Brule-St. Croix Chapter, NCTA

Spring Meeting

April 18, 2009

 

Meeting called to order by Dave Zosel at 9:45 AM at the Highland Town Hall.

In attendance:

            Dave Zosel      Lynne and Peter Nason       Bill Menke           Dave Schulz  

            Dave Conley   Charlie Brown   Erin Wasko   Tim Mowbray

            Jim Antonson  JoAnn and John  Pearson      Atley Oswald         Scott Peterson

Approval of Minutes: Dave C. and JoAnn P.

Treasurer’s Repost (see attached):  Tim M and Dave C.

Informational:

                        Volunteer hours---reminder

                        Wasko Land---trail on private land---easement was donated

Old Business:

                        Progress on Development Projects:

                                    Trail completed to Spring Creek

                                     Trail beyond Spring Creek---Rovers Update

                                                1.6 Miles is a maze of wetlands

26 boardwalks 20’-350’---as much boardwalk as from P to Crowshaw

                                                No roads for moving materials

                                                Helicopter would cost $75,000

                                                Chuck is looking into using Air National Guard

Flagged tractor roads---3 spots (.25 - .5 miles)---need Forestry approval

                                                May use snowmobile in winter---less damaging

                                                Working on high ground until winter

 

 

                                    Brule Boardwalk/Spring Creek Problems:

DNR/Watershed people not happy with some of the structures

Boardwalk---turnouts not in plan, boardwalk obstructs water  flow

                                                Spring Creek Bridge in flood plain---we have cabled it

We had no contact/inspections while building---issues being raised after the fact

Park Service and DNR deciding how to handle---no certifying until issues are resolved

Dave S. cautioned us to be sure all permits, etc. are in place before starting a project

 

                        Campsites:

Peter Nordgren has installed 2 latrines and will install the one at the Paul Schoch Campsite before Trails Day Dedication

                        Landowner contacts:

North of Transfer Station---some of trail is on private land but surmise that land was sold after Trail was built

                                    Steve Bade is working with Mrs. Prevost and will continue

Steve Bade is working with Bing Hanson and his neighbor---no progress, yet

Other:

                                    Chapter Brochure

Lynne reported that she is waiting for a new map for the Brochure that will show the trail completed to Crowshaw and to Spring Creek---Matt R. has promised to have the new map by the 2nd week of May

The Portage Trail and Boardwalk Brochures will be combined into 1---a 4 fold 8 ½ x 14 sheet.  It will also have a new map.  Scott P. and Dave S. asked Lynne to put these on their websites and it was agreed that it should also be on our Chapter Website.  Lynne will send pfd. Files to Dave S. so that the Brule State Forest can print the Brochures, as needed, to hand out at the Forestry Office.  Tim Mowbray offered to print the Brochures at a minimal cost if we provide the paper.  Lynne had inquired to Arrowhead Printing and Office Max about printing---thinking it would be cheaper.  The costs for 1000 copies (unfolded) would be between $600 and $800.  We can print 1000 copies for about $100.

New Business:

            Upcoming Events:

                        NTD

The plans for NTD were agreed on with the exception of the times---Dave S. pointed out that there was not enough time between events for people to get from one place to the next.  Lynne will work on restructuring the schedule then redo the flyer/poster and also the info on the AHS website.  Scott informed us that there is a change of people running the Friends of the Bird Sanctuary.  They will cooperate with our plans and also place an Ad in the Northwoods Shopper.  We are in discussion as to who is going to do the coffee before the first hike at the Bird Sanctuary Clubhouse.

                        Riverfest

Scott P. reported that there is no single event but will be some smaller events during the summer---hopefully

                        Voyageur Days

This Solon Springs event is scheduled for the last week of June with a theme of ‘Renew/Recycle---Go Green’.  We will plan a hike on the Portage Trail and ask Josh McIntyre to lead it.  Lynne will contact Josh and let Jan Woodall add us to     the schedule.  Scott suggested that we use our Chapter Trailer in the parade and it was agreed that we do so---great publicity.  Peter Nason will pull the trailer with a 1958 Willys and we will have members carrying our Chapter Banner and handing out NCT information along the parade route.

2010 National Conference

Lynne reported on the April 4 meeting at the GLVS.  Our Chapter was poorly represented.  We need more involvement as plans progress and will need many volunteers at the Conference.   The Conference is set for Ashland though the room prices are still an issue.  We have many ideas for Workshops and Hikes that we will narrowed down at the May 30th meeting.  Members were encouraged to come and have a say in these decisions.  The Conference will be promoted as a ‘Family Affair’ with a Friday Kids Program and a Saturday Family Program---both held at the GLVS.  There will also be outings that will appeal to      the whole family.  Lynne will present our plans at the 2009 Conference in Valley City, ND---Bill M. urged members to attend. Bill also emphasized how important the Conference is and how long it has been since the Conference was held in Wisconsin---14 years.  He wants us to show off our Trails that many members have never hiked on.

Adopter list changes:  Peter passed out the new Adopters List, confirmed the sections that were adopted and highlighted the sections that we need adopters for.

Membership:     Lynne reported that we have 54 ‘official’ members---6 to expire after a 3rd notice.  There are 5 members that have already expired and 3 new members that are not on that list.  Our Chapter list has 66 names, 6 of those are not members.  Due to economic times we will leave expired members on our Chapter List (for now) hoping that they will rejoin.

Hiking Group: The Solon Springs hiking group has changed its name to the ‘Solon Springs Hikers’.  We will start hiking on Thursday, April 23---see attached.

Election of new officers:   Peter Nordgren was nominated for Secretary and Lynne was nominated for VP.  Tim M. so moved and JoAnn P 2nd the nomination.  All present voted in  favor.

Dave Z. brought up the suggestion that someone besides Peter N. be in charge of the Newsletter and website---there were no volunteers.

Next Meeting:  

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Saturday, October 24 (note: later changed to October 31st) at the SSCC, starting at 9:00 AM.  Lynne has a key and will reserve the North Room.

Adjournment:   JoAnn P. and Peter 2nd

Notes by Lynne Nason, Vice President