accordance with the open public media act of the state of New Jersey. Adequate notice of this Wednesday, April 8th. >> I thought I had the 9th earlier too. Yes, >> I'm going to fast forward to the 9th. April 8th meeting of the Franklin Township Trolls Advisory Committee was posted on the township website and
electronically transmitted to the officially designated newspapers indicating that this meeting would take place at the municipal buildings um on April 8th. >> Okay. Roll call. >> Yep. Uh Vanessa Jones
>> present. >> And Maria Arleski, >> I'm here. >> Jim Kolowski >> here. >> Chris Gonda is going to be absent tonight. Um, Jignasha Patel. >> Um, Professional Health. >> Yeah. >> Patrick Murray. >> Robert Kovac.
>> Awesome. I think I got everybody right. Yeah. Okay. So, good. >> Do we need someone? >> He's already absent today. Someone subscribers with notes or >> Chris is not going to make it tonight. So, yes, I can take notes. Um, I miss a lot of notes only when um so if anyone
else has backup notes. Yeah, you don't have to take vigorous notes, but >> I can't see. >> Yes, you know. >> Um, somebody willing to co- notes with Tara cuz when Terara's presenting, she it's hard to take notes when you're >> It'll be okay. I mean, I'll fill if you
know what it is. How about if I have blanks, I'll send it around and you guys can fill it in. If I like completely lose portions, we'll do our best. >> Oh, thank you, Pash. Yeah, if you want to take some notes, that would be awesome. Cool. Thank you. All righty.
Okay. Um, the first item on our agenda is the approval of March uh, tag minutes. >> I know the minutes I sent out I think were the wrong minutes before. >> Yes. And I don't I don't have Chris's minutes. So, I think we have to table them. Yeah.
>> And we approved February. This is so nicely done today. >> We approved February. I think we approved February. Yes, we did. We did at the March meeting. Yeah, we just did it. So, we don't have March. So, off the table March. Okay. Um
All right. Um the uh next item on our agenda is public comment. We have a motion to open for public comment. >> I move we move to open public comment. >> I second. >> Okay. Favor. >> Um public comment. >> Would you mind introducing yourself and
telling us what brings you here? Uh, hi. I'm Kathleen Gallagher. I'm a resident of South Brunswick. Um, born in Spotswood and drown bit in between. Uh, so I am currently uh on the board of
Kingston Greenways Association and Kingston is the village that both of our townships share. Uh, the Kingston Greenways uh was founded 25 something years ago. The initial impetus was uh there was supposed to be a big highway
going through Kingston into uh Franklin Township and then uh to protect uh an emerald put an emerald necklace around the village of Kingston that's pretty much been achieved. Uh and I'm um my
personal goal is to get kids out into greenways. I don't care where they are any way, shape or form. Get kids out in the woods. So, I have uh we have a board, an organization with a board that needs members, uh but it's been around for a while. It has a name, the history
of Kingston. Uh we are doing uh an Earth Day cleanup we do every year. Uh I guess it I don't know if anyone previously has invited Franklin Township folks to the Franklin Township side, which is the
morning uh cleanup around Rockingham. And um that's uh basically is to um introduce share we're here. There are uh told pieces of green spaces on 27 on the
Franklin side that are uh the one that's currently DOT lands at the intersection of Route 27 and Raymond Road behind the place the name I just told you. Anyway, uh that's going to be transferred. It was imminent like the
past year or two. So, at a certain point, you'll be getting more green spaces. I think it's being transferred to the state and then it would uh I'm not sure that there's uh anything of particular interest there, just green spaces, which is a good thing. And then
uh one thing that I learned about recently is that trap rock corey in a certain point when they stop producing which I guess is the the question of when they will stop but that that will be transferred also to uh the state for
green lands greenways >> entire trap rock >> I think so yeah >> yeah but I mean it's I this may not be lifetimes right it's been producing for >> oh gosh yeah years and for Edward another 100 years. So I mean it's
>> Oh yeah they were kind of winding down though. >> I don't know. >> Apparently they went from big rocks to gravel. >> Yeah. >> So they were expected to wind up sooner when it was big rocks is what I was told just verbally >> and then uh now they're doing gravel. So
yeah, it might not be anytime soon. >> I don't have any information. I'm just saying time horizon may be much longer than we think it is. Right. So, at least it won't maybe be built upon or put a transformer station there or something else. And then, you know, the other part
was uh I'm involved uh trying to I don't know at this point they're putting in a data center right next to uh the state park land and township land there on Route One. and so uh involved
in trying to stop that part of it because it's going to not following really best practices diesel generators lots of um pollution electric but then the water so in part of my work on that found out that um our water if you get
your water from American water company comes not just from the canal but from the millstone and so any of the streams in our townships like my uh stream is Heathcoat Brook uh runs through the township. It's like five branches up by
Route One, so it gets lots of road, dirt, and chemicals. Uh and also to Mink and lots of turtles and beaver, but uh it gets polluted. It it becomes our drinking water. So, that's another thing I'm trying to share and make
people aware of. And but basically it's just to get people outside uh get people children especially to fall in love with nature so that they can solve the problems that we left them with.
And I was saying one of my favorite trails are I guess they're on this side but I love Butler Road Trail and um the Bunker Hill Trails. I like any trail.
So that's basically it. So uh and well I didn't so board members. So if you know as I understand that being a board of volunteers you're probably in the same position but um this one is I mean I'm looking for some more scienceheavy
people but the last three board members that I recruited are like 20somes. One is a senior at Ruckers. uh one was the watershed ambassador out of the watershed institute which is like a kind of a temporary job. He's since gotten a
a a full-time job and another one is at the Eagleton Institute contemplating going to grad school. So it was basically you want to do anything to build your CV under the opaces of Kingston Greenway come along join the board help us with an event or two. So,
it's not um a big ask, but um so if you meet anybody in the next few years that uh wants to do something maybe different than the commitment would be for your fine organization and thank you for doing what you do. South Brunswick does
not do what you do with this. And uh South Brunswick has great trails, too. And um uh the one I would share on that side, it's actually uh Middle Sex County Park, Ireland Brook Conservation Area. There's a park that's horrible right
next to the turnpike and it's just over the border into East Brunswick, but it has more beaver living there than any place I've ever seen. So, it's um cool to see how many trees a few beavers can bring
down, but they're they're there and they're happy. And uh if you go there, go on a day when the wind is blowing from the west, so you don't hear too much of the term fighting. >> Thank you. >> Um Kathleen, I know what was your last name.
>> Gallagher. So I I would be K. Gallagher at kingston Greenways.org. ah k g a l l a g h e r at kingston greenways.org and we have the website I think that website
might be on the flyer and um >> um could you spell that one more time? G- A L L A G E R >> A G H E R in Ireland it's Galahur. >> H E R. >> Yes. >> Okay. Somehow my father didn't fight
that fight to keep it at home. >> Okay. >> Um and yeah, I guess that's it. >> So I thank you. I'm sorry if I delay your regular meeting, but >> thank you.
>> Thank you. So >> you want us to focus today on the event that you're having or that you have? Yeah, I guess if if there is somebody here tomorrow to get permission to put it up on your the bulletin board here, >> uh it's online. I'll be sharing it to uh
Oh, you know what my question is? What's the main Facebook page for Franklin Township? Is it historic Franklin Township or >> No, it's Township. Let me look. It's Township of Franklin, I think it is. >> But is that the township one? >> That's a township. >> Oh, so I But I can't post on that. >> No.
>> No, that's what I'm saying. The one the community one that I >> Oh, the community board is the recreation. >> I think you're talking about like historic Franklin Township, which is like a random. It's just like an >> official, >> but which one is the most popular?
>> Franklin is is the most popular. >> So anyway, like I I put things Kingston Greenway stuff on that page and on the South community page, things like that. So, it's not to say, uh, you know, if you all don't come out that Saturday morning, I'm going to come and slap your
wrist, >> right? >> There is a a Franklin Township woman, I forget her last name, Jennifer, who lives in Kingston who runs who has been doing that morning one. But, uh, it's just basically an introduction to say we're here,
um, part of the area that we cover and, um, anything that we can partner on or, um, you know, I for me, I feel like, and I think it would be true in Franklin, too, uh, an area is to get the schools
more involved in our green spaces. Like you, we both have tons of trails. I was saying South Brunswick has two state parks, seven county parks, and seven or eight great trails. I'm sure you guys have comparative. And so that's my
personal thing, and I would hope to um see it. I think again that Franklin is more is ahead of South Brunswick on a lot of these initiatives, but unless we get children comfortable being outside and I started uh just the learning share
with our we have an earth club at the high school that's run by the English department and uh those kids part of it is I think they never went into the woods or on trails so they're not as environmentally aware and into it.
They're just looking for something for their CV to get into college. So, I think it's to get them started to get that outreach done in elementary school. And so, that's what I'm trying to do, but hitting kind of roadblocks or uh I don't know why in South Brunswick, but
that would be one of the things that I would uh say encourage you to do is to get uh the schools involved with your great trails. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> That's definitely one of our goals. Definitely one of our goals, too. >> Yeah. I mean I that's what I was like I felt rude standing here giving you thank
you so much for coming and uh yeah if we have anybody in mind anybody who's interested in volunteering we'll let you know if there's anything we can partner up on or any learnings I mean I feel like that's you know there's so many groups but uh if we don't um you know
say hi every once in a while about each other >> too there's a lot of little pieces and We're all doing different things and if we were more aware what all of us were doing, we'd have so much more power. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. We have a motion to close uh
public comment. >> Close public. >> Second. >> Um All right. Moving on. The next item on our agenda is site plan review. >> Uh no site plan review still. Still reviewing um the AC the last time just reviewed a subdivision for a farm. So,
okay. Um, so the next item, moving on to new business, we have one opening on trails and four applications. >> Yeah. So, interestingly, four four applications came in at one time, which was great. So, Councilman Karazzi asked
that we look through and tell him who we think should be the person to fill the seat and he will bring that to the council meeting to be appointed. >> Are we limited? We can't we can have more than what was it nine? Is it? >> Um, no. Yes. So, we only have one opening right now.
>> We can keep the other people on file obviously and the next time we have an opening, we can just even like go right to this group. That's But right now, yeah, we have to submit a recommendation. >> I just didn't know whether we I Yeah, I presumed we were for some reason limited, but we couldn't just say poof,
now we have >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, these are the like a shame to say say no to a person. >> I know. I agree. Well, normally one might come in, another one. This was crazy for kind of on all the committees. Normally it's like a trickling of applications, but
>> a lot of things it does say submitting date. So So one of them is from 2025. Is that is that when they applied and they >> I don't know. So Councilman Karazzi sent these all to me in one group. >> I'm looking at this, Ryan, and it says down here, I met committee members Vanessa and Jigasha on a guided trail
walk this morning before 1925, a year ago. Those on the mid hike that that guy and this another lady I remember both of them meeting on the same hike. >> It's an online form. You can go online and fill this out. So if you just haven't seen them, >> what were you doing?
>> Yeah. >> Well, I'm thrilled somebody we talked to actually applied. Stakes didn't find out until you're leaving, >> right? Yeah. Yeah, that's really great. I've always hoped for that. >> I printed out copies in the middle if
you all would prefer to look at them that way. I don't know if you had a chance to review them or not. Um, >> I download them into this little device which is I'm glad I did it because now I can make it one word at a time. >> Right.
How about we go through Do you want I guess should we go through one at a time or do you have an idea? >> Just a question from this person. It's for It's open public record. Yeah. So, we have to do it. Yeah. >> I know. Yeah. We can only go into close session for property negotiations and
like personnel matter. It's like the staff personel. >> It seems like a shame to even say no. >> Yeah. >> People are interested. And >> are we sure if this person from a year ago is still interested?
>> I am not sure. I know Councilman Karaji says even >> I have to say that I'm I'm actually whether the right word is annoyed >> right >> kind of annoyed that >> this that somebody filled out the form.
>> I know >> somehow it didn't filter its way to us. So >> well I've never seen I've never seen a resume before. I've been for a minute. So >> you've been on the committee for forever. >> So I said I'm I'm happy I'm a you know glass half pass full. I'm happy that
they're affairs with us giving us income because normally people just get appointed and we don't know. >> Yeah. >> Because I'm I'm a little you know this person has wanted to do this for a year and kind of >> how does that reflect right
>> us the town the process? >> Yeah. So maybe we kind of just like you know who we want to start with and you know basically you know who's going to uh be the next time we have a seat open or if the person declines. Um >> we should definitely get back to everybody in some way shape or form. I
suppose recog you know acknowledge them. >> But Brian here I I don't know. I haven't this is the one that's April 19th. I don't know if any of the others have made it even sooner. >> He's clearly been the one waiting the longest. or
who knows maybe he isn't. >> Yeah, >> he's a PhD level biologist. So, he actually is a lot like Chuck. >> I'm trying to remember. Do you remember? I don't remember. >> I remember that guy. Brian and Hannah both
look back at my pictures cuz I have such a bad memory. So Brian Brian has a lot of if we want to look at Brian first, Brian has like a very similar background to what Chuck Martin had >> in terms of being like a microbiologist. >> Yeah.
>> Genetics and that was really helpful when um we had Chuck for those types. Well, he really gave us a lot of uh help I think. >> So that's one. >> A lot of health science. Let's look at
Hannah. Hannah, she's a lifelong resident. So, she's from Ward 4. So, this is one thing that is important. Lord, we, you know, we have have a whole plan in place in the town about equitable distribution of our
resources. It might be really nice to have someone coming on from W 4. >> Um, >> I'm at W 4. Work. >> Yes. five. >> You're five. Yeah, >> you're
>> one then. >> Where's uh Franklin Township then? Somerset? >> Some street are you on? >> Okay. So, this is New Brunswick JFK. >> So, you're in four or five?
>> You're in four JFK Boulevard. >> Okay. All right. So we're we're okay there then I guess you're in ward one so you're near you're not too far from me right >> same de development. >> Yeah. So >> like I live right next door you
need to fashion. >> I guess not too far is negative and close is positive. >> So we're light on two and three. >> We are light on two and three. That's true. >> Um this middle bush road might be three. >> Yes. That would be three.
>> Shish is I see shash. >> Are you not going to be as good as you? >> She has an she's an IT professional. She likes riding and hiking the trails. So, she's very interesting as well. And then the last person is Say
um and he is in Franklin Park. He's the one that submitted the resume. >> Resume. Yeah, >> he's a civil engineer, masters in transportation engineering. He was volunteering for the last 18 years, >> soccer club, fire squad.
So, he's got an interesting background, too, because we are kind of working on projects more with transportation, micromobility. So, >> Chris sprays a lot with that, but certainly having more >> Yeah. But he's like being an executive manager at
>> so >> Yes, he's high. Yes, he's he's up there. >> Yeah. >> And I would bring our our average age down, >> right? >> What What you talking about? >> How can you tell? How can you tell that?
>> I know. >> Oh, okay. I'm looking on here for an age. >> Is she the wart? She's a >> She also volunteers with students as a mentor, a tech mentor. >> I feel terrible. Each and every one of these people,
>> they're all great. They all do. They're all great. >> The idea that we're going to sit here and pick one. >> I I when you said this, I looked at this and I said, "Each one of them brings something very different to the table." >> And I don't have a sense of what
>> I don't have a feeling about. preferred solution is to change the the number of people on the board who signed >> submit our nominations. I mean people are >> I mean the other way we can do it we can go by who submitted it first and if that
person's not interested we can go by who submitted it next unless you want to choose someone and the other three people like I said we can keep them in like if someone if an opening comes up you know we >> I think it makes sense
I would suggest that because I don't see a good you know like this, you know, this person over that person or over, you know, over the other person each of them. >> Yeah. There's no rubric for us to look through and say, "Hey, yeah, you know, this versus this,"
>> you know, I I mean, and and ultimately the I mean, the main criteria for participation on the trails commission has traditionally been enthusiasm. >> So, each of these people are are are highly qualified. There's it's the I you know, telling any of them no is is
almost absurd to me. So I mean I think the only thing we can do is just go in order of submission of >> the fairness. I mean this person's been waiting a year. >> Yeah. >> And they may not be interested. That's fine. >> Yeah. >> And if not then we go to >> So I think we submit date and then we
just Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Does that work for everybody? >> Then we petition. >> Yeah. I'm sure I know one of our goals have also been as far as like the diversity of our of our group, right? and like balancing things out.
Representation. Um I'm I'm just like looking here. I'm just trying to think about um any anything here that would help us balance ourselves out even more. I'm not sure. I think I know we have three women. >> Um and five men. Is that right?
>> Yeah, I guess. Yeah. For us. >> So, uh not but that's not like so disproportionate. It's not like there's, you know, if we wanted to. >> So, I could see that. How old is the first person? >> No idea. >> I'm comfortable I'm comfortable with going like we said with the dates, but I
also want to be mindful of um other criteria, you know, certainly could be considered and at other times maybe should be considered. >> Yeah. Representation, >> right? I think I'd like that you suggested Hannah would bring our our average age down, which I'm >> Yeah. >> Despite my horror at that.
>> You just don't know the age of the other people. like >> well they all based on their experience. Yeah. Resume and experience right now. >> I think this brings us back to the >> person. Okay. I'm not trying to push against the sequest. I was just wanted to put it out
there. >> I I mean in all seriousness I don't Is it statute? Is it ordinance? Is it sets the number? >> Yeah. >> Ask somebody how hard it is to change it from 9 to 12. >> It's not that hard. I mean it's we have to rewrite the ordinance. It has to be
presented at two meetings and approved. So it's a time >> having to maintain 12 very difficult >> but it's still richness. We've never had four at one time. >> Well and the other thing is is that you know >> no that's the upper limit. You know what
I mean? I mean the number of people that are on the on the the commission are the number of people that are on the commission. Right. >> Right now we have a vacancy >> and we had a vacancy for a you know pretty long time. Right. So vacancies are vacancies. The idea is if we increase the upper limit, I'm not
assuming that we would always have 12. I'm assuming that, you know, it would open it up to up to 12, which I don't think is an unreasonable number for for this board and what we do, right? So anyway, whatever. I don't I don't want to open up a can of worms and drive us off into some crazy direction.
>> I have a question here. Is are these or applications like, you know, anyone can send in an application? >> Yes. >> Yes. There's an online >> can send in an application. is online. Then you check off what you're interested in committee wise. So every committee, commission, board we have is
on there and you can submit like I'm interested in this >> and then the process is is that it goes to our clerk Amarie and then she usually sends it directly to me or to the councilman. I'm not. And then in this instance, I got all four in one email like a few days ago. So
>> that's why I asked like you know is there like a page where it's written okay we have all the links here and then people can apply based >> yes township's website you can >> I found it HARD I FOUND IT hard to navigate >> it is it is >> I'm sure all of us had to at one point
navigate it >> okay so >> so then I would we should move we we need to move forward so I >> the way I have it down I'm sorry is number one Brian Gelziler he applied in April20 25. >> Shil Sha applied January 2026. Then the
third one would be Hannah Rafi. She applied March 2nd of 2026. And then we have Sed Casmi. He applied March 14th of 2026. >> In that order until I guess comfortable would be like we nominate the first one. If the first one doesn't accept, we go
to the second one. We can tell Councilman Karazzy that. >> Okay. need to move. I move that we look at the resumeumés and that we start with the oldest one going forward to see if they're still interested and then whoever is interested we would make an
offer to come and join us. >> Second. >> I'll second that. >> Favor. >> Any extensions or nays? >> Okay. All righty. >> Right. And I don't know, Terra um
Kathleen who was just here from the Kingston Greenway if somebody I don't know if somebody would want how we could go about that if somebody follows up and is interested and they wanted to like do like a foundational >> Oh, right. Yeah. >> I don't know. Yeah. Oh, you mean forward
these guys to Kathleen maybe? Or >> I don't know how that would work. >> I don't know. We could ask them if they're interested or, you know, tell them basically, hey, you know, this spot's open. I don't know. Right. >> The second person, Shelly Shaw, is down in your neck of the woods. Some might be interested in it.
>> That's true. Yeah. >> Just to keep in mind. >> Got it. Yeah. >> And we've never had this abundance this whole. >> Yeah. There was so many times >> sharing was never a possibility.
>> Okay. Um, moving on to planning for National Trails Day, June 6th. >> Oh, so I I inserted in for B, the trail development of County Route 518. Unless you'd rather move that to the end. >> Um, no, no. So, okay. So, another
there's another guide. So, A and a half. >> Yes. >> Um, all right. So, before we get into National Trails Day, thank you uh for those of you able to make it out um and join us at uh the 518
uh trail. Um and you know, our second our second trip out there to scope things out. I know there were a couple of things we said we need to go back and ask Tara about those things, but I don't remember what they were. So, if anybody does >> I do. >> There's a couple of things. when we were
coming back, remember we were following your trail back and we hit the kind of greenway that went straight up to the houses there. Was that all was that forbidden area or was that something we could do? And then there were two other tracks that parallel that could be used as well.
>> So when you look at the map um there's right kind of like along the border of one of >> right there. Yeah, those three lines of >> this section right here, >> it was too long. Like kind of it was and I remember I vaguely remember Bob Warlocker saying something about like a
a a throughway or a passageway or Yes. >> Um and so >> a road >> there's a road. Yes, >> that's ours. That little one of the road the road that's like really dippy and um I think there's a fence along it now. >> Raised. >> No fence.
>> No fence. Okay. So, our road, you see like the thick blue line up here, right here. Our road is on that. And to we were going to let hunters use it, but we couldn't because we had a complaint from the neighbor. So, that's why we made the parking lot over there. So, we're not
going to use that road as like a road because the neighbors complain. >> Zero access. >> Yes, that's what that is, right? >> Road. Does that mean that we can't put a trail on there or just can't or vehicles on there? Well, uh I don't know because well, let me
tell you this. So, we weren't putting cars there. We were just letting hunters, 10 permitted hunters walk there and we got a big outcry from the community, which is why the township actually closed hunting down there when that happened and then built the uh built the parking lot. So, not saying we
cannot put a trail there. I'm just saying there's already been like some upheaval about that. >> But, we weren't interested. >> Well, it's just it's um >> we weren't interested in the road access. We were interested in like hereish, you know, cuz there's a basically a raised
>> elevy road that stretches all the way deep into the property, right? You know, we must have been hereish cuz then we cut this way >> and then we made our way, you know, up to here. So, this is the bit of the road that we're actually interested in. >> Okay, got it. That probably wouldn't be
a problem because it's further in. If it's going along the neighbor's house, then I would say honestly because she came to the meeting and made such a good um argument, I guess, that you know, we had to ban hunt permitted hunters from using it. So um but I think if you're
further >> access, right? >> Yes. Well, anyone walking back and forth along there basically. >> So this is the thing. So being out there like it is a it has there's a lot of wet. Yes, it was a lot of wet there. And so the raised ground like where that
driveway was is a nice stretch of raised ground and kind of and it's the higher it is closer to not next to the houses but like getting closer to the houses is like it's a little higher. So as you're kind of doing this um I mean nobody like
it's better for hikers as well to not be you know close to houses. You want to be like kind of feel like you're off but we were wanting to know what our options were. Um, but right now, like right now, what's been flagged, you know, you can see the houses. >> You can see it's not it's not on their
property. >> No. So then that should be okay. If it's that far away, it should be okay. This was like you saw that piece of road how close it was to the house. That's what we're talking about in particular. I think what you guys are talking about is okay. If I remember what we were going to do is that you had some
artifact, some sort of digital artifact like I think either through your Google maps or something that showed where we were, right? And we would overlay that over, you know, over the the maps to get a sense of where we walked, where that is relative to the edges of our property
and then how closely that could align, you know, with a trail >> where we were trying to create >> also to to to learn like how did we how close did we get, you know, so I I think we we need that digital. >> Well, we were well. Yes. >> And I think that we were the whole time
we did pull up that app. I don't know if you so we had that um what's it called? Regrid or something. >> Yeah, Regrid. >> Yeah. >> Um, so we had we found an app, Regrid, that shows you the property lines. >> So, we were able to see like, you know, with those property pieces from your map
where we were. So, I know that, you know, we didn't um >> I think we wanted to share with Tara some sort of >> Oh, what we had done. >> Yeah. Where we physically were so that she can overlay that onto >> Okay, let me let me get the app. I have to make sure. I mean, I think it should
probably be compatible with our it, but >> Well, it's not it's not um I didn't save it in regrid. >> Oh, you did it. Okay. >> No, no, I just my walk. >> Oh, no. Perfect. Go out on paper and and plot it, you know, or something. I mean, the point is is that we have a digital,
you know, record where we were >> and we're trying to >> every time we try to create a new layout, >> we're trying to put that somewhere. Right. This is kind of like what we had. Um, so like this is this is where we went. I had this is what I had done. So
you can like see what we had here. This is going to 27. This is kind of the loop that we're talking about right now. When we when we were there is considered our property or not. >> This is what we did. >> Okay. >> Um, so this is and that's the um, you
know, that long straight stretch there is that driveway basically that road. Now I guess if we could >> Yeah, that should be fine. That one all the way in here. >> If you can send me that, that would be great. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Um just like this or send it to you through like the map my walk. >> If you have it through Matt My Walk, that's probably better because that Yeah, that would be that would be best. Yeah. Right. And then we can kind of see because that was basically we were
walking where we think a trail >> might or be able to be made and we were trying to make a certain kind of a loop and we were trying to connect with >> you probably have to overlay two different walks, right? your your first walk that you did on your own walk to see how close we came to to connecting
and you know and then we have to kind of think about the the logistics or the mechanics of how a trail is cut because it's some of that we were basically an impassible >> you know okay so it's definitely going to require like some DPW
>> take a look at this and say no people have lost we're putting a trail there or >> got it and so so Um what we had done was I had done some preliminary work of just kind of like trying to figure out because it takes hours and hours and hours. Like I was out there four
separate five different times for at least 2 hours a time. One time 5 hours and it's just kind of like just to kind of get from to like to flag it, right? To get from um 518 to Route 27, >> right? >> It was um just tricky cuz it's so
thorny. You're constantly having to like to uh trip. Um, but we have we did that. So, we got we went um um through that piece of it. We got I got to the other side of it and was able to kind of do like a loop on one side of the pipeline
by 518 and then half of a loop on the between the pipeline and route 27. Okay. So, like Yeah. So, it's kind of like kind of get back here. Now, down here at this lower part is where there were um hunting hunters had put orange ribbons
on the trees, right? So, there's one. So, I didn't put the flags where the hunters had put the orange ribbons. Um so, and I had gotten to here and so what the group decided was and I had already figured out something up here. >> Just for the record, I don't think any of it's great. Like, it's just >> we did that. I'm not saying that that's
the best. We really want to figure out the lay of the land better and what's going to be what's higher ground and what has gonna have better ge geographical things to look at. Um but we have so we have the loop here and then we decided to try to get and forge
through here to get to kind of where I had um left off. Got it. >> To finish that second loop. >> Okay. >> And we we got we did pretty well, but we we reach to an impass. Got it. Um, and that's where and that's where we
stopped. And um, I did go back a couple days later and I wasn't brave enough to go that same way, but I went I went back my way and I was like, there's just no way. Like there's no way I'm going to find where we left off. There's there's no way. And so I'm flagging. I'm
flagging. I'm flagging. Pushing through, trimming, trimming, flagging. And all of a sudden, I look up and I see our DOUBLE PINK FLAGS >> AND I SCREAMED. I WAS SO EXCITED. WE WERE SO >> YEAH, because I was like, "No, it wasn't that. I still had a bit of work to do. I
just can't believe I found it." >> I can't believe that all of that >> all of that. >> I think if if we had like sort of that digital map, all of those end up with like sort of a something that we can maybe give to somebody say,
"Hey, look, this is what we're looking to cut back." >> And I don't know if if somebody wants to go back, it's still all flat. It's still all flat. if somebody wants to go back and um I haven't used our app in a long time. >> Um but we could do you a new one with has both of those sections together and
I'm happy to do it. >> Um or uh yeah or or using the the software from the township. But I don't think this is like I don't think this is like the >> we haven't designed the best trail at this point. We've just kind of forged a way through.
Um, and we just I think um a friend of mine who does trail work, he had suggested like in winter he's like it'd be a really it'd be a good time to come here with it covered in snow because then you can see more of the lay of the land. You're not kind of distracted by all of the the greenery and the other
stuff. So, I thought that was interesting. >> Yeah. >> But um but I think this is going to be a process. Like I think that this is going to >> um >> you sort of get the sense that it >> Yeah. I I don't know if I want to say this like, you know, while being recorded, but I sort of get the sense that it's
like it almost doesn't matter. It's so sticker bushy, you know, in there that it's sort of we just have to >> like, you know, blaze a trail >> and and we have to go through and cut it because there is no other way to get through there unless some work is done,
whether us some sort of machine, >> you know, but we just need to we need to give a line to somebody and say >> or you need to make a line. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Or we do it. >> Also, we need to check the water per because that is also
>> I think that's a priority cuz we don't want to put a trail in the swampy area. >> Yeah, >> cuz majority of the part it was like all very >> me also. >> I just don't know what degree we're going to be able to walk through every inch of that place to figure out the
best as it were path you know. >> Well no that's why I think we have like this like figure eight. We have this figure eight there and then we could use that as like a home base, right? >> And then maybe kind of like okay like the area that we went on that was really muddy that I I definitely know there's a
better way than that way. So, it's a matter of like, okay, so maybe I'm going to like go out and uh and try to maybe like different sections we can just move around a bit and um >> a lot of work that I'm seeing in the
map. Is that anything to do with the water component in the soil? >> That is so that's wetlands as defined by DP. >> Okay. So that's part of the problem. Maybe maybe that's why we >> so soil must be saturated, you know,
can't absorb any more water. >> Yeah. Now that's wetlands done. It's not like they've been actually like hand uh walked on the property. This is all through aerial mapping, right? >> Um but we know that property's wet for the most part. Um so yeah, the other
thing I'll tell you just a little um right now and this is B this is public so it's fine. this property here with the culdesac on it. You see, we're working with the Land Conservancy of New Jersey to try and acquire that property. So, around the the lots around the cus I
can't reach cuz of my shortack. >> Yes, there we go. Yeah. Thank you. Um this here with the culdeac, see, and all those lots around it. We're trying to acquire that because it backs up to here. So, it would be all these lots. >> Are there homes on it? Wow. >> I'm sorry. >> Are there homes on it?
>> There's not. It got approved for a subdivision years ago, but the homes were never built. So >> that would be okay. >> So when when blazing the trail, like when we get further down, we should keep that in mind because that's also now that culdeac does exist that road. So as
we're moving through, if you want, say you wanted to veer off at 35 instead of going through 69, you could. >> There's a like a gravel road, >> not even gravel, like dirt. There's a dirt road, but it's something. Yeah. And it takes out to 27. Um, it's fully wooded, but that might be like it could
branch off two different ways or >> Yeah, you can have >> I know >> multiple trails >> that's further down the way. >> Yeah. >> So, they're working on acquiring that. >> We're working on it now. So, luckily the Land Conservancy of New Jersey, which is
a big land trust, they um actually got money through the D for this program that's called change cuz everything has to have an acronym. connecting habitats across New Jersey and through DP that project has identified properties that are good for
habitat conservation. So that one with the nine lot subdivision was called like a a habitat core area and it's where there's stopovers and breeding grounds and food sources. So they were able to actually get money to preserve open
space through that only nonprofits have access to. But they need a municipal partner which would be us. So hopefully we can still preserve it as open space, but it can't be used for like soccer fields or baseball fields. So this would be a good use of this. >> Would be awesome. >> Yeah, that's further down the way. But
just something to keep in mind when you're thinking about the trail. Yeah. >> Thanks for sharing. >> So it would be all those properties that kind of like line that road. >> Nine. Nine that go around that culac. >> That would be those four rectangulars are all that border 27.
>> One of the touch 27. They're all spoken for, right? Uh they all Yeah, they're built and have houses on them. >> These are houses. >> Yeah, they're already This is what you're talking about. >> Yep. The top all the way around. Yeah. >> So, Terra, if it is a habited
conserancy, then do you think would they allow the trail? >> Yes. I mean, we couldn't put down like um asphalt trail or anything like that. Natural materials though. Yes. Cuz we're not looking to cut down you I mean, they it was understood you have to cut down like a few trees or something. That's
one thing. But the point is we're not getting rid of the forest cover there. So a trail would be welcomed. Absolutely. Yeah. >> Do you know what the time frame this would be? >> Uh hoping to close on that. It's a what is that? April. So I mean probably by the end of the year. The land conservancy has to work with D to get
the money. So they have to go through the appraisals have to be approved by the state of New Jersey. The ordinance has to be approved. So we add a little time on. So it's going to be a while. But by the time it sounds like we get to that point maybe then we might, you know. So >> that's what I would ask you. What is a
timeline? Like this for us like it's exciting to go out there and um but it seems like um what is the next step? So this is a next step waiting. >> Yeah, that's like further down the line. But if you have a trail like say you were like we found a great spot for a trail. I mean if I can have the digital
file and get it to our IT department and they can make a map with coordinates on it. The next step after that is basically we present it to the open space advisory committee because there are going to be some funds and DPW. I'm sure they would approve it. And then from there, we give the map to DPW and
say, "Go." You know, they're not going to want to do it in the wet season. So, this is perfect timing to be doing the planning of it. Um, and I mean if you wanted I mean maybe they can do it over the summer, >> but is there somebody like I I reach out to my friend who's helped do some trail design stuff, but is there somebody who
has like experience that you know we could get their input as far as just just, you know, as far as like laying a good trail cuz trails are different, right? There are some that are great trails and some that are like, "Oh, this is just a >> Yeah. Um, a >> walk in the woods." >> A walk in the woods. Yeah, I mean it
depends, I guess, on what you're looking for at this property. So, we have a civil engineer on staff that can draw out the actual like but we're not looking for really like any kind of >> No, just like people like some like oh like you know wanting to what to pay
attention to like some I don't know somebody with experience doing trails who might >> Yeah, I don't know actually. I think honestly this group is probably who they would rely on in all honesty, you know. >> Okay. >> Um Anybody in this group any good at
using drones? >> I'm wondering if not get a survey of that area with a drone. >> Yeah. >> What is this? It's the tree canopy that's going to prevent you from >> especially this is really helpful would have been a good >> if you guys are comfortable though or if I would say this if you can get
comfortable with even the very first part of that trail loop so we can just get something going. Um I would recommend so the open peace advisory committee typically does not meet July or August right so if we can present something to them in June it doesn't
have to be exact a sketch this is if we can do that and they say yes go then that gives us July and August to basically map it correctly get it all set hand it to DPW in September and hopefully they can like you know plow through there >> and is there a particular app that you
think would be better versus the We have so it gave us a trails gave us a GPS map that we have on our phones for the that we did the trails mapping with. That's really the most compatible with our system because it uploads directly like when you when you record it, it
goes right to our IT department and he can take the raw data and he can manipulate it and everything. So if we go back with that I let me double check and make sure that the password and stuff is still the same. >> You I don't think you were here when we did that. I got to give you the app. I'll give you the app. They have it on
there. We used it here. >> Oh, yeah. All of us here used it to do our trails mapping and it worked great. It really worked great and it's precise. So, >> we'll resend it to everyone with the directions. Let me check with at also because I want to make sure the password's the same. Okay.
>> I forgot I couldn't access it. >> Yeah. Send uh it's the GIS. I forgot what it was called, but I know what it is. It's on my phone. >> I think it said you had to label something so they knew it was who it was from or anything like that. >> One good thing though is you take your
phone and as you're walking through, you literally just hit like start and as you're walking, you just hold it. That's it. And you and it as you're doing it, it's it's recording it. Yeah, it worked out. >> The trails the the current trails. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> You went around and like each spot you
could say that, okay, now upload this part. And then >> you just walk with the phone and do the whole trails. Field maps. That's what it's called. I'll send it to all you guys. >> Yeah. get to >> and Terra who owns those properties now is it uh privately held or
>> so the property so these all in front are each individual property >> oh the the nine lots lots it's owned by this place right now called Karen real estate so it's basically held by a land developer I think they bought it thinking that they would get be able to build the nine houses because it's an
approved subdivision the problem is is that the subdivision was approved such a while back the landowner at the time was like I'm not selling it for any less than this well in the meantime time. Fast forward, the storm water management regulations have completely changed and this property actually can't meet those
storm water regulations anymore for nine lots, >> which is why we're probably going to be able to get because they can't they're going to lose a lot of loan just for storm water management. And then the other lots really can't meet it either. So, it's
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. That's the hard thing. It's like sometimes if you wait too long to build, this is the kind of things that happen, you know. So, >> yeah. >> So, I think we kind of got the ball rolling. Um, and I think we just want to
continue getting out there um and kind of exploring and um it might take longer, you know. I don't know. Um, Sarah, if we're not able to kind of pull it together um for June um but we can shoot for that. We can shoot have like a
draft. you already have a small um loop that you've made. We could start with that and maybe try maybe one or two times more so that before June we could at least submit some >> just that first section before the >> go because we already know now I mean I'm looking at this map and seeing that
that water logged area would be totally you know unusable as a trail. That's where that first >> if you look back at the the map that I shared with you guys that that's where the right the trail >> starts in the parking lot,
>> right? So it's coming from here and um and you know and looping like it kind of goes like this through here, right? >> So um and that's why like kind of over here this is higher ground like a little bit and then this is higher ground. So this this is good.
>> That would be good. Um, and uh, yeah. So, I think that'll be trickier, but >> yeah. No, I think we could I think shoot for June. Like you said, if you don't make it for June, it's okay. Just the only thing I'm saying is they don't need July or August, so it'll have to wait till September.
>> But that's okay. >> You know, we can at least or if June, if it's not really 100% ready, maybe it's ready enough that we can get it to the open space committee and say we're blazing a trail. We're not using any special um materials or whatever. So, we
need DPW time and we probably need >> insert like random amount of money basically and go with that, >> you know, cuz we don't cuz once we have that >> Yeah, because once we leave it till September, then it will probably be the
end of the year till we get anything else rolling. >> At least we might, you know, get something put into the year. >> Absolutely. It's not about the It's not about the wet. It's not about getting your feet wet. It's about the environmental impact of your wetlands. That's the problem. >> You might have to, if this map is
accurate, you might have to look at something where you're minimizing like as though a cut through with a boardwalk. >> Yeah. Exactly. Right. >> This area then like you're all over the place, this area, but like this area is
basically out of bounds with just one cut through. >> Yeah. back and forth. Might have to >> which is but literally we did we crossed that stream. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. When we walked over there was a stream that we went over. >> Yeah. Yeah. By the pipeline. >> Yeah. >> Oh. Oh, that's another thing I was just
thinking. Um >> so the pipeline is the who owns the pipeline? Like the grass on the pipeline? >> Uh >> who maintains it? >> Because another thing I was thinking about was accessible, right? and like could we have part of this trail as
we're designing it be accessible and so if we had that driveway area um although I know any um hypothetically speaking you know the driveway and the pipeline would be like that those could
be more um like wheelchair accessible. >> Yeah, I feel I agree with you. I think we did we talk about this at one point or no. I think we were worried not worried but because of how wet it is. Is this a place that could be accessible? Not that we don't want it to be but is
this doable as because of how wet it is? I'm just looking for the survey. >> Well, no. I think that like the the main part No, but the the part that was the roadway and the pipeline that was dry.
>> Okay. France owns this this um property line. Let me see if they have like the meats and bounds here. Exhibit A. Okay. Of course, it's freaking gigantic. Okay, here we go. So, Transco get out of here. Transco
owns the property line. I'm trying to see if I can figure out >> maybe because the compressor station is south of that location >> Sun Pipeline Company. Okay. So, Sun
Pipeline Company easement. So, Sun Pipeline is what it's called. But what's Oh, and then you got the Transco gas pipeline. Okay. So, how big is it? That's what we want to know. How big is
the pipeline? >> All right, let me go up to the agreement itself. Anything in here? Okay, the adjoining owner acknowledges uh 0.06. So, there's an overlap between our property and the TransCo pipeline, which
is 0.0688. 068 acres. So it looks like the overlap from their pipeline and our what we own there's a 0.068 acre overlap, but we basically agreed to say that, you know, they still own that and we're not going to, you know,
interfere with that. Basically, the trail on top is not going to interfere with it as long as they can get to it. >> Right. Let me look at the notes. Maybe they have something better in here. >> Right now, I'm traversing across it and down it. And
>> it's nice and open. It's nice. >> Yeah. >> Uh, all right. I'm going to have to do some more digging into exactly like how big this pipeline easement is, but we know it's there. We know where it is and
they are no one's maintaining it currently but they have access to it. So if they need to go in and maintain it or do any kind of work with it or whatever it looks >> yeah that's what >> they may have come in and mowed there was just work being done on the
transcode pipeline. So I don't know if they they do that like every year. It might just be based on work or whatever but that's their area. Yes. Yeah. I feel like last year when we were out it was >> it was okay. Similar mode. Yeah.
>> Yeah. All right. We'll keep looking into it. But yeah, I think have that on, you know, keep that. >> Okay. Just another minds. Yeah. >> All right. Any other thoughts about the 518 trail? >> Just one thought. If you want to go out
again, you should probably do it sooner rather than later because those bushes are just >> You're going to start greening up probably. >> Yeah. Yeah, very hard to traverse it. >> Yeah, that I think that that might be an obstacle for the timeline as well. It's kind of like just
>> also getting some dry days. So, we know about the water, >> right? >> Right. Okay. >> Um planning for National Trails Day, Saturday, June 6th.
>> Yes. Did we settle out of out of place? >> We did not >> last time. Okay. >> No. So, we are talking today about um what to do for National Trails Day. It's Saturday, June 6th. First Saturday of every month. Um so, yeah,
there we are. >> And last year, what did we do? We didn't see where we were. >> Vanl House or what it was. >> Oh, yes. >> The prep school. The van house. >> Yeah. And the top. >> Yeah.
>> Oh, right. Like two people came. >> I heard it raining. >> Oh, national was my mom. You were like I didn't know it was your mom until afterward. >> In 2025. It was at the toe path. In 2024, it was at I have to remember. I have to
look and see cuz I takes forever. >> It was at >> Bunker Hill. >> Okay. >> Oh, yeah. War. >> That was nice. 250th. >> I'm going to be at the Hungarian festival.
>> 2023 it was at it looks like it was at Bunker Hill again. >> Bunker Hill multiple locations. >> Yes. >> Remember or something like that, right? >> Yeah. Metro Ruby Golf >> and um remember
>> we did John Clyde >> lot and we also did the environmental center lot >> in 2022 it was at Negri. >> Okay. though. But yeah, I do because of the 250 that is a good idea. >> None of the township trails are
>> Yeah. historical but there's the uh the um behind Rockingham the other side of the canal on the Rockingham side of the canal. >> Was it Yeah. >> Um that goes down to the greenway >> Kingston. That's
>> that's a county trail. state is it state >> a portion of it is on a portion of us is yes the state but it's in Franklin a very small portion of it the rest I think is in South Frwick right >> no it's all Franklin
>> it's a loop that goes on both sides of the canal from Rocky Hill down to Kingston >> never been on it >> yeah so you can actually do the canal walk but you can cross the bridge in Rocky Hill and come down on the riverside in Franklin down to Kingston
and look back around again and you can actually access Rockingham. There's a there's a there's a path that goes up the hill to access Rockingham from from that trail. >> Now is I know you you're a historian and you do some things like that. Is that
something you would be comfortable like lead helping lead a hike like with the history component? >> Um we could actually do we could actually go up the do it and go up the hill and come back. Yeah, >> we can probably figure out how many miles would you want to do and you know
what and >> the more skill >> figure it out >> cuz we can go like like from Rockingham to Kingston and back along that trail or north of it because it because it >> it follows whatever stops along the toe
path. It's just the other side of the to the river. Yeah. So it can be north of Rockingham or south of Rockingham by Kingston. So it runs the entire gamut. >> But you can also stop at Rockingham. >> Yeah. And access it from there. So there's three places to access it. >> Yes. >> Yeah.
>> Cool. I like the idea. I mean, if it doesn't work for National Trails Day, I don't know if that'd be a problem or not, but I mean, regardless, we should do it. You know, I I think that would be nice. >> Here's on the website. So Zoe there is parking there. Here's the address. There's a trail. So the Kingston branch
loop is what we get through here, right? Yeah. So it's 7.4 acre. Yeah. >> You can park at the trail head. There's a picnic table. >> Drive down to Kingston and you have the furniture store there. Yeah. >> Right past the furniture store.
>> I know where the lot is. >> And that's a lot. And then that trail goes all the way up to Rocky Hill. >> How many cars can fit in that parking lot? >> A lot. I mean because it's like more or less a field sort of >> southern that southern part. Yeah.
>> Can you photos? >> So on the top I think right? >> Yeah. >> So I think right there you can see how big that like >> Oh that's Yeah. >> There's a lot of spots. >> That might be interesting especially for
this year. Yeah. >> Oh that has our logo on it too. That's the Franklin Township. We don't have a cat that lives as one of our trails. No. Right. >> We do. Yeah. >> We don't adopt it. >> No, we don't have any. We do not adopt
it. No. >> If we if we do what Rob wants, we can add, you know, add more members on the committee. And so, >> yes, >> our rationale. Whoever plays the best trail on 518, they're in. They're in.
They're the nuke. >> Okay. who runs Rockingham. Could they be open on June 6 or something? And >> well, I'm thinking about this woman, Kathleen, who just came and spoke with us. She's from the the Kingston
Greenway. She had mentioned this. She had mentioned like that this was the the trail that kind of connected South Brunswick and doing the Cleveland. >> Yeah, that's right. >> And they're doing a cleanup there. So, also their baby partnership if she has
pins there. probably what they're right behind the that that trail access right behind the rocky. >> I can't do it on the six cuz I probably would be away that day. >> Okay. >> Festival. >> No, I was wondering does anyone know if there's that uh there used to be a John Clyde cleanup?
>> There is. I think it just happened. >> It just happened >> on the 11th. It's on the 11th. >> This Saturday >> on Saturday. >> Usually it's around that same time. You know, middle >> must have seen something from last year. >> Environment commission is doing this Saturday. this Saturday. >> Yeah. Okay.
>> It's on It's on >> right near the church. >> It's not IHOP. They switch. It's the one mile run. >> Yeah. They switch. Sometimes they do it behind that St. Peter church. And then then the other opposite year they do it behind the IHOP.
>> IHOP's run on one and then one mile on the other. Oh, >> this year Sel's room. >> Oh, okay. >> There's this phone number here. This is for Okay, so that the Rockingham historic site. Here's the curator.
Rockingham Association. >> Supposed to be open on the weekends. >> You can email them. >> Cool. >> I don't know. Um, like I said, like >> I'd be happy to do it one day. I just can't do it. >> Yeah, let's do it. I think we should do it when Patrick's available. >> Okay. All right. So, let's choose a
different site then. or not. But I I like that idea. >> Let's pick a date. Let's pick a date. >> Maybe we should do it this year and we can tie in with the 250th anniversary. We need to like >> Yeah, I love that idea. >> All right. But let's think about National Trails Day. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. So, other locations. >> I would say not Bunker Hill only cuz we've been there twice in a row it looks like. But other than that, >> we did we did a Bunker Hill, we did Negriote. >> We did. >> We did. And last year we did a lot. We did that because we were trying to get
people other side of town. We didn't get the turnout and we never we for some reason we never get a good turnout on National Trails Day. >> I know. >> I think there's so much going on, but so we can't be disappointed with that. But >> but that's that was our intention to
have something um on the other side of town instead of all the stuff on the southern part of town, >> but didn't work. >> Okay, let's look here what we got. Look on our website. We already did Graver Woods, Bunker
Hill, Inman Park. We did that a while back, I think. Right. >> It's been a while. >> We did. >> So, Inman Park, >> we had the police walk there, too. >> Mil Bush. Namon Williams has just the paved, so it's kind of hard, you know. Didn't agree that,
>> too. That was something. >> Six mile run at Jocks Lane. Didn't we just do something there? >> We did the um the climber. We got the guy from uh >> April 19th, 2025. It's been a year. It has been a year. >> I was there for that one. >> Yeah, we all all of us. >> That was a That was a great turnout.
>> It was a great turnout. >> I got my brother to cover that one. >> Oh, yeah. I remember. >> We got John Clyde from the Lurency. >> Yeah. >> We knew Bunker Hill, Butler Road, >> talking. Yeah. >> Castleton. They don't really have a trail.
>> Colonial Park actually does have a trail and it's in the woods there, which is cute. Yeah, it's short. >> It's short. Small. Yeah, it is. It is short. But >> but you Yeah, you could just go to top path there as well. >> Well, if we're thinking about that, I'd rather I'd rather I'd rather go to
Degree again than Colonial Park. >> I agree. >> For sure. >> Yeah. >> Get them out there. >> Yeah. Well, Negri was what 2022? >> So, it's been a while, right? There's no reason not to do Negri. I mean, that's Say again.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, I would say Negri or Inman is probably the next ones up. >> Anybody have opinions? Negri or Inman >> or Franklin Natural Area >> or Franklin Park Natural Area
>> more people. >> Franklin Park Natural is one good one. >> Yeah. I mean, it's kind of together with Bunker Hill, but we could pretend it's not. >> It could be the B the farewell before Kata Park, right? So, Negri. So, then we got to narrow
down to Negri and what was the other one I said. >> Midman I couldn't even remember a minute ago what I said. Yes. >> Well, they have the kiosk by that time. >> Franklin Park. Well, I mean I wish I >> Yeah, >> the bird line is still being worked on in a
>> call. So, I have no clue. >> I have pictures of it. You have pictures of it. >> Have you done some work since? >> I didn't get it. I heard you say you sent it to Vanessa. I did you send it to my >> Yes. the mail or text either Franklin Township or planning for you. >> I'll double check it while you're cuz
it's not in my Franklin uh regular. >> So, I want to show everyone where we're at. >> I don't have it here, but if you forward it to me, it's okay. All right. So, does everyone want to do Negri? >> Okay. >> I think so. Amar's passionate about it.
So, I mean I'm I I support that. It's kind of >> It's fine by me. >> Yeah. reaction. >> I remember when we did neighbor, we we started the wooded portion. That's that's where it was set up. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I don't know.
>> Didn't we end up doing both? >> I think so. >> Yeah. I think we had people >> remember Chuck was over >> whatever. That's the only downside is the parking, >> right? >> That's the only thing that's hard. >> Yes. >> But last time someone did very something very innovative with parking. I'M
LOOKING AT VANESSA. SHE mapped it out with lines and we really shoved a lot of people in there. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Spray painting lines on the gravel does wonders >> cuz people don't want to park. People don't People don't know the distance. >> That's right.
>> If you give people lines, they're good. >> So, we could definitely do that again. >> All right. So, we want to go to Nag. >> Yeah. And once again, we don't for some reason we don't want to get a good turnout on National Trails Day. So it probably
won't be that crowded. >> Okay. >> But if we have a sign up, we'll know. We have to sign up for parks and wreck. We'll we'll know. >> So this is what we did last time for Negri Park and main lot off Skilman's Lane. Overflow parking is on public side streets off Bennett's Lane. So we did 9:30 a.m.
uh through the preserve high lake and new birds. Shorter interactive walkway life for families with a special focus on birds. Dress appropriately, you know. is what we did for that. >> Yeah. >> Does that sound good or
>> Yeah. Can you roll it down? I just want to read it again. >> Y >> because I think we had done we did kind of like more of a faster pace. People was wanted to walk and people wanted a bird. But >> maybe that wasn't this one. Maybe that was a different and angry. I think that's Anna Marie. Are you in the mood to bird?
>> Sure. >> Okay. >> All right. So, doing due diligence. What time? 9 or 9:30? I think we typically do 9:30 or 10. >> 10. 9:30 would be a little early for other people. If 10 people want to do 10, do you want guys want to do 10? You
think? >> Um, I don't really care. I think the 9:30 was fine. Um, you think 10 might be better for some people? >> Yeah. little children if and it's a Saturday they want >> and were you okay with 10?
>> Um the earlier the better for birding but I'm I'm gooding >> but I'm good for 10. >> Yeah. No no then yeah that that makes sense. >> Depends on what what's our target. >> So if if the um if the focus on birding >> is 9 you want 9:30 or do you want do you
want 9? >> Oh >> 9:30 is okay 9:30. The bigger we get, more people, the better. >> Nine's all around. >> All right. >> 10 and less birds. >> That's all right. >> 10. >> They're there. They're there. >> 10 a.m.
>> Okay. Narr 10:00 a.m. Are we doing any Oh, we are we doing anything like um >> anything special I should put on the flyer? We want to do the registration through recesses still? >> Yes, that would be great. >> Okay.
And I don't know if yeah if they want to do anything or or if we if that's wants to be also a therapeutic if we want to have a you know have um Maria from therapeutic wreck if she wants to promote that with her crew as well
that that could be nice but as far as a theme I think the the theme is birding right yeah birding in nature let's make it as broad as possible birding in nature. Nature. Okay. >> Nature and birding.
>> Nature nature hike with some birds. >> I guess we my pictures are not coming through. We'll just get it'll come through. We'll get it. Don't worry. Um >> has there been a schedule for that u walks at negri when didn't have like
five of them or something? >> Yes, right. >> The woodcock walks happened. So that was February 27th and then March something. know the next ones or is it posted or >> um they're not up yet? I think the next one I want to say is in May, but let me
double check. >> Um they would be good cuz >> we're not the township isn't advertising them. >> Uh Autobon is advertising them. >> We should be.
>> Yeah. Yeah. I I don't know why I haven't gotten it from Autobon either. I forgot all about it. Yeah, exactly. >> I forgot. I don't know why. Yeah, cuz I >> Yes. >> No, >> could have that like a calendar.
>> Sorry. Give me one second here to >> That's a good point. We need to make sure that >> it's on the same person's to-do list as sending us applications for this board. >> Yes. >> Autobon walks. >> I don't Okay.
Oh man, alive. Where is my brain? Okay, register quote. That's for 2024. Okay, I'll keep looking while we're I don't know what I was thinking when I saved this. Something went haywire here. Okay.
P. That was in 2025. I bet you I put it in 20. Yeah, here we go. I put it in 2025. That's why. >> Um >> I was just out there. It's quite wet, >> you know. Oh, and I wonder if we want to ask Chris Williams if he wants to join us cuz he's the one who leads the autobond walks.
>> True. And he he's much better at birding than I for sure. Um, when did I say this for a while? Oh, here we go. Yeah. The next one is at John Clyde in May and then we have one at Negri Napod in September, one at John Clyde in October
and then the two Woodcock walks that already occurred. So, the next spring one is at John Clyde in May. So, it's good we're not doing that one there. >> Is there a date for that or >> uh I don't think we have the dates chosen yet. May
>> it doesn't look like it. >> Okay. I should move this over. >> You said May and then September. >> May September. Yeah. They don't have a date. Um the next one is at John Clyde in May and then there's a fall
experience at Negri Napot in September. and another fall experience at John Clyde in October. So we had two in March, one in May, one in September, one in October, what the dates are. So the next time the
dates come out, I will I'm going to move this to 2026 as well. Um the next time the dates come out, I'll make sure they get advertised. Thank you. All righty. Okay. Um
>> All right. So, I got June 6th 10:00 a.m. Negriot focus on nature and birding. Ask Chris Williams if he wants to lead something. Is that >> help? You know, he can come in with support Ann Marie with the birding part.
>> He He's much better than I am. >> Well, I think you're great. >> My wife is a great ear for birding. She's great. >> Oh, she is good. She's great. Paula Paula's wonderful. >> And then we want to do the 250th hike, but we we're going to hold off on that. >> That would be great. Rockingham to tie
it all in. >> I want to go. >> Yeah, that so I want to do that in the summer or in September. What do we have scheduled? >> We have a September October walk scheduled at John Clyde and Negri, but we can absolutely still do other things,
too. So, it's really what do you prefer? >> Yeah. >> I'll add this to the next agenda so you don't forget. >> Do it in July. >> July. Yeah, that's kind of >> around July. The fourth of July, right?
>> We should coordinate with that. We'll look at the um Rockingham history site or whatever and coordinate with them to make sure the house is open. That'll work. When's our next meeting? May uh
May. Hold on. 13th. Yeah. May. Okay. All right. So, I guess Patrick, before the next meeting, if you want to um you know, think of any logistics or details that you think would be good for that
walk or >> Yeah, I'd have to go down there and >> you want to go down and check it out. >> That would be great. >> I'm going to call it history hike at history hike to Rockingham. How about
that? That sounds fancy. To Rockingham. Okay. I was going to put on the agenda for next time so we don't forget. >> Yeah. Franklin Township 250. >> George Washington hiked tier. >> Yeah. >> Well, the the chair of the open space advisory committee, he's the one that's leading the Franklin 250. So, I'm sure
we can coordinate with him. They probably have like >> who knows what. I'm sure they have tons of stuff. I'm like, who knows what at this point. >> I got an email of some event that's coming up that like historical and when when the British came or something like that.
>> Martha, George and Martha. I got it on Nixl, too. Yeah, they're doing a ton of events like the whole year. They're doing so many events. He has so much on his plate. Yeah. But he's doing a great job. So, >> yeah. >> What's that cost? >> I think it's free. >> It was free.
>> It's It's for kids, too. All >> Okay. Maybe something different. >> That's when when this is when the kids laid down their toys cuz then the soldiers came and took everything. So, >> a lot from Franklin. >> All right. So, we can start on that. Okay. Great.
>> Um, so yeah. So any other hikes coming up that people want to any hikes people want to have at their trail this spring? So it's April 8th. So the next scheduled hike we have is
June 6th. June 6th. And then there's well there's one at John Clyde in May, but that's led by Ottabon. >> Okay. >> So we do have something for May. We do have something for June. >> Okay. April 11th is the stream cleanup. It's not a hike, but at least it's like something else going on, you know. >> Okay.
>> Um Oh, and we have the go dark hike. We have the go dark hike. Yeah, >> that's right. When is that? >> April 18th, I want to say it's on our agenda. >> Okay. >> April 18th. Yeah. >> Perfect. Oh, great. >> So, we have a lot going on. And then if we have the history hike in July, then
we're kind of through, you know. >> Yeah. >> Great. >> Okay. Moving on to see prescribed burn at John Clyde. So I got an email on Monday, April 6th, the day I was coming home from vacation. It never ever
failed. >> Oh my goodness. >> This happened only one other time on actual Easter Sunday, but I got an email from the New Jersey Forest Service that they were going to burn John Clyde on April 7th. So on the 6th, we got an email for the seventh. It's very dependent on the weather and the wind.
So, you know, and their staff. So, it depends on those three things. They did actually get out to John Clyde. They had to stop early because the wind speed increased and they had to stop. >> They did get something done. I think they got two fields done. They want to try and come back next week and finish
it if they can. But again, the burning season is over April 30th. >> Okay. >> Um originally they told me it was going to be negri and I was super excited cuz Negri has never been burned. >> This is what Negri looks like. It is >> I know it's terrible. It's not good. >> Anyone's been there?
>> No. Oh, okay. >> It's flat. They didn't mow. >> Forget about burning. They didn't mow, right? They're not mowing. >> It looks terrible. >> So, Negri is going to probably have to be mowed. I don't think it's going to get burned. >> And let's use our June 6th hike cuz, you know, we got to get this done.
>> Yes. Yes. Yes. Please. Thank you. >> To mow it. Yeah. >> Um I think you know the the thing is birds too. >> That's the problem. >> That's the problem. No, >> it has to be done before April 15th.
>> The burning at least would have to be done before April 15th. So, I don't think that's going to happen. So, I will tell DPW to try and get out there to mow it ASAP. Um, talk to Chris Williams first because I think the birds are already if they can,
but a lot of it is so flattened. I was really wondering what's going to happen this year out there. >> I did see a few migrants, but not many. >> Yeah, not many. All right. So, I asked of course Williams about the if we they Okay, ask.
>> Okay, I'll ask. >> Otherwise, it looks pretty bad. >> Um, so anyway, a portion of John Clyde Memorial Grasslands was burned on Tuesday. I know. And I think that's the reason too that it's not good that Negri hasn't been mowed, but we put the
application in for both properties and the hope is that we we said please prioritize Negri and because it has to be burned and I and honestly we don't burn we don't mow it in the anticipation of it being burned but if it's not going to be burned we don't have to mow it. So >> okay >> but a portion of John Clyde was so if
you want to go over and look at it you're welcome. It might be closed down at the again at the end of the week maybe or early next week to finish the burn. But yeah, >> um moving on to the uh Franklin Township
Recreation Plan update. >> So we continue to basically get and so now the whole steering committee has been seated which is good. So we have a member from the a advisory, we have two members from open space, we have trails, um we have the environmental commission, recreation.
So it's a whole planning, zoning, council, it's a whole to do. So everyone has been seated. Mark is working on um putting together a meeting to like kind of kick it off. Once we do the kickoff meeting, we can start working on it. So we're, you know, I'm under his direction
basically because he's the township planner. So, he's kind of leading the process and as soon as we get the go-ahad that we can start holding meetings and actually start working on it, then we will get going. But I'm just leaving on the agenda as kind of every month update. >> Great. Thanks, Sarah. >> Yep.
>> Woodland's preservation easement program. >> So, this is just a quick FYI. I don't know that there's be a lot of correlation here, but a bill was passed um back in this is adopted December 12th, 2024, but there was changes made that were recently adopted. The
sponsorship was updated in January of this year. Basically, long story short, this is really a farmland preservation thing, but I wanted to bring it to your attention because the way that the state agricultural development committee does farmland preservation is before you go through and get preserved, you have to
meet two basic criteria. One is soil quality. You have to have 50% of soils that are agriculturally productive. The other is tillability. So, your property has to be 50% tillable. Right? So historically woodland's properties even those that are producing horicultural
products or lumber or timber whatever they don't meet the um criteria for farmland preservation. This bill changes it. So um farms over 20 acres that are not 50% wooded. They can be that are not 50% tillable. They can be 100% wooded
are now eligible for farmland preservation using farmland preservation dollars which are different than open space. In farmland preservation, the land owner still owns the land. The town or the state or the county buy the development rights. So, we buy the easement. The land owner still owns the
land and can still sell it. Under open space, what we do is actually buy the land and fe simple and we own it. Um, and it's preserved because we use preservation dollars as open space. Open space requires public access. Farmland preservation prohibits public access.
And so there's a little bit of different things going on, but >> woodlands being allowed to be preserved as farmland, I think, is going to be helpful to us because there has been some farm properties that we thought, oh, when we preserve these, it would be great if we could, you know, keep this
area out and have it as a trail, but most farmers don't want to do that. But now that there's an opportunity to preserve those woodlands, the rest of their property with farmland money, they might be more willing to leave, you know, an acre out or a portion out as a trail because they are going to be
compensated for those woodlands. So, >> it's not for us because we wouldn't be able to have public access on this, but it might really encourage more farmers who have a lot more woodlands to move forward and then we can at that point try to work with them and say, "Hey, you
won't get paid on this strip of land. But since you are going to get paid on the other woodlands, maybe we can work something out that way." >> Yeah. >> So, just to bring to your attention. Yeah. >> Thanks, Tara. >> Yeah. Yeah, I brought it to the attention of the a advisory committee and they already found one farm that's
interested. So >> yeah, cuz a lot of farms, especially in New Jersey, we don't have these big farms left anymore. We have a lot of little farms >> and the wooded farms, you know, we have to pass them by a lot, you know, so I think this might be a good thing. >> Oh, nice.
>> Yeah. So that was that. >> And there can't be any claws for a trail. It has to be. >> So at the time of preservation, they can leave out a portion if we work with them and say, "We want to use this as a trail." And we would basically buy that portion using township open space
dollars. >> Okay. >> But in the past, they wouldn't even be able to preserve their farm. So they might be like, "I'm not going to give away this one little strip of trail." But now they can. So >> I understand >> the money situation becomes a little bit better.
>> Next item is requests from Eagle Scouts. So yes. So we have a a bunch of requests from Eagle Scouts and I like just want to get them straightened up. So not an Eagle Scout, but the I know first Pesh and Patrick, thank you so much for working with the Girl Scouts, the Daisy
Troop in Park. So Pesh and Patrick gave them both a ton of information. Patrick gave them locations. Pesh talked to them in detail about seeds and what to plant. So now they're they're going out there the daisies and they're getting their spot ready and they're working on so
they're happy. So thank you guys for doing that. That was super helpful. Um we have other boy we have other Eagle Scouts. Correct. >> We should send them a special invitation to National Trails Day. >> Yeah. >> So okay so we have some priority
projects that Eagle Scouts can work on. Right. So right now we have Sasha Holer is working at what is she doing? So uh Cast Staca is um doing the kiosk the six she had offered to do the repair of six
kiosks. Um so I was originally asking her I was saying how many do you want to do? Which one do you want to do? And she's like I want to do all six. So um okay. So she's we don't need any kiosk work cuz she's doing that. So,
she's doing the repairs of the I guess we also mentioned needing a new kiosk >> for um 518 >> kiosk for 518. >> And the other kiosk that has was not on the list for Stasia um was is the one of the environmental center.
>> Okay. >> So, that kiosk also needs uh you know a little a little love >> kiosk at Bunker Hill Environmental Center. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So those are projects and then the other project I had brought up was the rain
garden at Neon Williams Park which we have money for. So four projects Neon Williams Park rain garden. >> And the other thing I was um we talked about the interpretation signs at at Negri and Marie had brought those up.
Those are in bad shape. The wood ones, not the ones that we had purchased but the ones that a previous scout had done. >> Okay. the wooden interpretive. >> You know what I'm talking about? They have like a like a little handle. Well, some of them have broken off. >> Yeah. So, it's a lot of renovation and
repair and cleaning. >> And then also the bird blind, like interpretive information for the bird blind. Like there's some >> Got it. >> places where they have like the information inside the bird blind. So, you're looking at silhouettes. You're looking So, we were we have been talking about that would be a nice and I don't
know how much more needs to be done on that. Maybe they could help Chris Williams because >> Yeah. >> And is the bench outside cuz we want the bench the one that that hole in the fence alongside the bird blind. >> There used to be a bench on the outside of the grass part >> and the the bench inside the flooring. I
mean I don't like once again like there's a lot the bird blind >> I don't know it's going to take to pull it together but if we have scouts who are willing that might >> All right. Now how many scouts though do we have? >> At least two. >> Okay. I have
>> I was thinking along these walls. This is how he's leaving the walls. We could put display cases for the birding. >> New Jersey birds. >> Yeah. Something like that. Yeah. >> Right. Or like or even like painting the silhouettes or or just or you know or
even like we put like other places have like display cases right here. >> Something like that. So we could even update things or post things that way people can't destroy them. Okay. So all right. So here's the situation. So we
have three scouts, not including Stasha. She's doing her own thing. So we have three scouts. We have four projects. The Neon Williams Nan Williams Memorial Park project. We have about $5,400 left in that grant. Um, I'm trying to set up a
meeting with DPW to put a rain garden in to spend it because we have to spend it by October 2nd. >> Where are they going to put the rain garden? >> We have it mapped out in there where best the rain garden go. It's closer to um Matilda, right? Is that Yes, >> Matilda. Closer to that playground.
That's where it gets really super wet over there. But I think DPW should work on that because I just I think that they were better suited to dig it and put the materials in and I don't want a scout waiting on our DPW supplies and all
that. So I'm going to say DP non Williams that should be a DPW project. Okay, >> that leaves the kiosk at County Route 518, Kiosk at Bunker Hill Environmental Center and the interpretive signs at Negri and the Bird Blind at Negri.
That's four projects. >> This is what we're talking about. >> Yes, that I'm aware of. Yep. >> One of the kiosks, the one in in down >> and kiosk. >> That's one of the down. >> It's down. It's laying on the ground. >> When did that happen? I don't know when,
but it as of uh yesterday, as of Sunday. >> Well, Stacia is supposed to fix that one. >> I think it needs more than fixing. I mean, cuz it's laying on the >> Well, the It can't be worse than the middle bush. Middle bush is just
>> what Jim said is out of the ground. >> It's It's laying down. It's It's not upright. It's on the ground. >> Well, if they do that, make it closer to the trail head cuz no one can see that. Yeah, that's true. >> It's pretty far away and then I mean there is a
>> it's a bad spot. I agree. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, we got one boy scout is Prrenv. He was looking for something to do like quickly, but the other boy scouts I think this the stuff at negoti would be good.
>> Yeah. And if if he can do one of those bird blind Yeah, they can help with that. This guy Prenv that wants to do something quickly. He needs a quick project. Maybe he can do one of the kiosks. >> Mhm. >> Sure. >> Right. >> The kiosk, the back of it needs to be repainted in Negri, too. You can do the
kiosk. You do the interpreted sign. There's a bench that has nails sticking up, >> but you might want to have someone fix. >> We still have a bad bench in Negri. I thought we fixed all the benches. >> Oh my goodness. >> Okay. All right. So, let me reach out to
these scouts with these with this info and then I'm just going to basically tell them they can choose which one they want to do. >> Yeah. >> Cuz these are what we need done and I don't the rain garden honestly we really need done because it's connected to money but I don't want them waiting on
you. >> Yeah. I really don't. I'm afraid that if we like tell them oh yeah come out on May 30th and the supplies aren't there like what are we going to do? >> So is Yeah. Is Chris Williams planning on replacing the Cuz we the ramp going up to the bird blind.
>> Yes, he is. He is. Yes. >> And the bench in Does the bench inside need to be replaced or it's okay? >> The bench inside. Uh I thought he took it down. Or is it there? >> It's still there. It's there. I don't think he's going to change it. >> It's okay. It's in good shape. >> It's okay.
>> It's okay. All right. So, just we need the the bench. Is there still a hole in the fence for viewing? You know what I mean? off to the side of the bird blind. >> I have all the pictures >> cuz I say that would would be a new bench that would need to be built. >> Right.
There's only the one bench that's facing the pond. >> But is there still the hole in the fence is what I mean? Like >> Oh, no. You're talking about the exterior fence. No, there's no hole in the fence. >> Okay. So, when that was replaced, it was Okay. >> No hole.
>> Okay. And we used to have two holes in the the wall there to face the pond and now there's just that one angle, >> right? >> Actually, that's that's the way it is. >> Well, can we But did he just not carve it out yet?
>> No, I think that's the way he he was going to have it like that. >> Okay. >> And that ramp is in such bad shape. I'm so glad to hear that. >> That's the plan as far as I know it. I would think if we could check with Chris Williams and just make sure because if
he can't do it then let's have a scout do it. >> Absolutely. Yeah. >> Cuz the room is I mean it's bad. >> Yeah. And I think the kiosk the kiosk at um Middle Bush is the worst and then Inman is right behind it.
>> We'll just say it doesn't it's not there. >> Middle bush doesn't exist either. So >> it's probably pretty heavy even lift it up. I mean, you know, those middle bushets the panel is missing. >> The whole thing is gone. I don't know where, but >> your panel has fallen to the ground is what I'm hearing. >> It's on the ground.
>> Yeah. At least, but it still exists. >> Well, I don't know about the legs. Maybe they twist it off or something. I don't know if they came out. >> I I like the idea. I do like the idea of moving the inman closer to the trail head. >> That's a great idea. And then even possibly I don't know some type of
signage doing that or not by the end of I mean she's she's supposed to >> right but was she not going to move it though or she is going to move it. >> We didn't talk about moving it. >> You just talked about fixing it. Yeah. Okay. All right. >> Well, >> this is now you're going to have to dig holes and
>> I I think that's a DPW. Yeah. Yeah. You have to >> probably holes redoing. Yeah. Well, that might be what I'm saying is that scouts would do this, >> but it would be a single project that won't with all the work that would be involved in
>> Oh, yes. Yes. >> Agree. If you didn't move it near the trail head, yeah, you would have to dig holes and with all the shale, you may need some equipment. I mean, you're not going to, you know, a whole post hole thing. >> That's hard. >> It's not going to do anything. >> Hard work. >> Impossible sometimes. Okay.
>> Like those guys who did the benches at Negri, they were great. >> Yeah, they they did. They dug down. >> They dug down. They clean out the whole thing. They put a base on there. They were something else. >> Was that the township that did that or >> No, last year last year's Eagle Scout
project. >> Great job. >> I thought >> Yeah. And I don't know. And we can all we can check back with Staca about what's going on. >> Yeah. >> Oh, the one that you're concerned >> about. These guys the way they work. >> Yeah. Ouch.
>> Yeah. My >> back is gone. >> I am question. >> Yeah. >> Uh the last email from Lindsay. I don't know if you communicated with her after March 26th. >> Um I don't know what was what was her
last email involving >> her last email was asking for suggestion for with regards to the new location she had suggest like you know she had talked about >> Oh shoot. And yes, you're right. And I think I said I would talk about it here.
>> Yes. So she Did you see that, Patrick? They had they asked if they could I did. I think I wrote back to her and said I'll bring it up at this committee. The Girl Scouts the locations you sent. >> Oh, I'm not on I I haven't been on emails with them since you've been
talking to them. I haven't. >> No, you March 26, you were there in the email. You should >> see. Here we go. >> Yeah. >> Good morning. We went to Emman Park yesterday to scope out the areas. I like the idea of having it closer to the playground, but the nature of pollinator going to attract bees doesn't seem good
next to a playground. Would it be possible if I would be possible if I in the area? I mean, yeah, it's >> it's fine. But, you know, >> Patrick, this is the area. If you look on the screen, >> she wants to know what do you think about that area.
>> Did you see that? Oh, yeah. Yeah, >> you'd have to go. Um, let me look. I I actually went there and did look at it. So, it does look better. Um, again, I know I would wait for your >> Yeah, I think >> I haven't I haven't I let me see what's
>> Look, here's a little >> Yeah, they're trying to develop a pollinator garden. >> They're adorable, right? Look at this one. Has little reindeer antlers on her. >> Adorable, right? Oh, they look happy.
>> Yeah, I haven't been getting these. >> So, do you think Patrick that can we tell them? I guess they're worried. >> Uh cuz the the the the issue is whether it's going to get mowed over >> that is the issue.
>> Yes. Um, and let me see. They want to >> either >> mowed over or no mowing. >> Feast or famine. >> Damn, it's that's probably they put it far back enough. It's probably okay. The the thing that's going to happen there
is that it's going to get overgrown by um the trees. >> Yeah, >> that's why I I I probably avoided it when I suggested >> they need the sun and that's why I pointed out the the >> pollinator shouldn't be an issue. I'll
tell her. Do you want me to write back and basically say like, "Oh, thank you for thinking of that, but really the bee it's not going to be a swarm of bees by the pollinator and I think you should just go with what we said because that area is your garden won't survive." >> So, she was she's talking about the area
around the little the area around the library, >> which we would need to fence off. So, we're going to get >> the area around the little library. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's excuse me. Oh, sure. Sorry. Yes. So, um, this this is not all
that clo that's not that close to the this is the little library is close, but you'd have to put a little fence around there. So, the >> And where was the area that you recommended roughly? >> Well, here on the hill. >> Yeah, on that hill because you can clear that out and there's a little patches there and you can plant something there
and it's not going to get mowed, >> right? >> Oh, I think you're right. >> Yeah. >> Back here, it's going to get mowed unless you put it under the well under the canopy, which is There's no point. >> And you can also >> go with the clear areas on the hill area.
>> Yeah. Like there's a b I pointed out this one, but there's a couple others that you could clear out a little bit more. And >> and in the other picture, if I'm if I'm not mistaken, it's lower, right? There's like it's it's it's low. There's a bit of a hill and then >> Yeah. So that hill will keep the bees away from >> Yes.
>> Yeah. >> They will once they start flying up, they'll end up going up 10 ft. >> Yeah. >> I'm just going to write to her. Thanks, Lindsay. Well, that's where we're trying to >> open with me. >> Uhhuh. Right. Well, we're trying to see where how we can manage like, you know,
some of the new >> Oh, wow. That's really strange. That's my old mom at that. She >> helped me. That's weird. >> I don't have access to anymore. >> You recommend going with the area near the hill, right? near the hill. All gone
>> to ensure it does your garden around >> garden does not get mo still exist. >> Yes. >> Yeah. And it was I went over >> and has ample sunshine. >> Okay. >> Right. Someone the one the guy
>> um you can also mention the change in elevation should keep the bees away from the park. >> No, I got my boy done. I'd like to take a look at it and suggest to them >> to keep >> keep the bees away >> from the play area. >> Away from the play area.
>> Got it. >> Let us know if you need any else. >> You really have to work to get a honey bee to sting you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Especially honey bees. Yeah. Yeah. They they like to keep away. >> Yeah. All All those pollinating bees. >> I'm just going to send it right now
because I I was going to tell you can't do anything else once they're there. They don't have bars. >> I want to mention that um there was also we about burning before um on the uh residents of Franklin um Facebook post.
I know Patrick you responded to it. There was somebody who had you know put out there >> I'll talk to her. >> Yeah. Looking so local Franklin Township Birders possibly getting things started again talking with the trails committee birding guide seems to be plenty of
interest. Um so anyhow um I think you know um we have open spaces trails and woodlands the birds are here or migrate through could be part of the trails committee I'd be interested of course I remember that the trails committee Chuck Martin did lead some great walks which
occasionally included birding um and then Patrick you had responded um the committee does not create affinity groups but rather collaborates with existing ones um >> yeah I'll talk to her about this yeah they wanted to they thought oh maybe the trails will create a burdening group.
No, that's not how it works. >> That would be great. I'll talk to happy or you know support them in any way and maybe we could um let them know that we're going to be doing a hike, a birding hike on June 6th, >> Nashville Trails Day. >> Also, the Ottabbon hikes May 17th at
John Clyde. >> Do they have it advertised? >> Yes, they already have it on their calendar. >> Okay. >> September, October. This is why we don't advertise it because they tell us when the date is. >> We have it on the calendar and it says to res to to um
>> to uh >> RSVP >> RSVP email Tara Kenyon FRANK WONDERFUL. >> That's what happened with the Woodcock walks too. All a sudden I'll start getting emails. It's like please register me. I'm like there's no register. And then I'm like, "Oh, wait.
I think they want me just to write their name down on a list." So, I write their name down and then I email it to the lady at Audabon. I'm like, "Here's all the emails I'm getting like from people attending." >> That's so weird. >> Why would I register people? >> All right. THAT'S OUR
contact miss you expect more emails for next week. You probably won't 16th. I know. I know. Wow. >> Advertise. So, it was May 17th. Okay. >> 11:30. >> Thank you. >> Really? 11:30.
>> All right. I will figure out what to do with that. Yes. Thank you. Thank you, Patrick. Okay. >> Moving on to old business. >> Very quickly, new business. I had texted you guys about uh I don't know if anyone uses a convenience center in town. >> Yes. >> But they always they would always take
brush for free. Now they're charging fees for everything. Pickup trucks are like 70 bucks. So on your trail you may see a whole bunch of >> lumber, you know, just down some stuff and people are going to dump cuz they don't want to pay the fee,
>> right? They're going to dump instead of taking it over. >> Just, you know, just, you know, I've been accumulating a pile of brush and I'm thinking I got to take it someday. And I saw that. >> No, two days ago. >> Yeah, I was there uh what is it? February or March and then it said I saw
the sign there. Guys there didn't even know about it. I mean the guys that run the place. >> But yeah, >> I mean that's a big jump from free to >> $10 for your car, $20 for my van or or if I keep the seats down. >> That's each visit. I mean they just passed the resolution. It's
it's it's a resolution from this year. I saw the the date. >> Wow. >> Nobody said anything about this. >> It's only open once a I'm not going to go Saturday because it's going to be a line and people are just going to start yelling and it's like what the heck people don't know about this.
>> So yeah. So >> expensive now. >> You're right though. People are going to start depositing it like >> wooded areas. Find a way to just dump it out. >> Yeah. >> Right. Well, keep our eyes peeled and report it when we see it. >> Save money.
>> Yeah, I know. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Uh old business updates. Thanks so much, Jim. updates on Kataba Park. So, I don't know if everyone saw the meeting or the news of the March 24th township council meeting. Um, basically what
looks like is they got the price tag down somewhere around 8 1/2 8.6 million and the town voted to put out um bids to actually do the development of that park >> for the for the plan number one.
>> Plan number one. They did though reduce >> but they did delete some things out of it just to bring it down a little bit. It went from 9 million to like 8 12 million >> and the things they deleted was hardly anything. It was um they removed the botchi ball court. Um they removed the
pavilion and shade structures of all the things the shade structures like when everyone's getting skin can that's what I wanted to be like you understand like skin cancer that's like but >> they can always open that later. I think the point is to make sure that the bridge right sides of the creek so there's no
connection but >> the cricket fields are getting built the bleaches are getting built the bathrooms are getting built you know so um instead of a decorative fence too they're putting up just like a basically generic fence so yeah they got it down to 8 in
the 8.35 to 8.45 four or $5 million range. So now they'll go out to bid for the actual like construction of the of the site. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Um next item we have profile of a trail.
>> Um >> I just leave it on there as like an item, but if anyone has anything, you know, feel free to send it along. >> We are we're all set for the current Franklin Times or >> Yes, it came out I think of when did it come out? Somebody had a cop Oh, someone at my environmental commission had a
copy of it. >> Okay. >> You haven't got it yet? No, they met on Monday. They met Monday. So, >> okay. >> Do you know which trail was in that? Cuz I know we had we had an extra one in the wings, but do we do we already use that
now? We have to do >> um What was in it? Do did you hand me yours before? You did. John Clyde. So, yeah. So, I think that's the one. >> And Pervesas had not gone in. >> Perves had not gone in yet. I have to go on that. Yeah, because I send these articles so far in advance. I have to go
double check and see what they I, you know, >> I didn't get a proof of it this time. And it was funny when the guy at our meeting, Walter, when he had it, I was like, the Franklin Times came out, no one told me that I didn't get a proof of it. So, I almost wondered, did he have the right cuz you're saying none of you guys got it?
>> Not yet. No, not yet. >> How would he have gotten it? And I didn't get a proof or anything. Normally, they send all the staff a proof to be like, look at this. Is it right? I haven't gotten anything. >> Okay, keep your eyes out. If you get it, let me know. >> Okay.
>> Somerset County Trails Grant Program. >> I I have not gotten to it yet. I'm sorry. I still have not. I'm trying my darnest here. It's just like overload, but um we can still work on it. >> It's on the list. >> We talked about the play wordies were
last time, right? As far as the things we were looking for. Um, >> we did. >> Okay, moving on to trail walks and events. We did a bunch of that already. >> Um, so this is a reminder of the dark sky week. Um, and we have that hike on
April 18th, I think it is. >> What time was that? Do we still was it 7:30 or 8? >> Um, let me look at the flyer. >> I think 8:30. 8:30. >> 8:30. >> I think it was 8:30, but let me look at >> 8:30. It is 8:30.
>> It is for sure. Okay. um >> my inner environment >> and we also talked about other ideas for spring and summer. Um we can keep that conversation going. And uh next thing is um last thing is a trail uh condition
updates. >> Oh yes. Can I just say one last thing? So the um there is going to be a proclamation for dark skies week on the April 14th council meeting. if anyone is at there wants to go or whatever, you're welcome to. So, the environmental
commission, their work with the astronomy club is they're working on outdoor lighting. Um, and so they're going to be there with um our new councilman who is councilman Singh um to do a proclamation for International Dark Skies Week. But if any of you are there
and you want to feel free to walk up with the proclamation, you're welcome to. If you want to just watch, that's fine. But they are going to do that as well, just so you know. Um, the other thing with that is because we're working with astronomy club, the environmental commission got a grant to
do this residential energy efficiency outreach campaign and we were given $2,500. We're basically it was like um they helped build us a website. They gave us like a tablecloth and signage and all these things, but they also gave us a small $2,500 grant. So, we are
using that. We got approved to buy a bunch of these amber outdoor light bulbs that are approved by Dark Skies and we're putting them in a package that has a QR code to our website that shows you how to save energy in your house. But we were able to order a ton of them
obviously $2,500 worth of light bulbs. So I have So we might be able to give them out at some of our events too because I'm going to have a ton of light bulbs. So if I'm if at some of our events like our Firefly walk, maybe I can bring some. So just
>> Well, you're not going to have them for the April 18th hike, I'm imagining. >> No, I probably won't have them for April. >> Firefly would be nice. >> Yeah, Firefly. Yeah, >> Franklin Day. >> Franklin Day. I mean, so the EC will be having them, but I mean, I'm sure we're going to have a ton. So
>> our night hikes, something like that. >> National Trails Day. There's a lot of nice opportunities for that. >> Yeah. So, we'll have a bunch and it leads you to this new website that they which is cool. So, yeah. So, lots going on with that.
Okay. Um, trail updates. I know Amory filled us in a bit about the conditions of Negri. Anybody else have an update for their trails? >> Kiosk down. >> Down. >> I have that down. >> Yeah.
>> And out. >> All right. Well, as we're as we're getting back out there more and more in this this spring and the things dry up a little bit, um uh don't forget to check your trail out. Let us know what's going on. See what you need to tell DPW.
This go dark height just while we're on it. Who's going to it? Is anyone from here planning on going? Jasha, you were planning on going for George and Maria. >> Chris had originally said he was available that day. >> He said he was going to try and go and then there's going to be members of the environmental commission there as well.
So, we should be good. Okay, cool. >> Oh, the hike is at 7:30. Like 7:30 somewhere. I read 8:30 in the Ron's email. >> Is it 7:30? >> 7:30 8:00 is an observation at 7:30 observation. Okay. Um, and that
>> good everyone out there going >> and this it's a John Clyde, right? >> Yes. Oh, by the way, um, on the corner of 27 and Bunker Hill Road just before there's
a Greek sound grassland sign. Um, it's small. It's like just one of those brown ones. It's smaller and it's somebody hit it down. >> Oh jeez. Okay. >> So, >> I know it's an old name, but it's still better than nothing.
>> Okay. Okay. Um, nothing else on the agenda. Can we have a motion to adjurnn? >> I move we adjourn. Second. >> All in favor? >> Wow, we made it.