North Country Trail Association

Brule-St. Croix Chapter

 

M I N U T E S

 

Fall Chapter Meeting

November 11, 2006

Solon Springs Community Center, Solon Springs, WI

 

1.  Call to Order

 

Chair Dave Zosel called the meeting to order at 9 AM.   In attendance: Leila Aalto, Jane Anklam (Western Wisconsin Land Trust), Jim Antonson, Peter Edmunds, Polly Edmunds, Tim Mowbray, Tom Mowbray, Lynne Nason, Peter Nason, Peter Nordgren, Atley Oswald, Scott Peterson, Paul Schoch,  Rolf Swanson, Chuck Zosel, Dave Zosel.

 

2.  Approval of Minutes

 

Motion (Peter Edmunds, Paul Schoch) to approve the minutes of the April 22nd, 2006 spring meeting passed.

 

3.  Treasurer's Report

Treasurer Peter Nason reported that the chapter has a balance of $1424 in its account at NCTA headquarters.  We have 48 members in the chapter.  Motion (Peter Nordgren, Chuck Zosel) to accept the treasurer's report passed.

 

4.  Informational

 

Rovers schedule - the Rovers have completed their work for 2006.  During their November trip, they built trail near the St. Croix Flowage approaching Spring Creek.

 

Volunteer hours - Dave reminded all members to report their volunteer hours to NCTA.  Hours may be reported through the NCTA website at www.northcountrytrail.org or to Mark VanHornweder by phone at 608-628-7102.

 

Atley benches available - Atley has more benches available for scenic spots on the trail.  All adopters were encouraged to check their trail for good locations. 

 

Trees down on Highway S to Jersett Creek section - Tim Mowbray agreed to adopt this section - Shawn Wellnitz is giving it up due to family obligations.  Tim will be organizing a small crew to remove the very large red pine down across the trail about 2 miles south of S.

 

4.  Old Business

 

Progress on Development Projects:

 

Highland Well - Chuck reported that the well has been installed at the new town hall location, and we can expect a bill from the town of Highland soon.  We discussed the possible future of the old town hall.

 

Brule Bog Boardwalk - Phase I of the boardwalk is complete, from the east side of the valley to the hunter walking trail.  We discussed whether the hunter walking trail parking area should be improved and marked with highway signs.  Chuck will speak with the BRSF management about this.  The culverts at the Highway P crossing have been installed by Walt Moss.

 

Westward from Solon - See Rovers report above.

 

Acquisitions - Bill Menke met with landowners Douglas Keith and Bing Hanson in the Crowshaw Road area.  They showed some interest and encouraged DNR purchase of Town of Solon Springs land east of their property.  Steve Bade of the DNR is following up.  Dave Zosel will discuss the trail with Bing Hanson.  We discussed the Prevost and Haskins properties.  Peter N. will find out if we are still pursuing a route across Haskins (the answer is yes).  Jane Anklam of the Western Wisconsin Land Trust discussed the trust's programs and asked that we keep her informed about our trail route development efforts.

 

Destination signs grant - not started yet, Peter N. will contact Chris Sutherland to find out if he is willing to make signs.

 

Highway signs - waiting for National Park Service office to supply the new signs for Nelson Portal and for the Hwy 53 trailhead entry.

 

Friends of the Bird Sanctuary - Scott Peterson and Peter Edmunds described the joint kiosk/information area planned by the Friends off Bird Road.  Our chapter is invited to participate and pursue grant funding.

 

Brochure - Motion (Peter Edmunds, Chuck Zosel) to authorized Lynne Nason to create a chapter brochure passed.

 

New Business

 

Ideas for CCS projects: Motion (Peter Nordgren, Tom Mowbray) to authorize submission of a Challenge Cost Share grant application to the National Park Service for the third phase of the Brule Bog Boardwalk passed.

Motion (Peter Nordgren, Peter Edmunds) to authorize submission of a CCS grant application for the Douglas County Wildlife Area parking area and information kiosk, in partnership with the Friends of the Bird Sanctuary, DNR, and Douglas County passed.

Motion (Peter Nordgren, Peter Edmunds) to authorize submission of a CCS grant application for bridge and boardwalk in the Spring Creek area passed.

 

Trail Adopters - Dave read a letter from Great Lakes trail foreman Bill Menke regarding trail adoption and maintaining our Gold Star certified trail.  We discussed trail adopter coordination.  It was suggested Peter Edmunds contact Mark Van Hornweder to find out about the status of his efforts and interest.  To build on adopter skills and coordination, we will hold an annual Trail Adopter Meeting and Training Session on April 21st, 2007, at 9 AM at the Highland Town Hall.  Lynne Nason will contact the town clerk to schedule this meeting.

 

Sweep Award - Peter Edmunds was presented with the Sweep Award from the North Country Trail Association in recognition of his work maintaining the chapter's trail maintenance equipment.

 

Elections - Nominations were opened for the positions of vice chair and secretary for two year terms.  Motion (Peter Nordgren, Peter Edmunds) to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Paul Schoch for vice chair passed.  Motion (Chuck Zosel, Lynne Nason) to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Peter Nordgren for secretary passed.

 

7. Next Meeting

 

Motion (Chuck Zosel, Peter Edmunds) to separate chapter business meetings from social/training meetings passed.

The minute notes do not show a date set for the next regular chapter meeting. 

 

8.  Adjournment at 11:20 AM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Nordgren

Chapter Secretary