Holly Tetreault

To the editor,

Recently I have read articles in several local newspapers of how Meredith has "given the boot" to OHRV's and ATV's on the Hamlin Forest property in Chemung. Although I agree that these vehicles can create terrible damage when ridden erratically and are loud and noisy spoiling the hikers' and hunters' experience, the situation in the Hamlin Forest has been quite over exaggerated, and in some instances lied about by Selectman Peter Miller.

At the October 17 selectmen's meeting Mr Miller reported that dirt bikes and 4 wheelers have torn up every foot of 2 trails.On the 21st, after reading this in a local paper, I spent 3 hours hiking the trails as I live 2 houses away and was concerned about the issue. Mr Miller, I challenge you to SHOW ME THE DAMAGE!

He also reported that these vehicles were unmuffled. I went to the people who I knew had been riding in there recently and asked about their bikes. As it turns out these bikes not only are equipped with factory installed mufflers, but, spark arresters as well. A spark arrester prevents sparks from escaping and starting a fire. Mr. Miller....get the facts straight.

When asked by a fellow selectman if the property was posted against such activity, Mr Miller reported that he had posted the property several years ago when it first opened but the signage had been ripped down within 24 hours. I say that's a load of BUNK! Like I said before I live next door to the Hamlin Forest....I was at the opening ceremonies and have an original brochure of the property. There has NEVER until now been any signs indicating one couldn't ride there. In fact when the park first opened Peter Russel was still the town manager and I,personally, contacted him about this very matter. At that time Mr. Russel, after researching the matter, informed me that the old Stanton road could be ridden on as it was a class VI town road, but the other trails were off limits.

Furthermore, time and time again Mr Miller has said that HE....PERSONALLY....designed and created the system of trails in the Hamlin Forest. This is the biggest lie of all. First, the Crocket Ledge Trail has been there for 100 years. Over 80 years ago my grandfather, Lewis E. Pickering, was using the Crocket Ledge trail as a main hunting trail. As for the trail to the Maple Grove....this is the old Stanton Road...a class VI town road that was also a Concord Coach trail. Now the 4 ponds loop was created by the conservation committee and Mr Miller did do the hands on trail work BUT — what was all that time and effort that Scott Sorell and Merrit Webb as well as the rest of the committee put into the trail system before Mr Miller was even on the Conservation Committee? They worked hand in hand with Dr Hamlin himself to design the trail layout. Peter Miller may have worked to rebuild the bridge that the snowmobile club built 30 years ago and to move the debris but he didn't design the trail system. I find it very pompous of him to say he did.

Finally, during my 3 hour hike, on October 21st, I retrieved an empty 30 pk of Bud Lite from the 4 ponds loop and various other pieces of trash along the trails. Isn't Mr Miller concerned about pollution in the forest? He is out there almost every day.....Cannot he bend at the waste and pick up the trash as I did or is he just too busy being a glory hound.

Holly Tetreault

Meredith