EDGECOMB, MAINE

TOWN OF EDGECOMB SCHMID ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES

October 18, 2006, Town Hall

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bob Leone at 7 p.m. Board members present were Jo Cameron, Bob Leone, Chris Riser and Deborah Sondergaard. Jim Beam arrived later in the meeting. Also present were Martin Achilles, Janet Blevins, Katharine Braid, Faith Coakley, John Markowski, and Kenneth and Margaret Schuler. There was no public input.
Chairman’s Report - Bob Leone
1. Review of Meeting Minutes:
  The following clarifications were made in the minutes of September 27, 2006. Item 4c, next to last sentence was changed to read, "The Damariscotta River Association will contact Mary Ann Lauderback about the possibility of putting a parking lot on her property at the end of Mt. Hunger Road North." Item 5c, last sentence was changed to read, "It was suggested that IF&W's Mark Warren (an Edgecomb resident) be called to enforce the prohibition, if necessary." Item 7, was changed to read, "Although there had been reports of rocks being taken from the preserve, Bob Leone had failed to find any illegal entrance into the preserve."
2. Next meeting:
  November 15. There will be no December meeting. The Management Plan will be reviewed at the January meeting.
Selectman’s Report - Jo Cameron
Jo Cameron reported that Stuart Smith is now doing the biweekly warrant.

A letter addressed to the Selectmen from Margaret and Kenneth Schuler had been referred to the Schmid Committee. The letter concerned access to the Schmid Preserve via Mt. Hunger Road East which has not been well maintained. The Schulers recommended a minimal amount of maintenance to keep it from being abandoned and also to allow access from the Damariscotta River side of town for River Road residents.

Bob Leone said that the Board had identified the primary areas for entry to the preserve and Mt. Hunger Road East was not one of them. The primary entrances to the preserve are from Old County Road, which has a summer parking lot and kiosk, and Middle Road, which has a parking lot and kiosk. The Board also hopes to have a parking area at Mt. Hunger Road North and the next parking area to be developed is on the Church property on McKay Road. He said there is not much room for parking at the bus turnaround on Mt. Hunger Road East and no kiosk. He said a path would be maintained from the Unda driveway to the preserve with a sign that says, "Mt. Hunger Road 250 yards."

Bob Leone said the Town has discontinued the road but still has a right-of-way; it has not been abandoned which would have to be voted on by the Town. He added that the Board is trying to maintain fire access using hand tools to cut back brush and drain puddles, but still limit vehicle access. A work party is scheduled for November 5 to cut back the growth and signs are being prepared.
1. Haselton Fund-raising:
  A letter has been prepared and is ready to be mailed on the weekend.
2. Church/Lallis status:
  There is no report; Attorney Snyder will be away until October 31
3. River~Link update:
  Marking of the River~Link trail from the Schmid Preserve to Dodge Point was discussed at a recent Damariscotta River Association meeting. There is the possibility of a parking lot on the west side of River Road opposite and south of the Dodge Point parking area. Also discussed was the final design of the markers.
Public Relations and Stewardship - Andy Abello and Deb Sondergaard
1. Annual Newsletter:
  Andy Abello has several articles prepared and Bob Leone will write articles on the work done in the fields and maintaining the fields. Jo Cameron will write an article on the east access issue. The chairman hopes to get the newsletter out before the next meeting.
2. Church Parking Area:
  Discussed earlier.
3. Volunteer notification:
  Bob Leone asked that volunteers provide email addresses, as that is the best to communicate with them. Jo Cameron suggested that the Schmid page of the website be utilized.
Trails - Jim Beam
1. Fall Maintenance:
  Some work had been done the previous weekend cleaning up the Middle Road field. A work session to work on the bridge and Mt. Hunger Road East is scheduled for Sunday, November 5 from 1 to 4 p.m.; workers will meet at Middle Road.
2. Meadow Brook Bridge:
  Jim Beam said that he had the wood which Bob Brown had cut for the bridge and would bring it to the parking lot on November 5.
Other Business
Bob Leone said hunting season had started and the gates will be kept closed. Signs warning hikers of the hunters and asking hunters to respect the closed gates will be put on the kiosks.
Public Input and Comment
Mrs. Schuler recommended that mowing be done later in the year and was informed that mowing does not take place before August 15. Katharine Braid recommended mowing the fields every year. Bob Leone will contact the Department of Agriculture, which provides grant money for mowing, to see if they will pay for more frequent mowing.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

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