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NORTHWEST VERMONT RAIL TRAIL COUNCIL

Meeting Minutes 

Wednesday, August 14, 2002, 7:00 p.m.

Northwest Regional Planning Commission, St. Albans, VT

Present: Dorothy Baker, Roy Baker, Bill Brunelle, Kathleen Brunelle, John Gale, Raymond Larose, Mike Loner, Dick Roberge, Cindy Rutkowski, Cynthia Scott, Jim Smith, Dave Stanley, Phyllis Tiffany, Bonnie Waninger.

Chair Raymond Larose called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

MINUTES

M. Loner pointed out that his name had been omitted from the list of attendees at the June 19 meeting.

D. Roberge moved to accept the minutes of June 19, 2002 with this amendment. Seconded by C. Rutkowski. Motion carried.

FINANCIAL REPORT

C. Rutkowski presented the second quarter 02 financial report (April 1 - June 30).  J. Smith moved to accept the report Seconded by K. Brunelle. Motion carried.

DISTRIBUTION OF FRIENDS BROCHURES I USER SURVEY I USER COUNT

It was decided to change the date from Saturday, August 17 to Saturday August 24. Our official survey period will be 9-11 am; other time periods will be covered subject to time availability of volunteers. Staffing and locations: B. and K. Brunelle will staff St. Albans, R. Larose and C. Scott will staff Enosburg Falls, D. Stanley and J. Smith will staff Richford. C. Scott prepared a user count form (to record number of users, mode of transportation, and direction of travel) and a user survey questionnaire. A more detailed follow-up questionnaire will be mailed to survey participants who agree to receiving it. Bottled water (donated by Coca-Cola), our Friends brochure, and the MVRT distance chart will be given to participants.

WAYSIDE SIGNS

B. Waninger reviewed cost elements to develop the wayside signs. C. Rutkowski moved that the Council apply for an Enhancement Grant to produce 5 wayside signs for use on the information kiosks. Seconded by M. Loner. Motion carried.  The kiosks will have trail info on one side and local info (places to visit, points of interest, etc) on the other side. The wayside sign to be produced will be a Trail map showing 'you are here'.

UPDATES

• Bay Days - C. Scott reported that to date, no new Friends have resulted from distributing our brochure to Bay Days participants.
• VYCC Grant for Kiosks - C. Scott reported that last week a VYCC crew constructed 2 information kiosks and installed one at the St. Albans parking area and the other at the North Sheldon parking area. B. Brunelle is making the plexiglass doors for the kiosks. it is estimated that the cost of materials will be approximately $200 more than the $1,000 covered by the VYCC grant. The Council's executive members approved Council covering the over-expenditure.
• Bench/Table Grant - C. Scott reported that the back-ordered benches have now been delivered and all state agency approvals have been received, It was decided that several Council members will visit the sites on Aug. 23 to determine needs for the installation workday.
• Sheldon Bridge - B. Waninger reported that according to A. Deforge, the project is on schedule and the new span will be arriving Aug. 19. It is very possible that the project could be completed by end of Sept. A committee consisting of C. Scott, B. Waninger, C. Rutkowski and P. Tiffany will plan an opening ceremony for mid October.

OTHER BUSINESS

• Tom Stone - It was decided that T. Stone's presentation would be moved from fall to December.
• The Abbey lunch - It was decided to defer this event to next year due to our numerous activities in the next couple of months.
• Rail Trail Guides - B. Waninger announced that the quantity of RT Guides printed last fall has been depleted and that the Guide will be reprinted this fall.
• St Albans Mowing - R. Larose suggested that the Council purchase a lawn mower for R. Baker to use at the St. Albans parking area. R. Baker tumed down the offer as he will only be doing the mowing until the end of this season. It was suggested that the VTrans staff that mows the interstate ramps could also mow the parking area which is also state owned land.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no other business, D. Roberge moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. P. Tiffany seconded. Motion carried.