FWT Board Meeting Minutes

February 9, 2026 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White

Attendees

Denise Bilsback, Pat Fulkerson, Ron Happ, Chris Peterson, Linda Siple, Pat Smally, Anna Taylor, Sarah White, Ben Wisniewski

Adimistrative Reports

Approve/Change Agenda: OK
Approve Minutes of January Meeting: Approved
Membership Status – Denise B
- Membership: 3 new members, total 234 after lapsed memberships removed
- Volunteer Hours: 57.5 hours
- Donations: $2270, including Trails ROC
Review of Treasurer Report – Chris
- Budget proposal: Approved as proposed, subject to amendments needed going forward
- Balances: Checking $21k; CD $18k; Savings $8k, including final funds for Hojack grant project
- Tax filing by Cole Income Tax Service: Approved
- NY Charity filing due May 15
Reports – Anna/Sarah
- Website Inquiry Summary: Report distributed to Board via email
  - Questions included Cub Scouts wanting to do tree planting and Earth Day events and Penfield Trails looking to emulate FWT signage
- Communication Director: Meeting with an interested member set for Feb. 10
- Social Media – Sarah
  - Facebook algorithm has changed, and working to understand how to optimize the new parameters
  - Most engagement from Loop of the Month post featuring Hojack and John Ungar, Fishermen at Four Mile Creek Preserve, and Trail Counting update
- Habitat Committee Update: no update
FWT Constitution Review/Approval
- Constitution review committee met with initial recommendations. Additional recommendations are under review.
- Approval process
  - Finalize the changes no later than the October meeting.
  - Put the final draft on the Website after that.
  - Email the membership that the changes are available (with a link) and can be voted on at the annual meeting.
  - Vote at the annual meeting.

Trail Planning and Maintenance

Anna/Linda/Pat: Meeting with Chris & Glenn – 02/05/26 Meeting
- Glenn is retiring at the end of February, and his replacement is in the works. FWT wishes him well!
- Gravel costs will come out of budget.
- Finn Park. Gravel Road entrance will need a half kiosk, and a community engagement vision process will happen.
- State Rd Bridge update from P&R – Anna/Linda
  - Communication plan in process.
  - Town to review DEC approvals.
Trail issue Tracking Map for Projects – Ben
- Proof of concept to be done on Vosburg and Bird Sanctuary
Trails Chair Report/Projects – Linda
- List of Trail Tasks – Linda/Ron: on the Website, and any changes should go to Linda as Trails Chair
- New stewards list distributed
Workday projects: Scheduled for third Saturday each month –
- April: ReTree
- May: Gosnell Boardwalk
- June: HRFWF switchback
- July: FMCP
- August: SRNP
- September: TBD
- October: ReTree planting
Scout Projects for 2026 – Patrick/Linda: Hojack projects will be prioritized.
Kiosk Information Project – Denise: Parks & Rec will pay for Finn Park West and Gosnell kiosks. All other panels have been ordered by the town.
Trail counting software purchase – Linda: Motion to spend not more than $125 Approved

Meeting Notes

Ralph Wilson Jr Trail Maintenance Fund
- Hojack Grant Signage Committee – Anna: meeting March 12
- Ribbon Cutting Event Planning – Community hike/bike ride: Ben to check with Foundation. Planning to start in April.
Re-Tree Project: Sarah – No update
Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
- T-shirt Order – Anna: order to be placed this month
- Events: Winter State Road hike cancelled.
Open Discussion
- Comprehensive Plan update – Anna
- Anna/Pat: Meeting New Town Supervisor Communication – Mtg Scheduled 02/17
- Trail Steward Gathering in Spring – Anna: Possibility of a social event.