Minutes 12/1/2005

DRAFT Minutes
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Trails Council
December 1, 2005

1. Acting Chair, Jane Daniels, Chair of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Board of Directors called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. at the Trail Conference office in Mahwah, N.J.  Present were:  Larry Wheelock - Trails Director, Pete Heckler, John Blenninger, Bob Boysen, Larry Braun, Jim Canfield, Chris Connolly, Ellen Cronan, Walt Daniels, David Day, Jakob Franke, Joe Gindoff, Gary Haugland, Bob Marshall, Sandy Parr, Monica Day, Trudy Schneider, Manny Silberberg, Denise Vitale, Pete Tilgner, Suzan Gordon, John Moran, Glenn Oleksak, Bob Moss, Dan Vanengel, Ike Siskind, Mark Liss, Jack Driller, Phyllis Stewart, Bob Ward and John Mack.

     2. Minutes.  The minutes of the Trails Council meeting held October 6, 2005 were approved as submitted.

     3. New Jersey Highland Trail Supervisor Replacement.  Bob Moss, the New Jersey Highlands Trail Chair and supervisor announced that he is stepping down.  Bob introduced Glenn Oleksak who is a likely candidate to become the new Highlands Trail Supervisor for New Jersey.

4. New Jersey Map Revisions. The New Jersey Maps are being revised and digitized.  The new maps will be printed in a larger scale.  The publication target is January of 2007.  Much work was lost because of a hard drive failure; however, the topographical information was not lost. The Trail Conference office is requesting help from anyone who has or is willing to take GPS readings of the areas to be included in the map sets.  The office is also gathering comments and information on corrections needed. John requested that GPS data and other large files be sent to: gis@nynjtc.org and all other communications to him at:  jmkcm@att.net.
Jane Daniels also commented that the Trail Conference will be updating and digitizing the Catskills map sets in the future.

5. National Trails Day.  National Trails Day will be June 3rd. Jane Daniels has encouraged the trail crews to plan special events to be promoted. 

6. Trail Maintenance and Construction Workshops. Pete Heckler provided an update on the spring Trail Maintenance and Trail Construction workshops.  The dates for 2006 will be April 22 and 23, and it was suggested that the workshops be held in Sterling Forest.  One day will be devoted to the Trail Maintenance 101 class and the other to trail construction.

7. GPS / GIS Workshop. Larry Wheelock commented that Eric will be doing a GPS / GIS course the following weekend (April 29 and or 30).  There may be a 2nd day added for a map making (publications) course. The location is yet to be determined. 
8. Chainsaw Workshop. Larry Braun asked as to the status of any upcoming chainsaw courses. Larry Wheelock commented that he is working on setting one up.  Jane Daniels commented that the Trail Conference is looking for a volunteer to become a certified chainsaw trainer. Larry Wheelock commented that we have one person who is OSHA certified and that there must be 1 trainer for each 10 students.

9. Supervisor Training. Jane Daniels spoke of the Supervisor training to be held at the Trail Conference offices on February 26. (The snow date is March 5.) (This training is needed every 1 to 2 years.) She requested volunteers to assist with the training.  Larry Braun, Jack Driller and John Moran volunteered to assist Jane who will be the main instructor.

10. Adoption of Townsend Trail in Sterling Forest. Pete Tilner proposed the adoption of the Townsend Trail in Sterling Forest.  He reported that the Townsend Trail showed as “proposed” in the most recent addition of the Sterling Forest maps (Map 3), and that the trail was cut and blazed by the park; however, it still needs a maintainer.  It runs from Wildcat Mountain, intersects with a gravel road, and then continues to Long Meadow Trail. A relocation of a section of this trail will extend its southbound leg out to the summit of the hill above 17a and back to rejoin the previous alignment a bit farther west. The abandoned section will be closed.  The blaze is orange with green stripes. (Pete noted that the trail was named for a local ironmaster.) Several questions were raised regarding the blazing and other trails in the area. Walt Daniels moved to adopt the trail.  Phyllis Stewart seconded the motion.  All voted in favor.
 
11. Rockland County Park Trails. Pete Heckler initiated a discussion regarding several trails in Rockland County Park.  He commented that it is premature to discuss adoption, but was bringing the issue to the attention of the Trails Council.  Rockland County has purchased additional lands adjoining Harriman S. P. in Tuxedo. The Student Conservation Association put in two trails in August of 2005 (blazed orange and blue). Additional parking lots have been proposed since the current parking only supports several cars.  Larry Wheelock is working with the County to develop a Memo of Understanding that is required before the Trial Conference can adopt the trails.  The trails will be opened to horseback riding.
Jane Daniels raised the question of whether the Trails Council should make a recommendation to adopt the trails and if the recommendation should cover all the Rockland County park trails.  Larry Wheelock stated that the Memo of Understanding as discussed with the county park managers is to include all other trails that we currently maintain and are proposing to maintain.  (Currently the Trail Conference maintains only the Long Path, one Long Path connector (Buttermilk Falls Trail) and the Kackiat Trail.)  It was mentioned that the Park rejected an extension of Pine Meadow Trail; however, now that Ramapo took over the horse stables on Route 202 and are proposing a parking lot, the Trail Conference may be able to get approval for the extension and this would provide access to the new parking lot.
Pete Heckler asked for a recommendation from the Trails Council to allow the Rockland Park trails when and if the Memo of Understanding is completed and signed.  Larry Braun moved and Bob Ward seconded the motion.  All voted in favor.

12. Nature Center Connector Trail on Staten Island.  Bob Ward requested that the Trails Council approve adoption of a trail in the Staten Island Greenbelt Park that connects the new nature center to the existing Greenbelt Trail.  The ½ mile of trail, blazed white with blue, is currently being maintained.  Sandy Parr made the motion to approve adoption of the trail and Larry Braun seconded the motion.  All voted in favor.

13. Proposal for a "Trail Partner" Program.   Larry Wheelock and Bob Jonus discussed formalizing a trail buddy system to address the issue of individuals who would like to volunteer doing trail maintenance, but for varying reasons, (such as security concerns, desiring camaraderie and needing transportation), do not wish to work on the trails alone.  The Trail Conference would send out postcards inviting current maintainers who might be interested in sponsoring a new maintainer and also inviting new volunteers who would like to maintain a trail with a buddy.  The Trail Conference would then initiate the contact between individuals who have indicated their interest in working in a team to maintain a trail.  Sandy Parr raised his concern regarding the importance of having a designated primary maintainer who would be responsible for ensuring the trail is adequately maintained and would also be responsible for the reporting.  To avoid any appearance that the program is a dating service, Walt Daniels recommended using a different name. It was also pointed out that our agency contacts are referred to as "partners" and that could cause some confusion. Jane Daniels provided "Trail Buddy" as a proposed name.  The final conclusion was to set up the program with a primary person as the designated maintainer with a trail buddy.

14. American Trails, Training Opportunities.  American Trails is an organization promoting and supporting multi-use trails.  They have an extensive list of groups and individuals who build trails.  They also have information on ADA accessible standards. This is a possible source of instructors for the Trail Conference, plus there are opportunities for the Trail Conference to provide instructors for other workshops. The Trail Conference can post workshops on their calendar. 

Jane Daniels asked if we might want to list our workshops on their website.  More information about the organization was requested.  Ellen Cronan suggested that the website address be listed in minutes for Trails Council members to review the site. www.americantrails.org.   Additional discussion to occur at the February meeting.

15. Trail Vacancies.  The reminder was provided that we need to report vacancies as they occur.  Supervisors are to indicate vacancies in their reports. Josh can then update the database records and determine if there is an interested person who might fill the vacancy. The reminder was also provided that supervisors can request a list of their maintainers. 
Walt Daniels indicated that the Trail Conference has a number of maintainers whose memberships have expired.  Jane Daniels provided the reminder that it is Trail Conference policy that anyone who represents the Trail Conference must be a member.  Membership is also necessary to ensure the volunteers are eligible for insurance coverage.
Discussion continued to remind supervisors to provide the Trail Conference with a list of those maintainers eligible for the 5-year rocker and 10-year rocker.  (This also is needed from Crew Chiefs for trail crewmembers eligible for the patches. It was asked how many trips constitute a year.)
It was noted that all years of service should be counted even if the individual changed locations. Issues were raised regarding tracking when folks move from location to location: Jane Daniels and Larry Wheelock commented that these tracking issues point to the importance of maintaining the database, which can only be done through proper reporting to the Trail Conference office. 
Ellen Cronan requested that a clarification of the process for maintainer patches be provided at the next meeting.  
Walt Daniels and Larry Wheelock committed to providing updated maintainer lists to everyone showing what is currently in the database. 
Jane Daniels agreed to providing samples of forms showing the Trail Conference needs from supervisors and what the Trail Conference provides back. 
John Moran commented that providing recognition is very important.
Walt Daniels commented that the Trail Conference also needs patches for 15, 20 and 30 years of service.
Chris Connolly commented that new supervisors are not necessarily aware of the patches.
Jane Daniels concluded the discussion by stating that housekeeping chores will be further discussed in next meeting and suggested that supervisors be encouraged to attend the meeting.

16. Volunteer Opportunities.  Jane Daniels reminded the Trails Council that the Trail Conference will be hosting the ATC conference in July 2007, and that between 50 and 60 volunteers are needed.  Volunteer opportunities include leading hikes and excursions, and being on sections of designated trails to provide information during hikes.  Additionally, six individuals are needed for a steering committee to come up with workshop suggestions, and volunteers are needed to run the workshops.

17. Trail Council Chair Needed.  Jane Daniels asked for someone to volunteer to act as Chair for next Trails Council meeting.

18. Ineffective Blazing Technique.  Ellen Cronan provided an example of a trail blazing technique that didn’t work. The maintainer cut up a plastic container and painted it with the blaze color, but the paint peeled off.

19. Acknowledgements. Jane Daniels offered her sincere thanks to the Trails Council members and wished all a happy holiday season.  She suggested that Trails Council leadership offer thanks to the volunteers and reminded all that volunteer week is in April.

Gary Hoagland acknowledged Bob Moss, chair and supervisor of the Highlands Trail, for the many years of service he has provided.  He indicated that Bob Moss will be stepping down as the Chair and Supervisor.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

                                Respectfully submitted,

                                Denise Vitale
                                Substituting for Daniel D. Chazin,
Secretary

V3 Last updated: January 27, 2006   Copyright © 1996-2008  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.