Friends of Webster Trails Board Minutes
Monday, January 11, 2010
Webster Community Center
Present: Hal Harris, Bob Guenther, Norma Platt, Jeff Darling, Rich Morrill, Larry Yost, Ted Ellstrom, Sharon Galbraith, Karen Mischler, Alisa Kokx, Logan Kokx, Nancy Gearhart, Bud Gearhart, Frank DeLuca,
The November minutes were approved as submitted.
Treasurer’s Report: Bob Guenther reported the balances in the following accounts:
Checking: $4465-
Savings: $1199-
Petty Cash: $239-
Total: $5899-
FWT has received the grant from the Kenlou Foundation for $2500- in December. It is currently in the Parks and Rec. account F/B/O FWT.
Bob and Hal: Need to keep track of how FWT is drawing down on the funds. The FWT owes the foundation an accounting of how the money was spent.
Bob wants to retire from the treasurer position on the FWT board. Craig Pratt has volunteered to take over the position.
Membership Report: There are 127 memberships.
501(c)3: Jeff d. could not the grant for the recognition project w/o/ FWT being a 501(c)3 organization. The Kenlou grant was Oked to have the town hold the money but it may not be the best way to conduct FWT business. FWT must find out what the reporting requirements are to be 501(c)3. Hal’s impression is that if the fund is under 25K then the reporting is not that stringent. 501(c)3 would allow for tax-exempt gifts to FWT and tax exemption when buying supplies, etc.
It was agreed that we need to go forward with application for Not-for-profit status.
Sunday Hikes Report:
January – Jeff will lead
February - Larry to lead
March – Sharon at Whiting Rd.
April – Webster Park, meet at Whiting Rd., Ted Ellstrom
May - Karen at Bird Sanctuary Trail
June – Arboretum with Dennis
July – Big Woods with Hal Harris
August – Whiting Rd. with Bob G.
September - Rifle Range with Sharon G.
Norma/Sharon: Will speak with Don about getting the new hikes on the website.
Norma would like to finish off the Autumn Olive next year.
Scout Projects: Hannah Kmiecinksi will complete the project to compile resources by the end of the month and will give to Don. It will contain descriptions of links that teachers and scout leaders can use to supplement trail hikes.
Larry reported that he contacted Ron Bronakoski and his father and looked at where the bridge (small meadow trail across creek, 24 feet) will go. It will need an elevated boardwalk. Hal has plans on bridges, materials lists, etc. It will need an OK from Mike Buckley. The project should start in the spring.
Trails Committee
Jeff talked about the recognition proposal in which volunteers will get T-shirts is they volunteer for a certain amount of time on FWT projects. (2 3-hr. days min.) The T-shirts cost 12.00 per shirt. FWT would purchase an initial allotment of 100 and then 36 in a bunch thereafter.
Jeff motioned that FWT fund the initial purchase of 100 t-shirts of “trail crew shirts.” Ted E. seconded the motion and the motion was passed.
Frank DeLuca and Rich Williams will take over the stewardship of the Hojack Trail.
Alisa and Logan Kokx will take over the stewardship of the Midnight Trail.
Norma has a concern about the bridge going into the Big Woods and the Lake Road culvert that gets blocked and increases the water level near the bridge. It is a Highway Dept. issue but FWT needs to keep an eye on it.
PROSAR and Four-mile Creek: Hal reported that he will report to a review committee for Webster Parks. PROSAR did approve the Master Plan (3-4 yrs. Plan) for Four-mile Creek. Some issues will be addressed, i.e., old rusted car removed, railings on bridge needed, approval to be able to run trail across treatment plant property. Hal is hoping that at the Jan 28 Twn. Brd. Workshop we will get approval to proceed and theTown will pay for the parking lot (5K).
Briarwood subdivision has open space as part of the subdivision. That could be used to connect Salt Rd. with the Four-mile Creek trail.
Jeff Darling went over the 2009 FWT goals list to see which items had been completed and which remain for 2010.
Hal will call Carmin G. about the railroad track removal project and how to get them up near Holt Rd. FWT does not want to lose the momentum on this important part of the trail that remains an obstruction regarding the through trail. Hal will try to pinpoint when the tracks will come up.
Bird Sanctuary air soft bunkers: The “we play Army” group continues to make bunkers and play air soft (a.k.a. bullets and guns) on the Bird Sanctuary Trail.
If you experience this and have others complain to you about this, refer them to the supervisor’s office to make complaints.
Hal will speak with Mark Y. about putting up a “Prohibited” sign and posting. The air soft “games” can be very dangerous for passer-bys on the trail. The group is using fully automatic rifles for their “war games.” The trail is not a place to be playing dangerous sports where there is public access.
Annual Meeting: The date of April 10 is not possible for annual meeting at Liberty Lodge for time we previously selected.
Hal will check into an earlier time slot, 8 – 10 am. Otherwise he will check into Webster Park. Coffee, donuts, juice and maps will be provided. It meeting will be an open house on trail topics, habitat, invasive species, etc.
Hal will not here for the March meeting.
Who will chair the Annual Meeting?
On the radar: Village Days (August), ADK annual outdoor event (June 12), Spaghetti Dinner, (June 4) and National Trails Day.
Next meeting February 8, 2010 at 7:15 p.m.