Dutchess/Putnam AT 2005 Goals

HIGH PRIORITY “Plus”

1. Fill out Monitor ranks [ongoing]

1. At least 8 vacancies known 1/05.
2. Catalog vacancies!
3. Need to ask Josh Erdsnecker to advertise openings.

2. Graymoor Friary–yearly availability to be determined
22.  RPH Well - MAJOR PRIORITY!

• ATC (Michele) has received two bids

16.  Determine status of Caretaker Agreement for Nuclear Lake...seems lost at NPS

• Ron and Walt will try to check with Rita.

46. Work with NPS and ATC to acquire Revolutionary Hut Site property on Canopus Hill Road adjacent to Inoculation Station:

1. NYNJTC (John Myers) is trying to contact the owners to see if they would be willing sellers (someone needs to catch them on-site). Walt will try to locate the owners/residents.
2.  See if we can locate an Archaeologist to speed activity on this project!

19.  Review of water supply issues [ongoing]...

• Fall 2003 review not done – needs comprehensive review of continuing problems!
• Water has not been tested for a full year.

High Priority

3. Management Plan 5 year update –

1. Walt is completing GPS of trail features; discuss at 5/16/05 meeting.
2. [former 18.]  Update management plan text to include road crossing sign(s).
3. Walt needs to meet with each supervisor to update/edit their section.

4. Resolution of remaining acquisitions and survey needs –

1. PENDING acquisition of NPS Putnam Survey Maps.
2. Determine if any planned acquisitions are not yet complete
1. King [CT boundary] ROW
2. Parcel near Leather Hill Road
3. Determine status of surveying of “internal” borders between fee/easement holdings

21.  HVPC ATV access...Still more work to be done on this:

1. Walt Daniels will undertake GPS tracking in Spring 2004; Frank Dogil’s sketch mapping is essentially complete
2. We need to get Todd Remaley (NPS ranger) to work with us, perhaps getting Todd to locate local NPS assistance.

21a. Depot Hill Access Road - locks and keys.

• Mike Arthur was unable to find them, and we need to request new locks and keys. Ron will follow through with the request ASAP!

20.  Verizon Route 20 project –

• Underway [was not completed in 2003], Verizon removed the poles from the immediate vicinity of the Oak Tree during 2004.

24.  Upgrade well pads - [Concrete base under well, so splash water goes away from well and doesn’t go back down hole]

1. YRDC did improvements to Wiley in October 2003.
2. Similar work needed at Morgan Stewart.  Mike Arthur will check with Pete Senterman to see what he has done/can do…
3. Design pad for  Messerschmitt well platform!  [Proposed as new #45]

25.  Bulletin board redesign and replacement

1. Boy Scout Troop 40 Eagle Candidate will complete 3 boards [Route 55 near Nuclear Lake, Route 52, Depot Hill Road] in 2005 (most materials acquired in 2004).
2. YRDC’s plans to do additional boards fell through in 2004.  Their participation in 2005 depends on their funding.

27.  Have another look at Hiller Brook realignment possibilities and debris removal

• We can do debris removal. HIGH PRIORITY. [possible Group Project for 2005]
• [had been new: #41] We need to determine if debris in Hiller Brook is causing additional flooding near W end of existing boardwalk, and determine if extending the boardwalk/puncheon is desirable. If so, need to begin permitting process with DEC [and others?]
• Possible East Hudson Crew project?? Summer/fall?
• It was suggested that we manage the area as a grassland bird habitat.
• We should attempt to locate a new farmer to keep the area between the train tracks and the boardwalk open.
• Ron will contact local farmer Dykeman (West Dover Road) to see if he is interested.
• Contact FROGS (the “Friends of the Great Swamp” group) to see if they can work with us on mowing the site if we cannot find a farmer (Jim Utter suggested we should do it).
• [Former 38] Look at ballast on RR crossing at Hiller Brook/Swamp River. When Metro North last did track work, they did not install enough ballast to allow for vehicles to cross the tracks. Consider having ATC staff  resolve this problem.

47. [New 1/04] 500+ feet of puncheon/boardwalk needed at north end of Hammersley Ridge (town of Pawling) from the green trail to the yellow trail
44. Overall weak blazing along trail –  2005 priority

• See if Ralph Ferrusi or George Muller would like to organize a blaze update day for maintainers! Jim Haggett will talk with both of them.

14.  D/P AT Brochure: Were able to go through 2003 with existing stock of D/P brochure – pick up in 2005 for Fall 2005 [change address for TC, etc.]; NYNJTC needs to budget for this for October 2005. 

1. Perhaps contact Eastern Mountain Sports to be a sponsor, given they have a new store in Poughkeepsie?
2. Brochure should make it clear that use of ATV’s on the CORRIDOR is unacceptable!

Medium Priority

12. West Dover Oak protection from parking...

• Determine who has jurisdiction over the area...
• Jane Geisler has checked with the Highway Superintendent–may provide signs.
• Jane will check with County DPW to see if they can install 30’ of guiderail.
• Hiker Crossing signs completed 2004.

33. Open Field mowing: ONGOING project

1. I84 overlook overdue, definitely needs mowing in 2005.
2. Check with Michele on Corbin Hill top field. (and check with Ed Cook to see if he is interested).

13. Nuclear Lake interpretational sign... check with possibility of NPS funding [reactivated 2005]

Medium/Low Priority

39. Add a Pawling side trail– now that the Town of Pawling has purchased Holiday Hills YMCA, reopen discussions with the Town to implement a side trail from Telephone Pioneers shelter to Holiday Hills, and perhaps to Murrow Park.
40. Work with DOT to convert the hiker crossing signs at major roads to the new bright yellow design.–need to contact the current Regional Maintenance Engineer. Jim Haggett will follow through.

Low Priority

29.  Planning for buildings for Messerschmitt.
31.  Wheelchair Access for Nuclear Lake, using access road to dam area.- also see item 35 below.
32.  Improve parking areas for Long Hill Road:

1. Gravel fill was done spring 2004.
2. Have ATC look at second rogue area and its possible closing, perhaps boulders.

35. Parking around Old Route 55/Route 55 intersection – Jane continues to research this...
35a. Problem with dumping on the other side of Old Route 55.

• Mike Arthur will ask Gerry Richardson about that area, to see what Pawling Town Highway Department could do (boulders?).

42. [suggested by Tim Messerich and Mark Hudson] Tent platform(s) at Stewart; iceberging [to keep tents in designated sites]

• Mike Arthur will check with Tim Messerich to see if his group is interested.

43. Route 52 Parking Lot–erosion problems [both AT and side trail from parking area]:

• 2004: George Muller put in drainage ditches near the side trail, which seem to be holding up.

Need to monitor for continuing/future problems.
 

HOLD (No action planned at present, but project may resurface)
11. Schagticoke [11/03: Move to HOLD status–may be impractical and/or unnecessary?]

1. Maintainer/monitor access– land purchased and surveyed 2003
2. Road gating( at both ends of where road comes out of park service land-- needs gating to try and limit ATV use.    Boulder has been added just off East Mountain Road by neighbor 2004.

HOLD–DROPPED PROJECT

15. Nuclear Lake Campsite...MOVED TO PERMANENT HOLD – THIS PROJECT DROPPED!
* concerns with sanitation and water supply issues
31.  Research alternative privy designs for RPH, HELD due to extreme cost
23.  Hoyt Road relo...may not be necessary since it’s dried out?

• Easy to make relo if weather conditions are okay.
• Horseback riding caused the major problems. 

COMPLETED

17.  Routed AT crossing signs... Crafted by Fred Gerty
**.  Canopus Hill waterbars, sidehilling
**.  Taconic Parkway approach–complete repair of new trail route
5. Cleanup of Hiller Brook old boardwalk materials - Completed during May 4, 2003 Mitzvah Day; materials still remain in foundation east of Railroad tracks.
8. TP Shelter Privy relo completed November 8, 2003
10. Corbin Hill Planting (done) for 2003 - survival status of top Corbin Hill field plantings-- about 1/3
37. Middle-height bridge railing for the Duell Hollow bridge. [Done in early 2003]
36.  Gutter for Wiley shelter. Completed 10/2003
34. Relocation around Old Route 55, near Peni house site. Done 2003 by Jim Haggett.
4c. [Remaining survey needs] Confirmed survey completed for additional Schagticoke acquisition(s) [done in 2003].
21b. Jane Geisler needs to install a lock at Hoyt Road ....

• Jane has installed the lock 5/2004; Kings don’t have one.

28.  Steps for west side of County 20...Mike Arthur led a trip on 4/25/04 and completed the project.

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