EH - RTC December 9, 2019

5:45p.m.  Networking and dinner

6:15 p.m. Meeting

Attendees: Mary Ayers, Kendra Baumer, Marilyn Blaho, Rose Bonanno, Geof Connor, Jane Daniels, Walt Daniels, Mary Dodds, Gary Haugland, John Magerlein, Hank Osborn, Michael Pashley, Martha Rabson, Ron Rosen, Andrew Sierup, Olivia Sohn, Connie Stern, Fred Stern

Introductions

As this meeting is Jane’s final as she transitions out of her leadership role, she began by turning proceedings over to Michael Pashley to begin his new role as EH-RTC chair.  Those present then introduced themselves.

No additions were made to the agenda.  No changes were made to minutes of our last meeting.

Announcements

Attendees were asked to add their travel time to the attendance sheet for Headquarters information.

Ron Rosen announced that the dates for the A.T. Vista at SUNY New Paltz will be August 6-9, 2021, hosted by NYNJTC who last hosted in 1983 with 900 guests. Ron asked for volunteers to help make the event a success by going to ATVista.org for information.

News from Headquarters

• Jane announced that reporting season is now upon us. Reports of work done from July to November are due to Local Trail Chairs (Rose, Andrew, Donna, Gary) by Dec. 22.  New forms are now posted. All are requested to use decimals not fractions for hour stats.  See TC website for detailed information on reporting forms.
• Kendra Baumer introduced Olivia Sohn, new Volunteer Engagement Assistant.  She also reported the new TC policy which allows volunteers to participate without having to join the Trail Conference.  As for insurance coverage, active volunteer status should be verified.  Kendra also discussed current social events which now take place at Headquarters and asked for opinions on whether we use them but consensus was that it was a long trip for an evening.
• Roving Trail Teams are now in use.  Interested volunteers sign up on TC website.  Lists can then be accessed if additional volunteers are needed for a project.  Jane and Walt have used some volunteers successfully.  Supervisors are encouraged to inform ad hoc volunteers what they can expect to be doing when accessed.
• Walt Daniels reported on the necessity to report all trail changes on the forms provided on the TC website.  Some changes in the past were not reported and subsequently did not appear on new maps.  Process includes getting approval of land managers before changes made, and then filling out report forms for TC approval.
• John Magerlein, EH rep to TC Policy Council, announced that the new maintenance manual version is now available on line only.  It now includes changes such as referencing power tool use, new reporting forms and updated policies.

 Reports from the Region

• Fred Stern reported that temporary trail reroutes at Sugar Loaf Mountain after recent fire have been put in place.
• Michael Pashley presented a new spread sheet form available in Google docs which is designed for reporting blowdowns and noting progress for sawyers.  Maintainers can now report finding blowdowns and their location so that sawyers can scan the list and schedule removal.
• An EH representative to the TC Policy Council is needed.
• Plans are now under way for the TC Centennial celebration.  Jane suggested EH include 2 events, one of which could be a hike on the original trail.

Accomplishments and Activities

• Jane reported for Donna Chapman’s recent participation in regional activities representing the AT region, including National Public Lands Day and working with the Hudson Valley AT Committee in greeting AT enthusiasts at the Pawling train stop.  Donna has also initiated an all women trail crew in her area.
• Jane reported repairs and advances in Sylvan Glen and Granite Knolls including the building of puncheon and a new bridge.
• Rose Bonanno, Westchester Chair, reported that work has progressed in many parks, including Leon Levy, WPRR, Hunt Parker Preserve, and Ridge Road Park. A Trail Maintenance 101 class for volunteer members of the Larchmont Temple congregation was led by Rose, Connie and Fred and held at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale.
• Connie Stern reported on this year’s volunteer corporate days of service.    She detailed the progress from finding a company whose employees wish to volunteer, to finding a park, planning projects and funding them then providing supervisors and tools to get the jobs done.
• Geof Connor showed the revitalizing and formalizing of a new trail along a very scenic brook at Mountain Lakes Park, extension of the Old Sib (OS) Trail, named after a local road. The park supervisor had asked for this project which included clearing and blazing.
• Jane announced that new TC maps which include Teatown, WPRR and Rockefeller are at the printer.

Presentation

Jane showed “A Photographic Walk in Westchester”,  a slideshow of photos taken for possible use in the new edition of Walkable Westchester.

Next Meeting

Michael proposed that we continue with three meetings plus a picnic for 2020.  Dates for these meetings will be announced later,

Our thanks to Jane for all she does

After our business discussions were complete, Hank thanked Jane for her years of service in heading EH-RTC and a very well-deserved round of applause followed.