Dutchess County/Putnam County AT Management Committee

New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

Minutes of 164th Meeting

Monday, July 9th, 2001, Pelton Pond Picnic Area

(After Joint Picnic with the East Hudson Trails Committee)

Attendance: Ron Rosen (Chair), Jane Geisler, Fred Gerty, Salley Decker, Walt Daniels, Jane Daniels, Mike Arthur, Gerry Richardson, George Muller, John Wright (ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office), Dave Bourne (NYS OPRHP Hudson Highlands State Park Manager), Nancy Davis (Hudson River Valley Greenway), Kevin McLoughlin (Hudson River Valley Greenway), Michael and Marianne Hume (Camp Smith Trail Maintainers), Chris Dionisio (Hubbard Perkins—Charcoal Burner trail maintainer), Father Fred Alvarez (Graymoor), Pete Senterman, Doug Senterman, Bill Beehler, Al Poelzl, Terry Platz (Hudson Highlands Land Trust), and John and Karen Magerlein (Fahnestock Supervisors), (approximate count=24).

The meeting was brought to order about 7:18 PM by Chairperson Ron Rosen. Ron thanked all members of both the DPATMC and the East Hudson Trails Committee for their contributions to the potluck picnic just concluded, and especially George Muller for bringing his gas grill for cooking. Those present introduced themselves and indicated their trail responsibilities.

FYI and FYA items:The following FYA items were circulated: NYNJTC Volunteer questionnaires for Thomas Lint, Chris Buck, and Robert Serkey.

The following FYI items were circulated: CT/AMC Minutes of June 5, 2001 meeting; Group permit for Hawthorne Troop 1 Boy Scouts of America 6/27/01-7/01/01; FULL SET OF NEGATIVE WATER SAMPLES taken by Sara Ohliger on 6/13/01; Graymoor Trail Relocation description and map; Poughkeepsie Journal article 6/14/2001 on AT for family outings .

Minutes of the DPATMC 163rd meeting (June 4th, 2001) were distributed; they will be reviewed and approved at the next meeting..

Urgent business, short updates, etc.:

Ron received a request from Jill Arbuckle of the NY-North Jersey Chapter of AMC asking for our OK to plant a tree on the AT at Graymoor during their Fall Gathering.on Saturday, October 19th. Walt Daniels indicated that he spoke with Jill and suggested that the tree be planted near the red shed on the edge of the open area as the trail re-enters the woods heading northbound. Others suggested that we recommend that they use as large a specimen as possible, preferably a 6’ tall specimen, and install a post as one of its supports so that the post can be used as at AT blaze post for now, and ultimately the tree can be blazed instead. Fred Gerty suggested that a Sugar Maple would be the preferred choice for a native species (over the Red Maple option that Jill had also suggested), and that Jill contact the Urban Forester at Stonykill for suggested suppliers. The Committee had no other objection to the concept.

Nuclear Lake Loop Trail Building Trip possible dates. Ron reported on behalf of Jim Haggett, who could not be present due to family obligations, that he would like to schedule a work trip for the Nuclear Lake loop trail for either Saturday, July 21st, or Saturday, August 18th. The following plan to assist on July 21: Fred Gerty, George Muller, Al Poelzl, and (maybe Mike Arthur and Ron Rosen). George can make the August 18th date as well. We will meet at 9:30AM at the Robson’s Gate Area.

Funding for Signs for Boundary Posting—Ron explained that the Public Lands Corps, organized by Alyssa Silberstein of Americorps (YRDC), is planning to install DEC-legal boundary posting for our areas needing "No Hunting" signs. Gerry Richardson has priced out signs, and for approximately 400 of them, the price comes to about $1 each. Ron will check with NYNJTC and YRDC to see if either of them can provide partial funding, and John Wright will check with Karen Lutz to see if ATC can provide some funding as well. Ron explained to John Wright that Bob Gray of NPS has already been consulted on the specifics of the sign design. Also, donations will be sought from individuals as well. Anyone with any funding ideas please contact Ron.

Kevin McLoughlin spoke briefly on the upcoming Hudson Valley River Ramble, indicating over 80 activities have been scheduled. Jane Daniels noted that the AT from Anthony’s Nose to Canada Hill has Greenway designation. Kevin also indicated that work is underway on developing an accurate mapping of the Greenway map, and he circulated some map materials for review.

Reminder: The next meeting will be Monday, August 27th, at the East Fishkill Community Library, starting at 7:00 PM.

The meeting was adjourned approximately 7:45PM (perhaps our shortest ever???).

Submitted by Ron Rosen.