Friends of Webster Trails Board Minutes
Monday, October 12, 2009
Webster Community Center
Present: Hal Harris, Don Baird, Larry Yost, Norma Platt, Sharon Galbraith, Jeff Darling, Dennis Kuhn, Bob Guenther
Guests: Girl Scout Hannah Kmiecineki and her mother Liz
The September minutes were approved as revised.
Gold Award Scout Project: Hannah Kmiecineki presented her ideas for a scout project that would provide a link to the FWT website incorporating activities and games for students in grades two through six to help make the trails more exciting. Troop members would demonstrate the games and the Passport Program could be included. Don Baird agreed to confer with Hannah to help with the website. Games include such titles as Hiking Back in Time, Knee-High Hike, Finding Colors in Nature, etc.
The proposal was accepted with enthusiasm by members of the board.
The Smokehouse Project: Don Baird reported that the roof has yet to be completed. A sign will be constructed to give the history of the smokehouse and its restoration.
Treasurer’s Report: Bob Guenther reported that there is a balance of $5405. 77. The savings account has a balance of $690.72 and the checking account has a balance of $4715.05. Bob has indicated that he will resign the post of treasurer at the end of the year. A search for his replacement will begin soon.
Membership Report: Dennis Kuhn reported that there are currently 142 memberships. He also cautioned that the September and October renewals may affect the actual number in November.
Communications Report: Jack Kerson was contacted to help with an article for the newsletter on the topic of the “History of the Hojack Trail” He suggested that we contact Sue Klassen to help with the article. Bob Guenther suggested that Helen and Gordon Jarvis be contacted to provide information for the article.
Rick Taddeo will mail the newsletter to all members by the end of October.
Habitat Preservation Committee Report (Norma Platt)
Removal of Autumn Olive on east side of Gosnell Big Field:
- Two 2009 work parties resulted in about 60 percent removal.
- The Town has removed the brush piles.
- Last year NP carried out a study as to the effectiveness of two different chemicals in killing Autumn Olive. 30 bushes of differing sizes were cut and the fresh surface painted with either Round-up or Bayer Brush Killer. Both were 100% effective. Round-up is preferred for reasons of toxicity to humans.
- I recommend further work parties in 2010 to complete the removal along the east edge of the Big Field and to remove other bushes in the Gosnell Preserve (one in the middle of the Big Field that hasn’t been removed by mowing and one in the entrance to the small meadow).
- Discussions are underway for a Scout to work on the Autumn Olive in November.
Removal of Japanese Knotweed from private land on north side of Lake Road across from Big Woods:
- Japanese Knotweed, extremely aggressive alien invasive plant is growing very close to the Big Woods. We think that it’s only a matter of time before it crosses Lake Road into the Big Woods, so we’re trying to prevent that.
- John Bok, a member of the Habitat Preservation Committee, has talked to the owner of the land and gotten permission for us to start working on its removal.
- John and I will be asking for help from the volunteers.
Red Trail in WRNP:
- Don Baird sprayed (Round-up) the Black Swallow-wort in a meadow just north of the southern junction of the red and orange trails. It effectively killed the plants. Next year we should spray more, but earlier, in order to kill the plants before they set seed.
- Don Baird will be talking with Webster about using a brush-hog to remove woody plants at the edges of the meadows along the red trail This will serve to keep the meadows open.
- John Bok arranged for a group from St. Joseph’s Villa to remove (dig and bag) Black Swallow-wort from the woods near the north intersection of the red and orange trails. Afterward, we took a walk in the Preserve.
Sunday Hikes Report: Sharon Galbraith
| November 15, 2009 | Gosnell Big Woods | Leader: Hal Harris |
| January | WRNP Red Trail | Leaders: Sharon and Jeff |
| February | Midnight Trail | Leader: Larry Yost |
Trails Committee: Jeff Darling proposed that the FWT purchase Lambertons for the trail stewards to help build and maintain trails. A motion by Norma Platt, seconded by Sharon Galbraith, to purchase two Lambertons was approved. Jeff will make the purchase.
Jeff also proposed that we create a Voluntary Recognition Program to reward and recognize people who voluntarily help maintain and improve the extensive trail system in Webster. Volunteers would receive a T-shirt with the logo on the front and a “TRAIL CREW’ on the back after six hours of work. A TRAIL CREW PATCH with a tool theme would follow.
After a favorable discussion it was decided to determine the cost of the shirts. Further discussion regarding the patches and management will be forthcoming.
Jeff emphasized the importance of thanking volunteers as well as recruiting new members and volunteers.
Habitat Preservation Committee: Norma Platt reported that there have been three major projects. See attachment for details.
- Removal of Autumn Olive on the east side of Gosnell Big Field
- Removal of Japanese Knotwood from private land on north side of Lake Road across from the Big Woods
- Red Trail in WRNP (Swallow-wort control by Don Baird et.al.)
Work Days: Jeff Darling reported that the November 7th workday will be devoted to the West Loop Trail in Webster Park as follows;
- Remove the corduroy walkway
- Build a “turnpike” about 100 feet long with culverts
- Move 6-10 yards of stones to make the trail
- Plant spicebush in strategic places to disguise the old trail
Other Business: Hal reported that the Webster Cross Country Ski Team plans to install a Nordic trail in Webster Park on the east side of Holt Road as part of a Booster/Scout Project. A grant from Xerox may help purchase a grooming machine.
Hal Harris, Larry Yost, and Dennis Kuhn will meet with mark Yeager to begin the process of developing a trail system on the Fourmile Creek property.
Next meeting November 9, 2009
Respectively submitted by Dennis Kuhn for Karen Mischler