Friends of Webster Trails

Donate

FWT Board Meeting Minutes

September 9, 2024 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, John Bottcher, Ron Happ, Hal Harris, Chris Peterson, Norma Platt, Linda Siple, Ben Wisniewski, Sarah White
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda – Add communications report, temporary trail signs, signs at State Road, ideas for annual meeting
  2. Approve Minutes from August 2024 Meeting – Approved
  3. Membership Status – Denise B
    • Members: 255 – with 4 new in August, up from 233 last year
    • $50 in donations
    • Volunteer hours: 1287 total in FY 2023; 1421 2024 YTD
  4. Review of Treasurer Report- Chris/Lynn P – detailed report distributed
    • ~ $36k
    • Scout projects are largest expenditure YTD
    • Budget meeting scheduled for 10/1
  5. Website Inquiry Summary – Norma
    • Trees down
    • Trail signs at FMCP are not correct
    • Interest in volunteer work
    • Trash at WRNP
  6. Habitat Committee Update – Norma: 39 hours removing invasives, maintaining plantings
  7. Communications Chair update – John
    • Fall Newsletter to be due early October

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Trails Chair Report: Linda
    • New Temporary Signs. These will be ordered by Denise and stored in the trailer.
      • Trail Steward needed – approved, to be used where we have current needs.
      • Trail Closure, to be used with trail closure, such as a major tree down or flooding.
    • Scouts
      • Troop 110 looking for conservation opportunity. Linda working with the Troop.
      • Possible collaboration with Seneca Waterways Explorer post.
      • Scout project plaque was destroyed in Hickory Bark. Linda and Denise will work with trail steward to replace it.
      • HRFWF Kiosk to be put in by 9/21.
    • Workdays
      • Workday at HRFWF Saturday 9/21 at 9am. Specific tasks may be changed in response to the flooding.
      • Workday for ReTree 10/19 at 9am.
    • Trail Structure Inventory. 9 of 16 trails completed. Linda and John to discuss how to assess puncheons.
    • New stewards
      • New steward for Midnight Connector Trail – Terry Feehan.
      • New stewards, possibly for WRNP Red Trail – Matt and Anne Machi
    • New projects
      • Finn Park puncheon needed. Stewards will complete the work.
      • Pedestrian crossings at 250/Bird Sanctuary and Chiyoda and Holt/Hojack. Glenn is looking at options.
      • FMCP trash to be removed. Dennis and Linda to size the work.
  2. Trail Steward Feedback
    • Workday #8, August 17 State Rd Preserve – Feedback. 10 people worked on removing “toe stubbers.”
    • State Road no trespassing signs: Hal – Signs were approved by Parks & Rec, but installed incorrectly, but have now been moved to correct locations.

Meeting Notes
  1. Re-Tree Project: Norma/Sarah
    1. Planting scheduled for HRFWF. Planning meeting set for this week.
    2. RGE workday TBD.
  2. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
    1. August Passport Event – WRNP- Denise/Sarah Feedback. More than 60 passports distributed.
    2. Stickers Order – Anna to coordinate with Rich M
    3. FWT/Library Hike, Saturday, Sept 14, Four Mile Creek – Anna
    4. Cars and Trees Hike – Oct 5, NEW time 1-3pm, car expert will be in attendance – Dennis + Anna (to sweep). Publicity of email, social media, Webster on the Web blog, and town Instragram
  3. Open Discussion
    1. Hickory Bark Trail – Ann Kreiger Bench replacement- ALL
      • Harold  passed away recently. His wife, who passed previously, worked with the town on Hickory Bark.
      • Propose putting a plaque in both names on the benches on the platform. Linda to remove the old, broken bench. Denise to work with steward on new plaque and plan.
    2. New Trail: across from Finn Park – ALL
      • Town request for us to add trails. Existing informal trail between streets, but would need east/west trails from Maple Drive.
      • Linda to contact the trail stewards. Denise to pick a date to walk the property.
    3. Trail Counting – John B/ALL
      1. Updated counts for Gosnell and FMCP completed that confirmed prior counts.
      2. Hold off on Herman Road and State Road until ribbon cutting in 2025.
      3. Plan: Count the Hojack trail sections.
    4. FWT P&R Budget Line Item: $1,100 remaining for 2024 – ALL
      1. Possibilities: Put a bike rack at Whiting Road; boot scrapers at all trails.
      2. Decision to be made at October meeting.