Minutes, November 17, 2003

Dutchess County/Putnam County AT Management Committee
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Minutes of 181st Meeting
Monday, November 17, 2003 7:00 PM East Fishkill Library, Alley Conference Room

Attendance: Ron Rosen, Frank Dogil, Fred Gerty, Mike Arthur, Pete Senternan, George Jordy and Mark Jordy (Boy Scout Troop 40), Walt Daniels, Jim Haggett, Salley Decker, Tim Messerich (11).

The meeting was brought to order by Chair Ron Rosen at 7:15 PM.

0. The following “For Your Action” (FYA) items were circulated:
* Any proposals for ATC Grants-to-Clubs program? (Deadline extended)
* Diane Bamford (monitor) looking for photos for a Trail Conference member brochure
* East Fishkill project “Hopewell Glen”–can anyone determine if it is visible from the Trail (Public Hearing Thursday, November 20th)–no response in meeting, but probably not...

The following “For Your Information” (FYI) items were circulated:
* AMC/CT Minutes (October 7, 2003); * NYNJTC Delegates Meeting minutes (June 12, 2003) ;* NYNJTC Trails Council minutes from August 7, 2003 and agenda for 10/02/2003; * Sara Laffin’s Water Testing Results (9/29): Morgan Stewart Negative; Wiley Positive for Total Coliform, Negative for E. Coli; RPH Positive for Total Coliform, Negative for E. Coli; Messerschmitt not tested; * Sara Laffin and PLC Crew’s Water Testing Results (11/4): ALL FOUR WELLS NEGATIVE! A record!!; * ATC Opening of Peter’s Mountain Bridge (Central PA), Saturday, November 8, 1:00 P.M.; * Poughkeepsie Journal article on Americorps Program shutdown, featuring Sara Laffin; * Poughkeepsie Journal Article: HVPC Complex sold (we’re trying to determine status of Parcel E... probably wasn’t in sale); * Postcards from The Mountaineers Books advertising “GPS Made Easy” and “Winter Hiking & Camping”; * Poughkeepsie Journal article (Dan Shapley) supporting purple loosestrife as a non-invasive; * An ad selling a 215-acre parcel in Dover, just north of the AT lands (asking price $1.2 million), including “the highest peak in the area”... we are trying to determine the status of this parcel–it goes from East Mountain Road all the way to the CT line, and is the remainder of the Lillis property that was sold to the NPS; * Scenic Hudson Community Events Calendar, November 2003

1. The minutes of the 180th meeting, September 15, 2003, were approved as published.

2. Meeting features:
(A) Given that this was our last meeting for 2003, we did some planning for the upcoming year. We reviewed our progress against goals for this year and set some preliminary goals for 2004, to be finalized at our first meeting next year). The status of the 2003 planning document is summarized in a separate attachment. Priorities for 2004 include; - Graymoor meeting, RPH well, acquisitions, consider campsite improvement at Depot Hill, cement well platform at Messerschmitt, refresh blazes almost everywhere.

(B) Those present partook of a small Holiday celebration.

3. Old Business, short updates, etc.:

A. Acquisitions and Survey update: Ron noted that we have not received any word yet from the AT Lands Office on the final Hartmann maps from their work this year.

B. Trail Assessment project update: Walt Daniels reported that he has recently completed the Depot Hill field work (Route 52 to Route 55), and there are still 7 miles of field work to do (including GPS data collection) and lots of coding of collected data. He hopes to get out before the end of the year to complete the field work, and to have preliminary data for review at the next meeting.

C. Water Testing & Water Projects Update: Since the Public Lands Corps cutbacks occurred, Sarah Long has been doing water testing directly, and will probably be able to complete one more cycle in November before her PLC Americorps membership ends. At this time, it seems unlikely that the Dutchess Land Conservancy will have a new Americorps member for the foreseeable future. As a result, we probably will not have anyone to do water testing this winter. For the winter, and perhaps next spring as well, we are looking for a volunteer to do the water testing.

D. Hunting Season “day one” observations: None of those present reported any concerns or problems–Ron did not receive any landowner calls. Mike Arthur noticed very few hunters parked at areas often used for access. Ron had mailed posters to supervisors a couple of weeks ago, and most were able to post their areas prior to the deer season’s start.

E. Bulletin Board replacement: Mark Jordy, eagle scout candidate from Troop 40 planning to build and install some of the new bulletin boards, reported on his Eagle project status: the project has been approved by his scoutmaster. He expects to get the approval from the Dictrict Eagle Committee sometime in December. His intent is to design, build, and install three bulletin boards, specifically those intended for the RPH Shelter site, the Route 52 parking area, and the Depot Hill Road parking area. He plans to apply for a Trail Conference / Levers Youth Project Grant to help cover some of the costs. Ron reported on prospects for the other bulletin boards: namely, participants of YRDC’s winter programs might build some boards, using the carpentry facilities at the Mill street loft (another non-profit organization) in Poughkeepsie. YRDC would need to obtain funding for material costs, and will investigate a Levers grant. Ron will help them determine if they might also participate in an ATC grants-to-clubs grant as well; he will check to see how late the application deadline was extended to, and will assist in preparing a grant if the deadline has not passed.

F. 2004 Meeting Schedule (first pass): We will try to stick with the third Mondays in each odd Month as much as possible. If the East Fishkill Library is not available for the January 19 date, we will either try to get the Library for January 15th or move to another location. We do not yet have the application for the meeting room at the library; Ron will follow up with the library.

G. Dover Hunting Preserve proposal (possible noise issue): Ron and Walt particpated in a “test firing” with Jim Muncey, the preserve’s developer. The three of them hiked up Schaghticoke to the west-facing viewpoints, and Jim radioed to an assistant to fire a shotgun. No noise was heard at all! Mike Arthur argued for issuing a “no opinion”; our letter will state just the objective facts observed.

H. Regional meeting report (Ron and Walt): Walt noted that the Mid-Atlantic meeting has instituted a new annual program of honoring a volunteer and an agency partner. Our own Ron Rosen was the initial honoree as the region’s volunteer of the year, and Tammy McCorkle [State Forest and Park Service Ranger Supervisor for MD Dept. of Natural Resources] was the initial agency partner honored. Ron noted that there were very few agency representatives at the meeting, and Fred Gerty commented that reduced agency budgets probably prohibit travel compensation for such meetings. The meeting involved more time in policy discussions and break-out sessions than previous meetings, and essentially club reports were foregone.

I. ATC Board: Walt noted that ATC is actively moving forward in implementing the recommendations of the strategic planning initiative that has been underway for the last year, and a number of significant changes will be coming in the next few months. Specifically, the composition of the ATC Board of Managers will be changing, and the role of the regional management committee’s will be expanded considerably. More information will be available as details are worked out.

4. Reports
A. Area Supervisors Summaries:

Jane Geisler’s written report of November 3rd was read by Ron:
* Ten Mile River Hunting Preserve–Jim Muncey is trying to get out of doing more noise testing (Jane believes); she gave Jim Ron Rosen’s number for further activity (resulting in Item 3-G above).
* YRDC Projects–Jane helped train Sarah at YRDC to do water testing, with the next test scheduled for November 4th. Sarah may do one more round of testing before she leaves her Americorps position. YRDC is helping at Wiley Shelter; on October 14th they helped add cement around the well/pump, installed new screening on the privy, and put in a gutter on the shelter itself.
* Trail details:
1) Trash at Hoyt Road is an ongoing problem.
2) Blazing clarification by Gate of Heaven Cemetry completed October 14. HUGH maple down but Jane blazed very short bypass on ATV Route. No need to waste time or gas on chain saw... Also, North arrow right turn post installed by Gate of Heaven.
3) Other items:
** No hunting signs (9) up at all road crossings as of October 30th
**8 cars parked at Big Oak on October 20–Pawling Junior Girl Scout Troop on an afternoon hike!
**October 30, Jane ran into Verizon men–no final plans yet but will remove pole on west side of West Dover Road; may need to improve the access road so their auger truck will not tip. Jane requested that they leave the old poles!
** Jane attended the Pawling Nature Reserve annual meeting on October 24. Next year, they may have a bow and turkey season and a longer muzzle season.
** Wood turtle monitor Michael Musnick reports seeing quite a few turtles, even mating ones.
** Jane collected specimens of yellow giant hyssop in Dover for Hudsonia. State considers it S2-S3 (S-1 is very rare).

Frank Dogil had nothing new to report. However, it was noted that the Hudson Valley Psych Center property has been sold (FYI item from Poughkeepsie Journal above). None present could confirm the status of the trail ROW or parcel E, east of the ROW. Ron will try to find more information on these parcels.

Mike Arthur commented that many blowdowns have been removed in his section. Also, the privy at Telephone Pioneers has been moved. The new location is fairly close to the old (it was hard to find a site among the many rocks!). Mike noted increased hunting in the Indian Pass area.

Jim Haggett reported that the RPH shelter was closed for the season last week. He has recently visited the Route 84 rest area cell tower site, and no construction activity is evident yet. Ron Rosen noted that Dave Reus has moved from ATC to the NPS AT Park Office staff, and will not be directly involved with cell tower issues for the immediate future. Jim worked with new maintainer Rich Kondzielaski to attend the recent chain saw course at High Point (Jim also attended). It was led by Peter Jensen and Jack Shuart; approximately 14 students showed for the program. If anyone else wants to attend this program, let Larry at the NYNJTC office know. Jim noted that George Muller has reported to him that Mr. Jay Paraskeva, adjoining the trail in the new development on Stormville Mountain, has a deer stand on his property, pointed into AT land. They are working with Bob Grey to determine an appropriate response. Also, Mr. Paraskeva still has some has issues with the NPS boundary survey, and they are trying to contact him to resolve these issues with the NPS. There has also been some ATV activity at the end of the road there. Jim and Ron need to set up a meeting with the residents on Stormville Mountain Road who have expressed concerns about passing hikers. Also, George Muller has complained to Jim that the YRDC PLC crew mistakenly repainted some boundary blazes that are now interior ones. Ron has forwarded the complaint to the appropriate people at YRDC for comment and possible action. Finally, there is a new maintainer from the Taconic Parkway to Long Hill Road (an AMC section); the name(s) are Peter and Travis Hoh.

Walt Daniels did not have anything new to report.

Tim Messerich suggested people take a look at his website, www.mikentim.com ...

Fred Gerty mentioned the recognition Ron Rosen had received in the Trail Walker and at the AT Regional Meeting, and congratulated him.

5. The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 PM.

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

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