Friends of Webster Trails

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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

April 14, 2025 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Pat Fulkerson, Ron Happ, Paul Piotrowski, Norma Platt, Linda Siple, Pat Smalley, Anna Taylor; and new trail stewards
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Introductions of all attendees
  2. Approve/Change Agenda – OK
  3. Approve Minutes of March 2025 Meeting – Approved
  4. Membership Status- Denise B
    • 238 members, with 4 new
    • Donations: $45
    • Volunteer hours – 81 hours
  5. Review of Treasurer Report – Chris
    • Detailed report distributed to Board
    • Several approved scout projects to be expensed in the few months
    • Budget planning: Denise to collaborate with Chris on donations/memberships, with aim to present in May
  6. Website Inquiry Summary – Norma
    1. Many trees reported down
    2. Hojack trail condition concerns
    3. Ebike questions
    4. Dead loon in Whiting Road NP reported to DEC
    5. Possible summer intern
    6. Color Webster Green looking for greater collaboration
    7. Willow Runs run event company to do a fundraiser for FWT
    8. Possible trail at a subdivision HOA – see below
  7. Communication Director – TBD/Anna: NL distributed in early April
  8. Social Media – Sarah: FB posts continue to get good interaction
  9. Habitat Committee Update – Norma
    1. More than 20 volunteers have expressed interest for Friday work days
    2. Wood duck boxes repositioned

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Trail Steward Report – Linda: welcome of new stewards
  2. April Trail workday #1 – Feedback: 12 volunteers turned out for stump removal and trail clearing.
  3. Gravel orders are due to Linda ASAP.
  4. Benches and tables need to be sanded and sealed. Linda to work with stewards. Valspar sealant is roughly $40/gallon. Approved for Linda to purchase up to $300 of sealant and to report on progress to the Board.
  5. Request for New Trails – Linda/Anna/Norma
    • Ken Corpus who wants trail at the Meadows HOA to be taken by the town. ACTION ITEM: Anna to respond with a negative.
    • Brucker Property new Trail Network- request from P&R: Mix of fields and trees that is between the sewer plant and N. Chigwell Lane and was purchased in 2020. ACTION ITEM: Anna to follow up with questions about links through the sewer plant to Four Mile Creek Preserve.
  6. Lake Rd Kiosk Volunteer opportunity – Anna: Community service opportunity for a Webster Thomas junior looking for a project. Pat to work with him.
  7. Mower Discussion: update from P&R – Anna: Trailer can remain at Parks & Rec Barn. Paul D would like to use the mower at State Road NP. There are possibilities for use for other preserves. Stewards can request mower.
  8. Generator – Paul: Generator to be used for projects where we don’t have battery-powered tools. Unit would be able to be transported in a wagon or wheelbarrow, stored in the trailer, and maintained. Cost ranges from $300 to $500. ACTION ITEM: Linda to survey stewards about how often they would have used a generator last year.

Meeting Notes
  1. Goals / Focus for the Year
    1. Recruitment Board Positions & Trail Stewards- Linda/Anna
      1. VP Post for Membership update – Anna: Ongoing review of how to integrate the position
      2. Welcome New Trail Stewards
  2. ReTree Project – Norma/Sarah
    • RBA grant for $2000 received.
    • Planting on April 25, sponsored by RGE, on Hojack and Potting April 26 at Nursery
  3. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising: See the events calendar.
  4. Open Discussion
    1. Ralph Wilson Jr Trail Maintenance Fund – Grant Application Status update.
      • Application submitted in early April for resurfacing, drainage, signage, and planting between Holt and Drumm Roads. Decision should be made in May.
      • Grant includes match funds from a donor.
      • Need to assess tax filing and liability if we secure grant.
    2. Trail Counting: website posting of the results: Concerns about having data on the web without context, and concerns about the amount of work required to do the counting. Plan to put methodology online.
    3. Intern from ESF – Sarah and Paul P: Fallon Mullally to start work in mid-May.
    4. Color Webster Green – relationship building
    5. Proposed Monthly Walk- Proposed for Sunday 7pm “Sunday Evening Strolls” in Gosnell Big Field with neighbors and members – John B to lead.