Minutes and Agenda
MINUTES OF MEETING
APRIL 19, 2006
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Rettig, Bruce Francis, Clif Norris, Tammy Gross, Cliff Norris, Melodie Anderson-Smith, Pat O’Connor, Doris Goldman, and Judy BrickerExecutive Assistant Maggie Cisar in attendance, also.
Meeting began at 7 p.m. at the Washington Township meeting room.
The minutes of the 1/18/06 meeting were reviewed, noting that it was a combined Board and General meeting, most of which was a presentation by Rick Devore and Steve Lathrop regarding the 319 grant application . It is to note that application was processed by the steering committee and the grant application was mailed by the 3/3/06 deadline.
Bruce Francis gave the treasurer’s report. Total in checking is $52,942.63. A small amount of Growing Greener money is left in that account. Dues of $10.00 are in the process of being collected.
The Legacy Grant is due to expire 6/30/06. Time was to be from 7/04 to 6/06, but it was noted that first monies were not received until 4/05. Maggie Cisar is applying for an extension, as we need more time for a school district project, and hopefully the fall project. As yet, we do not have a site for the 4/29 project, although the Otterbein Church has approached the AWA regarding stream planting along their future building site on Welty Road. Maggie is going to check with NFWF to see if we can use grant money for this project.
Stream Assessment: Paul Sturm presented the report of Center for Watershed Protection stream assessment performed in September of 2005 to the Washington Township Supervisors at their public meeting of 4/12/06. CD’s are available to interested parties upon request.
Riparian Maintenance: Transline has been purchased and the volunteers hope to have a work day in May to apply and weed whack. Volunteers are needed as there are several past sites that need attention so the thistle doesn’t spread. Farmers have difficulty keeping the area between the small trees clear and we want to maintain a good relationship with them and for future projects.
Stream Monitoring: Meeting was held 3/26/06 of the monitors with Dawn Thorpe of Dickinson ALLARM to compile data. A presentation is planned for a future meeting of AWA. Chemicals are needed and discussed using Legacy Grant funds for the test supplies. The most recent Antietam Currents featured an overview of the stream monitoring program and its volunteer monitors.
The Quincy Village riparian project was accomplished 3/24/06 by the Waynesboro Lions Club with a Canaan Valley Grant, completing the course of the stream on the other side of the bridge.
Doris Goldman again expressed concern for the wetlands at Renfrew, and the proximity of the Hollengreen development. It was hoped that with the planting at the Otterbein Church property, that would encourage developers to preserve the stream and thus have a continuous wildlife corridor through the 3 properties.
319 Grant Application: Application was completed and sent in 3/3/06 and we are awaiting the State’s decision.
AWA Office – Confirmed that 32 West Main Street will be official headquarters of AWA. We are in the process of obtaining a desk, file space, discussed a phone and hopefully can obtain a computer. Will work on creating a sign for Main Street Exposure.
WASD Addition: As the High School is making plans for addition, Steve Rettig met with Engineer Paul Gyurisin to discuss their intent to preserve the stream running alongside the property, and the CWP suggestions for stormwater management on school properties. We will provide a CD of the assessment to him.
Earth Day at Renfrew: AWA will set up display at Earth Day on 4/23/06; asked if anyone was interested in taking a turn minding the table.
David Sucke from Cornell Abraxis was at the meeting to discuss volunteer opportunities for their residents which would benefit them as well as our organization.
The program for the evening was an invitation to other local watersheds to share their experiences and concerns with AWA. Jeff Taylor from the Conococheague Watershed Association talked about their group and its efforts. They have not reached nonprofit status nor have the organization that we do, but do have association with Wilson College and the benefit of students in their environmental studies. They have accomplished 2 dam removals in the Chambersburg area, Silom and Wolfe Lake (on Wilson College property). He announced they plan a stream clean up on May 20th. Emilie Cooper, watershed forester from the Maryland Antietam side has hopes to form a local Lower Antietam Watershed that could work cooperatively with us, as their section of stream runs through Hagerstown and surrounding areas that are developed or being developed.
Meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
- Respectfully submitted,
- Judy Bricker
- Secretary, AWA
Past Minutes