Friends of Willard Brook

Board of Directors Meeting

January 3, 2008.  7:00 P.M. Willard Brook State Forest Headquarters

Minutes

 

1.  Attending were Emily Norton, Sussie Holzberlein, Kathryn Garcia, Don Stoddard, Clare Kauppi, Eino Kauppi, John D’Angelillo, Duane Cromwell, Jayne Perkins, Deborah Smith, Tom Nevins, Joellyn Nevins and Bruce Colburn.

2. Corrections to the minutes: Grand for the rail trail work was from Groton Cultural Council in the amount of $1,000.00.

3. Treasurer’s report - Eino $1,109.62

4.  Membership report - Clare 68

Email renewal reminders - a couple people thought they had renewed but needed to and FOWB records were incorrect on one member.

Other life memberships - Emily for their efforts in getting the liability legislation passed it was voted to extend life membership to Bob Antonioni and Jennifer Flannagan.  The passage of the liability bill will save Friends groups about $500.00 per year.

5.  Publicity

            News from Cheryl, she is expecting another child.

Winter carnival volunteer request out - we have 2 more volunteers.  A discussion of ways to get more help.  Several board members will see who they can round up.

Winter newsletter is almost set and will go out this weekend (1/5), there is an email option on the membership form.  Those who get the newsletter via email save us printing and postage costs.  You can sign up on the membership form or on line.

            Website - New trail map will be posted.

6.  Winter carnival progress report

“Messenger” will distribute 50 posters to advertise the event.  We’ll get the posters to them by early February.

Programs so far: DCR Rescue Dogs, Paula Packard, Smokey, Joanie McPhee - Owl, Peter Alden, Ski and snowshoe rentals by EMS Sports, Port-a-poty rental of a handicapped accessible unit set.  Joellyn and Tom working on some new games.  It’s not likely the dog sleds will be here.  We need to try to get someone to do Story time, haven’t heard back from Laurie Gullion-Lindwald on cross country skiing primer, check with EMS to see if they would like to or could do cross country skiing and/or snowshoeing, Paul Sebring or Dave Rider for leading programs, NWRS on animal tracks.

            Food: need to contact Chris Erban, Main St, Ashby.

7.  Trails committee - Sussie trimmed up the laurel on the loop trail.

8.  Friends of NRRT - Duane said the people willing to donate the port-a-poty have liability insurance and will service the unit/s twice a week.  DCR will need to help with location of it.  It should be placed in the spring.  Groton Town Station Avenue Overlay District to apply for 43b funds from the state.  A redevelopment committee to be set up for addressing issues of land management.  It’s a chance for the Rail Trail put on a face.  It’s an opportunity for DCR to partner with the Groton group. 

 

9.  The printer is all set, up and running, thank you to Howie for the Lexmark.  It uses Lexmark 1 in cartridges that are full color and black combined.  It states we’ll get about 88 pages per cartridge so we need to have a supply on hand if we are going to do a lot of printing.

10.  Membership drive

            Townsend and Ashby will not be able to send forms in their mailings.

            We need to print more brochures - Bruce could do it on the printer.

11.  Vinton Pond - resource management plan got the two year extension.

12.  Vernal Pools Team - 4 more pools from past season certified.  Emily reported a vernal pool in Sharon Town Forest was certified and this will help stop some development that was planned.

13.  Fessenden Hill Road - Bruce was unable to make a connection with his contact over the holidays.  DCR has an old gate that could be used at one point.  Need a gate at the NH end that may need to be opened for fire control, so it need to open for access by fire equipment.

14.  It’s Easy to be Green = January 16 at Ashby Library, need to have table and chairs.

 15. License plate for state parks and forests - need to try a different route than originally planned.  John will see what is needed and what the process is to make it happen.

16.  DCR/Forest news - Bruce MT Watatic management group has put a management plan together and it will be signed 1/4/08.  Townsend Conservation Commission approved the plans on Pearl Hill Dam repair.  Bruce talked to Dam maintenance, it goes to bid and should get done eventually.  Trail Map has gone to print and will have the new loop on it.  Student Conservation Association will likely accept the projects.  212 deer checked this season.

Other - Eino and Clare saw signs designating a Vernal Pool area in Gloucester.  Maybe we could get something for those that have been found in our area. 

17. - Next Meeting - Thursday, February 7, 7:00 at Willard Brook State Forest Headquarters.

 

Respectfully submitted Jayne Perkins, secretary.