EH-RTC October 2, 2017

Herb Hocberg, initially was to have talked about succession planning, was not able to come. Hank Osborn has a hands on exercise to do instead. 

Approve minutes https://www.nynjtc.org/meeting/ehrtc-April-17-2017 Hank Osborn moved for approval and Walt Daniels seconded.

Succession Planning – Hank Osborn led a hands on exercise for succession planning - What can we do to keep the work going?- handouts.  Real life examples were discussed and what options might be used.  At the end of the discussion, everyone was asked to formulate their succession plans.  See https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B15HV04lesjxYl9HYTF0Ny00Zjg for the succession planning case studies and work sheet. 

Trail Management Guide (TMG) – Jane Daniels explained what the TMG is and ways it is useful. She encouraged everyone to review it and make comments, which she demonstrated.  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RGt3vPrYIJpcebTLy87Mdpr7aETMzqZRubqK... from Headquarters 

Policy Council - John Magerlein and Fred Stern

• Trail approval process is being worked on by Walt and Fred.  Input is needed.
• The Trail Maintenance Manual is being revised by Policy Council members John Mack and Keith Schreier.
• The safety guidelines that were approved 6 months ago will be implemented over the next 24 months.
• The Trail Use Policy will be sent to the Board for approval.

News from TC HQ - Hank Osborn

• He will phone all the LTC chairs for their 2018 plans. 
• He discussed the closure of the Breakneck Trail because of  building of the new Fjord trail and the misinformation that had slipped out to the press. 

Conservation Corps is part of Americorps,  Geoff is in charge of the Taconic Crew and he

• gave some stats but not complete report since they are not finished.
• Over 100 volunteers participated this year.

Publications – Jane Daniels

• FDR State Park map was available in time for the dedication of the outlet bridge.
• East Hudson Maps are being worked on
• Westchester Map set
• Web update – Walt Daniels just moved data last week

Reports from the Region

• Yorktown Granite Knolls West has closed the trails due to construction of ball fields.
• Bayswater Trail, Far Rockaway Bob Ward.  They were able to get funding for 7 workers for month of August to redo. They worked with Rockaway Waterway Alliance and the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy stepped up to complete the task.  
•  East Hudson Trail Crew - Andrew Seirup
  • Cornish Trail involved removal of multiflora rose
  • Cedar Brook trail was a trench and they filled in with crush
• Fahnestock - Bridge Three -John Magerlein still clearing debris from Irene.
• AT - Routes 9 and 403 – Fred Stern puncheon was replaced thanks to funding by LL Bean
• AT- Miller Hill RD and Taconic Parkway –  Jim Haggett said that the 20 steps were rebuilt and became 33. The project was funded by LL Bean.  
• AT - Pawling – Dover Oak might be NYS Championship Tree; It has need preservation because it is a road where salt and compaction cause problems problem. So for Arbor Day about 8 arborists worked on tree improve its health.  The County closed the road for the day.  The arborist donated their time to trim branches, aerate the soil,  mulch around the tree, and plant natives plants.  DMATC is looking at rearranging parking to prevent soil compaction around the roots.

Round Robin

• Jane asked how the meetings could have better attendance. A suggestions was made to open the meetings and chairs are to encourage their supervisors to attend.
• The Trail Conference is hosting the AT biennial in 2020. Anyone interested parties go to ATVISTA2020.org and sign up.

  Meeting Adjourned 

 Next meeting is December 11, 2017