DATE: April 27, 2004

DATE OF MEETING: March 31, 2004

LOCATION OF MEETING: Bow Municipal Building
10 Grandview Road, Bow, NH

ATTENDED BY:

MEETING MINUTES:

The Agenda for the meeting is attached. The meeting topics were switched to accommodate some member’s schedules. These minutes follow the order in which the topics were discussed at the meeting.

1.0 Introductions

Don Lyford of the NHDOT brought the meeting to order and asked that all present give their names and the organizations/group for which they represent.

2.0 Approval of Meeting No. 2 Minutes

The minutes were approved with no comments received at the meeting.

3.0 Land Use Sub-Committee

Mike Tardiff of CNHRPC gave an overview of the sub-committee and their activities to date. The goal is for the land use input for the model to be based upon local knowledge.

Steve Lawe of RSG continued by stating the land use data for the Year 2000 came from the state. The land use data for the future will come from various sources including the master plans currently underway. The land use may vary for the future Year 2030 relative to the alternative. The land use implications of an alternative will be considered.

The next meeting of the sub-committee is scheduled for April 22. (This meeting was subsequently canceled).

4.0 General Discussion

Jed Merrow of M-J presented several plans showing the resource data collected and how the information will be graphically presented. A question was asked whether conservation land would be included. Jed stated that conservation land is available and would be included.

Steve Henninger mentioned that the City conducted its own floodplain study that resulted in different information from that shown on the FEMA maps. He also mentioned that the City is currently working on a wetland inventory that should be ready by the end of the year. The City also has some smaller scale habitat studies that have been conducted.

5.0 Planning Phase Overview

Bill Hauser described the Proposed Approach for Planning Phase, as outlined in the memo dated March 19, 2004. The goal is to include all stakeholders in the process early so that a reasonable range of alternatives can be determined. Also, the process is meant to identify the root problems and potential opportunities, in order to arrive at appropriate solutions and possible enhancements.

6.0 Identification of Problems

The first step in the process is to identify the problems and opportunities that exist within the project limits. Gene McCarthy stated that this step has already started. The project has been presented at several public events throughout the community. The purpose was to hear directly from the public their opinion on the problems that exist on I-93. The public was given the opportunity to submit written comments or simply show on a map the area of their concern. Orange dots were placed on the maps to indicate a problem or opportunity. Gene showed an example of the map that was used that had all of the orange dots shown. Gene then described some of the areas that the public identified over and over as problems. These included the Exit14/15 weaves, I-89 Exit 1 safety issues, the need to remove I-93 as a barrier between downtown Concord and the Merrimack River, the need for a connector to Route 106, and several others.

The discussion was then opened to the committee. Below are some of the points that were made during the discussion. Some are problems; others are goals and some just information for thought.

7.0 Next TRC Meeting

The next meeting was scheduled for May 19 at 1:30 p.m. at a place to be determined.

Submitted by,
Gene McCarthy, P.E.
McFarland-Johnson, Inc.