saturdays. Now one concentrates on downtown parking. Tying up an officer on parking is a big deal when there are priority issues that need attention. - Ed will inquire with his boss about the GPS issue. On dog issue there is one officer who works Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Ed stated Mine Falls Park is safe.only 32 calls made to police from October of last year to this year. Nick was shocked at the low number of calls. Manpower is the problem in having officers in the park but there are officers who do jog in the park on their own after their shifts and the Problem Oriented Police (POP) units are in the park also. - Ed will look into city ordinances about towing and signage in the Whipple Street area to help alleviate the illegal parking issue. He urged members to keep calling about dogs at large and campers, etc. and not to confront those not complying with the city ordinances. When asked if it's okay to take pictures of the dogs with the owners Ed stated it's OK but doing so at your own risk. Don't put yourselves in harm's way. Be sure to call. - Regarding police presence in Lincoln Park and not Mine Falls as asked by Joshua, Ed explained that the city is broken into sectors and Lincoln Park is in Sector 10 and officers check out parks throughout the city in the various sectors. Keep calling 594-3500 or call Ed direct at 594-3544. - Nick noted that Deputy Howe has made the tagging of the new signs a "watch for" priority.  2012 Meetings: Jan 9, Feb 6, March 5, April , May 7, June 4, No July meeting, Aug 6, Sept. 10, Oct.1, Nov. 5 , Dec 3, Jan. 7, 2013 WEB SITE: http://www.gonashua.com  2012 Trail Days April 21, May 19 , June 16, No July Trail Day, Aug. 18, Sept. 22, Oct. 220, Possible Volunteer Day Nov. 10 Page 1 of 4  Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee- Nov. 5, 2012 Minutes ATTENDEES: Joshua Segal, Greg Andruskevich, Nick Caggiano, Sherm Sewell, Richard Gillespie, Mike Dillon, Peter Testa, Ed Moran, Carol Rust, David Silva: Guests: Pam Anderson, Dick LaRose, Todd Guay, Ed Lecius, Nashua Police Community Policy Coordinator. TOPIC LEAD DISCUSSION / CONCLUSIONS 3. Park and Rec Nick - New park entrance signs are all up and attachments will be added in the spring. - Paving in the park along the Red Trail and Whipple Street will be done in the spring as asphalt shops are shutting down. - Storm damage from Superstorm Sandy not that bad only some trees down on the Spine Road and Orange and Green Trails. Will get to them once employees are freed up from soft waste pick-up season...lost four people for this effort. - Stated he has been told by members of the city's X-Country teams they appreciate the upgrading of the Red Trail and that perhaps this could be a Girl Scout project to help in the future. Joshua praised the work done on the trail the last trail day and that it looks just beautiful. - Last meeting Joshua recommended going with long sleeve t-shirts next year for volunteers this was deferred for a decision next year. - Nick noted Rail Trail was spruced up by PAL and Daniel Webster College and that groups have re-upped their pledge to keep trail clean though Community Development Office.  2012 Meetings: Jan 9, Feb 6, March 5, April , May 7, June 4, No July meeting, Aug 6, Sept. 10, Oct.1, Nov. 5 , Dec 3, Jan. 7, 2013 WEB SITE: http://www.gonashua.com  2012 Trail Days April 21, May 19 , June 16, No July Trail Day, Aug. 18, Sept. 22, Oct. 220, Possible Volunteer Day Nov. 10 Page 2 of 4  Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee- Nov. 5, 2012 Minutes ATTENDEES: Joshua Segal, Greg Andruskevich, Nick Caggiano, Sherm Sewell, Richard Gillespie, Mike Dillon, Peter Testa, Ed Moran, Carol Rust, David Silva: Guests: Pam Anderson, Dick LaRose, Todd Guay, Ed Lecius, Nashua Police Community Policy Coordinator. TOPIC LEAD DISCUSSION / CONCLUSIONS 4. Old Business All. - Capital expense suggestions. Dick suggested we fund an officer for the months of June, July and August to be in the park. Carol thought it to be an excellent idea and Nick to check it out. - As to water testing in the Canal and Millpond, Dick "Googled iron-fixing bacteria and used wikipedia to research the rusty slime in the Millpond. Naturally occurring bacteria in the soil convert one form of iron in the groundwater to another and create the orange sludge, slime or slick after the groundwater reaches the oxygenated zone, where the air and groundwater intersect. That's the rust colored layer in the soil that Nick was describing in the sign pit by the boat ramp. The stuff is apparently not harmful but may have an unpleasant odor and appearance. It is more of a problem if it occurs in water wells. It can be treated with chlorine but is a continuing problem as the source of the iron, the buried metal waste in the landfill, is constantly supplying more iron. There is nothing that we can do about it and it is not a health hazard." Nick said the Waste Water Dept. will be checking the water in the future. - Peter Testa suggested upgrading the use of a Polaris or Bob Cat to expedite the upgrading of the Red Trail. Discussion on this centered on utilizing such vehicles when planning on what is needed on the particular trail day. Some volunteers expect to do some heavy work also it was noted. A Polaris, BobCat or Toolcat could be rented or purchased according to Nick. The present Polaris is now in its eight year City would have to operate the machinery. -Dick suggested placing an elevated boardwalk on a portion of the Red Trail and Nick thought this to be a great idea and a vendor or engineers should evaluate the site believed to be by R43. - Another dish was okayed to be added to the antenna on the cell tower and a structural analysis will be done on the tower. To add $9,000 a year to the cell tower fund. . 5. New business All - No trail day will be held on Nov. 10. - Blue tarp is not showing and spreading of wood chips by Joshua and Lynn seems to be doing the job intended in the knotweed experiment. - It was the consensus of the committee to advise Nick that the port-a-potties be removed at the entrances due to continued vandalism to them. Joshua stated a friend of his has put the port-a-potty by the Millyard entrance back to its upright position on several occasions. - December meeting: Greg will secure the Estabrook Grill for the Dec. 3 meeting with a 6 p.m. start time. Notice will be posted so public can attend. Will include the nomination of officers for the coming year. - Greg as chairman, Dave as vice chairman and nominations needed for secretary.  2012 Meetings: Jan 9, Feb 6, March 5, April , May 7, June 4, No July meeting, Aug 6, Sept. 10, Oct.1, Nov. 5 , Dec 3, Jan. 7, 2013 WEB SITE: http://www.gonashua.com  2012 Trail Days April 21, May 19 , June 16, No July Trail Day, Aug. 18, Sept. 22, Oct. 220, Possible Volunteer Day Nov. 10 Page 3 of 4  Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee- Nov. 5, 2012 Minutes ATTENDEES: Joshua Segal, Greg Andruskevich, Nick Caggiano, Sherm Sewell, Richard Gillespie, Mike Dillon, Peter Testa, Ed Moran, Carol Rust, David Silva: Guests: Pam Anderson, Dick LaRose, Todd Guay, Ed Lecius, Nashua Police Community Policy Coordinator. TOPIC LEAD DISCUSSION / CONCLUSIONS - The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.  2012 Meetings: Jan 9, Feb 6, March 5, April , May 7, June 4, No July meeting, Aug 6, Sept. 10, Oct.1, Nov. 5 , Dec 3, Jan. 7, 2013 WEB SITE: http://www.gonashua.com  2012 Trail Days April 21, May 19 , June 16, No July Trail Day, Aug. 18, Sept. 22, Oct. 220, Possible Volunteer Day Nov. 10 Page 4 of 4