Pathfinders Meeting Minutes January 15,2004  Jackson Township Municipal Building

Vice Chairperson, Tony Santa Maria, called the meeting to order at 8:05pm. 

In attendance: Tony Santa Maria, Tom Stevens, Dawn Rakow, Barbara Usack and Leo Kissling Jr. and Patricia Stevens

Announcement of new officers for 2004:

Chairlady: Karen Borga, Vice Chairman: Tony Santa Maria, Treasurer: Tom Stevens, Corresponding Secretary: Sarah Ralston.

Treasurer’s report: Tom Stevens: Proposed budget for 2004 for $5000 was discussed and voted on for presentation to Jackson Township. See attachment.

Spending items discussed were stone paving and a split rail fence for the parking lot at the NJCF trail on Frank Applegate Road, a portable generator for trail work, loading ramps for equipment, a device for monitoring vernal ponds, the NJCF conservation rally in March, and the use of grant money received from Wal-Mart for trail signs.

Corresponding secretary report: Sarah Ralston: absent, No new correspondence.

The meeting minutes of December 2003 were approved.

Mapping report, Tom Stevens: New property of 83.24 acres was added to the big map showing block 10, lot 62.04 along rt 571 to be acquired by the OCNLT. Research is continuing on identifying Township owned properties and adding them to the map. A new map of the NJCF trail at Frank Applegate Rd. is being made showing the location of the owl and other nest boxes as well as the vernal ponds.

Wildlife Committee report, Tony Santa Maria: A Barred Owl nest box has been installed on the property of Mike and Cathy Carroll who reside on Whitlock Ave. in Jackson. The entire installation process was documented by Mike Carroll and then applied to the front page of his website. There are a total of 27 photos that may be observed by going to www.druidlabs.com. Mike also sent me a letter expressing his appreciation and their desire to make a contribution to the Pathfinders organization.
B & R Land Improvements has nearly completed the woodchip dispersal project. The alternate telephone pole bridge has been dismantled, removed, and replaced with a small foot bridge (temporary) wide enough for our wheelbarrows. Woodchips will have to be manually moved from now on. A Barred Owl nest box has been installed near the Tall Cedars Sanctuary area on the F.A. Trail. Photos were taken by the Asbury Park Press and are scheduled for Thurs. the 15th edition. We now have irrefutable proof that the Barred Owl restoration project is a success. While cleaning out one of the nest boxes, I discovered numerous baby owl feathers as well as some feathers from the mother owl. I have 2 feathers in hand and another " in my cap" so to speak. This is the original motivation for my becoming a member of the Pathfinders in the first place and I am very excited about this triumph. I would personally like to thank all those individuals who have assisted me and supported this project. 2004 is the year that the 17-year Cicadas emerge from the soil to mate. We will have an unusually loud late spring / summer period and perhaps damage done to young trees due to the egg laying process

Forestry Education Center report, Karen Walzer: The date for the Spring Conservation Day at FREC is Saturday, April 17.  I e-mailed the general Pathfinders press release to Linda Nardo, and she'll submit it again to the local papers and cablevision. One suggestion for spending:  a display board to use at Jackson Day, the two FREC days, and any other presentations.  Prices at Staples go from $180 to $260. 

NJCF Frank Applegate Trail, Dawn Rakow: Anthony Morano may not build the footbridge as an Eagle Scout project as planned.

Boy Scout Projects, Leo Kissling, Jr.: the Bridge at NJCF trail will be built either by pathfinder volunteers or by another eagle scout. The Venture Committee group may do a boardwalk project or build stairs up the hill.

Biking: Ronnie Bruchez – No report

Membership, Barbara Usack: One new member has been added.

Grants: - Dawn Rakow & Karen Walzer: no activity at this time. 

Land Acquisition, Karen Borga: no report

Scrap Book, Lauren & Alyson Stevens: New Pictures and an article about Land preservation from the Dec. 14. 2003 Asbury Park Press was added.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.

Minutes submitted by Patricia Stevens