Westwoods Trails Meeting
February 25 , 2002
Guilford Community Center
Chair: Paul Proulx.
Meeting began: 7:30 PM
Attendance: 14 people. Bill Blaha, Bob Handschumacher, Bill Johnson, Peter Johnson, Joe Kaufman, Susan Kukle, Ross Novak, Joe Ortoleva, Paul Proulx, Fred Richards, Sally Richards, Liz Scholl, Simon Stewart, Audrey Teofilo

Approval of Minutes: Minutes approved.

Resignations/New Members/ Member News: Ross Novak needs a Westwoods patch. Michael Pochan - A moment of silence was observed for the recent death of Michael Pochan. He died on Feb 21. Mr. Pochan was one of the original founders of Westwoods. He was a retired CT state forester, former director of the CFPA, and early member of the Conservation Commission.

GLCT Report:
Sally reports that the GLCT is aware that many people are ignoring the closures, just from observing the number of cars in the parking lots.

CFPA Correspondence: newsletter was distributed. It explained their last meeting and presented their Spring 2002 programs. They hold several workshops throughout the year. Shoreline Greenway Trail Correspondence: Their next meeting is Tues, March 19, at 7:30 PM at the Guilford Community Center. E-mail jallcock@worldnet.att.net or call 453-5041 for more information.

Parking Passes: Sally distributed parking passes that read "Westwoods Trails Committee Member". They can be used at the parking areas to avoid conflicts with neighbors. Joe Ortoleva has extras if anyone needs them.

Trail Reports:
Westwoods.
-Team A - (27.5) hrs (Bob Handschumacher) Bob reports he took down 7 leaners (7 hemlocks & 2 hardwoods) and several blocking path (3 hardwoods & 4 hemlocks) along the violet & yellow circle trails. Bob also did take down about four trees on the northern violet trail. Bob, Sally, Fred, & Don Engleman took down a leaner on the Green Rectangle trail. FMR, SWR, GHR, & Frank Schley took out 3 trees leaning over violet trail, plus 1 hardwood that fell into laurel.
-Team B. (Dia Robinson) - FMR, SWR, & Don Engleman cut down several hemlock trees near north end of Lost Lake where fire had burned last year.
-Team C . (Karen Owen-Buckley) Paul Proulx reports that the Nature Trail is completed for tree removal. Now the Nature Trail needs to be cleaned up and branches moved off of trail (see next work party 3/16). Paul wishes to show the Nature Trail to Huber Hurlock with intentions to open the trail to the public. Paul reported the statistics of the Nature Trail work so far: 71.5 man hours & 188 trees cut down. The next targeted sections include the Green Rectangle (western half), the Orange Circle (S. of Lost Lake), and the White Circle (N. of Lost Lake).
Nut Plains - no report
Paul Trail- no report
Kampmeyer- OK
Eastwoods - OK
Hoadley Creek- Susan Kukle reports it is in fine condition. Maybe some painting needed in the spring time.
Spencer Creek -- OK

Work Parties.
-Community Work Party (CWP) - Next organized work party to be held Saturday, March 16, at 9:00 AM at the Dunk Rock Rd entrance. Task is to clean up the Nature Trail, and remove all the already cut down trees. The trees are already down from a previous work party. Paul will try to recruit volunteers at the high school.

Old Business
-Signs at other GLCT Properties - It was discussed how to possibly divert trail users to other GLCT properties throughout Guilford (ie; Nut Plains, Kampmeyer, etc.), while Westwoods has its closures. Status of hemlocks at other properties is OK and not as bad as Wstwoods. It was suggested that better signage should be placed at the trail heads to give them better visibility to the public. Fred suggested that the signs all be consistent and point out that they all are part of the Guilford trail system in the GLCT. It was decided that Bob Hanschumacher will create the signs for Eastwoods, Kampmeyer, & Nut Plains. The Nut Plains sign should be shown to the neighbors first, so as not to surprise them.
-Signs at Trail Ends - It was agreed upon that the trail users should be made aware when a open trail ends and becomes closed. The State DEP is already placing signs on state land trails, but something similar should be done for GLCT land trails. Something to the effect, "Closed Trail ahead, Danger of Falling Trees" will be placed on the signs. Bob Hanschumacher will create signs.
-Alternative Places Signs - It was suggested to place signs at the current Westwoods trail heads, informing trail users of the other GLCT properties in Guilford (ie; Nut Plains, Kampmeyer, etc.). Bob Hanschumacher will blow up parts of the map with instructions how to get there (by car). It will read something to the effect " Here are alternative trail systems…". It was recommended to write down how many miles each trail system has, because some properties are quite small compared to Westwoods.

New Business
-Draught (No Rain) - Fred proposes an agenda item be brought next month to address the recent draught (no rain) and how the natural falling of dead hemlocks may accelerate.
-New England Power - Store near Exit 57 can sharpen saw blades and render other saw services. The GLCT has opened an account with them for all GCLT/Westwoods members to use.
-Next Meeting with DEP - Paul plans to meet with DEP to show Nature Trail work and general update. Meeting for 3/13 was cancelled and will be rescheduled. Paul Proulx, Red Erda, & Leslie Cane plan to meet with DEP.
-Braemore Property- Bill Johnson of the Conservation Commission spoke about that the town's trail development on the Braemore Property (approx 90 acres in Northern Guilford off of Rt 77). A map was distributed around room. Bill says there are plans to work out a Trails Day there sometime this year. They are planning a GLCT walk there on April 20 (9-11 AM). Bill reports that they intend to start cutting trails on the Braemore property sometime in April, and will need our help. He will have more information about the trail cutting at our March meeting. Bill is working with the CFPA to connect the Blue Trail through the Braemore property on May 15 (meeting with CFPA). If you are interested in helping with any of the projects, contact Bill at wjohnson01@msn.com or at 457-0505.
-Timberland Needs Trail Coordinator - Bill Johnson also reports that the Timberlands committee is loosing its current trails coordinator, and is now looking for a replacement. They prefer to find someone who is familiar with the land. Bill reports that Timberlands is in good shape overall.

Adjornment - The meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm
Recording Secretaries - Joseph Ortoleva