INTERMODAL · FREIGHT · PASSENGER · TOURIST
Minutes of 20 November, 2000 accepted as sent out. Steve Flanders reported there was $1183.37 in the bank account with $512.63 having been spent on postage. Treasurer's report accepted.
President Griffin asked if there was any way to e-mail en mass members of the N.H. House of Representatives. Rep. George Katsakiores (R-Derry) said he did not think there was, but would look into it. As a result of the Nov. 7 election Rep. Sherm Packard will chair the House Transportation Committee, Ed Smith Public Works, each holding sway over matters to do with bringing back rail to New Hampshire. But Sen. Ned Gordon (R-Bristol) will not return as Trans. Chair in the "upper chamber." Thus far no word on who will, perhaps Sen. Eaton of Keene. Meanwhile Senate-President/elect Arthur Klemm is viewed as sympathetic to rail issues. Bill Mosher was defeated in his bid for re-election.
Proposed legislation for the 2001 session: A $75 million dollar cap on RR liability in keeping with other New England states; creation of ongoing Manc & Lawrence and Northern Line Task Forces to include as voting members the RPCs with planning jurisdiction, DOT, 2 House members, 2 senators, a rep. from NHRRA, possibly Guilford Trans. Drafters of this and other RR legislation are Ann Fitzgerald and Paul Lindstrum of NH Legislative Services.
It was also noted that Sen. Gordon is willing to sponsor amendments to RSA 228:60-a(I), the unenforced state law requiring that RR infrastructure be put back if torn out to make way for "highway improvements." Gordon feels there should be a clause added guaranteeing (even setting aside) where the funds for replacement will come from. He says that promises from DOT that "we will put it all back" won't hold water in a budget crunch or other fiscal crisis.
Other legislation could include a $100m in RR bonding issued on the credit of the state. But Rep. Katsakiores noted that until the school funding crisis is solved no bonding company would want to take on such paper. "And there first must be a definite revenue stream in place," he added, "in order to pay them off."
Continuing problems at the Port of Portsmouth, attracting shippers, lack of rail off-loading facilities, administration, etc. may cause Gov. Shaheen to propose drawing the port in under the Pease development Authority. As a possible first step she has named former Sen. Bill Bartlett to the Authority board.
Stan Starkweather reported that EPA air quality requirements have reduced the output of Churchill Coatings in Franklin where they spray paint primer. PolyClad also coats circuit boards there.
Pres. Griffin suggested that the May NHRRA meeting be held in Laconia (as before in Martha Prescott Auditorium?) with the subject being the Conc/Linc Line and how it might serve the Lakes Region better. Josiah Bartlett Foundation may be studying the line to determine it potential.
John Palmer reported on the importance of M&L Line concerning the expanded Manchester Airport and other potential shippers along the way. Questions raised concerning where the N.H. Supreme Court case stood on "illegal" removal of 3000 ft. of rail by former Director Fred Testa.
Northern Line: Karen Songhurst, VTtrans, says planning on the return of rail service, to be spearheaded by her agency, will begin in the spring and take about 18 months to complete. It was noted that several have asked to be taken on a tour of the line, easily reached from alongside Rte. 4 for most of its 69-mile distance. These include Nancy Girard and Tom Irwin of CLF, Sue Arnold, gov's office, some NHRRA and legislative members, Ray Burton, etc. Once the worst of winter has passed and the old RofW has melted out from under hard-packed snowmobile use NHRAA should put together a day's tour for decision makers/press.
Tink Taylor will again be attending the annual conference of the Nat. Academy of Sciences' Transportation Research Board in Washington Jan 7-11. It brings together almost 10,000 participants from the field of transportation worldwide.
[Malcolm T Taylor <northeastnews@juno.com> - December 27, 2000 2:44 PM]
