North Country Trail Association

Brule-St. Croix Chapter 

M I N U T E S 

Fall Chapter Meeting

October 15th, 2008

Solon Spring Community Center

 

1.  Call to Order

 President Dave Zosel called the meeting to order at 7:08 PM. Attendance:Jim Antonson, Paul Johnson,  Josh McIntyre, Tom Mowbray,  Peter Nason, Lynne Nason, Peter Nordgren, Bob Norlin, John Pearson, JoAnn Pearson,  Scott Peterson, James Walsh, Dave Zosel 

2.  Approval of Minutes

Motion (Bob Norlin, Lynne Nason) to approve minutes as corrected passed 

3.  Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Peter Nason reports of Sept. 30th,  our chapter account has $1294 as compared to $1546 a year ago.  We spent money on trail maintenance spring meeting, NTD, and St. Croix Riverfest.  We received a Scheel’s Grant for the NTD and an NCTA field grant for Riverfest.  We spent less than $250 from our treasury on these events.  Other expenses are marketing (brochures) and maintenance.  Motion (Peter Nordgren, Jim Antonson) to accept treasurer’s report passed. 

4.  Informational

 Report hours – Dave reminds us to report our volunteer hours online or call Peter Nordgren at 715-374-3143. 

Summer Events -- Dave reported a really good turnout for Trails Day and the boardwalk dedication.  NTD has been growing nicely every year.  Lynne, Polly, Peter Nason, Julie Fromm from FOTBS were a good partnership.  RiverFest – two hikes with pretty good turnout, people really interested. Josh pointed out one newspaper covered just our hikes as RiverFest coverage.  We really didn’t do Voyageur Days.

5.  Old  Business

Brule Bog Boardwalk – complete to Crowshaw Rd.  Bill is in the process of getting certified.  Lots of people are hiking.  Paul J. reports a bear also uses the boardwalk.

Campsites -- Catlin Creek was built in the last month with latrine and register box.  Bob reports the Erick Lake and Highway A register boxes have been replaced and makes a huge difference.  They are now ammo boxes. 

Spring Creek Bridge-- the bridge is built and trail roughed in about a mile farther west.  One section of boardwalk still needs to be built east of the bridge.

Landowner contacts -- Peter Nordgren provided a report to the recent Lands Meeting.  We continue to be interested in finding chapter members who can help encourage the Theien, Haskins, and Sikorski landowners to sell trail easements.

Chapter Brochure -- Lynne will have improvements made by Matt at NCTA.  Many people want just the Brule Boardwalk so there is a separate map.

6.  New Business

 Adopter list changes --John and JoAnn  Pearson and Don Rantala have taken on sections earlier this year.  We’re holding Rolf’s section until he’s ready to maintain again. Bob mentioned there are Chequamegon Chapter members who might pitch in if needed, especially on the east end.

 We will need an adopter from St. Croix Lake to Crowshaw Road including the boardwalk and campsite.

Membership -- officially we have 56, last year at 45.  Lynne provided membership packets to the group.  Bob Sarvola has received information in the past for the runners.  Peter will send to Marsha Scherz.

Hiking Groups -- Bob reported 9 AM Tuesday mornings in Iron River.  Paul usually suggests the destination.  Yesterday they went into the Rainbow Lake Wilderness.  Recently they hiked from Bayfield County A to County Line Rd.  They’ve only missed 3 days in 2 ˝ years.  They hike DNR trails as well.  In the winter they hike on roads and the Tri-County Trail.  Smallest group 4-5, sometimes 15-16.

Lynne reports quite a bit of hiking for the Solon Springs group.  Community Center 9:30 Thursday AM.  Short and long hikes.  They skip hot days.  They also get together with the Iron River group, such as tomorrow when Josh will meet them to hike the Historic Bayfield Road Trail.  Julie Fromm has suggested a children’s hike next summer.    Dave pointed out it’s good for us to have active hiking groups.

2010 NCTA Conference in Ashland -- Nasons will attend Nov. 1 planning meeting.  Northland College has been reserved. 

Next Years Events ( NTD, Riverfest, Voyageur Days) -- Scott says RiverFest may be distributed through the summer, rather than all in one day.  Scott mentioned Danny Kneff from the River Alliance and Paul Koshear as people who would like to do a winter snowshoe hike on the portage trail. 

NTD – Lynne suggested something like a hiker’s potluck for next year.  We also discussed having Josh involved again to provide botanical information on the boardwalk.  We’ll feature the boardwalk again this year.  The date is June 6th, 2009.  We’ll do the Paul Schoch campsite dedication at 10:30 then potluck followed by the hike.

Grants – Josh suggested improved signage at the Portage Trail – Boardwalk intersection.  The forest can provide materials.  Peter and Josh will work on a CCS proposal for signs for the boardwalk and also the Spring Creek section. 

John asked about chainsaw certification.  Most people get it from the Forest Service, such as at Washburn and Hayward.  Bob says they do it more often if you ask.  They’re also done at the conference.

7.  Next Meeting

April 18th – Lynne suggests a trail work day this time, between S and Jersett Creek.  We remembered that we forgot to have the annual chapter election, so will elect vice president and secretary at the spring meeting.

8.  Adjournment

Motion (Bob Norlin, Tom Mowbray) Adjourned at 8:45 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Nordgren

Secretary