1. Bob Leone will prepare a budget for the next meeting

1. Church/Lallis Property Update: Rupert Neily, Chair of the Lands Committee of the Boothbay Region Land Trust, said the purchase and sale agreement for the Church property is in final negotiations and a closing is expected at the end of February. LFMF is funding the acquisition and the property will be sold to BRLT. A project agreement is being drafted. The BRLT has hired Leighton Associates to survey the property. LFMF will fund some items such as the survey up to the total management fee which is 5% of the sales price.

   In response to Bob Leone's question regarding access by the Committee to the Church house, Rupert Neily said he would locate a key and let the Committee know.

   Bob Leone said that the Town Attorney would be asked to draft a warrant to accept the Church property. A warrant article for transferring the Lallis property to the BRLT will also be necessary assuming the unpaid lien situation has been resolved. Rupert Neily asked to have input on putting the warrant article together. Bob Leone will give him a copy of the project agreement on the Haselton property.

   When the Lallis property is conveyed to BRLT, the Selectmen would like to retain two three-acre lots along the road. Jo Cameron said that the IRS is not willing to forgive the $91,000+ lien on the Lallis property, but evidently is willing to negotiate. The IRS letter has been sent to the BRLT. Bob Leone will ask David Soule if contacting Tom Allen or the two senators would be appropriate or helpful in negotiations with the IRS.

   Jo Cameron mentioned that Sharon Dowd's well is beyond her property line and she would like to trade that area for the site of the large American elm tree.

   Bob Leone said the Committee would like to include the Church property in the management plan. Rupert Neily said the project agreement may require a forest management plan by a professional forester. He also said that the land trust would like an easement over the trail corridor to ensure linkage between the Zak and Schmid Preserves.

2. Haselton Fund-raising: Bob Leone will contact Kerry Warren at the First regarding the possibility of the bank matching funds the committee raises to pay off the Haselton loan. If he is successful a letter will be drafted to be sent to 25 individuals asking for $100 from each and mentioning the matching funds from the First.
3. River~Link Update: At a recent meeting, trail markers were reviewed and a pentagon-shaped marker with a pine cone and river in the background on it was selected. Another marker for the kiosks was selected which will show the symbols and names of the participating groups.

   Ms. Lauderback has agreed to allow the trail to be built on his property but is not interested in selling. Mr. Thompson has donated property and Mr. Garber will sell his property. After the Church and Garber properties are purchased there will be roughly $200,000 left. SVCA and DRA will work on securing other properties although no LFMF funds will be applied for this year. The holdings will be consolidated and the trail will be worked on this summer. A budget is due March 1st. Five percent of the money spent can be used for management and Bob Leone will put together a budget for signage, demolition of the old Church house, parking area, gate and kiosk. He said the Church house had no value to the Schmid Committee and its location is the site of the planned parking lot. Jim Beam suggested that the committee members look at the house and determine whether it would be worth offering to someone who would be willing to move it.

1. Apple Tree Pruning Summary - Nov. 20: Barry Hathorne reported on a successful apple tree pruning workshop. A photo of the event had appeared in the paper.
2. Picnic Table Donation: Barry Johnson received a donation of a six-foot picnic table which has been placed in the Haggett Field.
3. Kiosk Construction: Chris Riser will contact Wiscasset High School to see if a group would be interested in building a kiosk. It may be possible to have materials donated.
4. Outing Club Outreach: Bob Leone said Wiscasset High School has an Outing Club and Boothbay has started one. He will invite them to hike, ski or snowshoe on the preserve.

1. Full Moon Snowshoe Hike - Feb. 10: Weather permitting a hike will be scheduled for February 10, participants will meet at the Town Hall parking lot at 7 p.m.
2. River~Link Trail Route: Bob Leone asked the committee members to think about a route for the River~Link trail -- whether it should be a separate trail or part of the existing trail system.

Jo Cameron said questions had been raised about the accessibility to the preserve from Mt. Hunger Road East; evidently some landowners were making access difficult. Bob Leone said that although the road has been discontinued and the Town does not maintain it, it is a public right-of-way. A sign will be put on Mt. Hunger Road East at the junction of the Undas' driveway indicating the preserve is 500 feet ahead. Barry Hathorne mentioned that there is a tunnel from the barn foundation to a spring on the Undas' property where the settlers used to hide from the Indians.

There was discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of having the preserve shown in the Delorme Maine atlas. It is currently not shown and Bob Leone said he saw no advantage in having it added