Town of Edgecomb Minutes for Schmid Advisory Committee Meeting
November 20, 2002, 7:00 p.m., Town Hall

1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Bob Leone, Chairman, at 7:00 p.m. Committee members present were Andy Abello, Jim Beam, Bob Leone, Deborah Sondergaard, David Tonry, and Bob Zak. Also present were Janet Blevins, Bob Brown, Faith Coakley, John Markowski, Alan Pooley, and Betty Twarog.

A. Public Input: Bob Brown, Preserve Historian, gave a brief history of the preserve from 1981 and 1982. In the first year the committee met eight times and walked 75% of the lines. Charles Schmid mowed the fields, aerial photos of the preserve were purchased and the committee denied access to adjacent towns for sludge disposal. The next year the committee worked two days on the Hall property and Richard Brewer had the contract to clear trees from Mount Hunger Road and Old County Road. The committee, on advice of counsel, had denied permission to use a site on Middle Road for an elementary school. Bob Brown suggested that names of guests be included in the minutes, and the committee agreed.

2. Chairman’s Report – Bob Leone

A. Review of Meeting Minutes: Andy Abello corrected the last paragraph of No. 6 to indicate that it was Barry Hathorne’s opinion that the ownership of the land could not be determined until Barry had another survey done.

B. Next Meeting: December 18, 2002.

3. Selectman’s Report – Bob Zak

A. Letter/Update to Foundations: Bob Zak reported that auditors had asked for information on the grants and how the money was spent. Amanda Russell will reply to the grant foundations. Bob Leone will ask Amanda to send an update to contributors to the preserve.

B. Budget: Bob Zak said that a check for construction of the parking lot had been received from the Department of Transportation grant and that bills for construction of the lot had been paid. He reported that Amanda Russell had made an agreement with SVCA to be the preserve’s fiscal supporter, a private non-profit entity through which some grant money could be funneled to the preserve. This would not be required for all grants.

Andy Abello said that a meeting regarding funds for the Land for Maine’s Future proposal would be scheduled for December and he would give both Bob Zak’s and Bob Leone’s email addresses to the group so they could be notified of the meeting.

Bob Zak said that David Soule had recused himself from the Hanke case because of a conflict of interest seen by Mrs. Carfizzi. The attorney’s father had done work for her on a property transfer. The files have been transferred to Attorney Snyder and the case will probably be heard in three or four months.

4. Land Acquisition, Boundaries and Roads

A. Permits: Bob Leone had obtained a building permit for the bridge. A DEP permit had been previously obtained. A sign permit is not necessary for a sign on the kiosk.

B. Hunting Season: Bob Leone reported that the sign he had put up on the north end of the preserve (advising people to turn around) had been taken down. He said that Old County Road was a potential problem during wet seasons and that perhaps some of the puddles could be drained by hand.

C. Gate: Jim Beam will lock the gate in early December. Bob Brown had moved another gate, which was originally on the Schmid property on River Road, onto the preserve and that will be erected in the spring.

Andy Abello will paint out the mismarked blazes on the trail going toward the bridge.

5. Public Relations and Stewardship – Andy Abello and Deb Sondergaard

A. Kiosks: Bob Leone has a sign board for the kiosk and asked the committee’s opinion for items to be included on the sign. The name of the preserve will be on the top of the sign; followed by a short description and information on the property; guidelines such as no fires, stay on trails, wear orange during hunting season, etc.; a placard about Lyme Disease; and two map dispensers for maps or brochures. A donation box was also suggested and the Fort donation box was given as an example. There was a consensus for a second kiosk on Old County Road at some time in the future. Deb Sondergaard suggested involving the school children, perhaps using their art work on the back of the kiosk.

B. Signs: Bob Leone said he would try again to put up a sign on the north end of the preserve. It was suggested that logs or boulders be put on the trail to keep vehicles out while still allowing hiking or skiing.

6. Trails – Heidi Gagnon and Jim Beam

A. Trail Construction Work Trips: Bob Leone said work parties had flagged trails twice since the last meeting, and the trails, which he pointed out on the map, are ready for cutting. A tentative date for clearing the trails was set for December 8 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Approximately ten people will be needed and the Midcoast Stewards were suggested. Alan Pooley showed his maps with routes marked.

7. Other Business

Deb Sondergaard suggested that Jo Cameron’s Edgecomb column could be used for soliciting volunteer work parties.

Types of trail signs, such as a piece of lath with the number of the trail, arrows, trail names, various colored signs indicating trails, etc., were discussed.

Lumber for the bridge was discussed. Andy Abello volunteered to cut two or three hemlock trees and lay them across the brook, Jim Beam has cut oak planks which Bob Leone will take to Bob Brown’s to be cut into 2x4s. Bob Brown volunteered his machine for the next month.

8. Public Input – None

9. Adjournment – 8:10 p.m.