Parks Committee Meetings
2017 Minutes
Parks Committee
April 10, 2017
The April 10, 2017 Waterford Parks Committee was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Present were Peg Nation, Jeff Harrington, Mary Ann Holme, and Cindy Mitchell.
First it was noted that the ice fishing shack on Bear Pond is now gone. It had been taken off the frozen pond and placed on the beach until the owner could remove it.
Next it was noted that a fair including vendors and musicians will possibly be setting up at Werner Park during Memorial Day Weekend when a dedication plaque will be placed to commemorate the Hapgood/Hamlin Carding Mill. The Parks Committee did not have any opposition to Werner Park being used for this event.
It was discussed that the town is hiring a part time paid position for the Sports and Rec and Parks Overseer position. This is a new position and the person will help with problems for double booking the Sandlot ball field as well as many other duties.
Other items noted were:
- replacing one of the picnic tables at Crooked River Park
- the ice out contest for Keoka Lake
- the library possibly not having the annual book sale during July 4th
- the Commons Farmers Market will be happening again this summer
- the "This is Waterford" sign is back up
- Jeff reported there were no blow-downs on Mt. Tire'm
- snowmobile access to the top of Hawk Mountain is now closed
- the picnic table/bench at Bear Pond Park needs to be repaired.
- The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Mitchell
Parks Committee
June 12, 2017
The Waterford Parks Committee met on June 12, 2017 at 6:40 p.m. with Mary Ann Holme, Jeff Harrington, Peg Nation and Cindy Mitchell present.
The first item on the agenda was to vote for the chairperson. A motion was made to have Mary Ann Holme remain as chairperson. The motion was seconded and voted in favor of.
Next on the agenda was an update about the City Brook Carding Mill dedication/memorial held at Werner Park over the Memorial Day Weekend. A plaque was placed across from the park in memory of the Hapgood/Hamlin Carding Mill that once resided along the brook.
Mary Ann reported that Jasmine Merrill has been named as the new Sports and Rec Director and Parks Overseer. Her responsibilities will include the parks in town.
The committee reviewed each of the parks and reported the following:
Crooked River Park has a land owner dispute that was found when some signage was placed on the park's property. John Bell has surveyed the property and a letter was mailed to the owner of the misplaced signage asking for them to be removed. The old picnic table has been removed for safety reasons and will not be replaced at this time. There is another picnic table at the park and a grill which will remain in place for now.
Mt. Tire'm does not have the town's signage like at the other parks. The committee discussed putting one there to replicate the one at the foot of Hawk Mountain. It was decided that a small sign, 12" wide x 18" high placed at the top and bottom of the trail, would be appropriate. Mary Ann will follow up with Muddy River in Bridgton, which made the signage for the other parks in town.
The committee discussed town-owned land on Hawk Mountain. The Hatch Preserve land was donated to Western Foothills Land Trust last year. Cindy will attempt to contact Lee Dassler, Executive Director of WFLT, and invite her to a meeting to discuss the future of Hawk Mountain.
Bear Pond picnic table/benches need to be repaired. Cindy offered to fix them.
The Waterford Commons had enjoyed the Farmer's Market each Monday afternoon from 2-5 p.m. There are several vendors, live music, and they will be set up for the 4th of July as well.
It was discussed that Keoka Lake Town Beach could use another picnic table there. The current one is still there and gets a lot of use. Jeff offered to build one to put there.
Werner Park is looking good and being used regularly by local area children and others. There are no needs there at this time.
The Gage Rice Beach had some trash-on-the-ground issues recently which were taken care of. The beach gets regular use.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Parks Committee
July 10, 2017
The Parks Committee was called to order at 6:28 p.m. at Bear Pond Park. Members present were Jeff Harrington, Judy Haynes, Cindy Kimball and Chairperson Mary Ann Holme.
The first item on the agenda was the minutes for November 10, 2016, April 10, 2017, and June 12, 2017 which were previously sent out by email for review. The PC voted to approve these minutes as presented.
The next item was a review of all parks and the following was discussed:
Bear Pond Park - two pieces of the fencing alongside the road are in need of repair.
Hawk Mountain - there is still erosion going on and vehicles accessing the right of way to the top.
Mt. Tire'm - signage has been ordered to place at the entrance to the access trails. The signs will be green with ivory writing. Jeff noted there was firewood piled at the top for camp fires and a tree on the trail.
Werner Park - Judy noted there has been a lot of use of the park. The benches have been put in place, the picnic table is being used, and no repairs are needed at this time.
Gage Rice Beach - being used a lot with no problems to report.
The Common is busy with the weekly Farmer's Market. The Library had a good turnout for the annual book sale, as did the community breakfast at the Wilkins House and the fourth of July parade.
Crooked River Park will be reviewed at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Kimball
Parks Committee
August 14, 2017
The August 14th Parks Committee was called to order at 6:37 p.m. Members present were Chairperson Mary Ann Holme, Peg Nation, Jeff Harrington, Skipp Green, and Cindy Kimball.
The PC discussed the parks with the following notes:
Bear Pond Park - Two railings have been replaced as discussed at the previous meeting, Mary Ann noted there was a small amount of trash so put it in the trash can but otherwise the park looked good.
Mt. Tire'm - Jeff noted the new signage has been put in place and looks good.
Gage Rice Beach - Peg reported the beach and parking area look good.
The Common - The Farmer's Markets have been busy and doing good.
Bear Mountain - Peg asked whether or not hiking the face of the mountain was allowed because an endangered flower, the New Jersey Tea plant, has a presence there and she doesn't want to see it decimated. As far as the PC knows, it isn't disallowed to hike the mountain.
Hawk Mountain - Ongoing erosion problems. Lee Dassler of Western Foothills Land Trust will be invited to talk with the PC regarding the future of Hawk Mountain. The PC may hike Hawk later in August.
Werner Park - Busy and looks good.
Crooked River Park - Skipp will check to see if the incorrectly placed signage noting no trespassing is still on the town's property and will report back at a future meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Kimball
Parks Committee
September 18, 2017
The Parks Committee was called to order at 7:35 p.m. Members present were Peg Nation, Skipp Green, Jeff Harrington, and Cindy Kimball. Guests present were Lee Dassler, Executive Director of Western Foothills Land Trust, John O'Brien of Friends of Hawk Mountain, and Colin Holme, of Lakes Environmental Association.
Lee discussed that the Ron Hatch parcel of land was given to Western Foothills Land Trust to be used for hiking trails and recreational activities. Lee noted that forester Bill Newcomb has developed a harvesting plan which will begin in October. Some of the twitch trails will later be developed as multi purpose trails - hiking, snowmobile, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. A new parking lot will be forged and used as the trail head. The future of the town's right of way will be determined at a later time. The PC questioned who will maintain the trails, the parking lot, and the ROW. Lee said she hopes to see a combined effort with the local snowmobile club helping groom the trails and the town plowing the parking lot. There was discussion regarding gates at the entrances of the trails and the ROW. She said there are grants available. Lee asked that the PC work with her and WFLT to develop a management plan and vision for the future of Hatch Preserve and to help promote the vision and future of the land. She noted that money will be needed to make this all happen. Colin noted that Lakes Environmental Association can provide technical resources as needed but they aren't able to provide monetary funds.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Kimball
Parks Committee
Oct 13, 2017
Present: Jeff Harrington, Peg Nation, Judy Haynes, Skip Green, Mary Ann Holme
Judy Haynes has decided to resign from the committee after many years of service. We will miss her input and thank her for all she has contributed.
The concrete picnic table that Judy bought for the park unfortunately has a crack in one of the benches. She wrapped it in plastic in order to keep moisture from it until it can be repaired next spring. Hopefully, it will remain wrapped until then. We urge anyone who sees this removed to please report it to the town office.
We discussed Hawk Mountain Park now that Western Foothills Land Trust (WFLT) has acquired the land below the park. Their intention is to harvest lumber (gently) to help provide funds for gates at the entrance to the trail, to enlarge the parking lot and also to mitigate the erosion problem. There is also a possibility of two additional adjacent land parcels that may be donated to WFLT. In order to affect these improvements WFTL will seek help from the town of Waterford and private donors.
We discussed that there needs to be some repainting on some equipment at Werner Park.
Our next meeting date has not been determined yet.
Mary Ann Holme
Parks Committee
December 11, 2017
The Parks Committee members ─ Peg Nation, Jeff Harrington, Cindy Kimball and Mary Ann Holme ─ met at the Selectmen's meeting to listen to Lee Dassler's update on Western Foothills Land Trust's occupation of Hatch Preserve on Hawk Mountain. Lee reviewed maps she provided noting the multi-use trails and trails which will be left to re-grow. There was much discussion about the harvesting that took place, leaving the mountain barren and cluttered with downed trees and limbs. There was discussion regarding spring erosion problems because of the heavily harvested trails and suggestions for water bars were made. Lee said they will continue to work with the town to develop Hatch Preserve.
The PC left the Selectmen's meeting and adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Cindy Kimball