West Hudson – Regional Trails Council Agenda
6:30 – 8:30 pm, February 21, 2018
Mahwah, NJ
6 PM to 6:30 PM – Food & Social Mingling
6:30 PM – Distribution of this Agenda & Formal Meeting Starts
- Welcome by RTC Chair- Richard Jobsky (RJ) + intros around the table
- Approve minutes of previous meeting - All
- RTC perspectives – RJ
- Update on TC Website Fixes – Will Smith (or Soña Mason)
- Distribute & comment on, Org Chart & Contact List – RJ
- Presentation by new Volunteer & Staff Engagement Mgr – Kendra Baumer
- Presentation by new Invasives Program Educator– Eric Stone
- Presentation by Policy Council Chair – John Magerlein
- Appoint RTC Policy Council Rep - RJ
- Presentation by Board Member – Patsy Wooters
- Go around the table for mostly informal, brief updates on activities and 2018 plans – John Mack & others
- Future Advocacy Roundtables and Kiryas Joel update –Soña Mason
- Discuss date, budget planning goals & time for next meeting; appoint food rep - RJ
- Adjourn meeting (Goal: 8:30 – 9 PM)
WH RTC October 25, 2017
Present: Joel Pinsker, Rich Jobsky, John Mack, Andy Garrison, Thom Patton, Chris Reyling, Hope Rogers, Tom Hennigan, Patsy Wooters, Patty Lee Parmalee, Josh Howard, Jeff Raskin, Bob Schuster, Sona Mason, Michael Fuhrman
6:30
Sona Mason opened the meeting. She announced that Bob Fuller resigned as Chair of the RTC and wished him well.
6:33
She turned the floor over to Bob Schuster, Executive Director, Black Rock Forest Consortium began his presentation on deer herd population. He informed us that the herd population is exactly where they want it at present.
7:10 Bill concluded his presentation and invited us to volunteer for the pellet count in the spring.
7:10 Sona asked for any remarks on the minutes of the August 16 meeting. John Mack made a motion to approve, it was seconded, and minutes were approved.
7:12
Geoff Hamilton gave an update on Americorp/Conservation Corp hours worked and achievements on Bear Mountain and Sterling Forest.
Sterling Forest: 2 miles new trails, 15 trees cleared, 5490 feet of side hill, 262 square feet crib wall, 1 puncheon bridge, 2 stone bridges, 3170 feet of revegetation.
165 volunteers
884 volunteer hours
12 crew members
6975 crew hours
Bear Mountain: 474 feet of new trail, 121 stairs, 339 square feet of crib wall, 3170 feet of revegetation
202 volunteers
2118 volunteer hours
7 crew members
6183 crew hours
7:16
Chris Reyling talked about the Seely Brook Bridge Project at Goosepond Mountain State Park. The bridge is 39 feet long and 18 feet long. Chris and Marty Costello made a video of the work and presented that to the group. They poured 25 tons of concrete to repair the bridge.
7:35
Sona opened the round table discussion about budgeting for next year. Her questions focused on “what are you most proud of”, “what are you focusing on next year”, “in a perfect world what would you like to have”.
Topics discussed included raising public awareness, tabling activities, engaging public to understand the NYNJTC maintains the trails, not the parks. Other topics included ideas about trail ambassadors and how to get them to commit to an activity that benefits the conference.
8:40
New business.
The volunteer award nominations are approaching. The deadline for nominations is November 21.
The Trail Walker is looking for any items we want to share. The deadline for these items is October 30.
Next meeting is February 7, 2018.
8:45
The meeting adjourned.