The Board of Selectmen (BoS) heard from Sharon Jordan of the Conservation Commission and Police Chief Daniel Bourgeois concerning  vandalism on the town’s conservation trails. 

 Citing numerous examples of ATV traffic, resident  Sharon Jordan who was representing the Conservation  Commission wants    "to protect Lunenburg’s open space." She claimed that it was the job of the Conservation Commission who has spent a  lot of time on the trails and the committee has documented the damage. 

 ATV use is illegal on trails.     She showed a picture on Robbs Hill.  where trails have been widened because ATV riders like to ride side by side and in tandem.  A trail was set on fire last month.

  "It is disrespectful of the land and the people who use the lands," she said.  The vandalism has mostly been limited to three trails.  The committee has distributed information to the Chester Mossman teen center as top where ATV riding is allowed. 

 The Conservation Commission sponsors a "Walk in the Woods"  program and committee members are deliberating over a "Park Watch" program to bring volunteers in to walk the trails and pick up the trash.
 The damage was brought  to Chief Daniel Bourgeois’s  attention a few weeks ago.  Since then Ms. Jordan reported new trails and tracks.  She suggested a media blitz.  She said new residents in town don't know what areas are conservation land.     Flyers were passed out at the Town Meeting.  Some were brought down to the local motorcycle shop.  The problem with policing the area is that most trails are unattainable by cruiser. A few years a go there was damage to the town landfill on Youngs Road which was costly to the town.    "Motorized vehicles are not permitted on Conservation land.  Signs will be posted at the entry of all trails,” said the Lunenburg police  chief.

 There is pending  legislation  to increase fines.  "As development  continues there is less land for ATV's to operate," said the Chief and he encourages people to contact the Lunenburg Police Department to report any further damage to trails. 

 Selectman Alonzo questioned how much  people know versus how much is a blatant disregard.  The entrance at Pleasant Street  has been a sore spot as police have been battling illegal use for years.  Although fines are stiff, the Chief doesn't  know the exact amount. 

 BoS Chairman  Bertram talked about Lunenburg snow riders on the Cowdrey lot where snow riders are allowed on marked trails.  She has  also talked to the people using ATV's.  She suggested the approved ATV trails are available at the library. 

  
 In Action Files, there was Correspondence from National Grid concerning their annual vegetation control.  The company also wants to identify the town’s water wells. 

 BoS Chairman Bertram volunteered to be the liaison between the BoS and Unitil.  
 Selectman Dave Matthews suggested that there should be more televised meetings to raise tax payer awareness.  

 "I think it's a great idea.  We need to make meetings public as much as we can.  If we ask the boards  to make one meeting available a month it would be great," said Bertram.

 Town Manager Kerry  Speidel said that the town has the funds for hourly rates to pay for meetings to be broadcast.

   Selectman Alonzo said  "We need to show people that things are done at meetings, but nobody comes." 

 Assistant Dam Keeper    Ron   Wilson was named the Dam Keeper.  He opens the gates in the Fall and takes level readings twice a week.   Y ear round  he adjusts valves when there are heavy rains.  Bertram inquired about whether there were protocols on adjusting the valves, but Wilson says he merely watches the weather. 

 There was also discussion about automating the system. Mr. Richard Patry was appointed as the assistant Dam keeper.  

 
 The selectmen elaborated about the summer meeting schedule since there are 13 Pending issues.  Work sessions will be conducted on  June 8 & June 22 while regular meetings will be on June 15 & June 29.    Alonzo has no problem "as long as we keep working," he said.    The town’s top board hasn't received information from town counsel to see if they would work on a flat fee instead of by the hour.  Speidel will push to get an answer.  She has put together a spread sheet on use of town counsel.
 The Town received news that it will get $198K in Smart Growth money for the Tri-Town for Phase 1 development.  She and Planning Board Director Marion Benson worked on the application.  The town will receive money some time this fiscal year.  Speidel will talk to the town accountant to see if it is general fund money or if it has to be earmarked as a special fund.

 Speidel has attended a series of meetings about Massachusetts Emergency Management Association (MEMA) about applying for mitigation funds for potential hazards and she will then circulate that information to the Board.   

 As a follow up on dog hearings,  Lt. Marino said that the town has a bylaw and  can issue tickets similar to marijuana fines which are civil fines payable to the town clerk. 

 Speidel also met with Montachusett Regional Planning Committee (MRPC) representatives about the Summer Street project.  It was presented to  Mass Highway and it has been approved.   The town needs to get on the MRPC schedule.  which is updated every 5 years. It will not be given a start date until it has been funded. It will take $6M to fund and $600K for a plan.

 The engineer suggested that the town look to the federal government for funding.   The next meeting will be in six weeks.    Most of the project is in Lunenburg.  "This is a 5-7 year project," she said
 The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control District will be doing another tire recycling program.  In May  they  collected 200 plus tires in town and will be doing another collection in the Fall.  Some areas of the town are no longer sprayed.