Friends of Webster Trails

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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

April 15, 2024 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, John Bottcher, Paul DeLapietra, Pat Fulkerson, Ron Happ, Hal Harris, Chris Peterson, Norma Platt, Linda Siple, Anna Taylor, Sarah White; Guest Sawyer Zimny
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda: Add report on Waivers.
  2. Approve Minutes from March 2024 Meeting: Approved
  3. Membership Status – Denise B
    • 234 members, up 2 in March
    • $11,000 in donations, including $2140 in memorial for Bill Rampe
    • March work hours 142
    • New brochures being produced with updated maps and text
    • Website stats:
      • Views in March: 3800
      • Top pages: Trails main page, FMC, WRNP, Vosburg, Hojack, Herman Road
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – Chris/Lynn P
    • $45k among all accounts
    • Several expenses outstanding, including scout project
    • Discussion of creating a Lowes account. More investigation needed.
  5. Website Inquiry Summary – Norma
    • Variety of volunteers from Cub Scouts, L3 Harris, and Rochester Birding Association to help at ReTree planting event.
    • Other volunteers, including one for mowing.
    • Color Webster Green group connection.
    • HOA inquiry about land transfer, declined.
    • Trail maintenance needed at Hickory Bark for logs on platform and trees down on Bird Sanctuary.
  6. Communications Update – John B:
    • Newsletter posted online and mailed in March.
  7. Habitat Committee Update – Norma:
    • Recruitment email sent out and posted online and on social media.
    • Work to start pulling garlic mustard in mid-May in Bird Sanctuary and Big Woods north end.
  8. Board Member Waivers – Norma: All have signed except for steward for Midnight Trail. Patrick will coordinate waivers for scout projects.

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Mowing 2024– All
    • Proposal: For 2024 only, have Parks & Rec take on mowing of Hojack, WRNP Brown and Green and parking lot, FMC parking lot.
    • Schedule/frequency – Need to get a proposal on seasonality of schedule.
    • Trailer/Mower Transport: Retain mower and trailer for now.
    • Board to review the plan no later than mid-summer 2024.
  2. Chainsaw Responsibilities – Ron: Notice of trees down should go to trail steward who will contact others as needed.
  3. Trail Workdays: Linda/Trail Stewards – Tabled
    • Re-Tree Earth Day, April 20
    • Workday #1, April 20, Gosnell Big Woods
  4. Trail Counting Update – John: Counting to continue on trails not measured yet, including Finn Park, Michael A. Johnson, Vosburg, and Chiyoda. Herman Road to be measured later in the year after trail improvements are made.

Meeting Notes
  1. Scout Projects – Patrick
    • Sawyer Zimny, Eagle Scout candidate, presented on replacing two boardwalks WRPN, orange trail.
    • Project approved by voice vote.
  2. Board & Trailer Insurance – Chris/All
    • Budget Committee – Anna: tabled
    • Insurance recommendation from Chris to acquire General Liability and Director’s and Officer’s policies. Approved unanimously.
    • ACTION ITEM: Chris to further investigate auto liability, volunteer accident, and umbrella insurance.
  3. Re-Tree Project: Sarah/Norma:
    • Events on April 20 (potting and planting at WRNP) and April 26 (RGE volunteers planting at HRFWF).
  4. Promote/Events/Fundraising:
    • Community Arts Day, April 13 – Dennis, report/ feedback
    • FWT/Library, “Webster Where Trails are Worth Walking” Presentation April 13 – Anna, report/feedback
  5. Goals/Priorities to Support our Mission
    • Recruitment- Anna – Tabled
    • PowerPoint – Roadshow – Tabled
    • Passport update!! – Denise: All maps updated last month, with draft submitted for review, including the addition of Herman Road and State Road, John Ungar, and Hickory Bark trails. New brochures to be completed in the next few months.
  6. Open Space/Grants: Tabled
    • New York Forward Community Revitalization program – Anna
      • Training Session April 23, 6-7:30pm
    • Recreational Trails Grant – Anna/Ben/Hal
    • Parks and Trails Grant Program – Anna/Ben/Hal
  7. Open Discussion – no discussion

Promote: Events/Fundraising 2023

  • Community Arts Day, April 13, 10am-4pm – Dennis
  • FWT/Library, “Webster Where Trails are Worth Walking” Presentation
    April 13, 11am – Anna
  • Re-Tree Earth Day, April 20 Earth Day
  • Workday #1, April 20, Gosnell Big Woods – Craig
  • Webster Volunteer Fair (at the library), Saturday, May 11 10am-12 pm- John B
  • FWT/Library Hike #1, Saturday, May 11, Gosnell Big Woods – Anna/Craig
  • Workday #2, May 18, State Rd Preserve – Hal
  • St. Rita’s Festival Saturday June 1 from 2pm to 5pm – Hal
  • Workday #3, June 15, Gosnell Big Woods – Craig
  • Library Summer Reading Kickoff Party Friday, June 21 5:30-7pm – Anna
  • Workday #4, July 20, Four Mile Creek – Dennis
  • Trees Along the Trail “HUNT”, Date TBD, Dennis
  • Workday #5, August 17, State Rd Preserve – Hal
  • FWT/Library Hike #2, Saturday, Sept 14, Four Mile Creek Pres – Anna/Dennis
  • Workday #6 Sept 21, Herman Rd FWF – Ben
  • Town of Webster Employee Wellness Fair, TBD
  • Workday #7, Saturday October 24, Re-Tree Planting  – Norma/Sarah
  • Hojack Hike, Fall TBD 2024 – John/P&R/ Village
  • Hot Cocoa Hike, Saturday, November 2 (TBD) – Denise
  • Scavenger Hunt, Saturday, November 2
  • Annual Meeting November TBD