Westwoods Trails Meeting
February 24, 2003
Guilford Community Center
Chair: Paul Proulx.
Meeting began: 7:30 PM
Attendance: Bob Handschumacher, Peter Johnson, Susan Kukle, Joe Ortoleva, Sandra Porter, Fred Richards, Sally Richards, Mary Richerson, Matt Richerson, Audrey Teofilo, Guests: Ted, Braun, James Shaw, Kevin Smith

Approval/Corrections of Minutes: noted that the heading date of the minutes needed to be January 27, 2003 all else approved.

Resignations/New Members/Members news: Michael Fritz is a new member

GLTC Report:
Susan Kukle
-a. Nominating Committee is looking for individuals to consider as new Board Members.
-b. Paul received a letter from a Guilford resident who hunts in the West Woods. He expressed his opinions about the fact that many hikers in the West Woods let their dogs run free rather than having them leashed. Paul followed up with an inquiry about whether or not hunting is currently permitted in the West Woods, and it seems at this time that it depends who you talk to. A response to the concerned party's letter was discussed and it was decided not to respond at this time.

Trail Reports:
Westwoods: The recent weather has impacted the activity on trail work.
-Team A: Violet CircleTrail: (3 hours) Paul Proulx and Peter Johnson cut 10 trees Yellow Circle: (4 hours) Rich DiNardo reported that the Yellow Circle North to the Violet is generally in good shape. Cable rock appears to have been recently cleaned by someone else. And he said many thanks! The garbage cans are crushed and need to be removed and replaced. He suggests new blazing and signs for the Cliff area on the Yellow Circle.
-Team B: White Circle: See notes on work party
Paul Trail: Nothing new to report
Kampmeyer: Nothing new to report
Eastwoods: Nothing new to report
Hoadly Creek: Nothing new to report
Spencer Creek: Nothing new to report

Work Parties:
-White Circle Trail Westwoods: On February 2, 2003 24 people participated in a clean up. One third were from local bike shops, one third were from a Boy Scout troop, and one third were WWT committee members. The large group split up into a few smaller groups and swiftly cleared the trail of all the debris from the tree removal activities. The White circle trail between the blue rectangle and the plank walk is now officially open. There will not be a work party for the month of March. The next is proposed for April.

Old Business:
-Paul Proulx wrote and distributed copies of a piece that he has written for the intension of submitting it to the CT Forest and Park publication. The overall view of the piece was favorable.

New Business:
-The publication of the WWT article in the new CT Forest and Park Book adds weight to the need for re-blazing the Nature Trail and all other trails that have been officially opened. Paul wanted everyone to know that there is paint available for blazing all trails as soon as weather permits. Marking the Red Diamond for future cutting is also needed. Ted Braun from the Greenway Trail Committee spoke for a while about the preliminary evaluation of the Westwoods Trail system. The overall impression of the group that he walked with was that a west to east trail through the Westwoods could provide a critical link from the Branford town border to downtown Guilford. The group walked the Blue and Green Rectangles and the Red Triangle.
There were many questions from WWT Committee members that had not previously had the opportunity to ask questions about The Greenway Trail. Ted made it abundantly clear that these are preliminary inquiries and discussions to help forge relationships between our two groups. The West Woods Trail Committee will be included in any and all discussions should interest in including a Westwoods Trail in the Greenway Trail become something more than one of the many possibilities. The Greenway Trail Committee is actively seeking the advice of consultants that have worked on State and National Trails.
The Greenway Trail Committee is having a meeting with one of these consultants on Wednesday April 2nd, and suggested that it would be a great idea for a WWT Committee member to attend. Please let Paul Proulx know if you are interested in attending this meeting.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:50pm
Recording Secretary: Sandra Porter