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Present were: Dom. Cloud( WCC ),Amy Bell (AOT, Bike & Ped.), Bonnie Waninger (NW Regional Planning Comm.), Cilla Kimberly & Gary Kessler( VT Mtn. Bike Advocates), Rosemary Shea (CTA), Larz Botzojorns (GMC), Laurie Adams (VT FP&R), Jennifer Waite (NPS), Bryant Watson (VAST), Kevin Murphy (VAST) and Paul Moffat( Westmore Trails).
Bryant opened the meeting at 9:03 am and announced that he had a 10:00 arn testimony at Montpelier on the Landowner Liability bill before the Senate. Thus we moved to item #6 on the agenda.
S 29(handout) is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Minor modifications in Legal Costs and Fees - section 5794 added.
Bryant briefly reviewed the approach to get the Landowner Liability Bill out of the H &S Judiciary Comm. and up for a floor vote. He will try to get something out to the VT T&G Council for a phone campaign to call Rep's Costas, Costello and Bloomer and ?? in Senate. Land owners in their Districts would be the best ones to make the calls.
Rosemary Shea took over as acting Chair:
The minutes of the Dec. 2, 1997 meeting were approved with two corrections to the CAT report ---3 landowners out of220,have closed their land this season. -----The CTA has opened up 2 cabins--
Sharing:
VAST: Kevin reported that the ICE STORM damage was extensive. All of the major corridors will be open by January 24 but some of the secondary snow machine trails will have to wait 'til next season. VAST has agreements with POST to open the remaining trails in Caledonia & Essex counties. Cost Of the ice damage is est. @ $250,000.
VYCC: Dom --Total crews planned at 15 with 225 Corps members for this summer. They have 160 + projects with the State Forest,VAST, Catamount Trail, etc. Ice Storm damage will be the early focus.
AOT: Amy -- Bike & Fed. projects funded by Enhanced ISTEA ( expect it to be funded for FY 99. % 2.3M available now. Doing bridge work on Missiscoi Vly. Trail right now.
Rail Trail Council: Bonnie--St Albans to Richford section of the Missiscoi Vly. Trail expected to open June 6 ( Trails Day). Plans to use local groups for the maintenance work.
GMC: Larz---Ice Storm damage extensive on the Long Trail 2 the 1500' to 3000' elevations. The AT fiom Rt# 100 to ?? is very bad. Will work on the clean up next spring. Chain Saw Safety workshops planned so GMC can train additional volunteers to help with the clean up. -- May delay opening some Trails and also delay some summer projects until trails are open. Asking for State and FEMA Funds. GMC has established a new 5 yr. Long Range Plan. Emphasis is on Outreach to other Trail Groups as a resource for Trail Maintenance, etc. Executive Director search ( replacing Dennis) will conclude Feb. Ist. They have at least 150 Applicants. Selection expected to be accomplished in March.
MTN. BIKE ADV. : Cilla--Have 40 members--working on Land Owner Liability. Mission is to promote mountain biking and establish multi-use trails in VT. This is to be the coordinating group in VT. Coordinator is David Tremblay (802) 496 6846, David@ AGRstate.vt.us
CAT: Rosemary--Ice damage bad. the Ninevah to Tin Shanty section was really "trashed"over Round Top and Burnt Mtn's. --will not open this year. Check the CTA Web Page for Trail conditions.
VT.FP&R: Laurie---The Trails Grant Application deadline is Feb. 7. Sent out 75 packets this year. $74K of State funds and less than % 75K of Federal fUnds available. The Watershed Grant Pgm. has $20K to work with . Review Committee is at work and expect an announcement of results by January 26.
USFS: Jennifer ---Passed out copies of the Directory of Vermont Trails, Greenwqvs and Recreation Organizations with the 12/97 update included. ( excellent job !! ) Jennifer asked that the Directory be an agenda item at the '98 Annual Meeting. USFS is helping with the development of trails on Darling Hill (Kingdom Trails Assoc.,E. Burke) and Middlebuy Land Trust Trail as consultants. Also the consulting with the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Assn. on the Bald Mtn. Dam Trail (Jamaica Park ) and trails management for a new 2000 acre parcel.
Treasurers Report: -was accepted as presented. The $460.18 balance is below our new checking account minimum. Thus we will be incurring $3.00 charges each month. Need those dues and members!
Vermont Trails System Applications: -The Winooski Valley Park District applications for 6 trails were approved ( Amy Bell motion, 2nd by Jennifer Waite ). Trails---Ethan Alien Homestead, Delta Park Trail, Winooski Nature Trail ( Salmon Hole & Millyard Canoe Launch ),Woodside Nature Trail, Overlook Park & Woodside Natural Area Trails, Muddy Brook Park Trails and Old Mill Park Trails.
--Middlebury Land Trust application for the "Trail around Middlebury" was returned for additional information ( Improve map )to indicate portions finished and those planned.
--Westover Trail application was returned for more infortnation. There was no map and information on planned sections vs, those already finished.
Laurie Adams will take care of the notifications for the VT Trails System applicants.
FP&R - TRAIL PROJECT ALLOCATIONS FY'99: - ( appended to the agenda for the 22 Jan. Mtg. ) The State FP&R District supervisors got their plans in early as an aide to the Trails Grant applicants and the FY'99 grant allocation process. Great Job, Thanks. Total Grants for the Districts $I 12.8K of which $69.6K is for Youth Corps projects.
Proposal to Create an Oversite Committee for Rail Trails: - Group agreed that it was a good idea for a cooperative effort. Not ready for a decision- need more information. Estimates of Annual Rail Trail Maintenance Costs vary from FP&R( Peter Strobridge) of $112/mile to VAST( Kevin ) $400/mile.
Future Use of The Lamoille Valley Railroad, Letter of lnterest: - AOT asking for response on potential use on this corridor (Amy). The Council wants to respond but request was received too late. We are asking that there be an extension of the February 4 deadline since no members of the Trails community were on the mailing list ( only Rail people and Les Otten of Sugarbush Resorts on List ! ! ). Action Bryant (VAST to take the lead) Council recommendation is for Multi - Use as a trail. Could both Rail and Trail use be accommodated ? The following agreed to help with the application: Amy,Jennifer,Kevin, Larz and a representative ~om the FPBtR Trails Coordinators ( Laurie to ask Brian Stone for a volunteer ).
Other Business: - Nominating Committee (volunteered ? ) Amy Bell, Rosemary Shea & Paul Moffat will meet 9:00 am Feb. 26 at AOT Local Transportation Office, Montpelier.
Annual Meeting: - 9:00am May 19 at the State Ski Dorm. NOTE: CHANGE IN DATE , Dom Cloud confirmed date - lunch is $6 to $8. Agenda should be sent out early April so that we can have a good representation there.
Respectfully submitted, Paul Moffat ( secretary for the day)
