Friends of Webster Trails Board Minutes
Monday, May 10, 2010
FWT Annual Meeting
Webster Public Library
Present: Hal Harris, Dennis Kuhn, Norma Platt, Jeff Darling, Larry Yost, Sharon Galbraith, Craig Pratt, Karen Mischler, Bob Guenther, Ted Ellstrom, Alisa Kokx, Rick Williams, Frank Deluca and other FWT members.
The annual meeting formally opened at 7:30 p.m. Hal Harris introduced the FWT board members and trail stewards.
Hal publically thanked Bob G. for his work as treasurer for many many years with FWT and presented him with a handcrafted wooden plaque (thanks Ted) as a thank you.
The April minutes were approved as submitted (Ted E. motioned to accept. Norma seconded the motion and the minutes were approved.)
Treasurer’s Report: Craig Pratt reported the balances in the following accounts:
Checking: 3017-
Savings: 1641-
Petty Cash: 166-
Total: 4824-
Hal then explained for the FWT members at the Annual Meeting some of the expenses and purchases typically made by FWT such as materials for projects (lumbar, hardware, etc.), gravel for trails, etc.
Membership Report: Dennis reported that there are 130 memberships, 90 family and 40 individual.
Communications Report: No report
Sunday Hikes Report: Sharon Galbraith reported that the Sunday hikes are on the website and that the next hike is on May 16 on the bird sanctuary trail. Meet at the Orchard St. parking lot of North Ponds Park.
Habitat Committee: Norma Platt reported that one of the committee’s goals was to witness the mating flights of the woodcock. There was a “test” hike with 15 participants from among groups such as FWT board, Parks and Rec. board, etc. Although the goal was achieved, here needs to be a little bit of “fine tuning” before opening up the hike to the general public.
On the May 1 workday there were four individuals who worked on the autumn olive eradication project and that work will continue on May 13 with some volunteers from Day of Caring. Jeff has arranged for these volunteers to work on the east side of the big Field. Norma explained that Autumn Olive is an invasive shrub that would, if left unchecked, would eventually take over the field.
Norma reported that she has sent out a request for help for work parties during the week and that a bunch of folks responded and will do targeted “doable” projects. Norma also reported that the Habitat Committee got a go-ahead for the “reclamation project” in the big Woods. There is a tangle of honeysuckle, autumn olive and grape vines that will be torn out and native species of trees will be introduced into the area.
Scout Projects: Hal reported for Rich Morrill regarding Scout Projects. There are several scout projects completed, underway and forthcoming. Allen Beadle completed the stairs to the John Ungar Nature Trail. Troop 106 Girl Scouts completed the smoke house renovation. A kiosk was built at Vosburg Hollow and a bridge built in Webster Park. A girl scout has put together creative ideas for “things you can do on a hike.” See it on FWT website. FWT is hoping that a scout will build a bridge on the meadow trail. A girl scout will be doing a refurb. to the boardwalk in Vosburg Hollow and may do some kiosk work.
Community Events Involvement: Dennis Kuhn reported. FWT participated in the Webster Community Arts Day and will be participating the ADK Expo., Webster Village Days, and the YMCA Expo. Everyone is invited to the June 4 Spaghetti dinner at the Masonic lodge – proceeds to benefit FWT.
Trail Committee Report: Jeff Darling
Jeff talked about some of the progress last year and upcoming work. The Meadow Trail at Gosnell Big Woods was worked on this month and is nearly completed. The girl Scouts will help with some of the finishing touches and FWT is hoping that a Boy Scout will put in a bridge.
A trail will be connecting the bird sanctuary trail with the recreation facility on Chiyoda Drive. The plan is that the RR tracks will be torn out from Holt Rd. east to Phillips Rd. to create an extension of the Hojack Trail. The RR tracks west of Holt Rd. will also be pulled up so that the trail will no longer dead end. Phase I of the plan for Four Mile Creek should start next month. There will be four phases (3 to 4 years) to completion.
Jeff talked about the volunteer recognition program and the “TRAIL CREW” T-shirts made of performance fabric. Jeff sends out information and reminders to FWT members about workdays. Jeff talked a little bit about the Wegmans/Parks and Rec. passport program.
FWT member Rick Williams talked about work that he has done at State Rd. School in creating a trail beyond the soccer fields with “rubbing” posts that contain factoids for students. He also talked about the many trees planted on the east side of the field…. which as now basically become an arboretum with a variety of trees. Larry Grossman has been very helpful and Grossman employees would like to work with the kids at the school to teach them about nature and plants.
Rick Williams also talked about a clean up project he undertook with a group of volunteers at Ellison Park. After Ricks initial project the county organized 200 volunteers from different groups at different parks (Ellison, Ontario Beach, Genesee Canal Ponds, Genesee Valley) for clean up. Rick volunteers to organize a clean up in Webster for FWT.
Trail Committee – to discuss if a clean up of Webster Park or our trails is needed.
It was motioned that the meeting be adjourned.
The meeting was adjourned so that guests could pursue individual discussions with the FWT leadership.
Next meeting, June 14, 7:00 – 8:45 at the Community Center, Chiyoda Drive.