Westwoods Trail Committee Meeting
January 25, 2010
Guilford Recreation & Park Center: Faulkner Room

Chair: Paul Proulx
Meeting Began: 7:30 pm
Attendance: 14 members and 3 visitors attended. Mary Richerson, Roger Daniels, Scott Blake, Jerry Turk, Chris Blake, Louisa Morgan, Peter Johnson, Joe Kaufman, Michael Barton-Sweeney, George Goss, Ted Mankovich, John Novak, Paul Proulx, Rob Valley and visitors Maureen, Michael and Sean Monaghan

Approval of Minutes: The December minutes were approved.
Resignations:New Members/Member News: Three visitors attended the meeting tonight.

Information/Instructions from the GLCT:
-The town is planning a meeting regarding the East River Preserve and plans for the space. Some GLCT members will attend. The town has little funding and welcomes help. Heather from GLCT will come to a Westwoods meeting and speak about the plans.
-Volunteers are needed for leading spring walks. Please let Rob Valley know if you are interested. Steve B. and George G. will lead a vigorous 3 hour walk through
East River Preserve. Paul P. and Peter J. will lead a walk on the Paul Trail.
-Rob Valley would like to know if the land stewards have any requests for workshops similar to the invasive plant removal workshop.
-Forest and Park Trails Day is on June 5, 2010. Rob Valley will submit a trail idea.
-Forest and Park is holding a Winters Trail Workshop on February 6, 2010. Ted M. will attend.
-Rob V. hasn’t received a response from Branford Land Trust regarding signage on the Branford trails that will be included in our new map.

Trails Reports:

Westwoods: John and Paul took care of some blow downs. There is a tree down at the end of Good Sisters Trail. Peter J. will take care of it. There was some discussion about naming the entrance off Greenwood after Fred Richards but GLCT usually resists naming trails after people
Nutplains: Ted M. took care of a lot of dead Cedars around the entrance. George Goss suggested that we improve the Blue trail so there are less S curves around Battle Ship Rock. We will try to get Rob C. to meet with George about the Blue trail.
Kampmeyer: Joe Kaufman spent 2 ½ hours installing a 12 foot bridge in a marsh area.
Eastwoods: Needs blazing.
Spencer Creek: Ted M. has done a lot of clearing.
Hoadley Creek: People are driving trucks in from Red Hill Road in Branford. The town of Branford will move a gate to the edge of Red Hill road.
East River Woodlands: Ted M. checked on the new Cedar post and kiosk and they are both fine. There have been complaints about dogs being off leash in the area. The junk car was removed.
Jared Eliot: A bridge was installed earlier and a tree came down and broke the bridge.
Big Maple Trail: Paul still needs to GPS.

Work Parties:
-Nutplains: We will schedule next month
-Loop Trail maintenance: Saturday January 30, 2010. Meet at North entrance at Peddler’s @ 10 am.
-Loop Trail maintenance: Sunday February 7, 2010. Meet at Peddler’s at 1:30.
-Cut trail from Cox field to Pent Road. Sunday, February 14, 2010. Meet at Cox School’s red barn at 1 pm.

New Business:
-Trails Day 2010: The plan is to clear the stone wall in back of Medad Stone Tavern before the leaves come out. Jerry Turk and Ted Mankovich will discuss plans.
-Review description of Westwoods Trail symbols and markings: Paul wrote up trail descriptions. We will put them in kiosks and on the website.
-Bimbler’s Bash: Will be held on April 11, 2010 at 9 am. Check out MrBimble.com.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:47 pm
Recording Secretary: Mary Richerson
Next Meeting: Monday, February 22, 2010.

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