Jackson Pathfinders Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting was held on Thursday, December 11, 2003, at 8:05 PM in the Employee Lounge, Jackson Municipal Building. Dawn Rakow, Chairperson, presided. Members present were Karen Borga, Recording Secretary, Karen Walzer, Ronnie Bruchez, Tom Stevens, Treasurer, Pat Stevens, Alyson Stevens, Barbara and Steve Usack. Guests in attendance were William and Karen Riley.

Dawn Rakow briefly explained Pathfinders goals and described some of the group's recent activities. William and Karen Riley explained that they are from the New Egypt Department of Environmental Protection. Karen and William said that New Eqypt is interested in starting their own trails group.

Treasurer, Tom Stevens submitted his report and the 2004 budget was discussed. Tom asked the group for suggestions for proposed spending. New spending as follows: $280 wild bird seed, $184 Home Depot, $39.90 memory stick for digital camera and $950 B & R Land Improvement (NJCF Frank Applegate Nature Trail Work). Items pending approval as follows: $190 new brochures, $150 map sets, $896.25 DR mower/trimmer.

Corresponding Secretary, Sarah Ralston was absent. No letters were written since the last meeting.

Wildlife Preservation: Tony Santa Maria was absent but submitted the following report:

I would first like to extend my best wishes for the holiday and my regrets for not being able to attend the social. Happy Holidays to you and all your significant others!

A Northern Flicker Woodpecker nestbox has been installed at the Forestry Center bringing the total to 13 various nestboxes.

When B&R Land Imp. got started on the woodchip project I had high hopes for a speedy completion of our goal, but B & R was able to only work one day. Some progress has been made and I will keep in touch with B & R and remind him of our January 11th upcoming workday.

I am currently listing the nestbox locations on the F.A. Trail map. Once I have a hard copy, I will need some assistance with updating our website map of the trail. I will also be including the locations of each bench and the viewing area as well.

Membership: Barbara Usack explained her plans to make more telephone calls in the New Year to update our membership list.

NJCF Frank Applegate Road Nature Trail / Boy Scouts Projects: Ron Bruchez described how wet the Frank Applegate trail is right now. Ron also described some ruts that will need attention from the heavy equipment that has been moving the woodchips.

Land Acquisition: Karen Borga explained there has been no activity since our last meeting. Karen Borga volunteered to complete the 2004 Recreational Trails Program Grant Application. The deadline is December 17, 2003.

Elections:
Karen Borga = Chairperson, Tony Santa Maria =Vice-Chairperson, Tom Stevens = Treasurer, Sarah Ralston = Corresponding Secretary, Pat Stevens = Recording Secretary.
Committee chairmen as follows: KarenWalzer = FREC liaison, Barbara Usack = Membership, Ronnie Bruchez = Biking, Dawn Rakow = Frank Applegate Nature Trail, Leo Kissling = Boy Scouts Projects, Tony Santa Maria = Wildlife Preservation, Karen Walzer & Dawn Rakow = Adopt A Trail & Grants, Tom Stevens = Mapping, Karen Borga = Land Acquisition.

Discussions:
The group agreed to continue meeting on the third Thursday of the month in the main meeting room except for December when the meeting will be a holiday social, in the employee lounge on the second Thursday. Karen Borga volunteered to submit the 2004 meeting list to the township clerk's office.
Karen Borga reminded the group to attend Jackson Township's reorganization meeting New Year's Day.
Dawn Rakow circulated a post card from the American Hiking Society. National Trails Day is planned for June 5, 2004. A volunteer is needed to chair this Pathfinders event.

The next monthly meeting will be held January 15, 2004 at 8:00PM in the Jackson Municipal Building.