Friends of Webster Trails

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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

February 10, 2025 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Patrick Fulkerson, Hal Harris, Craig Hurlburt, Chis Peterson, Linda Siple, Matt Steiner, Anna Taylor, Sarah White, Ben Wisniewski
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda – Approved
  2. Approve Minutes of January 2025 Meeting – Approved
  3. Membership Status- Denise B
    1. 232 after renewal cleanup, with and 2 new members
    2. Donations – $270
    3. Work hours – 31
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – Chris/Lynn P
    • $35k cash on hand
    • Review of budget framework
      1. Confirmed responsibility of accounts
      2. Spending thresholds and approvals
        1. For a budget item previously approved by the Board, responsible person can approve spending.
        2. Trail steward projects need two-level approval for amounts above $100.
        3. Recurring expenses, such as mower gas, can be submitted with multiple purchases collected in a single reimbursement, with the threshold up to $500.
  5. Website Inquiry Summary – Norma
    • Membership question
    • Member looking to volunteer
    • Trees down
  6. Communication Director – TBD/Anna T:
    • Recruitment: Anna to follow up with new member who had some interest, and Sarah to post on Facebook as needed
    • Next NL to be put together in March/April
  7. Social Media – Sarah: Facebook followers steady with high engagement
  8. Habitat Committee Update – NA
  9. Conflict of Interest Form/Waiver – All: Anna to scan and upload to Dropbox

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Trail Steward Report – Linda
    • Priority projects for 2025: Linda/All
      • Finn Park West – Town to send a boundary map, FWT will flag the trail, and the town will build it.
      • Bird Sanctuary trail – The Town will no longer use the trail for vehicle transport, so wet spots can be elevated with puncheons.
      • Hojack trail @Lake – kiosk needed; added to list for scout projects.
    • Trail steward recruitment plan:
      • Email and FB post to be sent in February.
      • Job duties on Website for stewards. ACTION ITEM: Linda and Sarah to create draft.
    • Trail Work Dates – All
      • April – State Road new trail; Earth Day ReTree event
      • May – State Road trail widening, remove stumps and trash pile
      • June – Bird Sanctuary puncheons
      • July – FMC gravel spreading
      • August – Gosnell fence trimming
      • September – Herman Road project
      • October – ReTree planting
    • Scout Projects: 5 projects lined up, with presentations to be scheduled.
    • RGE-sponsored events – Spring and Fall, to be open to membership.
  2. Trail Inventory Sign off- Linda/Anna/All: Posted on Google Sheets with link distributed to Board.
  3. Trail infrastructure protection: Going forward, cut ends of treated lumber to be sealed at the time of construction.
  4. Hickory Bark trail ADA compliance – Discussion to come with Town. Projects needed for compliance:
    1. Addition of more accessible parking spots at the trail.
    2. Additional grading with fine gravel to be done from parking lot to kiosk and to trail.

Meeting Notes
  1. Review Goals/Focus for the Year – Anna T.
    • Hojack Trail Planning Team/Committee: Team established, and first meeting to be in February.
    • ATV/Motorized Vehicles on Trails: Signs installed, and letter distributed by town. Going forward, FWT can report directly to the Webster Police.
    • Kiosk Updates with P&R: Follow format of Charles Sexton park kiosk. Denise and Linda to work on this over the year. Signage costs to be shared by town and FWT.
    • Midnight Trail use: Town said there was no special agreement for private usage. Chris and Glenn will pursue this in the spring.
    • Mowing discussion to be continued in March.
  2. Re-Tree Project: Sarah tabled
    • Two workdays planned: April Earth Day and October planting
    • Request for $1000 from FWT to fund trees and protection
  3. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising:
    • Passport Challenge – Spring Kick off – Anna T
    • Hojack Trail Ride/Hike event?
    • Ribbon Cutting & Hike – Hermann Rd
    • Ribbon Cutting & Hike – State Rd
    • Scavenger Hunts – Confirm with Emily – Anna T
  4. Open Discussion
    • Webster Comprehensive Plan Update- Anna/Ben
    • Town budget line of $2500, with $1500 for projects and $1000 for stone and gravel.