Town of Edgecomb Minutes for Schmid Advisory Committee Meeting
December 18, 2002, 7:00 p.m., Town Hall

1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Bob Leone, Chairman, at 7:05 p.m. Committee members present were Bob Leone, Deborah Sondergaard, David Tonry, and Bob Zak. Also present were Janet Blevins, Bob Brown, Andy Burt, Barry Hathorne, Richard Oulton, and Betty Twarog.

2. Chairman’s Report – Bob Leone

A. Review of Meeting Minutes: 1.A.- third line from bottom was amended to add “on advice of counsel” after “committee” and added to the last line of that paragraph was “and the committee agreed.” 3.A. – second line was amended to add “to the grant foundations” at the end of the second sentence. 3. B – In a clarification of the second sentence the words “a private non-profit entity” were added after “supporter” and “would” was changed to “could”. 4.B – Second sentence was amended to clarify that the draining would be done “by hand” 4.C – second sentence was amended to indicate “another” gate.

B. Next Meeting: January 15, 2003.

C. Resignation: The chairman reported that Heidi Gagnon had resigned.

D. Discussion of new board member candidates: Bob Leone read the list of names he would be suggesting to the Selectmen as potential board members after contacting them to see if they were interested in serving on the board. He asked that current board members call Bob Zak if they had problems with any of the candidates.

The new member will replace Heidi Gagnon on the Trails Committee.

3. Selectman’s Report – Bob Zak

A. LFMF Update: Bob Zak reported that Maureen Hoffman, President of SVCA, had given information to the selectmen on the River Link project and asked for their support which the selectmen had given in a letter to the Land for Maine’s Future program in support of River Link. The plan for River-link is to spend approximately $1.5 million from LFMF to buy or obtain easements to keep the land from Sheepscot River to the Damariscotta River to be an undeveloped conservation zone. The program supports the inclusion of the Haselton property and it was Bob Zak’s understanding that it would provide up to half the purchase price of the Haselton land. If funds are not forthcoming from River Link, the selectmen will have to ask the town for an extension of its loan. Bob Leone will ask Andy Abello for a timetable from DRA and SVCA for the River Link grant process. If no money is coming from that source, the State could be approached about buying an easement or other grants could be applied for. Bob Leone will ask Amanda Russell about contacting a final round of sources after the first of the year.

Bob Zak reported that with regard to WTS Realty, the taxes on the land north of Mt. Hunger Road East were paid by William Lundgren.

Bob Zak gave Bob Leone a Gateway grant application which has a January 31 deadline.

4. Land Acquisition, Boundaries and Roads

A. Review of Survey Maps 4 and 5: Bob Brown reported that he had bought from Terry Leighton Survey Maps 4 and 5, one of which had been put on the master map on the wall. There were questions regarding the other map because Terry Leighton could not attest to 385 feet of the Roulard survey of the former Thornton property (now WTS Realty) which had been done for Gary Haselton. There were several discrepancies regarding the location of two pins and a brook which was not on the map. Bob Brown said the deed is correct, but changes could be made on the map. A field survey to make those map changes is estimated to cost a maximum of $500. He suggested that the committee recommend to the Selectmen that the survey work be done to clear up the discrepancies. Bob Zak said he had recorded the mylars of the two maps.

Bob Brown said that he had noticed that the deed to the town from Schmid for the Richardson lot (formerly the Fowles lot) calls for an easement to Damariscotta River Road and he suggested that David Tonry be appointed to bring copies of the easement to the next meeting to determine what the easement covers. The suggestion was approved.

Bob Leone said that the field survey money might be tied to any future Haselton funds..

B. Hunting Season Summary: Barry Hathorne said there had been no problems with hunters; however he recommended that something be done about the four-wheelers. He said that he had signs which could be put up on the preserve. Bob Leone said there are unauthorized access points which should have signs indicating that ATVs are not allowed. Barry will mark the access points on a map so that signs can be posted. Bob Leone will pick up the signs after New Years.

5. Public Relations and Stewardship - Andy Abello and Deb Sondergaard

A. Kiosk Management Guidelines: Bob Leone distributed a draft of management guidelines that he will post at the kiosk. The guidelines are: Stay on marked trails, no overnight camping, no open fires, no motorized wheeled vehicles, carry in/carry out - leave only footprints.

B. Map Hand-out: David Tonry will work with Andy Abello and SVCA on preparing an 8-1/2 x 11 map showing the trails in the preserve which will be available at the kiosk. It is hoped that the map will be ready by April.

6. Trails – Heidi Gagnon and Jim Beam

A. Trail Construction Work Trips: Bob Leone reported that there had been no work trips in December due to rain and the holidays, but he suggested January 26 as a tentative date to work on GPS coordinates, put up signs, etc.

B. Old Sign Frame - Old County Road: Bob Leone said he would look at the sign frame on Old County Road to see if it could be useful and if not, it would be taken down.

7. Other Business

Bob Leone reported that Randy Dowdy, the Eagle Scout, had installed well covers. Bob Leone has asked for pictures.

The Management Plan will be on the agenda for the next meeting to review the status of the five- and ten-year implementation plans.

8. Public Input

Barry Hathorne said he was concerned about passing rights to other organizations such as DRA and LFMF and the possibility of the Schmid Preserve losing grant money, and he asked whether the organizations expect anything. He said that the money should stay Town’s property.

Bob Leone replied that the River Link project would link up hiking trails around Sherman Lake while protecting land. Its trail system may link up with those in the preserve, but the Schmid Preserve will be managed in accordance with the town-approved Management Plan. Any money given to the preserve from River Link for the purchase of the Haselton property would benefit the preserve more than River Link.

Betty Twarog said she thought it was very productive for people from the Town to speak briefly during the meeting and asked whether it was allowed. Bob Leone replied that he was more than willing to hear appropriate comments from the townspeople during the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.