Minutes, September 20, 2004

Dutchess County/Putnam County AT Management Committee
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Minutes of 187th Meeting
Monday, November 15, 2004 7:00PM East Fishkill Library

Attendance: Jim Haggett, Ron Rosen, Frank Dogil, Jane Geisler, Salley Decker, Gerry Richardson, Mike Arthur, Diane Bamford

The following FYI and FYA items were circulated:

FYA items:

• Business cards – recommended for supervisors and monitors. Contact Jim Haggett if interested.
• Hunting caution signs

FYI items:

• Poughkeepsie Journal article regarding Highlands Conservation Act
• Poughkeepsie Journal article on hunting accident at PMC
• Fall 2004 Wappinger Greenway Trail Work Schedule
• New Kittatiny Trails Guide available
• CT – AMC October 2004 minutes
• CT – AMC November 2004 minutes
• AT Museum News (Tim Messerich’s interest)
• Press release on hunting and the AT
• Bear Mountain Overview presentation

1. Review and approval of minutes of the 186 th meeting, September 20, 2004. The minutes for this meeting can be found on the web at http://www.nynjtc.org/committees/trailscouncil/at-committees/DP/index.html. The minutes were approved as published.

2. Meeting features Pause for Holiday refreshments since this is our last meeting of 2004.

3. Old Business, short updates, etc.:

A. Acquisitions and Survey update

Ron presented the O’Connor parcel on Depot Hill. We may not want the complete road frontage on Depot Hill Road, but the opportunity to acquire this land should be pursued. Frank mentioned that we should check the open space plan to see if that area is included; now would be a good time to get the parcel in the open space plan. Gerry noted that this land has been recently logged (about 1-2 years ago). Jane noted that there might be a possibility that this area may fall within the Highlands Zone (versions of this legislation have passed the House and Senate).

Jim mentioned that Walt still has not received the Putnam survey maps!

B. Trail Assessment project update (Walt Daniels) - next steps...

Walt still needs the supervisors to contact him. Jane asked if Walt could send her the info for her area; it was suggested that he provide materials to each of the supervisors.

C.Water Projects status – RPH, NL, testing

Jim talked with Michele Miller last Thursday relating to RPH and Nuclear Lake well. She has two bids back for RPH and the Robson house, including closing TWO wells at the Robson house (one inside, one out). One bid came in for about $36,000 prior to the deadline; the second one came in 3 or 4 days late, for $12,000. Michele will determine if it is OK to accept the second bid. The bidders are Boyd and Mill. The high bid had $4,000 for closing each of the two wells; it is unclear what the requirements are for closing a dug well versus a drilled well. Gerry asked why we don’t consider putting a campsite at the Lake and using the well. Various others commented that the Robson well isn’t close to the lake, and we have already decided NOT to pursue an overnight use area near the lake.

Jim mentioned that Pat Robson got an estimate for the roof, and Michele is following through on that job.

Water Testing: Jane explored SCA as a testing option (no success). Jane suggested we try to get a college student, at perhaps Vassar, Marist, or Dutchess. Jane noted that CT AMC has hired an organization to do the testing at the Ten Mile well. Jane will follow through on the College volunteer possibilities.

BREAK TIME>

D. Bulletin Board replacement (Mike Arthur, others) Mark Jordy and his dad (George) went out with Mike to scout the locations. They plan to put one near the parking area at Nuclear Lake entrance. They are starting the construction, and will construct them as two-sided (even if lexan is only installed on one side); they hope to get some of the post holes drilled before the land freezes. Also being built are bulletin boards for the Route 52 and Depot Hill Road parking areas. The YRDC, who hoped to build other bulletin boards for the AT, still has a “hanging in there” status.

E. ATC Regional meeting (Ron Rosen). Ron explained the new Regional Structure, indicating he is the NY/NJ TC representative.

F. ATC Board meeting (Walt Daniels) – meeting is next week. Items for Walt to present? None voiced.

G. Relocation plans ( Nuclear Lake & Harlem Valley State Hospital) – environmental assessment—no news on that—Don Owen has not been able to get here to inspect the site. Ron will try to get Don or his representative up here ASAP.

H. Mitzvah Day 2005 on May 15 – projects? Response due Jan. 7, 2005. Gerry suggested redoing the bog bridging at the I84 entry to Depot Hill. Gerry and Mike Arthur will co-lead the project.

I. Bear Mountain AT redesign/relocation/rebuilding. Planning meetings Dec. 5 & 6.

J. 2005 meeting schedule, location tentative; Mondays unless indicated otherwise.

• Jan 17 at New Hackensack Reformed Church Room 14 , Snow Date Jan 19 (Wednesday) at EF Lib??
• March 21 EF Lib, Snow Date March 23 (Wednesday) at EF Lib
• May 16 EF Lib
• July 18 Picnic (RPH?)
• Sept. 19 EF Lib
• Nov. 9 (Wednesday) EF Lib

K. 2006 – 2011 projects requiring funding

• Replace Swamp River bridge,
• Morgan Stewart access road.
• Old Route 55 bridge (near RR tracks).
• Send other ideas to Jim Haggett.
  

L. Nuclear Lake access road work:

Pattie Robson mentioned the Telephone Poles are leaning and the culvert near the dam is developing a hole in the road. We need to take a look at it sometime in December. Gerry will work with Jim in December to take a look.

M. Training— There is a need for chain saw training.

4. Reports

• Area Supervisors Summaries:

Jane Geisler: Bob Woodin lost his job after 27 years. Irmgard Seidler phoned Jane about Pawling doing a trail inventory; she thought that the AT should be represented. Jane mentioned the DEC person is James Davies. Great Swamp boardwalk—the maintainer is constantly replacing the old boards, but he is concerned about the flooding, perhaps muskrats. People are laying down the old boards (at the North end), as it gets kind of wet. Jane also mentioned that bird monitoring is being done along the AT.

Frank Dogil: Nothing new to report.

Mike Arthur: Went out to look at the blowdown near the cat rocks, bigger than he can handle. He will check to see if George Muller can help (20” diameter). Not clear if it will be removed before winter. Mike will try to be available the next two Saturdays if anyone is available, but no one present responded.

Jim Haggett: Reported that he got a call from Sue Kamm, who has property near the I84 overlook area. She wanted to know about regulations of posted sign spacing. She claims there is a discrepancy between her survey and the NPS survey. Finally, she feels there are still a few trees interfering with her view, and they are on Park Service property. She indicated if we can’t take them down, she might as well develop the property. Bob Grey responded that she could do as she pleases with her land.

Walt Daniels: Not present.

• Other reports:

Chair’s report: nothing not already mentioned.

• Adjourned at 10:07 PM.

Submitted by Ron Rosen,

V3 Last updated: January 9, 2005   Copyright © 1996-2005  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.