Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee

Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee April 6, 2015 Item Topic Lead Discussion / Conclusions 1. Call to Order Greg Call to Order: 7:01 pm Andruskevich March minutes approved. Attendees: Pam Anderson, Greg Andruskevich, Dick Gillespie, Ed Moran, Peter Testa, Nick Caggiano, Nick Serpa, Brian Edwards, Dave Silva. No Guests Mark Soucy was not re-appointed 2. Park/Rec. Nick Will be attending a presentation regarding the Emerald Ash Borer insect. MFP is in the area of concern for this invasive Caggiano insect that destroys Ash trees, which may be in the park. What to look for: “Blonding” on the bark. (Blonding is when woodpeckers flick the bark off the tree to get to the insect.) Dave Silva asked if there was any active remediation that can be done, Nick stated there is none at this time. Dick Gillespie stated we honestly don’t know the quantity of Ash trees in the park as we do not have a valid inventory of trees within the park. This is a good argument to fund this type of study to be completed. Nashaway Chapter Audubon Society will be at the Nashua Public Library May 20, 7-9pm http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/download.cfm?curOrg=NASHUA&curMonth=5&curYear=2015&curEvtID=3646519 Mutt Mitts: Key issues, the supplied key fits some but not others. 5 of the 8 Mutt Mitt supply boxes are missing from park entrances. Bob Genest will be tasked with resolving this. Committee Walkthrough: Sunday April 19, 2:00 pm Whipple St. entrance. Jackets: Discarded, unnecessary expense. Picnic Tables: All set & ready to place one the thaw is complete. Cove Sign: Brian Edwards checked around the area near 7th street entrance & the overlook but did not find it. We will check the canal once it has cleared of ice. All-out effort to find the sign before buying a new one. Dick Gillespie reviewed the latest balance of the Cell Tower fund and asked if that included any of the construction cost associated with the red trail boardwalk, Nick stated it did not and after that comes out the balance will be in the range of $150,000. This is the lowest its been in some time, we need to let this build back up and not spend needlessly for the 2015 season. Dick also inquired about the chemical treatment of the Mill Pond & Canal this year. Nick stated this is a by year as it is recommended to be done every two years. There will also be no water chestnut harvesting performed this year.  2014 Meetings: Jan 6, Feb 3, March 3, April 7 , May 5, June 3, No July meeting, Aug 4, Sept. 8, Oct.6, Nov. 3 , Dec 1, Jan. 5, 2015  WEB SITE: http://www.gonashua.com  2014 Trail Days April 19, May 17 , June 14, No July Trail Day, Aug. 16, Sept. 20, Oct.18, optional Committee Day Nov. 15  Page 1 of 3  Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee April 6, 2015 Item Topic Lead Discussion / Conclusions 3. Chairman’s Greg - Inquired about laminated trail day inserts for the entrance signs. Peter Testa Prints these & has them laminated. Notes Andruskevich - 2nd Nashua Fall Festival in Oct. 17, 2015. Greg would like the committee to have another float this year. Nick Serpa & Ed Moran were assigned to organize this. - Recommended posting the ‘Tick check’ & ‘Lyme disease tool kit’ flyers at trail day registration table. Dick Gillespie mentioned we have a responsibility to remind volunteers of the presence of ticks in the park and to check themselves after trail day activities. - Gatehouse will be open Thursday June19. Pam Anderson & Greg Andruskevich will be present to show visitors around. - The Nashua Telegraph still won’t run any article related to the park Greg has presented. There was an article about how MFP is helping to promote people living in downtown Nashua. - Canal Reconfiguration is underway to aid in the installation of a 42 inch pipe that will empty the canal directly into the Nashua river as opposed to running under Clocktower Mill building. - Mayor Donnalee Lozeau will attend the next MFPAC meeting to discuss the new foot bridge entrance to the park off Ledge Street. - Review of Committee By-Laws by Dick Gillespie. Dick requested to table this until next meeting & review April 25 th trail day activities. * Clear canal banks of branches & debris in preparation for May 3 Millyard triathlon. * Clear branches & debris from trails. - Nick Caggiano stated we can toss the smaller branches into the woods or we can create piles along the trail edge and he will have a truck with a chipper come down & chip the branches into the woods. 4. Old Business All None. 5. New All - Discussed projects for Rivier College’s ‘day of service’ on April 18. Business *the Triangle near the overpass * clean Whipple St. entrance - Soifert Field memorial flag is torn & should be replaced. 6. Other All Adjournment 7:59 pm  2014 Meetings: Jan 6, Feb 3, March 3, April 7 , May 5, June 3, No July meeting, Aug 4, Sept. 8, Oct.6, Nov. 3 , Dec 1, Jan. 5, 2015  WEB SITE: http://www.gonashua.com  2014 Trail Days April 19, May 17 , June 14, No July Trail Day, Aug. 16, Sept. 20, Oct.18, optional Committee Day Nov. 15  Page 2 of 3  Mine Falls Park Advisory Committee April 6, 2015 Item Topic Lead Discussion / Conclusions  2014 Meetings: Jan 6, Feb 3, March 3, April 7 , May 5, June 3, No July meeting, Aug 4, Sept. 8, Oct.6, Nov. 3 , Dec 1, Jan. 5, 2015  WEB SITE: http://www.gonashua.com  2014 Trail Days April 19, May 17 , June 14, No July Trail Day, Aug. 16, Sept. 20, Oct.18, optional Committee Day Nov. 15  Page 3 of 3