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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

August 10, 2026 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Ron Happ, Linda Siple, Pat Smally, Sarah White, Ben Wisniewski
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda – Approved
  2. Approve Minutes of July Meeting – Approved by voice vote
  3. Membership Status – Denise B
    • 5 new members for a total of 244
    • $260 in donations
    • Work hours at 136.5
    • Monthly email update – The open rate has increased with a single monthly email.
    • Mailchimp subscription change. $7 more each month to retain the existing features. For now, we’ll work with the lower-feature, lower-cost plan and reevaluate in the coming months.
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – See Report distributed via email
    • Expenses and income are tracking, with favorability in scout projects that is due to timing.
    • Some cash moved to a CD
  5. Reports –
    • Website Inquiry Summary – See Report from Norma
      • Inquiry about plant identification.
      • Offer of design help, possibly for Hojack Ribbon Cutting or Pollinator Pathway signage.
      • Scout looking for a project.
      • Volunteer looking for ways to contribute.

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Trails Chair Report/Projects – Linda
    • Trail vandalism in FMCP reported to Webster Police Department.
    • Bird Sanctuary Trail
      • Gravel added starting at Webster Road.
      • Drainage pipes to be added.
      • Dog waste station request. Cost is ~$600. Request Parks & Rec to purchase it.
    • State Road Nature Preserve – Work day 8/15
    • Hojack Trail
      • Boulders installed
    • Finn Park West: Tabled for now.
    • Four Mile Creek Preserve: Benches and tables all sealed.
  2. September work day: Hojack clearing around plants.
    • Norma and Sarah to mark the plants.
    • Ben to lead the workday.

Meeting Notes
  1. Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail Maintenance Fund
    • Hojack Grant Signage Update – Ben/Pat
      • Wayfinding sign installation started.
      • Road sign installation starting this month.
      • Railroad relic sign to go near the bench/shelter. Forest Lawn crash sign at bench near Klem Road.
    • Ribbon Cutting Event & Community Hike
      • Date: THURS 09/03/26 at 4pm, Anna confirmed with town.
      • Details –
        • Sticker Order: Denise to work on it.
        • Plan to move the ride event to next spring.
      • Close out Paperwork for Ralph Wilson Jr Grant – Status: Ben/Sarah – Done
  2. Re-Tree/Habitat Activities: Sarah/ Norma
    • Monroe county Grant for Low mow native plantings. Not awarded to town.
    • Habitat cleared around recent plantings in Whiting Road Nature Preserve.
    • Monthly Wednesday evening habitat planned for 8/12.
  3. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
    • August 12 Evening Habitat Workday
    • August 15 Workday #5 – State Rd Nature Preserve
    • Sept 03 Hojack Trail Ribbon Cutting
    • September 19 Workday #6 – Hojack
  4. Open Discussion
    1. Webster Comprehensive Plan FWT Review & Comment – ALL: The next Committee meeting, which will also serve as the Committee’s formal public hearing is at the end of the month. FWT’s feedback has been submitted.
    2. Group Hike Requests – 55+ Group Hike Program with P&R
      • Looking for Hike Leaders – email Anna if you are interested
      • Thursdays 1-2pm
      • Dates/ Locations
        • Sept 10 – Hojack/John Ungar/Michael A Johnson – Norma
        • Sept 24 – Four Mile Creek – Dennis? – Anna to confirm
        • Oct 8 – Herman Rd Forever Wild – TBD/Anna – maybe Ben
        • Oct 22 – Gosnell Big Woods – TBD/Anna – maybe Denise