Minutes, July 19, 2004

Dutchess County/Putnam County AT Management Committee
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Minutes of 185th Meeting
Monday, July 19, 2004 After the Picnic/Potluck Dinner RPH Shelter, East Fishkill

Present: Ron Rosen, Ollie Simpson, Bill Beehler, Elaine LaBella (CT AMC), Jim Haggett, Michele Miller (ATC), Salley Decker, James Shearwood, Walt Daniels, Pattie Robson, Mike Arthur, George Muller, Dick Redfield, Diane Bamford, Fred and Carol Gerty, Jane Geisler, Jane Daniels, plus assorted through hikers (18).

Chair Ron Rosen called the meeting to order at approximately 7:15PM

The following items were circulated in the For Your Information” (FYI) packets:
* Letter from Jim Haggett to EMS thanking them for the National Trails Day project.
* ATC Letter concerning the new Regional Partnership Committees
* NPS Announcement of Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Environmental Assessment
* Copy of letter from Bob Gray to Susan Kamm re: removal of trees from corridor
* NYNJTC Minutes of Delegates meeting (2/12/04) and announcement of 6/10/04 meeting
* North Country National Scenic Trail mailing received
* NPS and Presidential recognition of the “Call to Service” award presentations
* Email from Gail Epstein concerning Con Ed Condemnation at Long Hill Road
* Notice of East Fishkill ZBA application and Public Hearing (6/8/04) for additional facilities on cell tower at Probst site (Hosner Mountain)
* Brochure received on East Coast Greenway
* “Hike of the Week” articles from Poughkeepsie Journal
* Sanne Larsen’s email to the Committee for the Picnic
* Letter from Jim Haggett to Town of Beekman Hiway Dept. re Nuclear Lake parking area
* Joe Hrouda’s Federal Government Recognition as a volunteer

1. The minutes of the 184th meeting (May 17, 2004) will be reviewed/approved at the next meeting. The minutes of the last meeting can be found on the web at http://www.nynjtc.org/committees/trailscouncil/at-committees/DP/index.html

2. Urgent business, short updates, etc.:

A. Public Lands Corps priorities for the remainder of the summer: Ron noted that the YRDC/Public Lands corps crew has been working near Nuclear Lake, and more recently, in the vicinity of the RPH shelter and on Shenandoah Mountain. The crew will only be working during the summer. Walt Daniels noted that, as soon as Putnam County maps are in, there is probably work they can do there.

B. Progress on Bulletin Board projects: Mike Arthur reported that Eagle Scout candidate Mark Jordy has still not submitted a Levers grant to the Trail Conference yet, but still plans to get the work done this summer. Mark has done some fund raising, and should use that as part of his match for the Levers grant application. YRDC (PLC and/or is leaders) applied for and received a Levers grant and will do up to three bulletin boards.

C. Committee expansion and changes. Jane Daniels took the floor and announced that Ron Rosen is stepping down as Committee chair, effective September 1st. The NY-NJ Trail Conference Board of Directors has approved Jim Haggett as the new chair of the DPATMC, effective the same date. Jane thanked Ron for his many years of service to the Committee and welcomed Jim to his new role.

D. Tim Messerich’s AT Work Crew results (July 9-11): Tim’s volunteer crew finished the RPH privy move, and did other work projects in the area.

E. Volunteer recognition as needed. Ron announced the volunteer recognition update since last year’s picnic. Dick Redfield received a patch (due since the last picnic) for a total of 156 hours of service. Bill Beehler received a cap for a total of 521 hours of service (38 hours this year). Ollie Simpson received a patch for 108 total hours (26 hours this year). Others now due for a patch (100 or more hours), but not present, include Tom Amisson (103 hours, 10 new), Pat Collela (111 hours, 39 new) and Steve Klauck (100 hours, 12 new).

F. Nuclear Lake: Jim Haggett explained that Bob Gray plans to visit with Pawling Mountain Club personnel, along with Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Interior David Smith and his assistant Kym Hall, on July 27-28. The purpose of the meeting is to listen to PMC’s proposal for assistance with Nuclear Lake; no specifics of their proposal are available at this time. Pattie Robson told the group that she has been acting as damtender and caretaker since Jim’s death, and she has decided that she is willing to continue as caretaker and damtender on an ongoing basis. Jim Haggett will contact Bob Gray to make sure he is aware of Pattie’s willingness to perform these responsibilities. Ron again thanked Pattie for all she has done and continues to do.

3. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.

Submitted by Ron Rosen

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