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FWT Board Meeting Minutes

September 8, 2025 7:00 pm

Author:

Sarah White
Attendees
Denise Bilsback, Pat Fulkerson, Ron Happ, Chris Peterson, Norma Platt, Pat Smally, Anna Taylor, Sarah White, Ben Wisniewski, Tim Young
Adimistrative Reports
  1. Approve/Change Agenda: Approved
  2. Approve Minutes of July 2025 & August Meeting: Approved
  3. Membership Status- Denise B
    • 251 members
    • $575 in donations
    • 181 field hours; 129 non-field hours
  4. Review of Treasurer Report – Chris
    • 3 of 4 Hojack grant payments received; surface contractor payment pending
    • ~$30 balance outside of grant
    • Finance Committee proposal
      •  Establish committee to develop budget for approval by Board, to be made up of Chris P., Pat S., Anna, Sarah, Linda, and Ben. Motion approved by voice vote.
      • Establish two new roles: (1) Payment disbursements; (2) Payment receipts. Roles need to be documented with procedures in the next several months. Motion approved by voice vote.
  5. Website Inquiry Summary – Norma: no update
  6. Communication Director – TBD/Sarah
    • Newsletter submissions due October 6.
  7. Social Media – Sarah
    • Strong uptick in online engagement, particularly around the Hojack project.
  8. Habitat Committee Update – Norma
    • Meadow mowing to start in late September.
    • Habitat completed weeding of new plantings in Herman Road FWF and Whiting Road NP.
    • Planting of trees and shrubs by parking lot at State Road NP.

Trail Planning and Maintenance

  1. Scout Alexa Seeley presented on boardwalk replacement for Whiting Road NP Green trail. Replacement will be 24 feet long (from 13 feet) and raised to be higher. Anticipated cost is $1000, with construction planned for early October.
    • Approved, with funds not to exceed $1200.
  2. Scout Projects for 2025– Patrick
    • State Road NP benches and kiosk are complete; boardwalks in process.
    • Whiting Road NP bench and Lake Road kiosk complete.
    • Vosburg bridge work has started.
    • Four Mile Creek Preserve puncheons are in process.
  3. Trails Chair Report- Anna T (Linda’s notes)
    • State Road Nature Preserve – Tim Young
      • Bridge over creek. DEC guidance received. This project will be included in the 2026 project planning.
      • Pond outflow remains an issue. ACTION ITEM:  Anna to consult with the town on next steps.
      • Red Trail has trees causing a narrow pinch point. ACTION ITEM: Tim will consult the Chainsaw Team.
      • Proposal to have standing tree trunk in parking lot carved by chainsaw artist. ACTION ITEM: Tim to investigate costs and develop a proposal.
  4. Herman Road Forever Wild Forest. Plan to plant arborvitae shrubs to screen parking lot from neighbors, with planting at next workday. Shrubs will need deer protection. Motion to purchase 15 screening shrubs from Thomas Landscaping at $1080. Approved.
  5. Kiosk Information Project – Denise: No update
  6. Brochure approval – Denise
    • Brochure supply nearly exhausted. Cost is $500 for 1000 copies.
    • Motion to increase membership fee by $5 for each type ($15 for individual and $20 for family).
      • Survey of like organizations shows fees of $20 or more.
      • FWT membership costs have been the same since 1997.
      • Motion approved by voice vote.
  7. Trails Steward Appreciation Breakfast/Dinner – Anna: No discussion

Meeting Notes
  1. Hojack Trail Update
    • Grant update – Ben/Pat
      • Surface work complete, pending final walkthrough. Plan to “open” the trail with email to members and Facebook post on Sept. 10.
        Motion to accept completion of resurfacing work pending final review by Ben, Pat, and RGE, and to expend budged grant funds of $348,430 to pay Central Roadways invoice. Approved.
      • Bollards. Ben presented sample bollard design to use instead of gates. Motion to approve design and authorize expenditure of grant funds not to exceed budgeted grant amount of $3000, pending approval of final materials list and costs to be distributed to Board by email. Approved.
      • Plantings. Norma and Sarah developed a planting plan in accordance with the grant. Motion to approve initial plan and expend grant funds not to exceed budgeted amount of $5900 on trees and shrubs in accordance with plan. Approved.
      • Benches and kiosks. Final locations still under review, with construction likely in very early spring.
      • Signs. Pat S working on sign design with LeChase designers. New estimate from McAllister to be solicited once the design is complete.
  2. Re-Tree Project: Norma: Workday changed to October 25.
  3. Promote (RECRUITMENT)/Events/Fundraising
    1. Bridget Harvey, Director of Communications, video request, Due in 2wks- Anna: Sarah to represent FWT.
    2. Hats & T-shirt Order- Anna: no update.
    3. State Road Ribbon Cutting: Plan for summer 2026