Minutes 6/7/2007

DRAFT Minutes
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
Trails Council
June 7, 2007

The Council was called to order at 6:30PM. 

Attending were:
Estelle Anderson, Jill Arbuckle, Chris Connolly, Jim Canfield, Ellen Cronan
Monica Day, Jack Driller, Donna Fichter,  Jakob Franke, Jim Gebhard , Sue Godar, Bob Gonzales, Lizbeth Gonzalez,  Josie Gray, Joe Gindoff, Pete Heckler, Bob Jonas, Mary Ellen Kazar, Peter Kohlberger, Ron Luna, John Mack, Bob Marshall , John Moran, Gail Neffinger, Glenn Oleksak,  Pat O’Connor, Sandy Parr,  Trudy Schneider , Manny Silberberg , Ollie Simpson, Brian Sniatkowski , Denise Vitale, Bob Ward, Larry Wheelock,
Ed Goodell, Executive Director

Introductions
Mary Ellen Kazar will be taking minutes
Donna Fichter will be with Josie Gray, Assistant Supervisor for the Hudson Highlands
Sue Godar & Pat O’Connor will be Co-Supervisors for the High Mountain area of the Central Jersey region.
We went around the room and everyone introduced themselves.

Announcements
Ramapo 2007, from7/13-7/20, at Ramapo College; featuring workshops, hikes, excursions and entertainment.
Anticipate 800-1,000 attendees from across the country.
Hikes limited to 25 hikers. Additional hike leaders are needed. If interested, register on-line at www.ramapo2007.org.
3-4 excursion leaders are needed. If interested e mail Jim Canfield.
There will be a silent auction on the first day of the event.
Donations are requested; call Barbara Kohlberger at 845-986-6976 to arrange for date and time for submitting donations.
Ed Goodell, Executive Director, suggested solicitations from vendors, name will be put in the program.

Ed Goodell, Trail Conference Executive Director, discussed the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and their new Executive Director, Jim Hall. Ed mentioned that at the next Delegates Meeting at Ross Dock, Jim Hall would be the featured speaker.  Check the web site or call the front desk of the Trail Conference for info.

Ed Goodell provided the Darlington School House Update. A mix of both private/public funds and The Trail Conference to restore the structure. The Board stipulated restoration fundraising from others than the Trail Conference fundraising channels; it is felt the money will come from the community.

Ed Goodell noted that over the past several years the Trail Conference has taken
on paid trail work special projects with paid leaders assisted by volunteers. Discussion ensued.  The Board has appointed a committee to review the business plan prior to the August meeting.  Information will be forthcoming.  Peter Heckler noted the importance of telling the Trail Conference your views favorable or otherwise.

Pete Heckler reported that he met The NJ Conservation Foundation Board of Director’s Chair at the Grand Opening of their Apshawa Preserve. At that event they expressed an interest in becoming a TC organization member and in developing a working relationship.

Larry Wheelock reminded those present that the Biannual Maintainer Report Forms are due in to the Supervisors by the end of June and the Supervisors Summary reports to the Trails Chairs by 7/15.  There was nearly 100% compliance with returning the Supervisors Maintainer Summary forms for the last reporting season. This has resulted in a significant improvement in the data accuracy of our records. Ed Goodell noted the data has and will continue to be
used to make improvements in the data base.


Approval of 4/5/07 minutes

Moved by Sandy Parr, seconded by Bob Jonas approved unanimously with the following corrections: The Council approved unanimously a short "extension of an existing trail" called Sweet Gum which crosses Route 9 at the Palisades Interstate Park in NJ.

Additions to the agenda
None

Trail Approvals

Iron Belt, NJ.  Larry Wheelock initiated discussion of this 30 mile trail located in north central NJ, Sussex Co. A review of the map reveals the trail is mostly on public lands. Malcolm Spector is expected to request approvals for the first sections to be built along the north portion of the trail by the August Council meeting. Questions included potential ATV issues and road crossing safety issues from traffic on RT 23.
Indian Rock Trail Brian Sniatkowski proposed this existing trail which has already been blazed by locals mostly on Wanaque Township land, NJ. The State Park staff has given approval for the portion on State land.  As it is on municipal land, the town Administrator will present to the Town Council. Discussion ensued. With our help, this trail will be brought up to Trail Conference standards.
Peter Heckler proposed approval of the Wanaque Ridge Trail, also partly in Wanague Township and adjoining the previously mentioned Indian Rock Trial.  He reviewed the 3.1 mile trail with the aid of a map. The State Park staff is in favor.  It was noted that Wood Turtle habitat need not be threatened because the trail will use existing trails and woods roads. This will create a 9.1 mile loop with the proposed Indian Rock Trail.  Some questions surrounded potential mountain bike traffic and keeping the Ridgewood portion for foot traffic only.
Proposal for both trails accepted unanimously. The portions of both trails on Township land will require approval from the Board of Directors and will be presented to them on June 26th.

New Business

Larry Wheelock told Chairs, Crew Chiefs and Supervisors to make sure they have copy of a new procedural document entitled: Guidelines and Procedures for Funding All Aspects of Trail Work. This 4 page document reviews how to go about funding trail projects.  It spells out sources for funding and getting reimbursed as well as how this fits into the  Annual Plan and Budget Process beginning in June.
Denise suggested a process for volunteers to get credit for donations on their personal taxes. It was pointed out that the Volunteer Expense Form has a provision for indicating donations and when copied to the office becomes a record of the donation and hence a tax exempt item.
Forms linked to the above mentioned procedure will be available on–line. All the documents will become part of the Trail Management Guide. Larry is looking for comments on the forms.

Ed Goodell discussed the Plan and Budget process.  In the last 6 years the budget has udergone changes. Formal planning, done by committee, is important to determine money needed.  The importance of planning now, versus finding mid-year the need for money for a project that may not get funded.
Grants can roll over from year to year.
By attaching a funding source to the project proposal, there is a better chance of getting the proposal passed.

There are 3 routes for funding:

1. Landowner should pay for projects, equipment and tools with the Trail Conference supplying labor.
2. Trail Conference may offer to work cooperatively with the land owner to seek funding
3. The last choice is to have the Trail Conference pay for the project.

The Trail Conference does not have money in the budget to pay for “major projects”
The landowner/agency can provide assistance in pushing grants thru and in getting political endorsements.

Permits should be supplied by the landowner.
Ed Goodell noted his staff needs to have their budgets to him by Aug 1, 2007.
Larry needs the first draft (the “planning” section), of the Trails Council part of the plan and budget to him by the end off June

A discussion was held about a Trail Design Certification Program proposal. This would provide a process by which people could gain, through training and experience, the skills to design new trail and become “certified” once they have reached adequate skill levels. It could also be used as a mentoring program.
Comments from the group included:
            Is it related to offering expertise to municipalities?
            ADA trails
            A couple of people pointed out that there could be legal issues involving     the use of        “certification” in this context.
What will happen if we do not develop standards?
            Guidelines vs. Standards
            Alternate approach thru Ramapo College as a curriculum based course.

Old Business

Brian Sniatkowski propose that a new trail connecting the Castle Point Trail to the Hoeferlin Memorial Trail, approved at the last Council meeting, be defined as a separate trail and not an extension of the Castle Point. This would reduce confusion by those using the Cannonball Trail for bike traffic and keeping the Ringwood portion for foot traffic only. This multi-use trail has been approved by the park management. If the Park approves it will be named the Skyline Trail.  The Council agreed unanimously.

Jack Driller updated the group on the Old Red Trail. He noted that the trail was approved by the Park as a continuation of the Hillburn-Torne-Sebago Trail, with orange blazes. No Trails Council action was required as this trail extension was approved in the prior meeting. 
Discussion ensued.
A maintainer has been named.

Peter Heckler adjourned the meeting at 8:40PM

V3 Last updated: July 26, 2007   Copyright © 1996-2008  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.