Friends of Webster Trails

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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

June 8, 2026 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Ron Happ, Hal Harris, Norma Platt, Linda Siple, Pat Smally, Anna Taylor, Sarah White, Ben Wisniewski
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda: Add corporate address change
  2. Approve Minutes of May Meeting: Approved by voice vote
  3. Membership Status – Denise B
    • 3 new members; 237 total after list pruning
    • Donations $225
    • Work hours 143
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – Detailed report distributed to Board via email
  5. Reports –
    • Website Inquiry Summary – Norma
      • Volunteers looking for opportunities
      • Inquiry about road crossings on the Hojack. FWT will consider a separate statement to the town.

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Trails Chair Report/Projects – Linda
    • New volunteer to help with Four Mile Creek Preserve. He will start with sealing benches.
    • Bench in FMCP along the creek needs support repairs.
    • Midnight Trail encroachment concerns. Priority issues are the electric fence remnants and the signage.
      ACTION ITEM: Anna to contact Parks and Rec for status.

Meeting Notes
  1. Ralph Wilson Jr Trail Maintenance Fund
    • Hojack Grant Signage Update – Sign committee: Signs with McAllister and should be done within the month. Wayfinding signs to be installed by a work crew for Ben. Information sign installation locations to be set. ACTION ITEM: Ben to see if the town can dig the holes.
    • Hojack Trail kiosk to be stained by Denise ,and she will install the signs.
    • Planting by Thomas Landscape – completed in May between Klem and Hard Roads.
    • Ribbon Cutting Event & Community hike, proposal for review – All
      • Set date in early autumn
      • Hike/Bike event, riding to Drumm Road and back.
      • Stage at Orchard Road parking with FWT Friends Table.
      • Road marshal at each road crossing.
      • Consider merch giveaway, such as stickers with logo.
      • Include ice cream food truck.
  2. Re-Tree/Habitat Activities: Sarah/ Norma
    • Garlic mustard removal nearly accomplished on Lake Road and Bird Sanctuary. Started work on Hojack/John Ungar/MAJ.
    • Evening Habitat workday planted 45 silky dogwood.
    • Potting event with Girl Scouts.
  3. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
    • Brochure Order – Denise: Order needed. $520 for 1000 or $720 for 1500. Approved by voice vote for larger order.
    • T-shirt Order, Funnyfarm T-Shirts, LLC – Anna: shirts received
    • Webster Today Highlight – Sarah: Article and hidden gem hike going out in Summer issue
    • Webster Americas 250 at the Arboretum, June 24, 2pm – Anna to do Friends table.
  4. Open Discussion
    • Building Proposals – next steps – Anna T/All
      • Going forward, larger projects will generally be reserved for adults, not scouts/students.
      • Review of other projects tabled until a future meeting.
    •  State Rd Preserve bridge: No action at this time. Given the time commitment to pursue this, we will remove the project from from the project list and proceed with other priorities. Approved
    • Corporate Address change – Ben: Change to 1350 Chiyoda Drive to match all document. Approved to authorize Ben to file paperwork.
  5. Group Hike Requests:
    • Homeschool Group – Trail Funs days, Thursdays 1-2pm, held May 7 to June 11
    • 55+ Coordination – P&R- request – Anna: Looking to see if we could repurpose the hikes from the Homeschool kids.