Members Present: Rick Alpers (RA), Bruce Van Derven (BVD), Joe Denning (JD), Paul Fraser (PF)

Absent: Town Manager Elizabeth Corrow, Steve Favorite (SF), Angela Mahoney, Administrative Secretary

Board Chairman Rick Alpers called the public hearing meeting to order at 7:00pm.

There was 50 minutes of discussion regarding the use of snowmobile’s and ATV’s on the Multi-use Path. Mr. Alpers explained the purpose of the meeting was to listen to the publics input and the board would make a decision at the next meeting.

Mr. Ed Lindholm questioned who would be responsible for the liability of the path, who will maintain the path and will the police patrol the path. He was also concerned with the laws for snowmobile use on roads.

Mr. Dave Bartlett a member of the Bridgewater Snowmobile club stated the club has been grooming the trail for many years and there are specific guidelines that the club follows when grooming trails. The groomer can not begin grooming until December 15^th and there must be at least 8 inches of snow. The guidelines are in place to protect the trails and the groomer.

Mr. George Ferren confirmed if the Multi-use path permits snowmobiles and the Club posts it as a snowmobile trail, the Conservation Officers will patrol the trail and it would be covered with a 2 million dollar liability policy. The club would also properly mark the trail during the winter season.

Mr. Ron Shaw, President of the Club stated ATV’s are not covered under the Liability policy. The club is only an association for snowmobiles.

Mr. Bill Barrett was concerned with the durability of the path pertaining to the studs and pressure from the snowmobile. There was also question regarding the warranty on the path if snowmobiles were permitted.

Mr. Joel Bean questioned whether the grant for the path stated if the use of snowmobiles could be permitted. Mr. Rick Alpers explained the grant said it was to be a Multi-use path and did not specify anything further. Mr. Bean also requested the board make a decision before the winter progresses much further.

A Bristol citizen expressed concern with the weight limit on the bridge. A snowmobile with 2 passengers would exceed the recommend weight limit.

Mr. Mark Bucklin requested the club be in charge of the key to remove the sign that will allow snowmobiles to enter the path once there is enough snow.

An Alexandria resident clarified the use of cross country skiing on the path. Mr. Denning confirmed it is open to walkers, dog sleds, snow shoes, cross country skiers and bikers.

Ms. Fran Swan expressed concern in sharing the path with snowmobile’s while walking and other activities. From past experience, Ms. Swan found she has often been run off a snowmobile trail while wlaking due to the speed snowmobiles travel and is wary there may be collisions and possible injuries to those that are using the path for other activities.

Mrs. Paula Denning requested trash bins with bags be placed along the path for dog owners to pick up any messes.

Mr. Rick Alpers and Mr. Bruce Van Derven confirmed with the snowmobile club members that the grooming of the trail would go from the foot of Newfound Lake and end at Village House of Pizza. The club members stated they would not cross 3A and there would be a turnaround area in the field of Village House of Pizza.

Mr. Bruce Van Derven questioned whether there was an alternative trail for the snowmobiles and Mr. Bartlett explained there was a fork in the trail before Village House of Pizza which connects to the Lake through the Multi-use path.

Mr. Van Derven suggested the Multi-use path allow snowmobiles from Newfound Lake to Village House of Pizza and from Village House of Pizza across 3A and over the bridge would prohibit snowmobiles.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Krystal Alpers

Secretary