North Country Trail Association

Brule-St. Croix Chapter

 

M I N U T E S

 

Spring Chapter Meeting

April 26th, 2008

Highland Town Hall

 

1.  Call to Order

 

President Dave Zosel called the meeting to order at 11:15 AM. Attendance:Jim Antonson, Dave Conley, Dave Grapentine, Paul Johnson,  Josh McIntyre, Bill Meller, Bill Menke, Tom Mowbray,  Peter Nason, Lynne Nason, Peter Nordgren, Bob Norlin,  Scott Peterson, John Pursila, Don Rantala, Chuck Zosel, Dave Zosel

 

2.  Approval of Minutes

 

Corrections to fall minutes - Tom Mowbray is co-adopter coordinator with Peter Nason. Chuck corrects portage stones: Carot and Carver.  Barry Donohoo found the lost stone.

Motion (Tom Mowbray, Peter Nason) to approve minutes as corrected passed

 

3.  Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Peter Nason reports chapter has $2011 , 45 members.  $65 donated in memory of Paul Schoch. Motion (Paul Johnson, Tom Mowbray) to approve treasurer’s report passed

 

4.  Informational

 

 Reminder to report hours. Paul Johnson was presented with a 100 hour badge.

 

Bill Menke reports membership is on the rise.  We discussed using more personal contact with expired members.  We will try doing this.  Bill reminds us that the goal is 4600 at the end of 2008.

 

5.  Old  Business

 

Boardwalk – still 600 ft to go, work will begin in June with a huge crew for the NCTA volunteer adventure.  Dave asked about signage for dead ends.  There is temporary route marking at the end of the boardwalk at P.  Spring Creek is still marked as under construction.

 

Campsites – our grant for latrines at the three new campsites was approved.  We discussed Paul Schoch campsite memorial.  Peter Nason will be getting costs for plaque.  Dave Conley discussed concern about metal theft.  Chuck suggested aluminum or fiberglass.  Tom pointed out that signs show evidence of theft by their nature.  Josh said that scrapyard owners don’t care.  Bill recommends we get the OK of the state forest.  Chuck says a Hayward company can attach plaque to rock.  Motion (Paul Johnson, Tom Mowbray) to spend up to $300 for plaque and installation, and proceed with the project passed.

 

Dave G.  asked about Adirondack type shelters.  Bill replied that shelters are a regional preference.  He’s ambivalent about them because of the maintenance issue.    

 

Destination signs – Bill Meller and the Scouts have the remainder of the destination signs made last year and  will be putting them up

 

Landowners – Peter Nordgren reported a number of contacts, none successful.  Relationships should be developed with the Theien and Prevost families of Solon Springs.

 

Chapter brochure – Lynne shared copies of the brochure she had created along with the insert of the boardwalk.  We discussed having a map of the boardwalk produced at NCTA for inclusion on the brochure.  Bill encouraged bulk purchase of the NCTA maps.

Josh will talk with BRSF staff about how BRSF will stock our maps.  Motion (Bob Norlin, Peter Nordgren) to buy 150 maps for chapter use, requiring the maps to be up to date passed.  Lynne will order and distribute the maps.

 

Hwy 53 – Peter will be contacting Douglas County Hwy Dept to have highway signs put up.

 

6.  New Business

 

Adopter list changes – the section from the Portage Trail to Jerseth Creek is available for adoption.  Peter and Lynne Nason will adopt.

 

Schedule of events – National Trails Day.  Lynne shared draft flyer.  We received a Scheel’s grant.  We have volunteer for the bird program and will find a leader for the hike. Lunch followed by afternoon hike to Stuckey Rd. for all abilities.  We will have door prizes.  Publicity: Peter Nordgren will check on the Bayfield Cooperative News community events listing.  Motion (Peter Nordgren, Bob Norlin) to authorize up to $125 in chapter funds for NTD expenses.  Bill reminds us to get plenty of national brochures, membership forms, old North Stars for promotion.

 

St. Croix Riverfest – Scott shared plans for Riverfest, a major activity in the Solon Springs area, which we are co-sponsoring.  We are hosting a portage trail hike at 10 AM and a boardwalk hike at 2 PM.  The program has some funds available for advertising and event activities.  The two hikes will be led by Josh. We received a $200 field grant for Riverfest which may be used primarily for costs of shuttle. 

 

Voyager Days – last year we had an info table along the parade route and had good inquiries. 

 

Memorandum of Understanding with FOTBS – Friends board meets June 6th and would discuss with a BSC rep if in attendance.  Having some MOU language would be helpful.  Scott mentioned working with the town of Solon Springs, Glen Rice is on the town board and the Friends board.  Kiosk is mostly built and roof will be put on.  Peter Nordgren said kiosk panel is being redone by NPS and will be coming.  Scott discussed the clearing operation in the area of the campsite which is part of restoring the prairie environment there.  Bill is satisfied that work in the trail and campsite areas was done as agreed.

 

Membership – Lynne will have new lists of members available.

 

Hiking group – motion (Paul Johnson, Peter Nason) to buy $100 ad in Lucius Woods Performing Arts program passed.  Lynne shared flyer on Solon Springs Hikers.  The group will hike in the Chequamegon and SHT as well as on the NCT.  The Iron River Hikers have been to Little Girl’s Point and other places in the Ironwood area.

 

Paul Johnson recommended we consider donating our economic stimulus money to NCTA.  Peter will put in the newsletter.

 

Dave thanked the Town of Highland for use of the facility.  The town has also offered to build a small parking lot for hikers at the trailhead.  He also thanked Lynne and Peter for their early morning work. 

 

7.  Next Meeting

 

November 8th in Solon Springs – 9 AM coffee, 9:30 meeting.

 

8.  Adjournment

 

Motion (Tom Mowbrary/Paul Johnson)Adjourned at 1:45 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Peter Nordgren

Secretary