Friends of Webster Trails Board Minutes
Monday, January 10, 2011
Present: Hal Harris, Rich Morrill, Jeff Darling, Larry Yost, Craig Pratt, Sharon Galbraith, Ted Elstrom, Alisa Kokx, Rick Taddeo, Karen Mischler
The November minutes were accepted.
Treasurer’s Report: Craig Pratt reported the balances in the following accounts:
1/10/11
Checking: 3070-
Savings: 3500-
Petty Cash: 201-
Total: 6770-
Ken Lou grant – Approx. $4,200-
Expenses from 11/8/10 – 1/10/11 were approx. $266-.
Membership Report: Memberships are at 133.
There was a discussion about how most become members and it is mostly by word of mouth, brochures in the kiosks, not so much from events like Village Days. FWT should encourage more participation in work days to truly engage members.
Communications Report: Amy L. would like to do a piece for the newsletter on horse nettle. The Newsletter should be out before Easter and the most important topic is plans for the trails. The articles for the newsletter will be finalized at the February meeting. Deadline for articles is mid-March. Rick T. will publish a profile in the newsletter. If there is space in the newsletter it may be possible to republish Alisa’s article on volunteerism.
Reminder – Rick always needs photos for the newsletter.
Reminder – Should put something in newsletter about hunters on Webster public lands.
Some updates must be made to the brochure before a reprint, such as the calendar.
Alisa will undertake the update.
Sunday Hikes: There was one woman and one dog for the November hike.
January - Midnight Trail.
Feb. – Hojack
March – Whiting Rd.
April – Gosnell Big Woods
May – Bird Sanctuary
Hunting/Hunters: Hunting and hunting times should be posted in obvious places so that people are made aware of hunting on public lands and the times that hunting is allowed.
In 2011 perhaps the November hike should be on the Midnight Trail where there is no hunting.
Habitat Preservation: Norma’s group has been looking into growing blue lupine. In the spring they will start up with seeds (Whiting Rd. and Big Meadow.)
Scout Projects: Norma was contact by Rachael Turberg who would like to build blue bird houses.
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There is a 16 foot bridge in Four-Mile Creek that would be a good project. Tom Wise has an eye out of building a bridge for an Eagle project.
Trails Committee:
Dennis and Hal met with Mark Y. and Joe Herbst regarding Four-Mile Creek. The decision is that parking will be off of Phillips Rd. with a 20 car lot to start. Webster could not commit to building the lot this year. FWT can get the Town to design and stake it out. Clearing and building could be a cooperative effort. Rick Williams may have contacts in construction. FWT could authorize $$ towards the project to have it done this year.
The town will have to talk to the “red house.”
This location for the lot will put a higher priority on trails in the Western portion of the preserve and for a bridge over Salt Creek.
The Parks & Rec. Dept. needs to put down gravel on the Chiyoda Trail.
Hal will contact the Town and Rick Williams.
Jeff D. motioned to authorize up to 2K for Four-Mile parking lot. Ted E. seconded the motion. There were no dissenters.
There is a bridge that needs to be built over a steep ravine and Mark Y. is unable to take on review of the proposed design. Hal has asked Bergman Assoc. to look at it.
Hojack Rails: Jack Swingley would like to meet with FWT.
Jeff and Hal will meet with him. There is a wish list to share with Jack Swingley.
Jeff will contact Jack for a date.
Gosnell Fence: the fence has taken a beating at Gosnell. The Town said they would take care of the fence. It is 25 years old and falling apart. What does FWT want to do about this? Is there any way to get a grant? Should we work towards maint. of the fence. If so, how? If not, what?
The fence will be a discussion for the February meeting.
Reimbursement of expenses associated with personal work equipment: There is an expense associated with use of personal equipment to do trail work and it has not been reimbursed in the past. Some costs include chains for chain saws, gas for various equipment. It has been decided that claims should be submitted to Craig and he will use his judgment regarding normal and customary expenses. Expenses over $50- will require board approval. The board took a vote and approved this. There were no dissenters to the vote.
Trail Goals: Hal reviewed various projects on crossing and culverts. Stripping is an issue regarding pedestrian right of way – it is an issue. Caution signs may be a good start. FWT should pursue further.
Work Days: Four-Mile Creek: Access trails to fishing could be work days. The west end loop could be a workday. The bridge over Salt Creek could be a 2012 project (30 feet.) FWT should keep track of Salt Creek during the spring to see how high it runs. There are at least 2-3 work days at Four-Mile Creek.
May – Possible trail maint. at Whiting Rd./Midnight Trail to fill in pot holes and wet spots.
June – Pick one of the Whiting Rd. new trails to increase options (new loop off Red trail to North; new loop in woods off Orange trail to the South West; re-route of Yellow trail to bypass the steep hill.)
July – Focus on Four-Mile Creek, routing and chain saw work.
Aug – Chiyoda work, Hojack work.
November – Liberty Lodge for Annual Meeting.
Jeff will update a final draft of the goals sheet.
Hunting – Talk about this issue in summer and talk to Parks and Rec. about it.
Dennis will return sign up for the ADK Day so that FWT can participate.
Bob G. would like to resign from the board and that position should be replaced with another voting member. FWT ought to do something special for Bob G. Ted E. will come up with proposals.
Alisa has taken over trail recognition participation tracking. Bandanas are the item for next year.
PLEASE NOTE: Next meeting February 14, 2011, from 7:15 – 8:45 at the Webster Public Library