Jackson Pathfinders May
Meeting
Minutes
(Approved)
The monthly meeting was held on Thursday, May 18, 2003 at 8:10 PM at 85 West Veterans Highway, in the main meeting room in town hall, Jackson. Tom Stevens, Treasurer called the meeting to order and presided until 8:40 when Dawn Rakow, Chairman arrived. Other members present were Karen Borga, Recording Secretary, Ronnie Bruchez, Biking Committee Chairman, Karen Walzer, FREC Liaison, Roger Friend and Bernadette Gill.
The
April minutes were circulated and approved with additions and corrections.
Treasurer, Tom Stevens reported no $300.00 had been spent on the NJDEP bridge permit. Items pending township committee approval are as follows: $150 - lunch, National Trails Day, $50.00 - NYNJ Trails Conference membership fee and a camera case - $27.40.
Corresponding Secretary, Sarah Ralston, absent - reported no letters where written since our last meeting. A letter requesting a donation to assist in purchasing safety helmets for ranger patrol from the NYNJ Trails Conference was circulated. The group voted against making a donation.
Biking,
Ronnie Bruchez reported that 3500 flyers for the chalk art show were distributed
at the middle school. The bike rodeo that coincided with the chalk art
show had a very good turnout. 38 bicycles came through the rodeo during
the two hour event. Jackson Police Department inspected the bicycles as
well as record the serial numbers. The cone course was for the younger
children. Ron explained that the artwork done in chalk was
excellent. The group discussed making the bicycle rodeo and chalk art show
an annual event. Next year Pathfinders will work more closely with the
middle school to have our rodeo information included on the flyers.
Captain Newman was on hand during the rodeo and spoke with Ronnie and emphasized
the dangerous roads in Jackson. Captain Newman discouraged an organized
bike ride citing rider safety. The group discussed Jackson's need for an
off road bike trail. The
group discussed a letter from Heather
Mahaley of Community Grants and Planning that was received last
October.
Karen B. volunteered to follow up
with James Snyder, Director, Local Aid at the NJ Dept. of Transportation about
the bike path study.
FREC/Bowman Road, Karen Walzer explained that she received a letter expressing gratitude to Pathfinders for helping out during the Spring Festival letter from the Forest Resource Education Center. The letter invites Pathfinders to help out with the Fall Festival also. The group talked about the fun that was had last year during the moonlite hike. Karen B. volunteered to e-mail the FREC and ask if there was one being planned this year.
Wildlife Preservation, Tony Santa Maria, I gave a nestbox building demonstration at the Forestry Resource Centers' Spring Festival as well as a trail walk to show the nestboxes that have been previously installed. A Barred Owl nestbox and a Northern Flicker nestbox that were built at the festival were donated to a scout troop in Point Pleasant. A scout by the name of Grant came to my house with his father and I gave them a one hour training session on construction and installation. Another bench has been installed at the F.A. Trail in the Tall Cedars Sanctuary area. This bench proved to be the most difficult to install due to the low water table and the amount of roots in the ground. Thanks to the two bridges that Leo installed, bringing the equipment to the area was easier. On that same day a rather large mother hawk was observed with young in the nest. That was indeed a special treat. In the garden at the wildlife viewing area, we presently have the following plants growing, Foxglove, Teasel, Monkshood, Sea Holly, Hollyhock, Viola, Leeks, and Catnip. Other varieties will be planted in the near future. If anyone is interested in becoming the caretaker of this garden, I would be delighted to meet with them at the site to get them acquainted with the plants. Periodic weeding will become necessary and I sure could use some help. I hope to be able to acquire a Lilac bush that will be planted in between the feeding stations as well. I have constructed an outhouse which may serve as a proto-type for future possibilities. I am in the process of contacting composting environmental toilet companies in an effort to acquire one. Leo has seen this engineering marvel and anyone else who is interested in seeing it just has to give me a call.
Boy Scouts/Frank Applegate Road Nature Trail, Leo Kissling, Jr. absent. Dawn is working on the interpretive sign order. Dawn explained that Anthony Marano's bridge permit application is finally turned in. Dawn and the NJCF are working on a permit for the existing bridge. Ron explained that his son, Andre, would like to build a bridge way back in the cedar area of the trail as an Eagle Scout Project. Andre could create a picnic area or maybe work on another boardwalk area also. Julie from Troop 104 contacted Ron saying that her 14 year old son, Michael, needs six hours of community service work. Karen B. volunteered to contact Julie about National Trails Day, June 7th. Ron volunteered to bring the tools and supervise trail work on Sunday, May 18th. The next trail work day is scheduled for June 22nd. The group discussed the white cedar seedling planting and it was agreed to postpone that project until the necessary fencing is acquired. Dawn explained that Lisa MacCollum is ready to site visit the nature trail. Dawn asked the group if a voucher for gravel for the parking lot would be submitted.
Land Acquisition, Karen Borga reported that 115 acres near the Vista Center was acquired by Jackson Township for open space preservation. No other activity since the last meeting.
Scrapbook, Lauren & Alyson Stevens (absent) reported that the delay in getting digital photos printed is holding up their additions to the scrapbook. Roger Friend volunteered to print some photos and the group agreed to purchase printing supplies for Roger's printer.
Jackson Day, Bernadette Gill, reminded the group that Jackson Day is scheduled for Saturday, September 20. The group discussed promoting Pathfinders participation on the Pathfinders website. The group agreed to give t-shirts to parade participants. Bernadette will be submitting the permission papers to town hall in a timely fashion. Bernadette suggested making a collage of the NJCF Frank Applegate Road Nature Trail for display at Pathfinders information booth.
National Trails Day, Karen Borga, reminded the group that Saturday, June 7th is National Trails Day and Pathfinders has scheduled their own event at the Bunker Hill Bogs trail area from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. Posters from the American Hiking Society who organize National Trails Day were circulated. Karen B. volunteered to contact Sergio, Director of Public Works to request a dumpster and a porta-potti. Karen W. and Dawn volunteered to order and pick-up refreshments.
Discussions, Tom Stevens has been working with Bob Gordon and the Pathfinders t-shirt design is nearing completion. The group hopes to have the t-shirts in time for National Trails Day.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Submitted by Karen Borga, Recording Secretary