All right. This meeting of the Franklin Township Trails Advisory Committee is called pursuant to the provisions of the open public meetings law. This meeting of November, what is it today? >> 12. >> 12th. November 12th, 2025 was included
in a list of meeting notice sent advertised in local newspapers, posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building, posted on the municipal website, and has remained continuously posted as the required notices under the statute. In addition, a copy of this
notice is and has been available to the public and is on file in the office of the municipal clerk. >> Okay, great. Thank you. You're welcome. >> All right. Okay. Excellent.
All right. We got somebody else. All right. Let me admit them. All right. Okay. So, roll call. Uh Vanessa Jones, like I said, should be calling in. So, we're waiting for her, but she will be here. Ann Maria >> here. >> Jim Koligowski
>> here. >> Robert Kovac >> here. Jignasha Patel, I know you're here. Pesh Law >> here. >> And Chris Gonda, we know is going to be absent today.
>> Yeah, I'm present. I just I was on mute. Sorry. >> It's okay. I saw you. No biggie. >> All right, that's it for roll call. Shall we move on to um approval of the minutes? >> So, I spoke to Chris. Um he did not have a chance to actually finish the minutes
for um October. So, we're going to have to table those. >> Okay. >> Oh, do you need me to still have a member of the public it seems with us? >> Yes. Yes, I think we have a few members of the public. So, wonderful. Uh,
>> we Okay, so we'll need a motion to go into uh public session. >> I move that we go into public session. >> Okay. And you have to call for it still, Amarie, because you're still on until
Vanessa gets here. >> Okay. Um, anyone second that motion? >> Second. >> Okay, it's second. Okay. So, we're going to open it up to our our members of the um community. So, it looks like we have
a couple of folks here. Mary, I can see you first. So, if you want to say um who you are and what your address is, I believe. And um what brings you here today? >> Um hello. Hi. It's Mary. Can you hear me? >> Yes.
>> Hi, Mary. >> Okay. Hi. Um I'm back. Um I saw that you put that micromobility study on the agenda. Um I was at your meeting last time and uh we talked about the shaitri
commission. I'm sorry uh named Mary Lalco 5 Norfolk Road. Um and uh so last time we spoke about the shetry commission offering to help
with planting trees. >> Oh, nice. >> Along along the streets, certain streets um collaborate together with you on the micromobility study. um where you know we could join you in trying to figure out where help streets
could be helpful in um um maybe encouraging people to use those the trail. Um I I believe in the micromobility study the trail there's two possible trails and I don't know if it's it's one or the other if the
decision still needs to be made or not but um anyway so we're we're looking forward to working with you on that. I I raised it at the shade tree commission uh last time and um everybody was on board >> um with with helping you on that. So I'm
looking forward to the discussion. >> Okay, great. Um Tara, I don't have the um agenda open in front of us. When when is that part of the agenda for today? >> So for right now, it's under old business. Um the one thing I will say,
Mary, is I have it under old business. It's kind of a standing item at this point. So we didn't really get a chance to go through it and like kind of come up with recommendations. So the only thing we are really going to talk about tonight is kind of forming like a subcommittee. Um but uh we can talk
about it at the time but if you want to stay on and listen I think it might be good if you want to participate on the subcommittee with us like as a liaison from shade tree so we can discuss that further down but tonight we don't have like very specific things to discuss but we will so
>> okay >> just sounds good. All right glad you're here. >> All right we have another person from the public it appears Mike. >> Yes. Hello. So, uh, my name is Mike Hammer. >> I'm, uh, one of the committee members
from the Franklin Township Astronomy Club. >> So, I'm just >> listen in and hear what you guys have to say. This is the first time I've attended one of these meetings, so I'm just going to leave it at that and let you move on to the next person. >> Okay. All right.
>> Hi, Mike. Thank you for coming. >> Yeah. Let's hope the skies clear up and we might see the Aurora Borealis today. Wouldn't that be something? It would be, but it doesn't look too optimistic right now. >> No, I'm an optimist. You're right. All right. Um, Charles, you're next. Can you
just identify yourself and and your address in Franklin Township, please? >> I think he's on mute. Charles, if you have anything, you can unmute yourself. If not, um, don't worry about it. We can come back whenever you're ready. Oh, I think he unmuted. Okay,
>> still looks like he's muted. >> Charles, let me see if I can unmute. Uh, make an attendee. Okay, there's a Okay,
Charles, can you hear us? Okay. Well, if if at any point anyone, you know, has a, you know, wants to speak, you can use the chat function or just raise your hand or whatever. So, >> and I have to apologize. I forgot to give you my address. You still need that?
>> Oh, sure. Yeah, go right ahead, Mike. >> It's 94 Mosher Road. It's a Princeton mailing address. I'm in Griggstown, just a stone throw from the John Clyde uh Memorial Preserve. >> Okay. Nice. Okay. Wonderful. Thank you, Mike.
>> You're welcome. >> Okay, we're still waiting for uh Vanessa. >> Okay, she's still not with us. >> She's having she's having trouble, but she's working on it. >> Okay. Um so, we're going to move on with the agenda. Tara, what do we have next?
>> Uh so, next we have uh site plan review, which we don't have any actually. At the last meeting for the first time in a few months, we had the Environmental Commission had zero site plans to review, nothing in front of us. and our meeting ended at 8 o'clock because we had no site plans. So,
>> yes. >> Okay, so that's pretty quick. All right, so we're going to move on to new business. The first item under new business is updates of Catalpa Park. >> Okay, so at the last open space advisory committee meeting, um everyone knows here prior to uh the last open space
meeting, I had asked the trails advisory committee, recreation submitted some comments. um the historic preservation commission, basically all the committees that make up OSAC were asked to submit what their thoughts were on the proposed development of Katalpa Park. Um the
first option was basically a full development as originally planned and it had uh two playgrounds, two cricket fields, a community garden, basketball courts, botchi ball courts, a full trail, full boat. It was $9.5 million.
Um then there was three other options that kind of like moved down the way. Uh the very cheapest option was $3.5 million. >> Um so OSAC discussed it in detail. The engineer came back again and I'm sorry
I'm trying to get my I got to stop sharing for one second because I have to get this up here. >> Um because we wrote the memo I wrote the memo from Open Space. Okay. Uh, now let me share and let me let Vanessa in.
Okay, share screen. >> Okay, >> hold on. I got to get back now to let Vanessa. Here we go. All right, Vanessa's coming in. All right. Um, hi Vanessa. We're just talking about Catalpa. How are you? >> Good. Good. Thank you for your patience. I apologize. >> No problem.
>> We just got up to new business. We're just starting the first item under new business. Catalpa updates. >> Okay, great. So basically what was done by the open space advisory committee is that option four was chosen. Um option
four is $4.7 million. Um and it includes the development of the Cricut fields, the associated bleachers, restrooms, playground, two pavilions, a community garden, two parking areas, picnic benches, and an asphalt walking path
that stops before the stream. So this option is basically not going to we're not going to cross over the stream. So it's everything before we do the crossover. Um we won't be utilizing the full permits that we have if the township council goes with
this option. So this is the recommendation that was made by the open space advisory committee to the township council on October 21st. Um so again, total price $4.7 million and um now it's
going to the township council and they you know can take the recommendation or they can make a different recommendation. So that is um that's where we left off. So I just wanted to share share that with you all so you
>> you know you kind of know what happened. >> Yeah, that's helpful. And Tara, correct me if I'm wrong, but it'll also be shared that trails had recommended option one. >> Yes. Um, so we will share from our perspective what trails committee had
recommended. Um, I we did share that with the open space advisory committee and they chose, you know, still to go this way. Recreation uh commission had recommended option one. Um, some of the other committees recommended different options. So, it really depended on what
lens it was through, but ultimately the open space advisory committee went with option four. So, we'll have to see what the township council decides. So, I'll keep you all posted on that. But so far right now, as far as we stand, our work is done with that until further notice.
So, so that is that. All right. So, Vanessa, if you want to take back over. Thank you, Ann Marie. >> You're welcome. >> Got it. >> Um, so the next item is the budget recommendations for 2026.
>> Uh, so just, you know, I knew this was coming, so I put it on the agenda, but just today, actually, this morning, I received from finance what the proposed budget lines and how much is generated by the open space trust fund for 2026. Um, I wanted to kind of get this on your
radar because the way that it's going to work is that we have to have um recommendations to the town man the township manager um by the end of December. So, by the end of December, if there's any projects we're thinking about that we want to get into the
budget, we have to put that in there. We don't need official cost estimates. We don't need like detailed drawings. We basically need a ballpark and what the project is. So I wanted to if there's any like brainstorms or anything and you know you guys want to talk about today
that would be great. Um examples in the past of what we put in the budget uh we put in the funding for a grasslands management plan which we completed with New Jersey Autobon. Uh we put in the purchase of a brand new land mower which was done so that we could implement the
recommendations of the autobond plan. Um this is a good time if we want to put in that you know we'd like to develop a trail uh we can put that in as a recommendation and then basically what will happen is our recommendations will go to the open space committee um and they will discuss
what will be in the full open space budget and that recommended budget will go to the township council who will then decide on you know what will actually be put in and get funded. Um, last thing is that I do basically half of the budget
with my committees. The other half is done by Carl Hal because it's like salaries and building parts and machinery. So, he'll put in his recommendations for that. If there is a piece of machinery we would like, we can still comment on that. Um, but we
generally don't comment on salaries or anything like that. That's really Carl's job. So, just thinking out loud, does anyone have any ideas for um you know, anything you'd like to start thinking about putting in the budget? I can do some
research to you know, have it entered or anything like that? >> So, I know um I mentioned to you, Tara, was um the storybook trail. Um >> so, that's you know, something we've
been doing story book hikes. um for a couple years now. Um but by holding the book and they're really supposed to be done where you have um signs uh spread out along a trail um where people can independently go and read a book while
doing a hike. Um so it's something we've talked about in the past. Um and so basically you would just need permanent signs and then you can change the story. you can, you know, you might leave the one book out for a year, um, or whatever the period of time is. Um, could be a
couple months, um, and and change it up. And >> so I that's something that, um, we had gotten like the temporary signs, but that didn't really didn't work. >> So that's something the committee is still interested in us doing. And um um
and I I was thinking that that would be a cool like to have something like leading to the um to the library, you know, to have that connection. So, and we have, you know, Middle Bush Park um does connect to the municipal complex.
Um so, that's just something if if there was, you know, if there was a possibility for us to get the appropriate signage, we could do we could do a trail. We could do it at any park. Um, but I was thinking because Middle Bush connects to the public library, that might be a nice spot.
>> I like that idea a lot and I think that's a good spot for it. So, um, I was just showing you had sent me a link for the story walk products. So, what I can do is I can try to like price it out at least and then put that in there. Um, so
that is something I can work on to get in the budget for sure. Tara, would this include, you know, that we went to that new property that we all were there, we walked it out and we haven't established a trail. Do we need to put a budget in for establishing a
trail there or um Memorial Forest redoing that trail there? I mean, is that the kind of things we need to put in? >> Yeah. So putting in if we want to kind of start, you know, developing a trail
at County Route 518 property, I think that's our best bet to start off for this year because we have the parking lot there now. Um, so when we're doing that, we want to talk about the actual blazing of the trail, which I can talk to Carl about because our people would
do that. Um, but also are you guys thinking benches, kiosk, like what kind of amenities that I can look in and at least kind of get a price tag on kiosk? >> So, kiosk >> terra for John Clyde. uh it was
mentioned even one of the uh previous meeting about those I do not know what is it called the display board kind of which shows the different picture of the birds and the detail of the birds which are common to the John Clyde grassland >> oh right the like
>> yeah the interpretive signage >> yeah those are three and all three of them have been deteriorated completely >> okay new one >> okay um interpretive signage >> and that's at Negri as well.
>> I I was going to say the same thing. There's those sad signs at Negri need to be replaced >> and this is specifically for birding. >> Well, they're all they're for wetlands. There's three different there's two at least two different ones.
>> Okay, got it. Okay, that I know we got with a grant and I had reached out to the Natural Resources Conservation Service because they're the ones that did it via the grant and they are unable to find the original files. So, it's like we're trying to figure out what's going on,
but that is something I can do. Um, and keep in mind too, this is really the recommendations for just this year for the budget and it's also going to come from the open space advisory committee which is going to include uh budget items for historic preservation for open space properties. So, this is a piece of
it. So, it's good that we get some things in there. We won't be able to get everything in there obviously for this year. But I think these are the route county route 518 property in terms of developing a trail I think is a good place to like kind of put our money for a big project because we have the
beginning of it going, you know. So I think that's good. >> Absolutely. And we I think we need to take another >> another look at that after hunting season or on a Sunday. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So I have down the signage for the storybook trail. That's a middle bush to the library which I like a lot. the
county roof 518 property trail, the interpretive signage replacement for um John Clyde and for Negriot, the bird blind um all the funding for that is in last year's budget, so we don't have to worry about that unless there's like another phase that we want to do, but
that's covered. >> Um >> talking does that phase include redoing the ramp? Yeah, because the Yeah, it does. So, that funding we already have for the ramp and the fence. >> Okay, perfect.
>> So, I know this might be a long shot, but I know when we were looking at um the different bird blind uh examples out there, we saw several that had like interpretive information about the birds in the in the inside of the bird blind,
like the silhouettes. So, I I think that if um if possible, if we could get some interpretive signs inside the bird blind, uh that would be really nice. >> Okay, I can write that down and see what I can uh figure out for that. Yep.
Um anybody have any ideas, equipment, things that you need for um like one year we got the binoculars >> um for trail hikes. Does anyone have any ideas or do you know one thing we do for example with the environmental
commission is we have a line set aside for like hosting events. So basically for them to do whatever they need to do. They've had giveaways and things like that. Do you want me to put a line in for events or anything like that or um
or I don't know what you would need for trails equipment or signage or anything like that? Well, I think maps, right? Like I feel like, you know, we've been wanting the maps, the the more of the big maps. Um, and even our display sign. Um, like I I
think um I don't know if >> I know they're they're not aging that well. We were struggling with a little bit with with them. Um, so that's something else for us to consider. But I I like the idea of Tara hearing you say that like brochures
Like it would be nice if we just had like a general Franklin Trails brochure that we could have like a little information with QR code to get to all of our maps. Um so just I guess if costs for um maybe brochure and some and some
maps. Okay, got it. So in our budget, our open space budget, we have a line item for printing. Um it's not that much though. So, what we could do is we could up that portion of the budget to allow for us to
to print out. So, we're looking at um brochures, about trails, and then more maps. Okay. How about >> Are we Are we still okay with the binoculars? >> I don't ask. Do you do you
>> I still I still have them. They're ready to go. Um, I don't remember if it was four or five, but um I mean they're usable. They're they're usable. >> Okay. Any more binoculars for trails or
any more um for the walks? Anything? We have the t-shirts now. Um you know, and again, you don't have to we don't have to think of everything tonight. If anyone thinks of anything between now and our next meeting, email it to me and I can definitely include it. Um, but I think from the trails
perspective, if we can get four three or four of our projects in, I think that would be great. And then it doesn't mean that that's what we're limited to. So say with the microobility study, say we're able to like kind of take off next year and do some work with the shade tree commission, there's money in the
open space trust fund specifically for, you know, land management, planting of trees, stewardship, you know, so we have it's not like if we didn't get it in there, we're just completely dead until next year. That's not the case. So, >> okay.
>> Terara, hearing you um thinking about the micromobility also um takes me back to one of our goals um about expanding wheelchair accessibility and I know we talked about so I don't know if we're there yet but um because I know we talked about you know Neon Williams
being a priority right but then also wanting to um expand the wheelchair accessibility at Negri. Um, so I think that would also be something for us to consider. >> Um, just taking that trail and then maybe having it like loop around that
that the trail that goes around the bird blind. >> Um, if if if something like that, I think that would be uh a nice uh progress towards that goal. >> I like it. Yeah. Okay, that's great.
Okay. Yeah, that makes sense to me. All right. So, I have these five projects right now at this point. The other thing I was thinking of I I think this is in need. There's a rain garden at John Clyde and it is so done. It's in
need of complete rehabilitation and I've been wanting to work on that for a while. I did do like an updated design and have a um planting list, but it happened right before CO and then I think it just kind of fell through the cracks. So maybe I'll like recommend
that we look at that too cuz it's just like it just needs to be fixed. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. In the inter >> that uh >> I forgot I was saying I forgot.
>> That's okay. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> When it comes back. Yeah. Just say it out. Yeah, sure. >> All right. So, I think that's I think that a lot for right now. Um, I'm going to have, like I said, projects for from a and projects from uh environmental
commission, not environmental projects, but projects that are on township open space. Um, plus we have, you know, hopefully kalpas moving forward. We have four other properties right now for preservation that are in the pipeline. So, we have things moving. We have our
micromobility study we could go back to. So, I think we're in good shape. >> Great. And I think Tara, once we update the interpretive signs, Ingri and John Clyde, then we could talk about maybe adding some to the other trails that don't have any. >> Yeah, absolutely. And I think we can
probably get some grant funding for that as well. So, >> I'll try. I'll see what I can find. >> That'd be great. Okay. Um the next um the next item we have is the sponsorship partnership with the Franklin Township Astronomy Club.
All right, great. So, I have So, Mike Hammer is on the line here. So, Mike, if you want to jump in at any point, feel free. Um, I asked the uh the astronomy club to basically if they wanted to at any meeting come and like kind of update
us on what they got going on. Um, you know, give us information. So, I'm going to just share I received an email from Ron. He is the other um co-president of the Franklin Township Astronomy Club and he gave me a list of things they've been
working on. Um so the first is um they're continuing to do their Friday night observations. The township manager gave the approval for that. So that's in good shape. The police have been notified. So they are able to use the John Clyde Memorial Native Grassland
Preserve on Friday nights for observations as they come up. Um, an upcoming event that they're going to be publicizing is the Geminid meteor shower. I hope I said that right. Um, and that's between December 13th and 14th. Um, and there's 100 meteors
potentially per hour that can be seen. Um, and they would like to have access that Saturday night. So, Mike, you need me to ask the township manager about that? >> Okay. You're asking me to ask the township manager? >> No, I'm saying do you need me to ask the township manager for the approval for
that? Correct. >> Definitely. Yes. >> Okay. Okay. So, I can take care of that as well. And this is something they've done um frequently. Ask for other nights, too, which is totally fine. I'm just getting my to-do list up here to put that down. Um
uh okay. So, they've asked, "What are are there any updates on returning the portable toilet to the site?" So, I did ask the town. So, there was a portable toilet there. It got removed with the other portable toilets that get removed during the winter. That's what recreation is on the schedule. I asked
if it can be returned. I've been told no. And the reason that I've been it's been told no to me is because um they get frozen and then we get responsible for any damage done to them. So they're on the same that portable toilet is on the same schedule as the others. So we
can't get it brought back during the winter time, which I know is inconvenient because there's a lot of people there. Um >> totally understandable. I just was wondering why it got pulled long before there was any possibility of freezing weather because it's been gone for
months. >> Yeah, apparently it's on the same schedule as the other ones. And I don't know why it's as early as it is, but I guess it's to avoid any potential freezing or when the visitor ship goes down. Um it's to avoid basically like vandalism and things like that that
happen unfortunately. >> Um >> clarification. >> Yeah. Um, in addition to the nighttime observing event, the club plans to participate in the upcoming Somerset County 4 Science Day in December, which is cool. Um, they're going to be running
astronomy related workshop for kids in grades kindergarten through 6th. Um, Ron has a question that we're approaching firearms season and that's when the site closes down. Would this apply to club members after sunset? So,
um, no, because farmers are only, I'm sorry, farmers, hunters are only permitted to hunt our sites from sunrise until half hour before sunrise to a half hour before sun to a half hour following sunset. So, as long as you're I would
say to be on the safe side, an hour after sunset, then that won't interfere with the astronomy observation nights that are approved. Um, we'd also like to follow up on getting on the agenda for trails and open space. Yes. So, I have to work with
Ron and Mike on um getting in front of the trails committee, the open space committee, and environmental commission to do a presentation, which I will I think is probably going to be more towards the beginning of the year if that's okay with you guys just because the end of the year we're working on the budget and some of our committees don't
meet. So, um, we'll find a time in January, February to do that. >> That sounds good. We're quite busy ourselves right now with the upcoming >> program. >> Okay. Um, and then the last thing is the dark sky initiative. I did discuss the
dark skies initiative with the environmental commission. They're really interested and they definitely want a presentation. So, I will follow up with you on that separately. Um, and then for everyone to see, I'll put this in the chat, too. There. Oh,
copies the whole thing. Mike, are you able to put a link to this in the chat? Just cuz if I copy this, it's like copying the whole thing here. Um, the uh Astronomy Club has a newsletter. So, if anyone is interested in looking at that
or subscribing to it, that would be great, especially since we're sponsoring the astronomy club at this point. Um, and so that's the updates. And so being that Mike is here, he's the co-president of the astronomy club. If anyone has any questions or comments, I think it would
be great to get a full presentation from them maybe in January or February. January we really kind of focus on our beginning of the year stuff, but maybe February because that'll really help us kind of, you know, we'll have a few months under under our belt of
sponsoring them and uh I think that would be great. So, >> okay. Anyone have any questions or comments for Mike? >> Just quickly for Mike, what time on the 13th and 14th are you gather gathering
at uh John Clyde? >> You're talking about for the meteor shower, >> correct? >> Yeah, we normally would meet uh around sunset. >> Okay. >> But it depends. I'd have to look at the actual time that the peak for the meteor
shower is. I'm not aware of what that is at the moment. >> Okay. just wondering. Thanks. >> And I'll I'll work on getting that permission from the township manager. I'll I'll email him tomorrow on that. Uh one one other thing I don't know if this is germanine to this particular
committee meeting but uh you should be aware that we're also working with the Meadows uh foundation I think it's called to have a some kind of a uh >> open house at um a place located at the intersection of uh Blackwells Mills and
South Middlebush. uh something we >> done as a club many years ago and they contacted me and uh we agreed to meet with them and see if we can organize something that would probably be in March or April. >> Oh, that's interesting. Yeah, that's great.
>> Okay, cool. Thank you so much. >> Okay, thank you. Um the next item we have on our agenda is the meeting dates for 2026. Okay. So, you had attached those with
the um the agenda. >> I did. I have them up on the screen, too. So, I followed last year's exact same schedule. I just replicated it and changed the dates so that it's the second Wednesday at 7:00. I kept the same meeting dates like if it was in
person or virtual as well. So, I don't know if anyone had any um >> any you know after you've looked at it want to make any changes or or anything like that. I think this year I looked back at our attendance our attendance has been great. We haven't had any
problems with attendance which has been we never really did but having the meetings in person versus virtual you know it's been no problem. >> So could you scroll? I'm glad we're starting in person in January. I think that's really good. So, how many in
person are we doing throughout the year? I see January >> four. >> Four. Just four. Okay. >> We did four. Yeah. Once a quarter is what we've been doing. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Well, we're planning on no meeting in August. Um, so there's really 11
meetings and Yeah. So, four of them will be in person. Are you How's everybody feeling about that? Is that Is that working for everybody? Everybody, do you guys like having a hybrid still or?
>> Yeah. Patrick says, "Yeah." >> Am I all right? Yep. >> Okay. >> You You can't beat the convenience. Um but it it's nice to meet in person also and I think that that allows for different types of discussions and
>> Exactly. Yep. >> is the four and we could always add we could you know if anyone wants to have one more in person we could change one of these um virtuals to in person. That's I haven't advertised them yet cuz they have to be approved by you all
first. So, um, you know, like May we're meeting virtually. Uh, July is not a good month, I think, to change it from. >> Yeah, that's fine. Virtual in July. I'm just thinking more of our our big times.
You know, we're planning a lot of activities and might be good to do that. Just see what >> Yeah. Uh, the May one. What about the May one? Right now we have it's like inperson
it's in person two virtual inperson one virtual inperson one virtual >> right two >> so that we did make some changes last year because September because of back to school and everything it was easier
to make the September virtual which is why that's what it is. Um, we have November and December backtoback are virtual. So, there is an option to make a change there or there's an option to make a change uh for May or March if anyone wants to have one of those in in
person instead. Up to you all. Unless you like it the way it is, then that's good, too. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I'm okay with it the way it is. If we wanted to add one more, I would just want to scooch it so it was like like the every other and not like two in a
row in person. >> Yeah. Yeah, I agree with that, too. This might be too We might be okay the way it is. >> Okay. If you want to stick with it the way it is for this year, then I do need a vote on it in order to publish it.
>> We have a motion. >> I move to adopt the schedule. >> A second. Second, >> Jnasha. Thank you. Um, all in favor? I >> I
>> um any nazs or abstensions? Okay, motion carries. >> Okay, so that's going to be the schedule. I'll get it published. Um, so yeah, that's our schedule for next year.
Tara, do you just remind me, do you send us the calendar invites for this or there's something we put in our own calendars? >> I usually um just No, I usually don't. It's not I can't I can if you want I can send >> I was I'm just wondering I'm starting to do it right now as we're talking and I
was like wait a sec I can't remember. Okay, that's >> No. Okay, awesome. All right, so that's it for the new business. >> Okay, moving on to old business. Um, we have the prior prioritization of
the projects from the micromobility study. So, Mary is on here and before you came on, Vanessa, she had said that she has been working with the shade tree commission and that they're very interested in working with us on um making sure that shade trees are planted
along our proposed pathway from Neon Williams towards the schools, like our main project area. Um, I have it on the agenda. >> Last time I sounded a great >> Yeah, I have it on the agenda as old business. In all honesty, I didn't get to do anything on it this month, um,
because of everything going on with Katalpa and working on the budget and everything. So, I wanted to keep it on as old business just so that it's on our radar. But one thing I think we can do this month, a project like this, because it's so big, it's kind of good to have a
subcommittee that um, kind of like shepherds it along. So what I would recommend is maybe we can make a subcommittee of a member or two of this committee. Mary can be on it with us as from the shade tree commission if she wants to have another person from shade
tree commission and then I can get someone on there. Maybe Chris can be on it with us since he's like, you know, very familiar with microobility. If someone from recreation wants to be on it and we can have a committee kind of like mapping it out, figuring out what trees should be there, putting the cost
estimate together. I think that might be the best way to approach it because it's going to it's going to take some coordination. >> That sounds like a a smart plan to me. >> Yeah, it does. >> So, Mary, you're good with being on our subcommittee kind of like on behalf of
the Shade Tree Commission. >> Yes. Yes, I would. >> Okay, perfect. All right. Right. And so, Vanessa, I guess, you know, I don't know how you want to go about, you know, choosing or asking if any who wants to be on it. Um, Chris isn't here, but he
worked a lot on the micromobility study. So, I don't know what you think. >> Well, I think it makes sense to give, you know, Chris kind of the first dibs on it. And if he's not interested, then we can ask the rest of the committee who might be interested. >> Yeah, we can have three members on there.
>> Oh, okay. >> It just can't be a forum. Yeah. >> Oh, I see. I see. Okay. So, so in addition to Chris, um, is anybody who I'm interested in doing the the subcommittee for the micromobility?
>> Yeah, I would like to be like, you know, since we're talking about trees and uh, like, you know, I would like to see how I can contribute to >> Yeah. >> uh, towards the planting of the trees and choosing of the So, yep. Um, I'm up for it. >> Okay. I think that would be a good fit.
Yeah. >> Okay. Um, and then we'll ask Chris if he wants to do it and then I'll ask maybe like Stephen, the um, superintendent of recreation if he wants to also um, participate because he, you know, has access to the budget and uh, staff, you
know, so I think that would be helpful. Okay. and we'll make this subcommittee and then we can start working on it as part of, you know, our our plans for next year. I think that'll be that'll be good. >> Okay,
>> thank you. Um, nature walks in spring and summer, New Jersey. >> So, I sent you know that you guys had recommended that we do the there was five trails walks that you had recommended. The first two were the
Woodcock walks. Um, and then there was three spreads throughout the year, basically birding and butterflying walks. The total was going to be $1,150 to have all five walks done by the New Jersey Autobon. So, I brought that back that to the open space committee last
month. They approved it. Um, so the purchase order already went out to New Jersey Autobon and was signed. So, um, they're definitely doing them. Um, and they are working right now on dates and they're going to get me the information about the dates and then the exact titles and everything and then we can
advertise it on our website and they'll uh facilitate it. So they'll, you know, set it up, they'll, you know, have someone out there guiding it. So that's been approved and it's on its way. >> Great. Great. >> Yeah. And we also found out at that
meeting that it's uh Chris Williams who helped rebuild our bird blind um who help who led that with with Jim's support. Um he's the one he volunteers for Ottabon. So he'll be leading these hikes. >> Yes. >> Is he is he is he the only one from
Ottabon that'll be leading the hikes though? That's what it sounds like. >> His wife His wife used to help him as well. I'm not sure if she's gonna continue. Yeah. >> Yeah. Paula is great. She has a great ear for things. Um, okay. So, just with Chris. Okay. I didn't know if there was
someone else from Ottabbon that was going to be involved. >> Well, that's what he said. He mentioned that at the meeting. May I don't know. Who knows? It might change, but then he uh he mentioned that it would be him. >> There are other guides, too, that sometimes work on things. So, it depends, I guess, on availability. But, yeah. So, that's been approved and it's
all set. So, it's it's paid for. So, we're we're good. >> Okay. um towards Hopeath um with Brad Frey. >> Yes. So I reached out to Brad Fay and I asked him for an update on how the event went just so we know. So this is his
response. He said they had a very nice event with more than 100 participants. They didn't get the growth that they had hoped for since last year. So they're actually going to be deciding when I say they, it's the DNR Canal Watch group. Uh they're going to be deciding in the next month or two if it's going to be an
annual event or not. you know, it is a lot of work. Um, and a 100 participants sounds like a lot of participants, but for the amount of area that they cover and the amount of people that really can participate, I guess they feel like they didn't get enough
increase in participation. So, they're thinking if they're going to have it as an annual event next year or not. If they do, he'll definitely ask for our assistance again in uh in helping them advertise and get volunteers. Thanks for the update. >> Yeah.
>> Uh, profile a trail. >> So, the profile of a trail uh did not make it into the Franklin Times. >> I I looked through it. I kept I looked through it like four times. I'm like, I we did it. We submitted one.
>> I know. I know. I I I don't even know. I really don't. But it did not make it into the Franklin Times. I reached out to it right away and asked them to get it up on our social media which it did get on there. So what the ones that were written by Pash and Robert, they will be put in the next issue of the Franklin
Times and then we can put a third one in if anyone wants to write one or we can put those two in and we can hold off on new ones for the next issue. In the meantime, that doesn't stop us from posting them on social media. So if another one comes along and we can post on social media and on our website,
that's great. So, um, >> should should we hold off on having two in one issue? >> Space them out. >> Yeah, we can space them out. >> Okay. Yeah, absolutely. >> We can we can post them on Facebook in the interim. Um, I don't think like
anyone's going to be like, "Oh, I already read this on social media." So, if we want to populate it, but yeah, you're right. We can space it out for Franklin Times. It's just Franklin Times is not on like a set schedule, I don't think, anymore because the last two issues were kind of far apart. So, you know, we'll have to keep an eye on it,
but they will get in the Franklin Times at some point. >> Yeah, there there's there's a story behind the last issue of the Franklin Times. >> Oh, okay. All right. >> That was more than just the the uh the trail story.
>> Oh, okay. All right. Well, >> well, hopefully they'll get their act together. >> Okay. All right. We'll get it in the next one. I'll keep trying to get it in there. But in the meantime, they did get posted on social media. So hopefully that brought a few people out. And you know, when we do the New Jersey Autobon
walks or any of our walks that we host, they always go on social media um and in on our website. So great. Um thank you. The next item we have is our Somerset
County Trails Grant Program. So we haven't worked on this still. We were going to work on it from the open space advisory committee like as a as a kind of start you know talking to them. Then the catalpa issue came up and that continues to be at the forefront. So I
think once catalpa clears up um we actually did get a grant for catalpa a few years ago from the county um to do the playground. So um as soon as that issue is settled I think we can then move forward with a grant application.
It's a rolling grant application. There's money in the fund, so I'm not concerned about it. Um, if we get approval in our budget for the county route 518 trail, if we have money kind of earmarked towards that, then we might want to consider making the grant for
that so that we can like kind of supplement it and make it bigger or we might just want to use our own money and like fund something else. So, we're going to have to see how that goes. But >> as of right now, >> I know that we did we did discuss this like we did as a committee we discussed like what our priorities would be for
this and we talked about Nean Williams and then we talked about the wheelchair accessibility in so those were things that we were hoping that open space could prioritize. >> So >> Oh yeah, absolutely. Yeah, we can have >> we know like you know we don't want to lose the money. So we that's why we
wanted to kind of get ahead of it. I know um you know Chris Kelly from the county open space keeps reminding me like come get it before it's gone. Um so the sooner open space can move forward with that uh the better for us. >> Absolutely. Yeah. I I will bring it up
to them again uh in December. Absolutely. I think I think the hangup right now like I said is getting Katala Park kind of fi, you know, approved and finalized and pushed over that last hump. But yes, that is it's on the radar. Great. Um,
the next item we have is the um trails, walks, and events. Um, ideas for fall and winter. Um, I know Tara, um, uh, Tara was, you know, and I were communicating and talking about, you know, the need, the
concern of food insecurity and the desire for us to support the Franklin Food Bank, um, and talking about, you know, doing a hike in support of the Franklin Food Bank. And I know, um, Councilman Karazzi, you also had mentioned the desire for us to have that
partnership. Um, so I had I had an idea. um of of if we wanted to um lead a hike. Um and I was thinking um I know I was thinking about doing something if we did something like on Black Friday. Um if we wanted to do like some type of a a food
fundraising hike. Um I feel like it's it's every time I look at the calendar though, it's closer and closer. So um >> I know. But whether it's then or another time, whatever, you know. Um how do you guys
feel about us doing a hike um for that? >> I think it's a great idea right now. I think the food banks are completely overwhelmed. So I think that definitely the concept is is really in tune. >> Yeah, I even like the idea. Uther
Friday or maybe the next day. Oh, but it would be a Thanksgiving. Uh so Friday or maybe the Saturday we can keep the hike and raise the food uh collect the canned food or something that can bring in people.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. I was like I kind Sorry. Do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do you think that uh really will be a a successful one considering the weather and the cold and so forth
and also the Thanksgiving around the corner. >> Yeah, it's a tight publicity. >> Yeah. uh piece that I'm concerned about that because you really to turn people's minds around from instead of shopping on
Black Friday to do a hike and and contribute food. I think it needs a lot of public outreach. >> So, do we um >> I like the concept, but I'm not I'm just trying to think how to make it successful. >> When when do you guys think it would be
a good time to do it? I mean, people are in need of food now. Um, I mean, what about like even the first week of December? First weekend of December. >> Can can I just make some comments on that? So, I I've been involved with food bank quite a bit. In fact, I was there
this past Monday just to see how things going. The good news is that um uh a lot of people are helping them and uh they had about 10% or so increase in the number of people that u they usually u
get let's say 10,000 people or whatever it was about 10 thou 10% increase over the past couple of weeks because of snap but their shelves were completely full and they were ready to welcome uh people
wherever where they they need it. The best thing they told me, and this has been going on for many years, they've always heard is that because they're buying power is great, they really like people to make donation versus canned
food and things like that, >> right? And uh so um the other thing is that even though the snap has started but we have to always remember that the uh the need for food is really ongoing
thing. is not like just now it is we have about 10,000 people in our township that is one in every seven resident they go to food bank to get help and relative to last year 25% increase. So things are
not really good for the community as far as the affordability. So my suggestion would be that perhaps we want to wait until spring when the weather is nice and then we can start good advertisement and getting some
money and anybody can make any contribution. Of course, the food and so forth is good, but uh right now I think I I I'm not so sure what will be the how many people will come, especially considering
the holidays and the weather. But uh you know, supportive food bank is always welcome. And the other thing that is going to happen uh hopefully in spring uh we're going to have a groundbreaking for the new facility. This is a $12
million facility that they're going to be building right across from Pine Grove uh Manor School. It's going to be amazing facility. It's going to really allow them to have enough space to meet
the needs of the community. Unfortunately, they have gotten $5 million grant and uh there's been additional money that they've raised. So there are a lot of things happening and I believe in in the spring uh raising money to help this project or just
ongoing need will be great but again whatever you guys decide I'm fine with it. I just want to give you a little bit background so you'll have a good good idea of what's happening. And incidentally, two weeks ago, I don't know if you saw during the council meeting, uh the council uh approved to
give them $10,000. And um I also was lucky to get from one of the house of worship for $5,000. So I gave the 5,000 during the council meeting as well. So uh so the council definitely is helping them, supporting
them. We have mentioned to house of worship to support them and the good thing is that people stepped up. >> Thank you. Thanks for all that information. It's great to hear the, you know, some of the progress that that is being made. I put in the chat like some
like just like a little blurb version that we could put into a flyer when we're ready to do it. Um, so what does everybody are we thinking? We want to um hold off and do this uh hike in the spring. Do we want to um
roll the dice and do it now or do it sooner? Um and maybe do it again. Um I'd like to do a hike at the end. I I I kind of want to do a Black Friday hike no matter what. Um and if nobody comes, I just we haven't done I haven't done a
hike, you know, this autumn. And um so I would I'd like to uh do something, but it doesn't have to be the food bank hike. It could just be a regular hike or a storybook hike >> like um burn off the fat from the Thanksgiving meal type or how are you
going to sell it? What's your marketing? >> Well, I had a whole thing here for the food thing in the chat. I I spent time on that, but I didn't think I didn't work on the alternate plan yet. But I'm For me, it's like Black Friday. stay out of the store and get on the trail. You know, it's like
um >> something along those lines, Marie. >> Yeah, I hear you. >> Okay. >> You know, um one possibility is that we could adopt the food bank for every walk.
>> We could do Well, I'm sorry, I missed it. >> Sure. adopt the food bank as uh for every walk if that's more possible. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> I like that idea. And just kind of advertise it along with our our event
and if people want to bring items and and I I and I heard what the councilman was saying as well, like they're really they're really preferring, you know, money donations. So, we could also put like a QR code or something on there like our hike is free
to recommend a donation to the Franklin Food Bank. >> That's great. That's a great thing. Yes, that's wonderful. >> That's a good idea. >> I like it.
>> And by the way, there's another option we can try. I don't know if this is something that you wanted to consider it but I have seen in uh other places around the world they have these donation nice donation boxes at uh
trails or some you know different areas and they will just say okay support food bank for example >> and then people just put some money in there and uh so that's something that uh might be also good because Not everybody
will go and stop to put the QR code and donate. But if there's a box there, people might say, "Hey, here's a couple dollars or whatever change." And suddenly you'll see that there's good money collected. >> Okay.
Maybe there's something >> what we can do also if if we going to go with that idea of building a nice box right next we will have a place that we will put our brochures as well or whatever information we want to put so you know when people take it said you
know please consider donated food bank >> okay we can consider all those things um >> I'm thinking like you know if we do the when we do like the storybook trail. Um, if we if we go that route, it might make
sense to have a donation kind of advertising either on there, whether it be a box or not or just a sign and, you know, kind of in the municipal area. I think that our trails are they don't get a lot of foot traffic. Um, but that one will probably get the most. Um,
>> um, >> great idea. >> Okay. Um, any other hikes? Anybody else have any hike ideas for this fall or winter? Um, Vanessa, if you do do a walk, if you want to do one a hike, if you have a flyer, you need me to help, you know,
put together a flyer, just let you know, email me and then this way we can advertise it before. >> Yeah, definitely. And I definitely want to I'd like to have it with parks and recreation as well. >> Okay. Yeah. So, they just need, you know, some time to get it up there and
everything. So, just let me know the details when you figure it out and then we can get that going. >> Okay. I'll do that in the next couple days. Um, yeah, I'm kind of like last winter I did a I did two hikes and it just I just
didn't get, you know, I got like one or two people and it's all, you know, people I knew. So, um, so I'm just kind of even though I love winter hiking, like I I love it. Um, but I think a lot of people are intimidated, >> right?
>> Maybe one maybe one way to do that, um, if you're thinking winter hike is to work with the scout groups in Franklin and recruit them and they would be the base for your um, hiking group and then you can you can advertise it to
the public. But you would know that you would have a you would build the the schedule around a couple of those scout troops saying, "Yeah, we'll do the hike in the winter with you." >> That's a great idea. >> Yeah. >> And I'm wondering, Patrick, even for the
um the Black Friday hike, if there's any scouts who who might be interested, we could try to tap into them. Okay. I like that. >> Yeah. I don't know. Even like a New Year's hike, I think. You see a lot of
towns, you do like a New Year's hike. >> The first Yeah, the first first hike. Yeah. >> Yeah, that's a that's a pretty popular thing. You could definitely do that, too. The first hike of the year. Yeah, that's a big one. >> All right. Well, if anyone has any ideas
in the interim, as always, email them to me. We can put together a flyer. You know, lots of options. Okay. Um, next item is uh trail updates and then we have the link on the agenda
for where we can enter them digitally. Anybody want to say something out loud now that you want to emphasize regarding your trail or a trail you visited that you noticed anything? I don't have anything.
>> Okay. >> All right. That's our last uh agenda item. Um and this is really this is very quick for us. Yay. >> Yeah. >> Um can with nothing else on the agenda.
Um can we have a motion to adjurnn? >> I move we adjourn. >> Have a second. >> Second. Robert second. Thanks. All right. All in favor? I >> I >> I >> hearing no nays or abstensions. Motion
carries. Um thank you all for the meeting and um we'll see you in December. Tara, is there an update as far as the December winter gathering for the committees? I know at the last open space meeting, it was still up in the
air, but a desire to do. So, the open space committee, there's two people working on finding a date. I think they're leaning doing it more in towards January after the fact, like more of a New Year's theme. Um because finding a date in December, it's just so
difficult. Um but I said, you know, there's nothing wrong with doing it in January. It's it doesn't really matter. So, they're working on it. If I have information, I'll forward it along right away. >> Thank you. Great. >> Thanks. All right, everybody. Have a good night. Good.