Friends of Webster Trails

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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

May 11, 2026 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Pat Fulkerson, Ron Happ, Chris Peterson, Linda Siple, Anna Taylor, Sarah White, Ben Wisniewski; Guest Don Baird, former steward for WRNP
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda: Add scout presentations; approved with addition
  2. Approve Minutes of April Meeting: Approved
  3. Membership Status – Denise B
    • 245 total, with 3 new in April
    • 144 work hours
    • $1240 donations, including $250 from the Webster Garden Club
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – Chris
    • Taxes due by May 15; ready to file. Chris to distribute to the Board. ACTION ITEM: Once the form is filed, Sarah will post notice of availability on the Website.
    • NY state charity registration in process. Officer signatures will be required.
    • Positive cash flow, with project expenses starting.
    • Insurance renewals up this month. Approved to renew, at budgeted amount, pending review by Pat S.
  5. Reports –
    • Website Inquiry Summary – Sarah (for Norma)
      1. Request for information about planting trees in other open space.
      2. Interested volunteers directed to Website.
      3. Donation inquiry.
    • Social Media – Sarah:
      1. Accessible trails with a record 31,000 views/145 interactions
      2. Private property access from HRFWF to WRNP – 6500 views/115 interactions
      3. Where in Webster Trails – Herman Road – 2400 views/21 interactions

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Scout Presentations
    • Genevieve and Asher Crittenden, troop 262: Four Mile Creek Preserve Red Trail staircase repair. Estimate of cost is approximately $70. Work expected to be completed within a few weeks. Approved by voice vote, not to exceed $75.
  2. Trails Chair Report/Projects – Linda
    1. Gravel Report: Mike Herbst has been successful in having our gravel request added to the Webster Highway Dept order – thus saving us delivery fees.
      • Current request is $24.50/ton X 42 tons = $1029, but will likely be less.
      • FYI – Wood chips are no cost and lighter than gravel, but decompose.
    2. Gravel has been delivered to WRNP and Bird Sanctuary (near Orchard). Due to very wet conditions P&R is having difficulty getting the gravel into the trails.
    3. FWT Mower: Craig Hurbut did not use the mower last year. He has checked oil and spark plug. No need for maintenance this year.
    4. SRNP – Recovery of boardwalk: One of the three boardwalks was washed downstream from the spring heavy rain and snow melt. A group of volunteers retrieved the boardwalk and floated it back upstream. Boardwalk will be replaced in former location and better secured.
    5. Balusters on Hojack Trail: Matt Steiner provided feedback on current balusters – current balusters are difficult to unlock, difficult to drive around. ACTION ITEM: Ben remove the locks and consult with Matt about plans.
    6. April 18 Workday – Hojack Clean up: Litter pick up on Phillips to Holt and around Sexton Park (6 construction bags of litter), and drainage improved.
    7. May 16 Workday – Gosnell: bridge approach improvements.
    8. June 20 Workday – HRFW: Switchback Improvement.
    9.  Stump extractor: John Boettecher asked about scraping – current value less than $210. ACTION ITEM: Linda to ask John to drop it off at the trailer.
  3. State Rd Preserve Update – Linda/Tim- (Table to June meeting)

Meeting Notes
  1. Ralph Wilson Jr Trail Maintenance Fund
    • Hojack Grant Signage Committee – Sign Subcommittee:
      • Final sign design with a 4×4 post, affixed with nuts and bolts. Approved by voice vote.
      • Logo signs also purchased.
      • History signs in process. Mounting design TBD.
    • Ribbon Cutting Event & Community hike, Proposal for review – All: tabled
  2. Re-Tree/Habitat Activities: Norma
    • Grant tree planting on 5/14 by Thomas Landscape
    • Habitat is working on garlic mustard
    • Still bags on Hojack – Matt to remove
  3. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
    • Brochure Order – Denise
      • 1000 purchased last September $508; $750 was estimated for 2000: Approved by voice vote to purchase 2000.
    • T-shirt Order, Funnyfarm T-Shirts, LLC- Anna
      1. Viewing sample shirt 05/12/26
      2. Pricing $9/ea. Up to XL, (2X) +$1
      3. 7-10 day turn around
      4. QTY proposed: 5 SMALL, 15 MEDIUM, 25 LARGE, 15 XL, 5 2XL
        1. Approved at not more than $750
  4. Webster Library, Volunteer Fair- Feedback- Anna
  5. Events – May workday
  6. Open Discussion
    • 2026 Projects- Town coordination – Anna T/All
      • Executive committee to discuss projects later in May.
    • Group Hike Requests:
      1. Homeschool Group – Trail Fun days, Thursdays May-June 1-2pm – Anna T/Sarah/Denise
      2. 05/07/26 Hike complete – Feedback Anna & Norma: 35 attendees, passports given. Trail manners, trail blazes, habitat. Email needed to participants the day before.
      3. 55+ Coordination – P&R- request – Anna: Plan to replicate the homeschool hikes.