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Attendance: Mark Bombardier, Dorothy Baker, Roy Baker, Joyce Bushey, John Gale, Raymond Larose, Chuck Vile, the Stetsons, Richard Roberge, Catherine Dimitruk
MINUTES
John Gale moved to approve the minutes of the June meeting. Chuck Vile seconded the motion; motion carried.
ATV USE
The Council discussed the issue ofATV use on the trail. The State has received requests from mobility impaired individuals seeking to use ATV's on the trail. The Council discussed different aspects of the issue including the need for all individuals to be able to use the trail. It was clarified that wheelchairs are currently able to travel on the trail surface. Concerns expressed by the members included the speed ATV's are capable of traveling, the lack of an organized group for enforcement, etc. (such as VAST for snowmobiles), and the concern about user conflicts with the high number ofwalkers, cyclists and children using the trail in good weather months. Council members discussed alternative vehicles available to those with mobility difficulties such as electric wheelchairs, scooters, and other vehicleslwhich are not made to travel at high rates of speed. It was pointed out that the surface as not made to withstand the high impact use ofATV's and that they do not seem compatible with the initial intention of the trail as a linear park.
Roy Baker moved that the Council recommend to the State that no ATV's be allowed to use the trail, and that mobility impaired users be given suggested alternatives for vehicles which enable use of the trail without impairing the safety of other users; ATV's will not be allowed for maintenance or other activities, as those with the need to travel on the trail can use regular trucks or autos after opening the gates. Mark Bombard seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Roy Baker noted that cross country ski trainers are also impacting the surface of the trail.
GRANT ACTIVITY UPDATE
The Council reviewed the progress of the enhancement grant, the trails and green ways grant and the Lake Champlain Bikeways grant.
CONSTRUCTION
Mark Bombard asked about sign location for stop ahead signs and also about stop signs at driveways. It was clarified that VAST may still put out their own signs, or they can choose to rely upon the trail signs.
UPDATES
Raymond Larose invited all to attend the grand opening of the trail head in St. Albans. He noted that the Youth Corps Crew is doing an excellent job. Council members were asked to consider how many copies of the guidebook might be needed on the first printing.
The next meeting is set for August 12, 7:30 p.m., at the Somerset.
Copied using scanner & OCR software by Kenyon F. Karl <railtrails@crosswinds.net> from materials supplied by the NVRTC. Unintentional errors are likely!
