Minutes, September 15, 2003

Dutchess County/Putnam County AT Management Committee
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Minutes of 180th Meeting
Monday, September 15, 2003 7:00 PM East Fishkill Library, Alley Conference Room

Attendance: Ron Rosen, Frank Dogil, Fred Gerty, Jane Geisler, Gerry Richardson, Mike Arthur, Walt Daniels, Jim Haggett, Salley Decker, Chris Marx (YRDC Assoc. Dir.), Gail Epstein, Tim Messerich (12).

The meeting was brought to order by Chair Ron Rosen at 7:05 PM.
0. There was one “For Your Action” (FYA) item: Are there any proposals for ATC Grants-to-Clubs program (due end of September)? [None were suggested].

The following items circulated in the “For Your Information” [FYI] packets:
* Poughkeepsie Journal article (8/6/03) on through-hiking the AT
* Amanda Long’s final well test results (8/17/03): RPH OK, Wiley OK(!) and no cracks in well casing [based on dye test she performed]; Morgan Stewart: Coliform positive, E. Coli negative; Messerschmitt: Coliform positive, E. Coli negative ...despite chlorination.
* ATC’s letter to T-Mobile (8/8/03) regarding East Fishkill
* Scenic Hudson’s Community Events Calendar, August-October
* Email from ATC thanking all regarding successful attempt to locate a hiker coming through.
* Email from Neil Zimmerman re 2004 AT Photo Project plans
* Dutchess County Planning Federation Newsletter
* Brochure on Mobile GIS seminars (Stamford CT 10/8/03 and Albany NY 10/15/03)
* Mountaineers Books offerings (post cards)
* Postcard from “Just Ducky” and “Softserve” [hikers]
* Article on AT Through-hiking in Gainesville (FL) paper courtesy of Mark Bickel (PoJo)
* Article in Poughkeepsie Journal re Bailey Farm preservation (near AT/Hosner Mountain)
* Trails Council Agenda and references
* CT/AMC Minutes 6/3/2003

1. The minutes of the 178th meeting, June 16, 2003, were accepted as published. The minutes of the 179th meeting, July21, 2003, were reviewed and two small corrections made (add Jane Geisler to the list of vest recipients [she actually received hers earlier], and the correct spelling of Ms. Sperry’s first name is Thyra). They were accepted as slightly modified.

2. Meeting feature: DPATMC and YRDC relationships–present and future:
Chris Marx (YRDC Associate Director) spoke to the future and concerns about the reductions in the Americorps program. Statewide, the Americorps program has been cut to about 10% of its former size. The PLC program has probably the least direct effects of the Americorps reductions–Sara Laffin’s position is still good until the end of the year, and Frank’s position to the end of October. The PLC program (for the AT and another program at Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site) is now implemented via a multi-year (5) contract between YRDC and the National Park Service, so it should survive any ongoing reductions in the Americorps program. YRDC will know in a few weeks the level of Americorps support for the next federal fiscal year, and we will then know if the PLC leaders will be supported through the Americorps program. YRDC can use other funding “combinations” for the leadership positions if need be.

For the time being, there is no Americorps person at Dutchess Land Conservancy. YRDC has approved adding water testing to the program for the remainder of this year, so the PLC crew will do water testing after initial training from Jane Geisler, probably starting near the end of September. Additionally, Jane Geisler has met with Kevin Zwart, the YRDC program leader, and additional projects will likely be added to the PLC fall crew program. Chris and Ron asked the group for other project ideas for the fall (and perhaps beyond), and suggestions included: Telephone Pioneers privy moving, a short Bog Bridge at the Grape Hollow Road-Stormville Mountain Road area, installation of a cement pad for the Wiley Shelter well, expansion of the cement pad for the Morgan Stewart Shelter well, and construction of steps southbound at West Dover Road. Other suggestions included adding gutters to Wiley Shelter. Jane Geisler said materials costs (for well pads) can be funded through Mid-Hudson ADK’s treasury.
One possible project would be the building of new bulletin boards for trailhead use. We have not had any response from the Eagle candidate who proposed doing a couple of them this summer, so it might be possible for PLC (and/or other YRDC crews) to assist with this project. Kevin Zwart has carpentry experience, and Chris suggested he can generate materials lists for the bulletin board projects. Ron has not heard from the Harlem Valley Partnership as to the success of their grant application. We discussed using the Levers’ Trail Conference grant application for this project (it is a youth program), and YRDC will download the forms and begin the application. We can use some donated lumber so long as it is in reasonably good shape. Tim Messerich will check with Lowe’s management to see what assistance they can provide. We need to arrange for YRDC to get an ATC bulletin board manual!

Chris also provided a report on the summer PLC crew’s operations, prepared by Sarah Laffin . They covered about 25 miles of boundary, repainting blazes, updating boundary 2x12 signs, and adding “No Hunting” signs where indicated. The crew had a problem at the end of its season–while in the van they encountered a dog pack on Depot Hill Road, and while avoiding hitting the dogs, the van hit a tree. Two youth members went to the hospital to check out minor pain (nothing major), but the van was totaled! Overall, the summer crew put in 1536 hours of field work. One highlight was their assistance with the RPH privy work, where the crew managed to extract a rock that must have been 300 pounds from the new privy hole.

3. Old Business, short updates, etc.:

A. Acquisitions and Survey update: Ron contacted the AT Land Acquisition Office last Friday while he was in West Virginia, and learned that they have received the preliminary maps from the new Hartmann Dutchess County survey. He was able to obtain a set of the maps (26 sheets), which we reviewed after this meeting; we will pass them to the Public Lands Corps leaders for immediate use. The permanent copies will be available in about a month. It was decided we should request 8 full sets for our various volunteers and projects.The Putnam County survey maps aren’t ready yet, but should be soon. Apparently, the original Mounts surveys were not filed with the Dutchess County Clerk (and/or the Putnam County Clerk); the NPS intends to file the final map set with the counties.

B. Trail Assessment project: Walt Daniels presented a large-scale map and showed data for the Trail from Bear Mountain Bridge to Route 52. Coordinates were recorded using his GPS, and field notes were taken from his Palm Pilot. Walt was assisted in the field by Amanda Long from Route 301 to RPH, and George Muller from RPH to Route 52, and again from Route 52 to Dutchess County 20. The project was hampered by the rainy weather this summer, and he hopes to finish the field work in the near future. Gerry Richardson expressed interest in helping Walt with some of the remaining work. There are probably three field sections to go: DC 20 to Johnson Road, Johnson Road to CT line, and Schaghticoke Mountain.

C. Water Testing & Water Projects Update: Ron explained that Dutchess Land Conservancy has lost its Watershed Americorps position. In Amanda’s final work, she determined via a dye test that there is no ground leakage into the Wiley well casing; amazingly, Wiley tested OK in her last round, but Morgan Stewart failed this time! Ron has arranged with YRDC for the Public Lands Corps to do the testing until the end of November. We also discussed the failing tests, and discussed the possibility of adding shrouds to the Monitor pumps at Wiley and Morgan Stewart. Ron will check with ATC to see if funds might be available for upgrading these pumps. George Muller sent out an Email describing the problems with the pump at Messerschmitt that might be contributing to contamination there, and his suggested changes. Ron will discuss with Michele Miller the possibility of upgrading the flange and related parts.

D. Hunting Season planning: Ron will send out the “usual” signage, updated with 2003 dates, to the supervisors for hunting season, which begins on the date of our next meeting.

E. I84 Cell Tower update: Jim Haggett has nothing new to report on the T-Mobile project. However, Fred Gerty circulated pictures he had taken recently of the growth habits of pine trees, showing that pines often tower above other trees and are usually quite asymmetrical. He suggested that we could use the pictures to assist Cellular companies and their designers with improving “stealth” designs–to make them more realistic.

F. Bulletin Board replacement: Mike has not heard anything from eagle candidate Jordy, so it’s not clear if he intends to proceed with this project. See item 2 above for the plan to have the PLC crews and possibly other YRDC crews work on this project this fall and winter.

G. AT Conference Results: Walt noted that this conference seemed uneventful. Perhaps due to the location and its expense, attendance was down a bit. Attending from our committee were Walt (and Jane) Daniels, Ron (and Marilyn) Rosen, Salley Decker, and Tom McCarthy.

H. West Mountain State Forest: Fred Gerty noted that DEC has arranged for field work and a management plan at an expense of about $30,000. The plan will probably include parking at Penny Road. The Forest is about 590 acres with a lake and part of lake. Items of possible concern to us are ATV issues, hunting issues, and a need to look at private land between the forest and the AT. Fred indicated he could invite the planner (Ms. Yoo) or someone else involved with the Forest’s development to talk to us. We asked Fred to arrange for this for our next meeting.

I. Residents’ Concerns (near I84): Ron read excerpts from the Email from the neighbors along the trail just south of I84. They raise a number of concerns, including hikers tresspassing onto their property, requests for water, tenting, directions, etc. Bob Grey suggested he could come speak with them if desired. Jim Haggett suggested that we could improve blazing and signage in the area to ameliorate the neighbors’ concerns, and put more extensive information in the nearby shelters. Ron has responded to their Email indicating we would be getting back to them after discussing their concerns. It was agreed we will try to arrange a meeting with them (without Bob Gray for the first pass) to work on concerns and solutions. Ron will Email them asking for dates and times.

J. Walt Daniels mentioned that the Sunday after the Mid-Atlantic AT Regional Meeting will be devoted to a Cultural Resources training workshop, and those interested should sign up this week. Ron noted that his trip to WV last Friday was for the pilot of this program, and that it was well worth attending.

4. Reports

A. Area Supervisors Summaries:

Jane Geisler has a new maintainer, John Lounsbury replacing Ellen Kelley. Bill Trifalo (with Dutchess County Public Works Department) has agreed to putting up hiker crossing sign at Dutchess County Route 20 (at the oak tree). Bill Beehler reported to her that the oak tree’s maintainer, Bill McTighe, has been doing routine maintenance and removal of scrub trees that are impinging the tree’s crown. Jane will contact Bill McTighe to make sure he reports his volunteer efforts to her. Jane would like to work on long range planning for parking at the Route 55-Old Route 55 intersection near Nuclear Lake.

Frank Dogil had nothing new to report.

Mike Arthur has investigated Jim Haggett’s report of a possible incursion by the owner of the new house on the north side of Route 55 near Nuclear Lake. The owner has a lumber pile near, but not on, the NPS property.Mike talked tothe owner and he understands that he is not to use the AT corridor. He has cleared the area under the power line, and it isn’t clear to us if he has ownership rights to that area.

Jim Haggett indicated work is still underway on the RPH privy. Tim Messerich explained that the privy is being pre-fabbed at Jack Parker’s house (inside!), and will be moved on-site soon.

Walt Daniels had nothing else to report.

Chair’s report: Ron briefly described the Cultural Resources Training program that he attended in Shepherdstown, WV, on Friday, and again encouraged members (and others) to attend the AT Regional Meeting on Saturday, October 18, and the Cultural Resources program on Sunday, October 19th.

5. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25

Submitted by Walt Daniels, with post-processing by Ron Rosen.

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