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Meeting was called to order by Peter Griffin at 7:05 PM at the Pembroke Academy room 2021.

 Attendees:

* President

·            Peter Griffin opened the meeting with a discussion pertaining to an e-mail he received regarding how realtors can have an impact on regional transit policy.  Realtors know how effective public transportation has and will raise property values and are in a good position to lobby elected officials for funding resources.

 ·            The April 28 meeting minutes were reviewed and accepted as written.

·            George gave a brief legislative update as follows: 

 Ø      John Cavanaugh, the Rockingham County representative for Senator Gregg, has stated that there has been $1 million set aside for rail study (Peter qualified this to be the 2-year joint study with Massachusetts as described at last month’s meeting).

Ø      There will likely be no federal funding for TEA-21 until after January 2004.

Ø      John Gleason, state Representative from Derry , has stated that he strongly advocates promoting the rail corridor concurrently with the upgrade of I93.  George will talk to Mr. Sharma of the Southern NH Regional Planning Commission.

Ø      One other bill pending pertains to those seeking to lease state property for possibly ATV or snowmobile clubs using old railway corridors.

·            Peter asked what this organization’s focus should be in the event the M&L corridor is not chosen as the preferred route for passenger rail.  Should we pursue avenues to relocate some portions of the line around the downtown areas to remove the major sources of objection?  Dick reminded that the potential for freight also exists on the M&L whereas it would not on the I93 option.  Also, ridership can be tested initially using secondhand equipment at a much cheaper cost than buying special new light rail equipment for the I93 option.  The route is direct to Boston making it much a more attractive alternative.

·            George informed that the next meeting of the Eastern Route (Hampton Branch) Task Force is scheduled for Thursday, June 12 at 7 PM at the Portsmouth City Hall .  The next meeting of the M&L/Northern Line Task Force will be on Friday, June 6 at 10 AM at the Legislative Office Building in Concord .

 ·            In George’s opinion, once a funding stream for rail has been determined (i.e., possibly from TEA-21 transit funds that coexist for bus purchases), there needs to be submitted a bill to create an agency to oversee the administration and expenditure of those funds to ensure that they are strictly used to promote rail initiatives, just as the gasoline tax revenues are dedicated to highway use.

 ·            The group discussed possibly meeting with Carol Murray, Kit Morgan, Jim Marshall and Ansel Sanborn of the NHDOT to inquire as to the procedures for getting rail initiatives underway.  It seems there has been much talk, some studies, but nothing ever materializes.  As the response is always about the costs, lack of funding, the Motor Carriers lawsuit, etc., this organization needs to accent the benefits – increasing property values, more attractive real estate, tourism, high-tech business, commuters, sports arenas and entertainment and the ski industry.  It should also be underscored that many other states have very successful rail systems and New Hampshire ’s attitude towards rail is becoming increasingly archaic.

 ·            Line Reports:

 Ø      On Thursday, Friday and Saturday Londonderry had meetings on the large industrial tract of land and how to best service this area with transportation.  Peter attended on Saturday to promote rail as a viable option and to increase awareness of the Boston to Montreal High Speed Rail corridor currently being studied.

Ø      Ron Wood gave an update on the Wilton Scenic, who had their inaugural runs on May 17.  350 people rode this opening day.  There had been scheduled three round trips, but high demand required a fourth.  They are now targeting mid-June to be operating daily service.  By that time there will have been 4000 new ties installed on the line from the Wilton gravel pit to Greenfield .  The service will terminate at Greenfield due to poor track conditions beyond and one bridge is seriously deteriorated.  This bridge is likely the reason the paper mill to the north is not shipping by rail as it once did.  Other potential freight businesses located here are Rymes Fuel Oil and Suburban Propane.  Suburban would ship as many as 500 carloads per year, but the trackage to the south of the state-owned portion is deteriorated to the point were is considered “accepted” at 5 MPH and is somewhat restricted to hazardous material shipments.

 ·            Peter relayed a report that Guilford is considering ceasing service to Foss Manufacturing in Hampton .

 ·            Dick stated that UPS is currently the largest customer of freight rail service.  Could NHRRA pursue intermodal (piggyback) options at the Manchester Airport to promote removing trucks from the highway?

·            George recommended that the state add $1 to each and every automobile registration, rail ticket, plane ticket, etc. to create revenue stream for rail initiatives.

 ·            Peter reiterated that the organization should compile a questionnaire to be mailed and/or e-mailed to all members soon.  This could give those who are not regularly attending monthly meetings an opportunity to give their opinion on what NHRRA should be focusing its attention on.  Questions should be submitted to Cara through her e-mail address.  Peter will send reminders out for membership renewals.

·            Steve Piper proposed an idea to make the current draft brochures a little larger to include an application on one side that can be simply cut off and mailed with a new member’s dues.  This should help make joining accessible without having to log on to the website for the current application.  Steve Flanders has just renewed the NHRRA post office box in Weare and this should be the address used on the brochure.

·            Ron suggested again that the NHRRA web site be updated.  The site is still displaying the date for the March meeting.  Steve Piper transmitted the draft April minutes to Peter for review and comment as well as to Gary (for distribution by mail) and Kenyon (for posting on the web site).

 ·            Ron also suggested that NHRRA staff a table at the Big-E in Springfield .

 ·            There was apparently low turnout at the Concord Historical Society show with only about 350 people attending compared to last year’s 900 +.  Steve Flanders manned the NHRRA table on both days.

·            George reiterated that a letter from NHRRA be drafted to solicit funds from large companies who could potentially benefit from rail freight service (i.e. Irving Oil’s transportation department, UPS, Foss Manufacturing, cement companies, NH Northcoast markets, Blue Seal, and any other potential freight generators adjacent to active or inactive rail corridors).

 ·            Steve Piper passed around a sample copy of the latest brochure revision that includes an application form that can be filled out, detached and mailed.

 ·            Peter passed around a brochure for the Exeter River Alewife Festival for review.  He will attend May 31^st on NHRRA’s behalf.

 Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM .