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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

July 14, 2025 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Norma Platt, Deanna Burrows, Linda Siple, Kyle Maltman, Ron Happ, Chris Peterson, Denise Bilsback, Pat Smally, Patrick Fulkerson, Anna Taylor
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda: Approved
  2. Approve Minutes of June 2025 Meeting: Approved
  3. Membership Status- Denise B: Report distributed to the Board Via Email
    • 247 Members
    • 138.3 volunteer Field hours
  4. Review of Treasurer Report- Chris: June report distributed to Board
    • Proposed small subcommittee to establish a new Finance Committee Structure. Separation of duties a goal. Anna T, Chris P, Sarah and Ben meet and develop a proposal for the Board to review. Norma volunteered to help when roles/duties are established.
  5. Website Inquiry Summary – Norma
    • Inquiry regarding offer of plexiglass donation to FWT from Webster  Museum. Board feedback- no current uses identified. Kindly refuse.
    • Tree down at Finn Park, referred to Trail steward Rebecca Bonn
  6. Communication Director – TBD/Sarah (not present)
  7. Social media – Sarah (not present)
  8. Habitat Committee Update – Norma
    • Two planting workdays, both with six volunteers each day, one at WRNP & HRFWF

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Scout Projects for 2025– Linda/Patrick: Coordinating State Rd Scout projects end of July, RJ Schickler and Ava Hatfield.
  2. Trails Chair Report:
    •  

      Mowing coordination with Trail Steward at State Rd for Scout project
      access

    • Finn Park Master Plan: Chris Bilow update that P&R does not have a
      definitive plan and are discussing a Masterplan, no further action
      required by FWT.
    • Last Call for request of gravel from P&R June 27th
  3.  

    Kiosk Information Project – Denise/Linda: all kiosks are stained expect for HRFWF

Meeting Notes
  1. Ralph C. Wilson, Jr Trail Maintenance Fund – Status update: Ben/Anna/Pat
    • We have a fully executed contract. July 21st start, 2-week duration to complete the resurfacing work, weather dependent.
    • Hojack Trail Bench & Kiosk Locations/Scouts needed – Linda to coordinate with Patrick Fulkerson. When locations and quantities are confirmed, they are to be identified by the signage committee.
    • Hojack Grant Signage Committee – Anna: first meeting to be coordinated by volunteer Mike Carmody. Sign committee to include Anna T, Linda Siple, Mike Carmody, Ben Wisniewski & Denise Bilsback
    • Hojack Trail Grant Plantings – Sarah and Norma will be working with Matt Steiner on a proposal.
    • All work for the grant is to be completed by June 2026
  2. Re-Tree Project: Norma
    • $2000 Grant received from Rochester Birding Association for Whiting Road Nature Preserve and Four Mile Creek Preserve
    • Coordinating RG&E workday with RGE/Matt Steiner
    • Planning for October Workday
  3. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising – Anna T: No updates
  4. Open Discussion
    • Volunteer Hours – NEW categories tracking – Norma/Denise: July will be the first month FWT/Denise will be tracking non-field work. These hours would track any administrative tasks. Denise will send out an email to the Board requesting these hours and will report on the overall volunteer hours.
    • New York Forward Grant – Anna: Jake Swingly and the Superintendent of Public Works from the village provided an update 07/02/25 email: Village remains in a holding pattern while they await the go ahead from the state. Once they receive direction from the state, the village will reach out to their community partners.
  5.  

    Open Action Items

    • Arm Band Proposal – Norma: The request for vests was made by the Parks & Rec to clear identification of FWT Crew on the trails. Feedback was the arm bands did not provide great visibility. Decision was made to look for another vest option. Pat Smally to share website his company uses for work vests.