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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

June 9, 2025 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Pat Fulkerson, Hal Harris, Paul Piotrowski, Linda Siple, Pat Smally, Anna Taylor, Sarah White, Ben Wisniewski
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda: Approved
  2. Approve Minutes of May 2025 Meeting and Scout project meeting: Approved
  3. Membership Status- Denise B
    • Members: 246, 3 new this month
    • Donations: $935
    • Volunteer hours: 178
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – Chris: no update
  5. Website Inquiry Summary – (see Norma’s Report):
    • Bench on the Hojack: Stewards will coordinate the revised placement
    • Loose step going into John Ungar
    • Inquiry for trail access to private property.
    • Question if lupines are still growing in Gosnell Big Woods.
  6. Communication Director – TBD/Sarah: no update
  7. Social Media – Sarah:
    1. New high interaction on FB for FMCP trail improvement with more than 80.
    2. Sarah will be away for 6 weeks; Anna to help with posts.
  8. Habitat Committee Update- (See Norma’s report): Garlic mustard removed on 5/15 and 6/6, and assisted with ReTree planting.

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Scout presentation – Jacob Bowen, Troop 262, Vosburg bridge replacement
    • 35-foot bridge replacement
    • Plan to build in August, with early site work in July
    • Cost is $2300
    • Question about old bridge removal is with Glenn
    • Approved for not more than $2500
  2. Scout Projects for 2025 – Linda/Patrick
    1. Currently approved projects totals $7800, including Jacob’s project. Board agreed on plan to spend approximately $10k.
    2. One high-priority boardwalk replacement on WRNP Green trail remains. Pat F authorized to get a scout for this.
  3. Bird Sanctuary trail improvements
    • Concerns about drainage, how much gravel would be needed, and the heavy use of the trail.
    • Puncheons would cost nearly $3000.
    • ACTION ITEM: Linda and Hal to review the trail with Glenn.
  4. Trail Steward Report – Linda
    • All requested gravel has been delivered. Linda to survey stewards for needs.
    • State Road workday report – Trail extension has been completed, but a boardwalk will be needed in the future.
    • Signage about poison ivy will be installed at the trailhead to State Road NP.
    • Benches have been sealed on WRNP Red trail. Remaining benches will be done over the next few months.
    • Going forward, project plaques will have the FWT logo on them.
  5. Kiosk Information Project – Denise/Linda/Anna
    1. Lost and found baskets – Linda and Denise to see if we can keep them.
    2. Problems on the trail QR codes can stay on the kiosk posts.
    3. Signage costs of $6400 to be split with Parks & Rec over two years, with completion at the end of 2026.
    4. Plan to do Herman Road first, so it’s ready by the grand opening, then start work on the trail map panels for each kiosk.
  6. Trail signs – Denise
    1. 80 signs completed to date
    2. Additional needs: 8 for Midnight Trail, 13 for SRNP, 36 for Hojack.
    3. Installation will continue through the summer.

Meeting Notes
  1. Re-Tree Project – Sarah: 25 Black Chokecherry shrubs planted along Hojack near John Ungar.
  2. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
    • July 19 Workday #4 – FMC Gravel Spreading- Blue Trail
    • July XX Hermann Road Ribbon Cutting – Date pending town input
    • August 16 Workday #5 – Gosnell Fence Trimming
    • August xx Hojack Trail Hike
    • September 20 Workday #6 – Herman Rd
    • xx.xx.25 Passport Challenge Kick Off
    • Willow Running, Boos and Brews run
  3. Open Discussion
    1. Ralph Wilson Jr Trail Maintenance Fund – Grant Application, still undecided
    2. Volunteer Hours – categories for tracking – Norma/Denise
      • Going forward, use two buckets: Field work/Non-field
      • Non-field work will track all administrative work.
    3. New York Forward Grant – Anna:
      • $289k was awarded for the Hojack trail through the village.
      • RGE will be addressing all property owners encroaching on the trail ROW.
      • State and Village will coordinate the work, and FWT will be involved.
    4. FWT shirt and hat order – Anna:
      1. Shirt vendor has changed. ACTION ITEM: Anna to investigate new supplier for 100
      2. Hats to be ordered as well.
    5. Open Action Items
      • Kiwanis property now has trails on private land. Proposal for us to partner in some way if they open the property. ACTION ITEM: Anna to reach out to Kiwanis.