Trails Council Meeting - December 1,2011

MINUTES OF A MEETING

of the

TRAILS COUNCIL

of the

NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE

December 1, 2011 

 1. Trails Council Chair Pete Heckler called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. at the Trail Conference office in Mahwah, N.J. Present were: Pete Heckler - Chair, Ed Goodell - Executive Director, Chris Ingui - New Jersey Program Coordinator, Jeff Senterman - Catskills Program Coordinator, Georgette Weir - Communications Manager, Larry Wheelock - West Hudson Program Coordinator, Estelle Anderson, Andrew Argeski, Elie Bijou, Jim Canfield, Daniel D. Chazin, Chris Connolly, Jane Daniels, Walt Daniels, Charlotte Fahn, Les Ferguson, Jakob Franke, Gary Haugland, Bob Jonas, Ed Leonard, John Mack, Paul Makus, John Moran, Gail Neffinger, Glenn Oleksak, Patty Lee Parmalee, Joel Pinsker, Chris Reyling, Keith Scherer, Andrew Seirup and Don Tripp.

 Bob Jonas welcomed Ed Leonard, a new supervisor in Mountainside Park in New Jersey.

 2. Announcements and Presentations. The following announcements and presentations were made:

 a. Next Delegates’ Meeting. Chris Connolly announced that the next Delegates’ meeting would be held on Tuesday evening, December 6^th, at 6:30 p.m., at Ramapo College.

 b. Presentation to Chris Ingui. Jane Daniels presented to Chris Ingui a chunk of granite rock that was quarried in Yorktown, near where Chris and his “Jolly Rovers” had constructed a 37-step granite staircase. Chris Ingui expressed his appreciation for this gift.

 c. Donations of Equipment. Chris Ingui thanked Jane and Walt Daniels and Herb Chong for donating sleeping bags and other supplies for trail crews. He also thanked Jane Daniels for knitting 18 caps for trail crew volunteers.

 d. Inclement Weather Postponements. Pete Heckler announced that, in the future, if inclement weather is predicted for the evening of a scheduled Trails Council meeting, the meeting will be postponed to the following Thursday.

 e. Youth Policy. Pete Heckler reminded the Trails Council that in any case where a youth (anyone under 18) is taken on a trip under the sponsorship of the Trail Conference, two adults who have passed background checks must accompany the youth. Jane Daniels commented that any volunteer who has passed a background check should be so notified by the Trail Conference office. Patty Lee Parmalee commented that an adult who works under her was insulted by these requirements, but Pete Heckler stressed that these requirements must be followed in all cases. It was questioned as to whether it is acceptable if a registered Boy Scout or Girl Scout leader accompanies the group in lieu of a second adult from the Trail Conference, and it was agreed that the Youth Policy would be checked and a clarification issued.

 f. Food for Meetings. Jeff Senterman thanked Estelle Anderson and Bob Jonas for arranging to bring the food for the last few Trails Council meetings, and he requested that someone else volunteer to bring the food next time.

 g. New Supervisors Needed. Gail Neffinger announced that he was looking for additional trail supervisors for the Orange-Rockland A.T. Management Committee in Harriman State Park.

 3. Minutes. The minutes of the Trails Council meeting of October 6, 2011 were approved as submitted.

 4. Trail University Curriculum Redesign. Ed Goodell explained that this proposal is designed to upgrade and make more consistent the training that the Trail Conference provides, primarily with regard to trail construction and assessment. He stated that we do not currently have enough trail crews to keep up with the heavy trail work needed, and he noted that while until about five years ago, the Trail Conference trained only about 100 volunteers a year, we now train over 500 volunteers each year. Ed Goodell stated that, with the support of the Trails Council, he would be prepared to recommend to the Board an increase in the amount set forth for training in the forthcoming year’s budget.

 Jane Daniels commented that this document needs to be examined very carefully. In particular, she questioned who authored the appendix. She also commented that we should rely more heavily on input from our experienced volunteers, rather than outside consultants. In response, Ed Goodell stated that the report was prepared by Eddie Walsh, and that he would like to propose that the Trails Council should identify which courses are priorities, and that the chosen courses would be presented this spring, along with projects that would implement the skills learned in these courses. He proposed that there be an oversight committee consisting of the Trails Council Chair, Board Chair, Volunteer Committee Chair and Executive Director, that would work with Jeff Senterman and the consultant to guide the development of the core courses, as well as Trail University in general. The materials created would be submitted to the Trails Council and the Volunteer Committee for their input, and once the core courses are identified, working committees would be set up to review the curriculum for each course. Jane Daniels stated that other people should also be involved in this process, and she expressed her own interest in participating. Jane Daniels also stressed that “train-the-trainer” should be a part of the curriculum.

 Ed Goodell stated that, initially, we will be engaging some paid consultants to present some of the courses, but that in the long term, the hope is that the courses will be presented by volunteers. 

 Gary Haugland questioned the extent of the financial commitment of the Trail Conference to this project, but Pete Heckler stated that the budget is within the domain of the Board, rather than that of the Trails Council. Bob Jonas commented that we need to consider the placement and retention of the graduates from these courses. John Moran commented that priority in these courses should be given to trails chairs and supervisors. Jeff Senterman stated that he would be taking the comments received from volunteers and incorporate them into a new document that would be recirculated and then used to move ahead with the planning and development of the program.

 Daniel Chazin commented that while he approves of training and the expansion of training opportunities, he felt that the document, as presented to the Trails Council, seems to imply that most of the current volunteers lack training and that, as a result, many of our trails are in poor condition. He stated that while some Conference trails do need improvement, he believes that the poor condition of these trails results not from lack of training, but primarily from lack of commitment by some assigned maintainers and from vacancies in trail maintenance assignments. He also stated his disagreement with statements in the appendix to the document that training should be mandated and that only certified trail designers should be allowed to approve new trails or relocations. In response, it was stated that the Trails Council would be asked to approve only the concept of offering additional training, not the specific document that was circulated to the Trails Council.

 Pete Heckler stated that many volunteers do not want to get involved in “leadership” positions, which requires accountability and follow-up. He also suggested that we should first form a committee that will prioritize all potential projects and determine which ones should move ahead first. Bob Jonas commented that the problem we have is with maintainers who fail to perform their work or submit reports, and that making additional training available will not solve this problem. In response to a question by Gail Neffinger, Ed Goodell stated that all new projects would be coordinated with existing trail crews, although new trail crews could also be set up if needed. The comment was made that this program would succeed only if many new volunteers are attracted. Ed Goodell stated that our goal should be to establish a trail crew in each trail maintenance region.

 Pete Heckler stated that Ed Goodell is looking for the Trails Council to endorse the concept of a greater formalization of training, with such training being provided by primarily by volunteers, but with paid consultants being engaged as needed, in the general manner presented at this meeting. 

 After discussion, it was agreed by consensus that the Trails Council supports enhanced efforts at training volunteers in the following three areas: trail maintenance, core skills for trail crews, and leadership (“soft skills”).

 5. Reports. The following reports were presented:

 a. Report of Conservation and Advocacy Committee. Larry Wheelock reported that, next Wednesday night, there will be a scoping session in the Town of Clarkstown in Rockland County on the Blinn property, which is a proposed route for the Long Path. Jakob Franke noted that a parcel of land along the Shawangunk Ridge south of Huckleberry Ridge State Forest is currently being offered for sale for $45,000, and we are considering whether we should purchase it. Chris Ingui reported that the Conservation and Advocacy Committee is considering assisting with the purchase of two parcels of trail land in New Jersey, including one along the Warren Trail.

 Jakob Franke stated that this committee will be asking the Board to drop the word “Advocacy” from the name of the committee, since the members of the committee are interested only in conservation efforts and not in advocacy.

 b. Report of New Jersey Program Coordinator. Chris Ingui reported that several trail workshops will be offered in the near future in New Jersey. He noted that the first workshop is full, but that there are still places available in the next workshop, which is on first aid. Chris Ingui announced that the Bear Claw Crew has completed the relocation at the end of the Yellow-Silver Trail in Ramapo Valley County Reservation and will also be installing some new wooden steps. He also reported that the West Jersey Trail Crew has been active in resetting the Pochuck Boardwalk and restoring it to its pre-Irene condition. He noted that the Black Creek bridge on the A.T. is still out and that we are looking to FEMA for funds to replace this bridge. Finally, he stated that we intend to apply for $25,000 in grants from the New Jersey Recreational Trails program.

 c. Report of Publications Committee. Daniel Chazin reported that the North Jersey map set will be printed in Albany tomorrow, that the new edition of the Harriman-Bear Mountain map set will hopefully be sent to the printer in January, and that we will soon be working on new editions of a number of additional maps.

 d. Report of Catskills Program Coordinator. Jeff Senterman reported that he has attended a number of conferences recently and has presented a program on community trails at the Ulster County Trails Conference. He announced that there is a movement to move ahead with the establishment of a Catskill Interpretive Center on Route 28 near Phoenicia, and he pointed out that a regional office for the Trail Conference might be established at this center, if is built. He noted that funds are currently available to begin construction of this Interpretive Center, and he stated that the Trail Conference will be getting involved in this effort.

 Jeff Senterman also announced that all trailheads of trails maintained by the Trail Conference in the Catskills will soon have signs indicating the maintenance of these trails by the Conference, and he noted that the Trail Conference has requested permission from the DEC to adopt another 25 miles of trails and an additional lean-to in the Catskills. He also stated that a number of trailheads in the Catskills are still officially closed. He noted that although some of these trailheads can in fact be reached by road, these roads are currently posted as “closed” by the county and/or town, and travel over these roads is at one's own risk.

 e. Report of West Hudson Program Coordinator. Larry Wheelock noted that over 450 blowdowns have been removed recently by a chainsaw crew just in Harriman-Bear Mountain and Sterling Forest State Parks. Pete Heckler complimented this crew for their extraordinary work in clearing these trails, and he suggested that this crew be given special recognition. Larry Wheelock announced that the new relocation of the A.T. on West Mountain should be opened by the end of 2011 and will be shown on the new 2012 edition of the Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails map set. Finally, Larry Wheelock noted that he will be inspecting an isolated trail in Vails Gate, New York that leads down to the Moodna Creek.

 With regard to the Popolopen Gorge bridge in Harriman State Park, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Irene, Larry Wheelock stated that Sue Smith of PIPC is considering submitting a request to FEMA for funding of repairs to this bridge. At the suggestion of Jane Daniels, it was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the Trails Council urge the relevant authorities to move expeditiously with the repair or replacement of this bridge. 

 Daniel Chazin questioned what progress is being made with the replacement of the several bridges over Pine Meadow Creek in Harriman State Park that were washed out by Hurricane Irene. John Mack replied that we now have a new park ranger to deal with, and that the park will not allow bridges made of cut timber, of the type that Roland Breault has built in the past, but prefers bridges which are supported by native timber logs. However, John Mack stated, we have been unable to find suitable logs for this purpose. He stated that he hopes to have at least one of these bridges (the “tri-trail” bridge) replaced in the near future.

 In response to a question by Pete Heckler, John Mack stated that although a significant portion of Route 106 between Route 17 and the Seven Lakes Drive is actually navigable, the road, which is under the jurisdiction of the county, has a number of potholes and damaged shoulders, and it is expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future.

 Patty Lee Parmalee stated that a new chief is needed for the West Hudson North Trail Crew.

 f. Report of East Hudson Program Coordinator. In the absence of Leigh Draper, Walt Daniels noted that Jim Haggett had received a Presidential Award for 4,000 hours of volunteer service.

 g. Report of Volunteer Committee. Estelle Anderson reported that there is nothing new to report.

 h. Web Team Report. Walt Daniels stated that there is nothing new to report.

 6. Trail Maintenance 102. Walt Daniels stated that, at a meeting of supervisors in the East Hudson region, comments were made that the Trail Conference should institute a new Trail Maintenance 102 course. He explained that this course would cover blazing standards, maintenance of waterbars, trimming of vegetation, and reporting requirements, but also concentrate on “making your trail even better” by dealing with such issues as invasives, trail inventory, bridge inspection, and minor repairs (such as repairs to wet spots and resetting of waterbars). John Mack suggested that trail layout and design also be covered in this course. Another suggested topic was “keeping the trail narrow.”

 7. Trail Approvals. The following new trails and reroutes were presented:

 a. Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve. Chris Ingui reported that the Trail Conference has been requested to adopt the existing footpath around the Haledon Reservoir, now owned by the town of Franklin Lakes, and to construct two footbridges where an earthen dam has been broken. In addition, the Conference has been requested to construct an accessible trail along the lakeshore for about one-third to one-half a mile. In response to a question by Walt Daniels, Chris Ingui stated that it might be possible to connect the trail around the Haledon Reservoir to the nearby High Mountain trails, but that this is not being proposed at the present time. Chris Ingui pointed out that the town would be contracting with the Trail Conference to construct the bridges and the handicapped-accessible trail, for which the Conference would receive payment. He also noted that the trail would be open to bicycles and possibly to horses. After discussion, it was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that the Trails Council recommend to the Board that it adopt the existing footpath around the Haledon Reservoir in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

 b. Sylvan Glen Nature Preserve. Jane Daniels requested that the Trails Council approve two new trails in the Sylvan Glen Nature Preserve, one about one-quarter of a mile long and blazed white, and the other about half a mile long and blazed pink. She explained that one trail will end at a parking area, and the other trail will connect to the Granite Knolls Nature Preserve. After a brief discussion, it was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that these two new trails in the Sylvan Glen Nature Preserve be approved by the Trails Council.

 8. Bridge Policy. Walt Daniels noted that a committee had been appointed to prepare a proposed Bridge Policy for review by the Trails Council. He reviewed various issues that need to be determined in considering the proposed Bridge Policy, pointing out that ATC does not consider puncheons to be a “bridge” unless they rest on pilings or piers, in which event they are considered small bridges. He also noted that there is a question of whether all bridges, even short ones, need to comply with engineering standards. John Mack suggested that bridges be divided into three categories – large, medium and small. There was also discussion of the requirement of railings for bridges.

 Walt Daniels noted that the proposed policy differentiates between a “built” environment and a “primitive” environment. Daniel Chazin suggested that, in lieu of other, more objective criteria, perhaps the anticipated usage of the trail should be the most significant factor in determining the type of environment that a bridge is situated in.

 It was agreed that the proposed Bridge Policy would be considered further at the next Trails Council meeting.

 9. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 Respectfully submitted,

 Daniel D. Chazin