Spirit of the Woods -October 14, 2000 minutes

Minutes of October 14, 2000 Meeting

The General Meeting was preceded by the Boardwalk Dedication. The Dedication got off to a slow start due to parking confusion. Joan displayed several photos of Chips, the “hiker pup”. There were 16 people on site, including Gary Cole District Ranger and 2 local hikers who had read about the activity in the paper.

Ramona Venegas took charge of the Dedication. She spoke about the wildlife in the area and explained that the area is usually very wet in spring and fall. She told us that over 400 hours of volunteer labor had gone into the boardwalk construction.( actual number is over 500 I was told later) Ramona displayed a prototype of the sign to be placed at the boardwalk. The sign is not ready yet because prices and types of signs are still being evaluated.

Ramona introduced Gary Cole. He expressed his appreciation of the volunteer labor that went into the boardwalk construction and all other areas of trail construction and maintenance. He also spoke briefly about the recent ‘Triad’ meeting in PA. They called it a ‘Triad’ meeting because 3 agencies were involved: National Park Service, US Forest Service and North Country Trail Association.

Ramona introduced Ed Chappel. Ed talked about the relationship of dogs and the special relationship between Joan and Chips. All of us who have lost 4-footed friends could relate to things that were said.

Then Joan had a few comments. She asked for a show of hands of people who had worked on the boardwalk. There were 7 people present of approximately 30 who had provided a total of about 500 hours of volunteer labor on the boardwalk. Joan also showed us the shirt she was awarded for giving 400 hours of volunteer labor on the trail. (Interesting comparison) Joan also told us she had recently added up the distance that Chips had walked with her on the NCT and got a total of 1128 miles. Chips died suddenly of cancer. Joan emphasized that the dedication is not just for Chips but for all dogs who hike with their friends.

Business Meeting Minutes

The Business Meeting started at 11:10, after cider, donuts and cookies provided by Angie Addington, (Our own Martha Stewart of the Trail?)

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted after short discussion. Joan stated that membership now stands at 62 with the recent addition of John Larson. John said he has not actually joined yet

Our new Treasurer, Mary Soule, could not be present. Treasurer’s report was made by Ed Chappel who is still working to resolve a discrepancy between his chapter records and Central Office figures of about $300. The lowest figure indicates we have a balance of $1142 including $450 from the Striders Run.

Government Liaison – Ramona reported that signs are being replaced in some areas because the old wooden ones are eaten by porcupines. She also said that there are many hikers using the trail, including hunters who like the relatively easy access. Gary Cole reported that the Forest Service was working to install water pumps in 3 areas. One location Marilla- proved cost prohibitive when it was necessary to go to a depth of 500 feet to get water - so well will go at Udell.

Reminder – Saturday October 28, 2000 is a work day. We will start re-routing the trail from Udell Hills to Madison Road. Meet at 9 AM at 9 Mile Bridge.

Joan asked Ramona to report on the Chicago Avenue problem. Ramona has talked with some “hiker friendly” people who live in the area. These people have determined that the person who threatened to have hikers arrested is not a landowner in the area. Ramona went on to say that hopefully, next spring there will be adjustments to the trail location to avoid unhappy property owners in this area. Gary Cole added that the original trail location was along the Consumers Power Line easement. It was later determined that we had no right to have the trail along the power line. (NB – Easements are nearly always granted for a specific purpose, an easement is a granted right for a specific use.) Joan added that we will be working on ways to communicate with adjacent land owners.

Joan then reported on the “Triad” Conference she had attended this week. This was a conference of NPS (overseers of the National Scenic Trails, including the NCT), the Forest Service (all our - Spirit of the Woods Chapter portion of the trail and over 500 miles of total NCT is within the National Forest) and the NCTA. The point of the Conference was to promote communication and cooperation between the agencies. Joan added that the Conference gave her a chance to get to know Gary Cole more as a person than just a name and a face and that he is very supportive of the trail. Gary Cole added that the US Forest Service is the single largest landowner crossed by the trail, including over 160 other public organizations or agencies. The point is for the NPS and FS to have a common vision for the NCT and the Triad Conference will be an annual event. He added that he is thankful to have the chapter of enthusiastic volunteers to work with.

Someone raised a question about having Rec Demo Fee permits when doing volunteer work. Gary Cole’s answer was that in general a permit is required, although he pointed out a few places the parking permit is not required. Ramona added that if a person reports 8 hours of volunteer work she will give a permit at no cost.

Joan then brought up the last item on the agenda, the work project for the next year. This must be resolved soon because Joan must get the Grant Applications completed and turned in by December.

The Executive Committee had selected 3 possible projects to be presented to the general membership. Joan explained the 3 projects as Tool storage trailer, Sterling Marsh trail rebuilding, and a combination of 3 smaller projects including the Vince Smith bridge. The trailer would not be a project for member involvement, it would just be a matter of paying someone to build a trailer from plans. Three such trailers are now in use by other chapters. The Sterling Marsh trail rebuilding would provide opportunity for considerable involvement by members. It might be too big a project for one year.

Joan asked that the Executive Committee provide their opinions and all others add opinions and discussion. Ed Morse said that as a long time hiker, re-building any poor trail in a marsh area should be a high priority. Hikers will walk along the edge of a wet trail trying to keep dry. This will widen the trail and make a wet area even harder to walk through.

Gary Cole asked if the Baldwin District FS people had been contacted about the project. Joan said yes and they seem to be in favor of the work.

Ramona added that Americore volunteers might be available for this type of project. She then spoke in favor of doing the combination of 3 smaller projects.

Ed Chappel added that the Vince Smith bridge would make a good one day project.

Char Holly said she had been in the Sterling Marsh area recently and she thought we could prioritize different tasks that needed to be done rather than taking on the whole project. She also added that hunters would use the trail for easier access if we do improvements. Gary Cole asked if we could not ask for more than one project in the Grant application and prioritize them.

Joan said she would have until December first to get the cost estimates done and the application turned in, mentioning $200 for a wetland permit to do the work. Gary Cole stated that we would not have to pay for a permit, that it would be one government agency paying another.

Ed Chappell said he will get the wheel from Ramona and measure the length of the trail through Sterling Marsh.

Gordon Wilkes suggested we ask for all 3 projects in the grant application and prioritize.

Angie Addington suggested we do the Tool trailer and the Vince Smith bridge this year and leave the Sterling Marsh for next year.

Ramona suggested we pick the priority areas in the Sterling Marsh and do those and the Vince Smith Bridge. Joan asked if that was a motion? Ramona made the motion that our project should be the priority areas of Sterling Marsh, small wet areas between 76th St and Bowman Bridge, and repairs to the Vince Smith bridge. Seconded by Ed Chappel. Passed by voice vote.

Ed Chappel will get the length of the trail through Sterling Marsh measured before the next meeting. He will have one or two helpers. Perhaps priority areas can also be selected for recommendation.

Meeting adjourned @12:08

Reminder – The next General Meeting will be November 14, 2000.

Members present: Gordon & Betty Wilkes, Ed & Nan Chappel, Stub & Pat Willick, Ceceilia Heubner, Gary Cole, Ramona Venegas, Mike Keeler, Joan Young, Judi Bass, Ed Morse, Char Holly, Al Boulee, Mark & Angie Addington (Forrest).

Guests present: Elmer and Sylvia Nicholson, John Larsen