Friends of Willard Brook

Board of Directors Meeting - MINUTES

Thursday, December 3, 2009. 7:00 pm. Willard Brook State Forest Headquarters

1. Attending were Bruce Colburn, John D'Angelillo, Joellyn Nevins, Tom Nevins, Don Stoddard,

Sussie Holzberlein, Sherisa Sterling, Clare Kauppi, Eino Kauppi, Duane Cromwell, Tony

Wolski, EPO, Emily Norton, Raynold Jackson, Deborah Smith and Jayne Perkins

2. Corrections to minutes - none

3. Treasurer’s report – Eino. $1,951.42

4. Membership report – Sussie. 62 paid up, 9 over 6 months behind and several are over 18

months behind. It was voted to have Sussie send a post card to all those overdue by more than

12 months and if we don't get a renewal in three months they will be dropped from the rolls.

Emily has also been writing notes on the labels for the newsletters of those who are overdue on

renewal.

5. Publicity – Winter newsletter progress. Emily is pulling this together and there are a couple

articles in. Others will be sent in the next week.

6. November programs:

- Nov 7 Neat Streets – 5 people

- Nov 15 Geocaching – 0 people

- Nov 29 Watatic hike-- 2

7. Upcoming December program:

- Dec 6 Winter Weeds along rail trail 1pm in Groton Center.

8. Friends of NRRT – Duane

A. Ayer kiosk -- Interpretive services gave this project to the carpenter and he will get it

done.

B. Reward for info on vandalism -- Plaque for this has been okayed by DCR with a

couple of edits. A copy given to Duane for posting.

C. Other -- North of Sand Hill parking there is a washout developing and engineering will

have to address it, per Bruce.

9. Trails – Sussie

- Dead Swamp Trail is flagged

10. Fessenden Hill Road gate – a date to install temporary wooden gate or chain? In flux as Ed is

rethinking installation of gate. However, Tony Wolski, EPO, says that gates are the best ways

to decrease illegal dumping. He recommends installation of gates. Bruce to talk to Ed.

11. Winter carnival this year? Due to lack of planning time and long list of DCR limitations it

was decided not to hold a winter carnival.

12. Sy Montgomery program – March. Sy Montgomery will be coming to Townsend for us to do

a program at the new community center. She will be doing this program free of charge since

she feels that our role is so valuable.,

13. Forest cutting? Home fuel wood cutting is still on going. But there is a moratorium on all

wood harvesting by commercial companies. Bruce recommends inviting Chuck Pernaa to

our meeting to explain forest cutting practices. It was agreed to have Bruce ask

him.

14. DCR / Forest news – Bruce. Budgets are frozen for the foreseeable future. Weed harvesting

has been completed at Pearl Hill Pond. Drawdown will be done next week. Home fuel

cutting still in process in Fessenden Hill Road area. The Yurt for Damon Pond Campground

is not going up until spring. DEP to inspect the site. The old Dunbar sandpit is being

purchased by MA Fisheries and Wildlife to protect the site. There is no one covering Willard

Brook on Sundays; Bruce and Ed cover the other six days.

15. Other business

A. Tony Wolski, EPO, spoke to us about how to handle illegal dumping. Small stuff like

trash is not worth trying to take to court because it usually gets thrown out. If however,

we get repeated dumpings that seem to be the same person, tracking would help.

Reporting to Park Watch will help compile the records. Tony, Ed or Bruce could speak

to individuals if we figured out who it is that dumped. Big stuff - call Bruce or Ed and

tell them where and what it is, and they will take the process from there. Regular small

stuff - just pick it up and put it in dumpsters, barrels or take it home for disposal. Tony

suggests installation of gates where trash dumping is a perpetual problem. A big thank

you from DCR and EPO.

B. Emily asked if a subcommittee to document and eradicate invasive species could be

formed by FOWB. Bruce will find out what the protocol is for this. We may need to

ask the District Manager.

C. Emily reports there is a huge new mountain bike trail off Vinton Pond Road causing a

lot of erosion. Emily will show it to Bruce.

D. Ray talked about access to parks and that people will need to specify when and where

ATV's can be used. Once an area is specified, hefty fines could be given for use

anywhere else. Ray feels that ATV’s have to have a place to be used.

16. Next meeting – Thursday, January 7, 2010. Tom chairs.