Friends of Willard Brook

Board of Directors Meeting - MINUTES

February 7, 2008, 7:00 PM, Willard Brook State Forest Headquarters

1.  Attending were Jayne Perkins, Bruce Colburn, Faith Wilkinson, Jane Johnson, John D’Angelillo, Don Stoddard, Duane Cromwell, Tom Nevins, Joellyn Nevins, Kenneth Chenis of Lunenburg Snow Riders, Melvin Thomas Bertram of Lunenberg Snow Riders, Ein Kauppi, Ed Torcoletti, Clare Kauppi, Susan Holzberlein and Emily Norton.

2.  Corrections to the minutes, none

3.  Treasurer’s report – Eino. New balance 1267.68 plus two new memberships this evening.

4.  Membership report – Clare 78

5.  Publicity

 - winter carnival posters- set except for confirming Dave Ryder and Alan Ewald - winter carnival article for newspapers - Emily will write up and email to Cheryl

 - spring newsletter - meeting at Emily’s 7PM 3/4

6.  Winter Carnival progress report

 - scheduled and on-going programs - The ice sculpture will be $500 this year, we have the Amanda Wright grant of $400 and will need $100 from Friends of Willard Brook.

 - kids games- Joellyn and Tom have come up with several new games including snow ball (or tennis ball if no snow) toss, tree rubbings and others.

 - vote on expenditures - voted $375.00 to cover sculpture and port-a-potty and incidentals.

 - T-shirt order needed - voted to order mixed sizes of shirts in beige/tan for about $350.00 for 30 shirts.

 - fire pits – need second quiet one for story time, will be arranged so it’s away from food table.

 - alpaca location – needs to be away from the dogs and in a quiet spot, down to the left of the road with the dogs going over to the right beyond the trees.

 - volunteers situation - 4 people at a time at refreshments - Emily will schedule.

Our two new members will help get volunteers from their Snow Riders group and families.

 - ice sculpture location near the ranger station for use of the electricity and to be able to move the sculpture later to in front of Townsend Town Hall.

 - fowb brochures - Bruce to print up some. 

 - drawing prizes - lots of good stuff, several knitted items and items donated throughout the towns.

Eastern Mountain Sports will be on hand to loan cross-country skis and snowshoes to participants of lessons and treks.

 -food table needs (2) Colman stoves, 2 stands for soup. There will be hot dogs, coffee, hot water for tea and cocoa and soup.

 - signs - .  Emily will have a get together at her studio 2/21 at 10am to make signs for the winter carnival.

 - Lunenberg Snow Riders will set up to educate on proper use of snowmobiles in the parks and forests.  

7.  Thank-you notes to walk leaders -Tom will set up stationary and a regular way to be sure leaders of programs are sent thank you notes.

8.  Friends of NRRT – Duane There is still an issue with the boundary at the NRRT in Groton Center but the Electric Light may sell, which means there would be a survey done and that would settle the issue.  The $1,000 grant from Groton Cultural Council is going to help with the mural at the tunnels.  Bruce said that DCR supports the mural but wants to be involved in the selection of the picture and reserves the right to paint it over if it gets in disrepair.  Duane says that DCR would be represented on the jury for the contest for the mural.

9.  Trails committee – Ray, Sussie no news.  The loop made the map for 2008 for DCR printing. It will be on it.

10.Fessenden Hill Road – Bruce The road is not abandoned and therefore cannot have a gate on it.  It also serves two states so it will have to be patrolled.   Need to plan for a spring clean up along the road.

11. “It’s Easy to be Green” – report on the January program There was standing room only for the event.  There were several different systems offered to help save the environment, but they were costly.  It was nice exposure for the Friends of Willard Brook with a table at the event.

12. DCR/Forest news – Bruce. The Director was at Willard Brook to view the Training Educational Center.  Lots of work needs to be done to bring it up to usable condition with ADA access and other amenities.  Yurts to be considered for the cabin area for DCR and would possibly be available for rent.  They would have electric and water and a port-a-potty.    Watatic Management plan is getting signed by all the parties, 2 of 6 have signed.  The office roof repair is to go to bid.  Pearl Hill Dam repairs are going to bid.  It’s hoped the Pearl Hill Pond can be cleaned while the repairs are being done and the pond is drained.  That would have to be approved by lakes and ponds.

13. Other business - Snow Riders of Lunenburg a snowmobile group wants to help FOWB.  Mel B and Ken D. came to our meeting to meet us and to give us info about them.  The group is part of SAM and uses Pearl Hill and Willard Brook trails.  This group likes to give back and help to maintain the trails and train riders on the rules for being a good rider.  They would like to bring a trailer to the winter carnival to help spread the word on being a good rider and sharing the trails with others as well as staying on the trails.

John emailed the Registry about a possible license plate.  Need to contact Rep. Bob Hargraves or Sen. Bob Antonioni.  The process takes a long time.  Emily will talk to Bob A.

14. Next meeting – Thursday, March 6, 2008, 7 PM, Willard Brook State Forest

      Headquarters

Respectfully submitted by Jayne Perkins.