Bristol Branch RR

The meeting attendees were interested in funding opportunities through NHDOT that could be available to extend the existing Bristol Branch RR trail from Profile Falls to Bristol. Much of the former Railroad, including the impassable northerly mile, is within the US Army Corps of Engineers flood control reservation. Paul was familiar with the Transportation Enhancement process, and the Town of Bristol has an unrelated grant (reconstruction of Central Square) competing in the current round of funding. I also mentioned the recreational trails funding available through the DRED Trails Bureau (Jennifer Codispoti 271-3254 x216). I agreed to ask Nancy Mayville to contact Paul Weston and follow up with additional information about NHDOT programs.

Currently, snowmobiles can use the old RR corridor from the junction of the Northern Railroad in Franklin all the way to Profile Falls (Snowmobile Corridor 11). The trail section from Franklin, through Hill and on to Profile Falls represents most of the distance along the abandoned Bristol Branch. Beyond Profile Falls, an additional 2-mile +/- portion of the Bristol Branch toward Bristol is now either impassible from vegetation or missing because of crumbling fill embankments (a small section about a mile south of the center of Bristol next to Pemigewasset River.) There was much interest displayed at the meeting especially related to snowmobile access to these northerly two miles of the Bristol Branch, which could connect the snowmobile trail from Profile Falls to the center of Bristol. Some concern was expressed at the meeting about snowmobile damage to the new Central Street Bridge over the Pemigewasset River. Ways to prevent damage were discussed. There was also concern expressed about snowmobile safety given the high volumes of traffic in Bristol. Ways to maintain safety were discussed.

Representing the Army Corps, Jennifer Rockett attended the meeting. The Army Corps of Engineers owns most of the corridor, along with the rest of the flood control reservation. Paul Weston and Ms. Rockett have field-reviewed the northerly two miles of the Bristol Branch. Bristol is interested in producing a recreational trail to connect Bristol to Profile Falls. The Army Corps is amenable to at least non-motorized use of a trail connecting Profile Falls to Bristol. After further study, Ms. Rockett will provide additional input on whether or not the Army Corps will consider snowmobile use of the proposed trail. With concurrence from the Bristol Board of Selectmen, Mr. Weston's next step is to submit a letter of intent to the USACE home office in Concord, Massachusetts on the Town's proposal to create a recreational path through the reservation.

Jennifer and Paul expressed a desire to repeat their field review along NH 3A in the section between Profile Falls and Bristol with a representative from NHDOT Maintenance District 2. Jennifer and Paul want to explore areas where runoff from NH 3A is exacerbating erosion downstream and discuss ways of controlling the erosion.

New Hampton Park and Ride

Several meeting attendees commented on the critical space issues at the New Hampton Park and Ride. I agreed to forward the message to Mark Morrill to see if there is anything that can be done to temporarily alleviate the over-crowding until a proposed expansion project can be implemented. I agreed to alert Joan Clinton and ask her to follow up with Mr. Weston about any additional details regarding the New Hampton park and ride site's future.

Commute Green

I explained that this year's New Hampshire Department of Transportation Commute Green event will be a six-week program beginning the week of May 17-21. Statewide participants who use transit, cycle, walk or carpool for at least part of their transportation at least six times during the six-week promotion will be eligible to win one of several give-aways. Bristol plans to promote the Commute Green event locally with a bike and walk to work day for Friday, May 21. Bristol has requested a supply of promotional materials from the Department that can be distributed locally to participants. I agreed that Joan Clinton and Jerry Moore will follow up with Ms. Keegan (Energy Committee) with additional program details as they become available, and to confirm the number and types of promotional materials to distribute to Bristol participants through Ms. Keegan.