Present: Eric O., Chris H., Bill B., Steve G., Jim R., Carol Anne B., Nina, Carol B., Sandy C., Kim J., Steve J., Ron
Outgoing Officers Report:
Bill B- Introductions, agenda for meeting
Steve C- Absent
Chris H., Outgoing Treasurer- Ending checking balance 8022.62.
Eric O., Outgoing Secretary- Update on current membership, 44 members. Reviewed the current slate of candidates.
Old Business:
Bunker Project: Review of Eagle Scout Project for new members. The Scouts have made tremendous progress over the past 2 years and will be finishing the project this spring / summer.
POW Wow - Jim Rose thought this would be a good thing to have at the park. Cost would be around $2000. We may be able to obtain matching funds. Carol Anne suggested trying to get vendors to come in and sell items or try to get a food vendor to come in. Jim will try to get more specifics about cost and ways this could be a fundraiser for FOW.
Friends of the Park Day - Maybe the Pow Wow could replace this Park Day that was previously discussed. We don’t want to overextend ourselves with too many events. Better to do one or two well.
Landmine Route - New course route proposed and need an alternative way of putting down arrows. Either chalk spray paint or some type of laminated / vinyl arrows.
Campground issues: Many picnic tables are in bad shape. Steve G. said he has been promised replacements. Possibly FOW could help purchase new tables? Steve G. feels the State should really responsible for purchasing new tables rather than us.
Jim Rose- Update on duplicating old FOW materials. Jim was able to obtain pricing on copying these materials.
New Business:
Elections: Candidates Bill Boles for President, Steve Cobble for Vice President, Eric Oddleifson for Treasurer, Alma McDermott and Carol Anne Brown for Secretary. Stump speeches were made by each candidate. Alma was unable to attend. Per a show of hands of those present, the elections results are as follows:
Bill Boles re-elected as President
Steve Cobble re-elected as Vice President
Eric Oddleifson elected as Treasurer
Alma McDermott elected as Secretary
Carol Anne Brown elected as the newly designated membership director.
Thank you to all for volunteering for FOW!
New Trail marker signs - Steve G. presented the new signs to the group. The new signs are blue with white lettering. These will be replacing all of the current trail markers. These are much more visible and should help users be able to locate their position more easily.
Jim Dillon - He is taking a step back from involvement in FOW and we are looking for kiosks stewards to stock the maps. Sandy volunteered to do the Doanne Street kiosk. Steve G. stated he and his crew could manage that one. We need more brochures. Chris will order more brochures.
Information brochures - Steve Gammon knows a person at DCR who can create layouts for new activity specific brochures. DCR can’t pay for them but all we need to do is provide content and photos Jermain Vallery in Boston DCR. We are looking forward to spearhead these brochures. Kim and Steve will do Whitney woods. Steve G. knows someone to stock the South Pleasant street entrance. Eric is in charge of the VC kiosks. Sandy and Jim will develop content for the brochures.
Membership Ideas: Ron suggested a family event like a featured walk in the summer as a membership drive. Bill is running a two hour hike on March 20 th for the Hingham Conservation Foundation to help them learn more about the park.
Park Improvements- Bill stated Wompatuck may be able to obtain significant funds for a major project this year. Steve G. suggested putting in an application for a walkway and lookout near Doanne Street in the marsh area.
Rail Trail Update: MBTA wants to bail on the rest of the building of the trail and ask DCR to finish it. Steve does not think it will ever get finished. Friends members should sent letters to their local representatives asking for this project to get finished.
Next Meeting will be February 18 th, 2008.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Outgoing Secretary Oddleifson
