Minutes, March 18,2004

Dutchess County/Putnam County AT Management Committee
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Minutes of 184th Meeting
Monday, May 17, 2004 7:00 PM East Fishkill Library

Attendance: Ron Rosen, Fred Gerty, Jim Haggett, Mike Arthur, Walt Daniels, Salley Decker, Greg Heneka, Michele Miller (ATC Mid-Atlantic), Pat Robson (Nuclear Lake), Walter Weigel, Bob Gray (NPS AT Ranger), Gerry Richardson, Diane Bamford, Pete Senterman (14).

The meeting was brought to order by Chair Ron Rosen at 7:05 PM.

0. The following item circulated in the “For Your Action” (FYA) pile:
*NYNJTC Address/Phone Correction Labels for AT Brochure [members took labels for their personal collection of DPATMC brochures]
.
The following items were circulated in the “For Your Information” (FYI) pile:
* AMC/CT Trails Cmte. Agenda for May 4, 2004
* Trails Council agenda for 6/3/2004
* NPS Rivers and Trails Conservervation 2003 Report
* Poughkeepsie Journal NYNJTC Hike of the Week kickoff page 4/22/04
* Poughkeepsie Journal Article on Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge (email via Neil Zimmerman)
* Yahoo article on Mountain Lions “living stealthily”

1. The minutes of the 183rd meeting, March 18, 2004, were approved as distributed.

2. Meeting feature–Nuclear Lake Issues: Bob Gray opened the discussion with a summary of the recent history of the site and the current issues. First, he honored the work that Jim and Patty Robson had performed in their many years of service as caretakers, damtenders, and general assistance at the site. He then outlined the major responsibilities of the dam-tender: to mow the dam and nearby grassy areas, operate the controls 2-3 times per year, and to keep the spillway clear. Bob noted that a major issue is the retention of the caretaker’s house. The water system has problems–and a new well is a current option. Bob has already determined that ROVA (NPS site in Hyde Park) will not be a resource except in an emergency. It was noted that the Pawling Mountain Club has expressed interest in helping. We don’t know what they want - the suspicion is that they want access. Gerry Richardson indicated that he has again approached the Town of Beekman, and has not yet received any feedback. Patty Robson said she is still involved, has been doing the mowing and knows the dam systems; she stated that trash and beavers are a continuing problem. She said that Phil Bonanno, owner of Pawling Mountain Club, has visited and want to know about boat access. Michele Miller pointed out that the house’s retention will remain an unstable decision, which will need to be revisited every few years. Fred Gerty emphasized that our Committee has previously stated our position that the NPS must maintain the house with an on-site caretaker to protect the property, and that we have not wavered from that opinion. Patty Robson supported the ongoing need for an on-site presence and recounted a number of times when their presence was important. Bob finished by noting that Jim and Bob (any anyone else wishing to join them) will go out with Patty Tuesday morning to inspect the dam works and review the mechanism, and that Patty will be staying on-site for the time being, but with no ongoing commitment.

3. Old Business, short updates, etc.:

A. Acquisitions and Survey update: Ron reported that the NPS easement lands and the Parcel “E” to the east at the Harlem Valley Psychiatric Center has finally been acquired by the NY Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation! The site is to be managed solely for the AT’s presence, and essentially all work to be done by DPATMC volunteers. The relocation that has been proposed to move the trail onto Parcel E, and get the trail off the Hospital road network, will need Trails Council approval and a Park Service Environmental Assessment. Walt noted that the AT Guide’s maps will be updated in September, so we need to deal quickly with at least a proposed route by then and add the new lands to the protected area marked in green on the map. If a route can be flagged quickly, Walt can GPS it for the review processes.

The other acquisition item currently active is the issue of the extent of the NPS’ interest in the land underlying the Revolutionary War huts at Canopus Hill Road. options (letter from Don Owen
get process active again. Don needs to sign up Chris to do some work. Chimney is probably uninteresting,

Additionally, it was noted that the Con Ed ROW on Shenandoah Mountain may have had a hearing recently (in White Plains) as part of the condemnation proceedings.

B. Trail Assessment project update: Walt Daniels noted that none of the supervisors have contacted him to set up a meeting to correct the raw data from his walk-through; Walt requested that supervisors make arrangements to get together with him to correct the data.

C. Water Testing & Water Projects Update: Michele Miller spoke on the progress of the RPH well project; she needs to schedule a bidder/contractor meeting. Gerry Richardson noted that the Morgan Stewart well is still squirting water up in the air when pumped, and needs fixing. Concerning the water testing, Ron will try to get the YRDC Public Lands Corps leader(s) to do water testing once the Americorps/PLC leaders are hired. It was also suggested that we check with Dutchess Community College to see if anyone in their environmental science program might be interested in helping.

D. Bulletin Board replacement: Mike Arthur reported that Eagle Scout candidate Mark Jordy has not submitted a Levers grant to the Trail Conference yet, but still plans to get the work done this summer. Ron noted that YRDC (PLC and/or is leaders) may do up to three bulletin boards, and they intend to apply for a Levers grant soon. It was suggested that we investigate Fund Raising projects to pay for the cost of the bulletin boards not otherwise covered.

E. Mitzvah Day project report: Mike Arthur noted that no “regular” Mitzvah Day participants (through Jewish Family Services) signed up nor attended the project. However, four of Mike’s other friends and contacts did show up, and they fixed the steps at West Dover Road (West side of the road) near the Dover Oak.

F. ATC Reorganization update: Walt Daniels reviewed the recent activity on the ATC reorganization project. At the ATC meeting next July 4th in East Tennessee, the new bylaws should be voted into effect. The new ATC Board will consist of about 15 members, selected for particular skills instead of any regional or club representation. Marianne Skeen will head the nominating committee, so send any suggestions to her. The new positions will likely have term limits. The Regions will probably be four in number, each with a Regional Manager, and the Regional Management Committees will be more formally constructed than at present. There will also be a trail-wide Trails Management Council, with representation from the maintaining clubs and perhaps the regions. ATC has created some new staff positions, with start dates of July or August with the positions being at ATC headquarters.

G. Poughkeepsie Journal “Hike of the Week” kick-off: The page is in the FYI pile that is circulating.

H. Location and other plans for July Picnic Meeting: After some discussion, it was decided to go with July 19 at the RPH shelter. People can arrive around 5:30, with dinner about 6:00PM; Diane Bamford agreed to receive the “reservations” as to what people intend to bring. Her number is (914) 669-0225, her email is dbamford@pgmgroup.com.

I. For the National Trails Day upcoming on June 5th (in the meeting announcement), Gerry has some ideas for possible projects. Walt Weigel noted that EMS in sponsoring activities in the area. Walt mentioned that the Trail Conference will be helping construct the Wappingers Falls Greenway, and that might be a location for project work.

4. Reports

A. Area Supervisors Summaries:

Jane Geisler submitted a written report. Jane’s report:
* No luck recruiting an Americorps members from the Community Health Program for our water testing program.
* On March 26, Jane scouted where Hiller Brook enters the Swamp River; there is some blockage. Michael Musnicht thinks the blockage could be muskrat–there are no signs of beaver chewing.
* Also on March 26, Jane collected a huge bag of trash at Hoyt Road parking area and along the roadwalk.
* On May 4, Jane and Salley Decker installed two steps on the trail at Hoyt Road, and picked up another bag of litter. She installed a lock and chain on the King’s gate. She did not have time to talk with the Kings, as she accompanied Salley on Schaghticoke for her regular trail maintenance.
* Jane will be back in the area on June 2nd for five days, then she will return on June 17th for the ADK weekend in Poughkeepsie.
* Jane suggested checking with Sabrina LaFave to see if she is interested in assisting at Nuclear Lake (possible dam tender and/or caretaker?)...
* In response to the suggestion to allow the Pawling Mountain Gun Club caretaker(s) to help out with Nuclear Lake, Jane notes it would be good for patrolling the boundary and explaining the gun noise to hikers...

Frank Dogil was not present.

Mike Arthur briefly mentioned Jim’s work on scouting a reroute for the south end of the Nuclear Lake trail and parking side trail to avoid seeing the new house from the Trail.

Jim Haggett expanded on his scouting of the possible Nuclear Lake relo. It would be approximately 0.1 mile shorter. Walt commented that an Environmental Assessment is required. Jim will arrange with Walt to GPS the new route. Ron commented that the new trail should still connect to the Beekman Uplands Loop trail.

Jim reported that Sue Kamm, a trail neighbor near the Back Court/84 Overlook area, clear cut trees on her property adjacent to the boundary; some of the trees fell on NPS land. Bob Gray reported that he has written Sue and asked her to clear up the problem trees by the end of May. Jim reported that it was a pleasure working with Cathy Newhard, with the NPS Park Police at RoVa. On a separate issue, Patrick Manning, the Southern Dutchess state legislator, let Jim know that Angelo Orsetti (trail neighbor near the RPH shelter) wants to subdivide his land opposite the shelter property. The corridor there is quite narrow, and any development will have a bad effect. We should make Pam Underhill aware of the situation, and encourage NPS to try to buy more of the land; alternatively, we should work with the AT Land Trust. Jim has seen evidence that there has been ATV use on the AT easement lands owned by Orsetti north of the RPH shelter, and is concerned that the problem there may grow.

Jim had a chance meeting with Mrs. Bennett, one of the Stormville Mountain Road neighbors that contacted Ron last year with concerns and issues with hikers in their neighborhood. He hopes to set up a meeting with her and the other neighbors later, as hiking season approaches.

Tim Messerich noted that the annual Work Crew that he helps lead will be working at RPH on July 9-11, and will be available for other projects in the area as well.

Jim further noted that the Miller Hill Road /Taconic Parkway intersection is missing one of the “pregnant triangle” signs that DOT created. Ron will check to see if he has any NPS/AT pregnant triangle signs.

Jim has also found evidence of target practice on the AT boundary, north of Long Hill Road, near the Con Ed power lines (he held up a pad of targets that he found there).

Jim commented on attending the recent Chain Saw certification course, led by Peter Jenses. He passed around a set of log tongs that he acquired after seeing them at the course.

Walt Daniels noted that porta-potties have appeared near the ball field at Graymoor without our action (a soccer league is using the fields); we may not have to pay for a porta-potty this summer! We have installed a porta-potty from June through September in the past. Walt was out with Ross Geredien checking on the boundary south of Chapman Road, and doing some boundary painting maintenance work.

B. Other reports:

Chair’s report: Ron reported on his attendance at the West Mountain State Forest Scoping Session, also attended by Fred Gerty and Jane Geisler. We suggested that the state could involve NYNJTC for trails – as it would be easy to connect to the AT via Penny Road, but ownership of the road is not clear.

Bob Gray commented on the recent session for Law Enforcement personnel in New England, and he is thinking of scheduling a similar program for police in NY.

Michele Miller commented that she is working with the Park Service on the FMSS inventory - they are planning some “test cases” and may use the 5-mile section on Hosner Mountain.

5. The meeting was adjourned at 10:14 PM

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

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