North Country Trail Association

Brule-St. Croix Chapter

 

M I N U T E S

 

Spring Chapter Meeting

April 14th, 2005

The Waterfront, Lake Nebagamon, WI

 

 

1.  Call to Order

 

Chair Chuck Zosel called the meeting to order at 7 PM.   The meeting was moved from the Solon Springs Community Center to the Waterfront in Lake Nebagamon due to a train derailment and evacuation in Solon Springs.   Attendance: Sue Breskin, Peter Edmunds, Paul Johnson, Barb McDaniel, Bill Meller, Peter Nordgren, Pat Root, Paul Schoch, Chuck Zosel.

 

2.  Approval of Minutes

 

 The minutes of the November 11th, 2004 fall meeting were approved.

 

3.  Treasurer's Report

Chuck Zosel reported on behalf of  Treasurer Peter Nason.  We have $1328 in our account at NCT headquarters .

 

4.  Informational

 

Brochures and Maps: Chuck distributed copies of the new NCTA brochure.  Sue Breskin distributed copies of the updated WI-02 Long Mile Lookout to Solon Springs maps.  The chapter will sell the maps.  Sue will find out if Northwest Outlet will sell them.

 

Rovers Schedule: the Rovers will work at Pero Road and in the Bird Sanctuary April 25-29.

 

Volunteer Hours: Chuck encouraged all members to report their hours at www.northcountrytrail.org.  NCTA prefers we report quarterly.  Hours for the first half of 2005 should be reported by June 20th.

 

Craisins: Chapters are receiving 3,000 packets of craisins, donated by Ocean Spray, to give out at chapter events.

 

Sports Shows: we will skip the Solon Springs sports show this year, will check on its attendance to find out if it's an event we should participate in next year.  Sue reported that the Douglas County sports show is aimed at motorized recreation and hunting, doesn't draw hikers or silent sport participants.

 

Hike with the Builders: Bill Menke will organize this for fall 2005.

 

5.  Old Business

 

Highway 53 Trailhead: Peter Nordgren reported that sign locations need to be staked for this trailhead and for Hwy 27/Samples Rd.  Pat Root will donate stakes for this, Peter will pick them up.  We'll do the staking at our April 23rd workday.  Peter will contact Mr. Biffy LLC in Solon Springs to find out about purchasing a portable toilet.

 

Highland Town Hall Well: Pat reported that the well was not discussed at a recent town meeting.  Chuck will contact Town Chairman Steve Kelsey to find out about progress toward replacing the well.  We have $5,000 toward the well replacement in an account at NCTA.

 

6.  New Business

 

Trail Run: the run is scheduled for October 8th.  Runners will start at Highland Town Hall and run northeast toward Mott's Ravine Rd.  There will be 2 mile and 5 mile options.  Pat shared copies of flyers.  Pat asked chapter members to help find business sponsors ($25 or more) in the area.  Pat has arranged many listings in newspapers, outdoor publications, and websites.  The chapter will have an info table at the town hall with brochures and maps.  Pat asked for T-shirt logo ideas - send to her.  We can stay in touch via e-mail: nctrailrun@lycos.com.  Pat has chapter e-mail addresses and will send us updates.

 

Brule Bog Puncheon: this project has been delayed due to State Natural Areas management concerns.  Chuck and Bill Menke hiked the route with SNA staff this past week.  Chuck is optimistic we will receive approval, but construction must be delayed until 2006 as we will be required to bring in materials when the bog is frozen. 

 

Westward from Solon: Bill has marked the trail through the Bird Sanctuary and the Rovers will begin construction this month.  We'll want to make sure that Fred Strand, the DNR property manager, and the Friends of the Bird Sanctuary have the opportunity to review the route.  Chuck will check with Bill to confirm this.

 

New Equipment - Mower: Peter has not yet received notice that the proposal was approved.  However, NPS has announced that there are funds in excess of the proposal requests, so it looks likely that we will receive the new mower.  Our current mower has a broken axle, but Peter Edmunds says it will be repaired and ready to go by the time it's needed in mid-June.

 

Chainsaw Certification:  the Forest Service and NPS will not assume liability for chainsaw injuries unless you are certified.  Certification training is offered in the area - we think in Two Harbors.

 

Work day plans: Sue Breskin will lead the 4/23 work day.  Meet at Twin Gables in Brule, 9 AM.  We will stake signs and do some work between Hwy 53 and the Wild Rivers Trail.  Peter N. will get directions and materials to Sue. Our 5/7 work day location will depend on progress made by the Rovers.  It may be in the Bird Sanctuary.  We discussed the need to lay out the spur trail into the Bois Brule Campground so the chapter and Scouts can work on it.  Peter N. will ask Bill to do this.

 

Chapter Hike: we discussed but didn't select a hike leader or date. 

 

National Trails Day at the Bird Sanctuary, June 4: Lynne Nason and Peter Edmunds will be our representatives in planning with the Friends of the Bird Sanctuary.  The chapter will have an info table.  We'd like to make this a "wildflower hike."

Peter Nordgren moved, Barb McDaniel seconded a motion to authorize Sue Breskin to purchase a banner for the chapter.

Peter Nordgren was also authorized to purchase 12 large and 8 extra large NCTA volunteer t-shirts.  These will be sold to chapter members for wearing at events.  We mentioned the following FOBS events: April 30th, bird house building project for 2nd-7th graders.  Sharptail viewing is now available, the FOBS has a blind for this.

 

Trail Adopters: We noted the following changes -

 

Highland Town Hall to Mott's Ravine - Atley Oswald

Rush Lake Road to Winneboujou Bluff - Lynne and Peter Nason

Dick Zinn is moving out of the area.  Pat Root volunteered to adopt the trail section from Jerseth Creek to Highland Town Hall.

 

Mower Maintenance: Peter Edmunds, our mower maintenance chief, asks that we use the following procedures:

1.  Pay attention to the mower's action and sound.  If it's making strange noises, it's broken.  Notify Peter E.

2.  If you use the spare belt, let Peter E. know so he can replace it.

 

7. Next Meeting

 

November 10th, 2005, 7 PM, location TBA. 

 

8.  Adjournment at 9:25 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Peter Nordgren

Chapter Secretary