Jackson Pathfinders Monthly Meeting                                January Meeting Minutes   (approved)

The monthly meeting was held on Thursday, January 16, 2003  at 8:06 PM at 209 West Veterans Highway, Jackson. 
Dawn Rakow, Chairman presided. Members present were Karen Borga, Recording Secretary,  Sarah Ralston, Corresponding Secretary, Tom Stevens, Treasurer, Ronnie Bruchez, Leo Kissling, Jr., Barbara Usack and Karen Walzer.

The December minutes were circulated and approved.  

Treasurer, Tom Stevens reported the following amounts for new spending:  $279.70, wild bird and animal feed, $218.00, two dual wheeled wheelbarrows, $242.00, miscellaneous hardware for birdhouse construction, benches and hand tools, $450.00 aprx., Sony Digital Camera, and $180.00 aprx., four Cobra-950 GMRS two way handheld radios.  Amounts as follows are pending approval $900.00, 150 Pathfinder t-shirts and $780.00 aprx., power tools.  Tom explained that Pathfinders may be over 2002 budget and a small amount may be charged to 2003.

Corresponding Secretary, Sarah Ralston distributed copies of Jackson Township's resolution # 029R-03, the re-establishment of Jackson Pathfinders and appointment of 2003 board members. The township committee unanimously approved our resolution.  Sarah read Bernadette Gill's letter.  Bernadette resigned as Vice-Chairperson, but states that she would like to remain an active member.   An e-mail from the Land Trust Alliance's Mid-Atlantic program telling Pathfinders about an upcoming seminar entitled Mutual Gains Negotiation for Land Trusts: Fundamental Skills was circulated.  The seminar  will be held in Charlottesville, Virginia, January 24th.  A post card from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation about their Seventh Annual Land Conservation Rally was circulated.  The rally is scheduled for Saturday, March 29th.

Membership: Barbara Usack circulated a sixty member list that she has compiled since our last meeting.  The list contained names, mailing addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Barbara explained that she has not received additional on-line members since the last meeting.  

Wildlife Preservation: Tony Santa Maria (absent) submitted the following report:  A form has been developed to assist in the monitoring process of the Owl Nest boxes and all website inquiries are being routed to my e-mail address pertaining to that process. I have begun cleaning out and replacing bedding material in currently installed nest boxes. This process will be completed before the start of nesting season in February. Bird seed and deer feed have been acquired from Hillbilly Haven Feed Supply and all feeders will be kept active until the feed runs out. I am pleased to say that the wildlife in and around the viewing area have been dining sumptuously and a wide variety of species have been observed. If you walk quietly into the area you will increase your success of sneaking a peek at what abounds in the area. Otherwise, just sit quietly on the back bench and within 15 minutes many birds will be observed. Happy viewing!

Biking: Ronnie Bruchez circulated a letter he had written to Howard Johnson School Principal, Barry Rosenzweig.  Ronnie's letter was to confirm Pathfinders has permission to use the Johnson School parking lot Saturday, April 26 during our 28 mile bike ride. Ronnie explained that he completed the school permit.  Ronnie is going to meet with Captain Newman of the Jackson Police Dept. and a traffic safety officer to review the bike route.   Two safety officers will be available to hold a bicycle safety class.  Mayor Kafton is making an inquiry to the township attorney regarding Pathfinders involvement of a benefit event.  Dawn Rakow spoke with Suzanne Rogalsky of the Jackson Women of Today.  Suzanne said JWOT will work with Pathfinders on the bike ride planning to benefit the Jackson food pantry.  The group discussed various methods for fundraising.  The group agreed to give a Pathfinders t-shirt to each bike ride participant.  Refreshments and the types to have available at the rest areas were discussed.  Patriot's Park will be the 16 mile rest stop.  Sarah Ralston suggested having several refreshment stations along the route.  As soon as all the details are finalized Barbara Usack will make up a flyer for the bike ride.

Hiking:  Jim Doyle (absent) reported there was no hiking activity since the last meeting.

Boy Scout Projects: Leo Kissling, Jr. explained that the inclement weather and cold temperatures lately have hindered scout projects.  Leo is still working on the stream encroachment permit.  Leo explained that there are still lots of scout projects to be completed.  Dawn Rakow explained that she received a message from Anthony Marano.  Anthony's message was to request a speaker from Pathfinders come to his Boy Scout meeting February 10th.  Leo volunteered.

Website:  George Nebel & Fred Gan (absent) reported that the back-up method for our website is being reviewed.  Pathfinders website is being constantly updated with additions of photos from events and posting of new information.  The website is also current as old information is taken down in a timely fashion.

Frank Applegate Nature Trail:  Steve Usack is giving Pathfinders some decking material for trail improvements. The group reviewed goals for Sunday's trail workday.  Leo briefly discussed the various areas of the trail that still need work.  Trail widening and boardwalks are still planned.  Tom Stevens explained that the floating/anchoring system he and Tony Santa Maria installed for the boardwalk is working well.  Leo volunteered to make a sturdy sign = FREE WOODCHIPS  and  NO DUMPING.  Dawn and Leo reviewed paperwork and samples for plant and tree identification signs.  Tom explained that the usually nice and grassy area just past the existing bridge was flooded after the December heavy rain.  The group discussed changing the trail route to avoid this area.   The group decided to meet Sunday morning at the trail as planned in spite of the frigid temperatures being forecasted.

Johnson Park: Sam Wimmer (absent) Karen Borga will contact Roger Friend about the paperwork he received from Tom to be posted in our trailhead sign at Johnson Park.  Leo explained that the Plexiglas has been vandalized and needs replacing.

Grants: Dawn Rakow reported no activity since the last meeting.  

Bowman Road/Forest Resource Education Center: Karen Walzer circulated a flyer from the Forest Resource Education Center about their upcoming Spring Conservation Day, Saturday, April 5th, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, rain or shine.  Karen W. explained how much progress the forestry personnel have made on their new center.  The forestry group has been transplanting the gardens from the old office area to the new center area.  The forestry center has two new trails completed.  One new trail goes along the river and is named yellow trail and the other trail goes along some of the wetlands to the Maple Sugar Shack.

Mapping:  Tom Stevens discussed future mapping outings.  One outing will be planned to map a trail near Bowman Road to Hope Chapel Road and another outing to map a trail around the recreation center nearby Don Connor Boulevard.  Tom discussed that he will update the current trail maps before getting more copies printed.  Tom suggested adding more photos to the Pathfinders website map pages.  These photos would be a click from the individual map page showing things to see on that particular map page.  Go to http://www.jacksonpathfinders.org/pages/trails/1forestry.htm  and click "things to see" to look at photos at the Forest Resource Education Center.

Land Acquisition: Karen Borga reported no activity since the last meeting.

Publicity: Roger Downing (absent) reports that he has been working on our newsletter as time permits.

Scrapbook: Alison & Lauren Stevens (absent) report no additions since last meeting.

Discussions:    Leo Kissling, Jr. was appointed Vice-Chairperson for 2003.   
The group agreed to participate in National Trails Day, June 7th and if the timing of the conveyance of the property to Jackson township will be in advance of this date this year's event will be held along the Bogs to Johnson Park trail.
The Jackson Township Recreation Commission held their reorganization meeting, January 6th.  At this meeting, the recreation commission requested that all recreation organizations attend their next public meeting, February 3rd, 7:30 pm in town hall and bring a "wish list."

The next monthly meeting is scheduled for February 20, 2003.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm.          Submitted by Karen Borga, Recording Secretary