Crocker Pond trails for bikes?
Three groups debate possible ban on bikes
By Caitlyn Kelleher JOURNAL REPORTER

The Selectmen, the Crocker Pond Development Committee and mountain bikers are going to have to reach a compromise about the use of the forested area around recreation area.

The Development Committee was trying to prohibit mountain biking on the trails for safety, but also because they were trying to control the people using the area to ensure they were only Westminster residents.

"We liked there to be more dialogue," said resident Dennis Powers at the meeting. "We are looking for a single track"

A group of residents that belong to the New England Mountain Bike Association had approached the development committee to give input on the design of the hiking trails that run through the 100-acre property. Powers, of Westminster, spoke to the Selectmen during the meeting on Wednesday, June 17, because he felt the development committee had shut them bikers out.

"We had to bring it to the selectmen," Powers said. "We couldn't get anywhere with the committee so we took it to the selectmen."

Some disagreement arose during the Selectmen's meeting because Board Chairman Thomas O'Toole said the development committee was over stepping their bounds and they should only be focused on the beach area.

Selectman Nick Hay said he wanted a little more clarification in the future about what the two areas O'Toole was defining included.

Selectman John Fairbanks said he did not want to lock out any group and he thought with a little work an agreement could be reached.

"There has to be a way to co-exist," he said.

After the meeting Powers said biking and hiking had a similar impact on an area. He said that the trails can control the type of bikers that are interested in riding. He said the goal was not to put in a lot of straight ways where speed can be built up and now jump or stunt areas.

"I like being in the woods. I like riding a bike. The two together is just great," he said.

Fairbanks said the "buck stops at this table," because the Selectmen have retained control of the policy for the area because that was part of the original plans.

Selectmen said there should be more discussion centering around a detailed plan.

Hay asked that he and everyone else be provided with a copy of the charter of the development committee. He also suggested that the bikers design two plans - one with a public access point and one with the only access being through the beach area - and they groups can walk the land together.

"The reason we said we were against it is really two main reasons. The first is safety. The trails are too narrow there could be a serious accident," said Joe Macchia, the chair of the Development Committee. "If we allow this trail to be put right through the property we have no control on whose on the property."

Powers said there was not a particular trail route that they wanted yet. The proposal for a trail that was presented as a concept to the Development Committee entered the property near the graffiti bridge along the railroad property and cross Bob Francis' property before entering the Crocker Pond Recreation area. The path the ran along the existing path near the Frog Pond and finally exiting near the TRW property.

Gordon Brownell, a member of the Development Committee, said there is a limited area for the hiking trails and that the bikers would require a larger path and that there would be problems having hikers and bikers on the same narrow area.

Powers said the bikers aren't looking to use the short trails but are looking for a single track trail that runs through the property.

Powers cited the Mid-State Trail as an example.

Brownell argued that mountain biking is not passive recreation.

Powers said he was worked on other trail projects and that he knew he had to compile with the wetlands protection bylaws.