Friends of Webster Trails

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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

April 13, 2026 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Pat Fulkerson, Ron Happ, Chris Peterson, Norma Platt, Linda Siple, Pat Smally, Anna Taylor, Ben Wisniewski
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda – Approved
  2. Approve Minutes of Mach Meeting – Approved
  3. Membership Status- Denise B
    • 4 new members for total of 243
    • $15 in donations
    • 54 Field hours. Decision to no longer track non-field hours
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – Chris
    • State Charity filing in process.
    • Expense tracking codes established.
    • Investigation into improved rates ongoing.
  5. Reports –
    • Website Inquiry Summary- Norma
      1. Concerns about ticks forwarded to Parks & Rec.
      2. Motorized vehicles on Hojack concern forwarded to town. Town conducted a major social media campaign about it on all channels.
      3. Eagle project inquiries forwarded to Pat F.
      4. Volunteer looking to help.
      5. Several reports of trees down.
    • Communication & Social Media
      • Spring Newsletter is live – Thank you, Sarah, Kerri & all contributors
      • Website views are up, as usual for spring.
      • Facebook views and interactions are back up.
      • Biggest post was one thanking the landowner (Ron) for letting folks cross from Herman Road to Whiting. 6500 views and 115 comments of appreciation.

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Scout Presentations
    • Maria Frick Troop 1920. Whiting Road Red trail bridge/boardwalk replacement. Work planned for late May. Approved by voice vote for not more than $1800.
    • Joshua Weber Troop 262. Kiosk and bench for Hojack near Klem Road. Work planned for May. Approved by voice vote for not more than $1100.
  2. Trails Planning & Maintenance
    1. Meeting with New Parks Director, 04/06/26 Meeting- Linda, Pat, Anna. Discussed gravel requests and delivery, Hojack trail crossings, and ReTree. Also discussed improving Bird Sanctuary with a deeper stone base and more robust surface.
    2. Trails Chair Report/Projects – Linda:
      • Town budget is $2500, and will need to work out how to allocate gravel budget for Bird Sanctuary and other trails.
      • State Road major bridge is still outstanding. Need follow up with town.
      • State Rd Preserve Update – Linda/Tim- (Table to May meeting)
    3. Scout Projects for 2026 – Patrick/Linda
      • Four Mile Creek Preserve Red Trail boardwalk repairs to be done in April.
      • Gosnell Half-Kiosk is in process.

Meeting Notes
  1. Ralph Wilson Jr Trail Maintenance Fund
    • Hojack Grant Signage Committee – Sign Subcommittee: Main sign sent to McAllister Signs for full-size demo.
    • Ribbon Cutting Event & Community hike, Proposal for review – Anna T: Likely in July
  2.  Re-Tree/Habitat Activities: Norma
    • Habitat to restart soon with Chuck Carline. Email to members coming.
    • ReTree planting events planned for 4/18, 4/20, and 4/25. Unplanned event on 4/24.
    • Planting for RW grant along Hojack scheduled for mid-May.
    • Additional events with scout troops planned for mid-May: Potting and FMCP planting.
  3.  Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
    • T-shirt Order, Funnyfarm T-Shirts, LLC- Anna: Still in process
    • Events coming up
      • April 18 Workday #1 – Hojack Trail Clean up, 9am-11am
      • April 18 Tree Planting #1 – ReTree/RGE – Hojack Trail & WRNP 10am- noon
      • April 25 Earth Day Tree Potting Day – ReTree, Park & Rec Nursery
      • May 02 Webster Volunteer Fair – Webster Library, 10-noon – Anna T
      • May 16 Workday #2 – Gosnell Big Woods
  4. Open Discussion
    • Open Space DEC Conservation Grant Opportunity – 04/02/26 Town Board Workshop /FWT Support – Anna T: Draft submitted to town with funding for infrastructure (mostly boardwalk).
      • Old Lumber Yard Property
      • Kunz Christmas Tree Farm
    • Group Hike Requests:
      • Homeschool Group – Trail Funs days, Thursdays May-June 1-2pm – Anna T/Sarah/Denise: Hikes planned with an education component. Should document each one so they can be reproduced in the future.
      • 55+ Coordination – P&R- request – Anna: Town looking to have a fall hike series for seniors. Could be based on the Homeschool hikes.
    • Hojack Trail Crossings – All: FWT has requested blinking signs at the busiest crossings.
    • Trail Steward Gathering May – Anna: Possibility of doing this at a brewery.