Friends of Webster Trails

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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

October 13, 2025 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Pat Fulkerson, Ron Happ, Hal Harris, Judy Harris, Chris Peterson, Paul Piotrowski, Norma Platt, Linda Siple, Pat Smally, Anna Taylor, Sarah White, Ben Wisniewski
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda: OK
  2. Approve Minutes of September Meeting: Approved
  3. Membership Status – Denise B
    1. Members: 253 total, 3 new this month
    2. Donations: $590
    3. Volunteer hours: 308 total, with 204 field hours, 104 intellectual hours
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – Chris
    • Updated report including pending transactions distributed to Board
    • Roughly $20K in free cash flow available
    • Pat Smally added to M&T account for approvals
    • Motion to have Chris Peterson and Pat Smally authorized to initiate a program for credit cards. Motion approved by voice vote.
    • Budget Committee to propose spending targets for 2026
    • Request from Pat Smally for a full list of scouts, projects, and approved spending. Pat Fulkerson provided the list. Budget Committee will review procedures for tracking going forward.
  5. Website Inquiry Summary – Norma
    • Trail sign suggestion for Herman Road
    • Found item: key fob
    • Geocache on Hojack Trail lost in construction
    • Webster Museum request to share FWT information in their newsletter
    • Volunteer looking to help with work projects
    • Scout looking for work project
    • Question if dogs are permitted in Gosnell Big Woods
    • Vandalized bench on Bird Sanctuary
    • Deer stand question
  6. Communication Director – TBD/Sarah: NL distributed on 10/10
  7. Social Media – Sarah: Lots of engagement continues
  8. Habitat Committee Update – Norma: Season work ended with 145 hours of work.

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Scout Projects for 2025 – Patrick
    • Lake Road kiosk to be built, now that location is finalized.
    • Vosburg bridge work continues with strengthening work. Railing outriggers yet to be installed.
      • Question if projects of this size/scope are appropriate for scouts. Discussion ensued, with decision that mid-project inspections are recommended. Any change to approved plans must be approved.
    • New scout project signs will include FWT logo on metal.
  2. Eagle Presentation: McKenna Simmons, repair of FMCP boardwalk on Red trail
    • Replacement of decking and addition of support structure. Construction planned for October and November, with cost estimate of $520.
    • Project approved at not-to-exceed $600
  3. Trails Chair Report – Linda
    • 2026 project list distributed for information. Board should review the list for January meeting.
    • Midnight Trail property line questions and questions about permitted uses. Also, a unapproved bench was added. Photos sent to town.
    • State Road parking lot. Car break-in reported to police.
  4. FWT Mower Proposal – Linda/Anna
    • Proposal for FWT mower to be stored on trail steward Craig Hurlbut’s property for use on Whiting Road Nature Preserve trails, with authorization for reimbursement for gas and incidental maintenance. Motion approved by voice vote.
  5. Kiosk Information Project – Denise: Herman Road FWF kiosk panels installed. Five additional kiosk panels ordered. Motion to accelerate the previously approved spending to get it done within the next several months. Motion approved by voice vote.

Meeting Notes
  1. Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Trail Maintenance Fund
    • Grant update – Ben/Pat
      • Resurfacing work completed and invoice paid.
      • Accounting shared by Ben via email.
      • Bollards constructed and installed. Town will install boulders on edge of trail entrances in the next few weeks.
    • Hojack Grant Signage Committee – Anna: Motions to purchase new signage for the Hojack Trail.
      • No parking signs proposed for Drumm, Hard, and Klem Roads at $42/sign for 5 signs. Motion approved by voice vote.
      • Wayfinding, historical, and kiosk signs estimate from McAllister is $2230, covered by grant.  Motion approved by voice vote.
      • Sign post materials still to be determined, but metal posts may be needed.
    • Planting will be done in stages, with some by RGE (at no cost) and some by Thomas Landscaping.
    • Benches and kiosks. Lake Road kiosk planned, and one for Klem proposed. Bench locations TBD.
  2. Re-Tree Project: Norma
    • Whiting Road planting day on 10/25 at 9am. Largest trees from the nursery to be used.
    • RGE planting day for Hojack to be scheduled soon.
  3. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
    • Hats & T-shirt Order – Anna: Ordered hats already. The T-shirt vendor is no longer in business, so Anna is looking for a new vendor.
    • Friend Table Opportunities – Anna: Boos & Brews 5k, Scavenger Hunt. Table staffing set.
    • Annual Meeting agenda – for review/approval Anna: set for Finn Park.
  4. Open Discussion
    • Motorized Vehicles on Trails – All: Hojack Trail runs primarily on private property and may need to have different policies. Ideas:
      • Consider educational signage
      • Meet with Police Chief
      • Look at Rails to Trails Conservancy policy