Friends of Webster Trails
March 14, 2011
Board Meeting
Present: Rich Morrill (presiding), Norma Platt, Larry Yost, Craig Pratt, Dennis Kuhn, Alisa Kokx, Jeff Darling, Ted Ellstrom
Guests: Chris Schaeffer, Geri McMahon
Minutes from last meeting were approved (motion by NP and second by SG).
Treasurer’s Report Balances are: checking $3069.67; saving $3564.65; petty cash $121.37; total $6755.37. The Ken Lou Grant contains ca $4200. Expenses were $79.20 (stamps for Rick Taddeo and newsletter).
Membership Dennis will be sending a membership list to the board. Current membership is 131. Dennis has sent reminders to 7 lapsed members.
Communications No report.
Hikes There were two participants on the February hike. Dennis will lead the March hike on the Red Trail of WRNP.
Habitat Committee In April Norma will send a note to the membership asking for volunteers for the weekly projects.
Scout and Youth Projects Rich and Norma will confer to get plaque to acknowledge the Gold Award work that Jenna Bilsback did at Vosburg Hollow.
John Boettcher is working with Rachel Turberg and Girl Scout Troop 832 to make, install and monitor bluebird next boxes. This troop also wishes to be involved on the May 7 work day - Jeff Darling to assign tasks.
The Youth Group at the United Church of Christ has, again, volunteered to work with FWT.
Ted reported the that local chiropractor would still like to cosponsor an event with FWT. The board, instead, felt that we should issue him and his clients an invitation to participate in existing events. A concern was that the organization should not be used for business opportunities.
Geoff Kelly, Webster HS student, for his Senior Project, will be running in the Flower City half-marathon, and would like to donate his proceeds to FWT. The board thought this was fine.
Trails Norma reported that the bridge on the trail in the Gosnell Big Woods is under two inches of water. Water on the trail immediately to the west of the bridge is four inches deep. In Hal’s absence, Jeff will see what can be done.
Jeff noted that all trails are pretty mucky, and there are trees down across Bird Sanctuary Trail.
At Four Mile Creek, a number of projects are outstanding, including the parking lot, bridge design/approval.
Chris Schaeffer, guest, had questions about the location of the Red Trail extension in WRNP. Jeff assured him that we take neighboring landowners' concerns into consideration when a trail is laid out.
Old/new business When Hal gets back from vacation, he will meet with Mark Yeager to discuss a number of issues including Four Mile Creek, parking at Gosnell and fencing in the Big Field.
Ted brought a card for the board to sign in recognition of Bob Guenther’s service. FWT will enclose a $50 gift certificate for movies.
Alisa reported on her and Don Baird's work to update the FWT website and provide an update method that is more user-friendly. She also proposed an updated waiver form for volunteers. The board thought that we should consult Dave Mayer, the attorney who has advised us in the past.
Rich reported that the forms for the 501.c.3 have been submitted and they are still caught up in NYS process.
The board agreed that the 2011 goals document should be regarded as a ‘living document’ and does not need formal approval in its current form.
Dennis reminded the group about Community Arts Day, March 26th.
Meeting adjourned. Next meeting place TBD.