Several plans for updates to the assorted trails and ponds within Londonderry were recently discussed during the Conservation Commission’s latest meeting.
To kick off the meeting, Justin Jolicoeur, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 109 in Londonderry, came before the commission to announce his plans for his Eagle Scout project, which would be done to improve the state of the Musquash Trails.
Jolicoeur noted that throughout his frequent trips through the trails, he has noticed that certain trails, Piper Trail in particular, are not fully marked or labeled on the map. In order to alleviate this issue, he plans improving the various signs and maps found on the trail, starting by taking inventory of what needs to be fixed and how much it would cost.
In an effort to assist Jolicoeur, members of the commission made several suggestions to him, including the fact that he should try to focus on the posts scattered throughout the trail, as the commission already did a project in the Musquash recently that introduced some new trail signs.
As for Piper Trail, Commission Members Michael Speltz and Mike Byerly both noted that the commission is actually trying to avoid making Piper Trail a new part of the Musquash, with Commission Chair Marge Badois suggesting that they instead put logs across the trail to make it less appealing to hikers.
None the less, the commission still wants Jolicoeur to take an inventory of the signs and come back to them with the results in order to pursue the project further.
The commission is also working to assist with installing an electric sliding gate to prevent residents from entering Kendall Pond after hours. The gate, which will be made out of galvanized tubing and have a twelve foot opening, is being installed in response to several abutters making a series of complaints about suspicious individuals lurking around the area at night and typically littering, amongst other reported crimes.
In case the likes of emergency vehicles or equipment from the Department of Public Works need to get through, the gate would be operated by either remote button or timer with an open and close schedule. It is also likely that the Londonderry Police dispatch will have the ability to control the gate when necessary.
But regardless of the gate, Steve Cotton, the individual currently handling the installation of the gate, noted that he is also looking into additional surveillance systems that would be added to the area for extra security.