1. Insurance Update: Jo Cameron reported that for MMA coverage, each volunteer would have to be identified; however, in a few years blanket coverage may be available, so it was decided to wait for the blanket coverage. Event insurance she said would be very expensive. She reported that the Boothbay Region Land Trust et al are insured by Chubb Insurance, Inc. through the national Land Trust Alliance, for which Schmid, as a part of town government, is not eligible. Bob Leone will draw up a release form which could also be a roster for volunteers on work trips.
2. 2004 Budget: Bob Leone distributed copies of the proposed budget which he will present to the Budget Committee. He will advise them that the Schmid Committee may ask for money next year, but the long range plan is to raise funds for an endowment so that the interest could be used for the committee’s expenses. He said that as of March 1st $445 of the committee’s funds had been spent and $1305 remained; he felt that until the Haselton debt is paid, funds shouldn’t be requested from the Town. It was decided to keep the budget for 2004 at $1550.

1. Haselton walk-through: Deborah Sondergaard, Andy Abello, David Tonry, Dick Oulton and Bob Leone had walked the entire Haselton property on March 6th. Nothing other than enamel-coated pots and pans was found. A report had been sent to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust together with a map showing how they had walked the property. The report was also signed by Chris Fichtel and sent to LFMFas another step in obtaining the funds.
2. Draft Project Agreement: A draft agreement had been received from SVCA which Bob Leone had amended to make it applicable to the Schmid Preserve and to preserve the continuity of management through an existing professionally prepared management plan. The agreement will also reference the Schmid management plan. The provisions of the agreement were discussed vis-à-vis the management plan, what changes would be recommended and how policy decisions were made. He asked for comments on sections 3A, 4A and 6A from the committee before Friday. A copy will be sent to the Department of Conservation for its comments.
3. Proposed adjacent development status: Bob Leone reported that a purchase and sale agreement had been signed by Wendy and Michael Unda on the 102 acres of land owned by WTS Realty. According to the realtor, the new owners are not interested in developing the property for anything other than their own home. Bob Leone will speak to the Undas to see if they would be interested in selling or granting an easement on the back part of the property which abuts the Schmid Preserve, as this could be used for part of the RiverLink trail.

1. Mowing status: The grant for mowing is being processed and funds for last year’s mowing will be forthcoming. The balance will be paid when the second field is mowed.

1. Spring goals: Bob Leone listed repainting and/or adding blazes on all trails, the kiosk on Old County Road, signs, and scouting the brook trail as goals for the next couple of months. If the Eagle Scouts are not interested, Bob will solicit donations for the kiosk. Andy Abello suggested putting a wood duck box near the graminoid swale. Bob asked for volunteers to paint the blazes.

Jo Cameron asked the committee members to watch out for the Asian woolly adelgid which infests hemlocks and has been making a steady move north. She proposed creating an arboretum within the Schmid preserve, labeling some of the trees and other plants with their common and botanic names.

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