Friends of Webster Trails

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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

January 12, 2026 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Pat Fulkerson, Ron Happ, Hal Harris, Chris Peterson, Paul Piotrowski, Norma Platt, Linda Siple, Pat Smally, Anna Taylor, Sarah White
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda – approved with changes
  2. Approve Minutes of November Meeting – Approved
  3. Membership Status – Denise B
    • Members: 260 before removing lapsed memberships
      • 41 new in 2025
    • Donations: $12,650 for the year
      • Day of Caring was successful
      • Hojack project raised profile
    • Listing in the Webster Today newsletter – ACTION ITEM: Anna to ask if they can include our QR code in it.
    • New email format – Information with events to go monthly in the last few days of the month.
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – Chris: detailed report distributed to Board via email.
    • Charter of Finance Committee – accepted by voice vote
    • Review of budget proposal, based on run-rate of past years.
    • Initial discussion of targets to be finalized at future meeting
  5. Reports – Norma/Sarah
    • Website Inquiry Summary – Distributed to board by email. Highlight the inquiry about trail crossing on Rte. 250. Glenn is working with the state for possible flashing sign.
    • Communication Director – n/a
    • Social Media
    • Habitat Committee Update
  6. Conflict of Interest Form/Waivers – Sign

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Scout Projects for 2026– Patrick/Linda
    • High-priority list review: Initial approval for three of the five projects (H1, H2 and H4). State Road bridge to be reviewed with the town.
  2. Trails Chair Report – Linda
    • New steward for Finn Park West: Chuck Carline
    • New stewards WRNP Green Trail: Garth Howell and Jeff Darling
    • New Chainsaw Gang recruit from Anna
    • Concerns about trail edges not getting cut. ACTION ITEM: Ron to draft a list of tasks. Linda to email stewards with information for how to best do this work.
    • Trees down all over.
    • Midnight Trail encroachment issue continues. Town needs to manage this.
    • Midnight Connector and Trail to have trees removed by Monroe County.
    • Memorial Benches. Prior decision made to not pursue this.
  3. Development of a trail issue mapping system. Proposal from Ben to make an interactive map with trail maintenance issues.
  4. FWT Billy Goat Mower Proposal – Linda/Anna
    1. Trails ROC would like to donate a mower.
    2. Town would need to inspect it, and if approved, it would be under the existing agreement for the other mower.
    3. Approved to accept, pending town review.
  5. Kiosk Information Project – Denise: All panels are installed. Bird Sanctuary panel has a defect that Denise and Linda will investigate.

Meeting Notes
  1. Ralph Wilson Jr Trail Maintenance Fund
    • Grant update – Pat: Outstanding $12k for signs, benches, kiosks, and planting. Stakeholders to develop timeline for each remaining item.
    • Hojack Grant Signage Committee – Anna
    • Planting proposal/review/approval/signature – Norma: approved, and Pat will sign and forward directly to Thomas Landscape.
    • Ribbon Cutting Event Planning – Community hike/bike ride
  2. Re-Tree Project: Norma/Sarah
    • Planning for 2026, including buying seedlings
    • Collaboration with Webster Arboretum master gardener
  3. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
    • T-shirt Order – Anna tabled
    • Friend Table Opportunities – Anna tabled
    • Winter Hikes – Next hike on Feb. 7 at 10am
    • Second giving campaign for Earth Day
  4. Open Discussion
    • Sand Bar Park Grant – Anna: approved grant including fishing pier, boardwalk
    • Comprehensive Plan update – Anna: next meeting in Feb.
    • Anna/Pat: Meeting New Town Supervisor Communication: Anna to set up meeting
    • Anna/Linda/Pat: Meeting with Chris & Glenn – to be scheduled
    • Constitution Review Committee – Denise, Sarah and Pat F to review and propose amendments.