10 Present: Bill B.(President), Alma M. (Secretary), Steve G., Sandy C., Jim R.(Newsletter), Carl C., Jane G., Vicky S. (Webmistress), Steve C. (Vice President), Eleanor K.(Quest Group)

1) Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer is absent; however, but reported through Bill that our balance is the same as last month. He has paid for the FOW brochure, and we have four new members.

2) Trail Care event

Steve C. reported that Sunday, March 16 th will be our Trail Care event at 8:30 in the parking lot, which will end around 12:00 with pizza. We will try to clean up the winter debris, and cut back some of the briars that encroach upon the trails. We would like to have a crew on bikes to cover more area; however, it is too cold to have plantings in the gatehouse boxes. We will split into walking and riding groups. If you have hand tools, bring them along with gloves.

We have the NEMBA sign in sheets, but need to get the Wompatuck ones, so Steve G. will get them to Steve C. Our next trail care day is scheduled for May 17 th. Steve G. said that Paul will have a chain saw to help us, and has a few areas on which he’d like us to concentrate. Each group should take a map and mark what was done, then get the results to him. Steve C. will buy some tools this week, and also applied for a NEMBA trail grant to apply towards them. Eventually, we will build up tools to keep at Wompatuck in a locked box.

REI and a scout troop will be joining us. NEMBA members will have their names entered into a drawing to win a mountain bike.

3) Hingham Land Conservation Trust Hike

Bill reported that due to cold weather, the hike has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 29 th, 10 AM at the Visitor Center for about 2 hrs. The hike’s route is still to be determined, and everyone is welcome to attend. Bill hopes the hike will show off the fun trails, as well as the history of the park.

4) Pow Wow Update

Jim R. spoke to Ms. Burne about the Pow Wow, but due to illness, she will not attend until next month’s meeting.

5) Park Service Day Planning

The next Park Service Day will be on Sat., May 17th at 8:30, at the Visitor Center. Steve G. noted that there is some firebrick that we can use to put around the benches that were installed last spring, along with some stone dust. Bill said that FOW could pay for some stone dust and flowers to plant. Steve G. will buy these supplies, and FOW will reimburse him.

6) Non-Profit Status update

Bill noted that we do not have a report on our non profit status, due to Eric’s absence; however, the information is still in the lawyer’s hands. Having a 501c3 status will enable us to apply for more grants.

7) T-shirt report

Malcolm, Steve C. and Eric were going to discuss t-shirts but only Steve C. is present. Carl thought the FOW insignia would look nice enlarged on a t-shirt, as well as some key chains. He has some screening referral names, and suggested having the small logo in front and a larger one in back. Bill said at the last meeting Malcolm suggested a motto of “build a bridge and get over it.” A suggestion was made to have the motto in the front and/or the back with the logo.

Steve C. said that whoever did the Landmine shirts should still have our silk screen from the volunteer shirts, which means we wouldn’t have to be charged again to have that done. It was mentioned that a generic t-shirt, neither high quality nor low quality, would serve our purposes to advertise the group. When asked what the purpose of the shirts was, Bill said we would give it to those who became members at a higher monetary level as well as sell to current members. It was suggested that we wear our shirts while cleaning in the park or filling our boxes with material, so that it publicizes the FOW. More information will come from Malcolm the next time he attends.

We will go conservative for the first phase, to have a simple t-shirt in various sizes with just the FOW logo. If it shows a high demand, it can then be expanded upon to include various mottos and different types of wicking material.

8) Membership Coordinator

Bill reported that our newly elected Membership Coordinator does not have e-mail, nor has been answering her phone messages. The duties of the Coordinator would be to annually send out an e-mail and letters letting members know their membership has expired and explaining how to renew either online or through the mail and to keep track of the membership database. Bill suggested we ask for volunteers on our lists and, if we don’t get a response, he would do it. We will wait until the next meeting to see if we get any volunteers for the position.

After this year, membership will expire on Dec. 31 st After that, those who join in Sept., will be credited for the year in which they joined as well as the following year.

9) Stocking the Doanne Street kiosk

Jim Dillon had mentioned via e-mail that no one is stocking the Doanne Street kiosk, and Jane volunteered to take over that role while Carl volunteered to restock Pleasant Street. Based on their popularity, the kiosks could be emptied within a week, and should be restocked with Wompatuck maps as well as FOW brochures and membership applications. The brochures will be available at the next meeting.

10) New Business

• Steve G. has an eagle scout who will be building a 75 foot long bridge on the ocean side of the wet trail in the Nature study loop. He will be raising funds for the project, which is part of an eagle scout’s responsibility.
  
• Steve C. noted that Jim. Dillon told him in an e-mail about an extensive wet area on a portion of the trail that could use a bridge. It will be looked at when the ground is a little dryer.

• Carl asked if we could use a muck truck to put some crushed stone on the trails. Steve G. said he’s been putting some out there, but a wheelbarrow full of crushed stone doesn’t go very far due to its weight. We’re applying for a grant to get one.

• Steve G. suggested we apply for a Power Plant grant for $25,000 when we get our 501c3 status.

• Jim, Carol Anne and Steve G. worked on a new FOW/Wompatuck brochure, and Carol Anne is currently working on it.

• Steve G. will be working on trails at Ames Nowell, and closing some that have been widened and extended due to overuse by ATV’s and motorcycles over the years.

• Eleanor spoke about wanting to build a park community of those interested in Quests. For 10 years, her group has printed a brochure of clue based walks in local parks, where a narrative is followed to locate clues and find a box containing a stamp where one can leave their “mark.” The Quest group wants to connect with those who have festivals to let their presence in the park be known. They would like to come to NEMBAfest and the Landmine Classic to set up a Quest booth and would like information on various events currently being held in the park. Steve G. will give her a calendar of events of various people who use the park, as well as a local bicycle club. He also suggested the Quest group hook up with the camp interpreters.

• Bill suggested we put an “Events” section on our website, which would cover events that are not FOW related. This would give our users a chance to see events that take place in the park.

11) Old Business

• Bill spoke about the old bike path from the Cohasset T station to the park which has not been completed. Steve G. noted that it was a spur of the Old Colony line, and the park owns the old rail bed. It is in a snake-type pattern since it used to run ammunition, and having it in an “s” pattern kept it from being bombed.
  
• Bill spoke at a meeting where the MBTA commissioner was present. Steve G. said it generated a flurry of e-mails, which then petered out to nothing. MBTA wants the DCR to take over the project, and will give them “the money,” however, the DCR doesn’t know if it will be enough to complete the project. Steve G. has talked to his supervisor about a modification of the job. All the grading and culverts have been done, however the final grading, pavement and signage need to be done. It will end where the annex is, which is not safe with the buildings still in place. They will have to be demolished, which is very costly.
  
  Bill will attend the next stewardship meeting, and remind those present that the project is still not finished.

• Upcoming FOW dates include the two trail dates of March 16 th and May 17 th, as well as August 24 th to clean up for the race. The NEMBAfest and Landmine Classic will be held on Sept. 6 th and 7 th, while October 12 th will be the final trail day for the year.

 

The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 14 th. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Submitted by,

Alma Ramos-McDermott

Secretary