Okay. In accordance with the open public meeting act of the state of New Jersey, adequate notice of this Wednesday, June 10th, uh meeting of the Franklin Township Trails Advisory Committee was posted on the township's website and electronically transmitted to the
officially designated newspapers indicating that this meeting would take place at the municipal building on Wednesday, June 10th, 2026. >> Perfect. Yep. >> Y Vanessa Jones present. Ann Maria is
absent tonight. Uh Kanda present. >> Jim Paulowski >> here. >> Uh Jasha Patel >> present. >> Robert Kovac >> I am present. >> Lal >> here. >> Councilman Karazzi. And Ryan Gelzyler, our our newest member. He's not here today as well. We knew he was going to
be upset. >> Oh gosh. Yes. Okay. Yep. Thank you. Oh yeah, >> with the record. >> I hear you. >> I always scribble really fast. Yes. >> Okay, >> that's all. >> We have a new member, Brian Gelzyler. He
was >> one from Resumeum that we began. >> Yes. >> Yes. He was at our last meeting. Uh that was his first meeting, but that he couldn't we knew he couldn't be here tonight cuz he had a prior engagement. Oh, Patrick Murray that I knew I forgot. >> I thought is he coming tonight or No, that >> I haven't heard I haven't heard from him
either. Okay. So, Patrick Murray is not here as of yet. >> Okay, perfect. All right. >> Um, next item on our agenda is the approval of the May minutes. >> I don't have the minutes. >> I don't have I didn't submit the
minutes. Couple setbacks on my end. Sorry about that. >> That's okay. >> Mr. >> Okay. Um, can we have a motion to open for public comment? >> Open it for public comment. Second. >> Okay, public comment.
>> Steve, right? >> Thanks. Steve came on our national trail head. Thanks for coming. These are all the guys from the astronomy club. >> Yeah, we're here at the astronomy club to provide support and always thanks for the support that you give us uh as a trails advisory committee. And uh I know we're on the agenda, so if there any
questions, we're here to answer. Yes. >> So you I don't have you I really kind of didn't put you on yet. If you want to speak now that's fine. Yeah. I have your report. >> I think it's fine. >> Okay. I have your report too if you want to talk about it now. >> Do you suggest >> Is that okay or
>> this way in case you're welcome to say but in case you have to you know. >> Yeah that's sure. Yeah. >> All right. Let me get your So the Franklin Township Astronomy Club has been really good. They have been submitting me basically monthly reports which is awesome. Um, and so I'm just
going to put it up on the screen and then Ron, if you want to, um, you know, kind of share with us any highlights or any comments or questions you have. >> Sarah, do we need their names and addresses for public comment or are we just saying astronomy club? >> Uh, we can say astronomy club and I have
I have everyone's private, you know, information so I can only share it. >> What we're doing is we're moving the uh the agenda item up. >> Do I have them on the agenda or no? >> Yeah, you do. I do. Oh my gosh. I'm sorry. 6D.
>> Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I must I did do it. Okay. I'm ahead of my own self. I'm sorry. >> Public. If that's okay. I'm so sorry. I did. I guess I must have not been paying attention to myself. Okay, >> we're good. Thank you.
>> Motion to close public comment. >> Close public comment. >> Second. >> Second. >> All right. Um, moving on to site plan review. anything for that today? >> No site plan review. The only two we had at the Environmental Commission last week was actually two um applications
for single family houses under Habitat for Humanity, which is great. So, um but we didn't have any others. So, it's been a slow month for us. >> Okay. Right. Moving on to new business. Uh Somerset County Trails Grant Program >> accelerate the astronomy club to the
institute. >> We can if you wanted to put them first this way. That's a good idea. >> It is a good idea, but they also they want to support us and be at our meeting. >> They're like, "We want to support you,
but you know, it's there's a level." >> I see number two is the line in that next opening. >> Yeah. The other items items might all right, we will we will we will Yes, we will bump into them to the top of new business. Okay. New business updates and
requests from the astronomy club. the township astronomy club. >> True. >> So, we provided a report and we're going to start providing a monthly report in this format to all of you again in line with the fact that you are sponsoring us. Uh we thought it would be helpful to be transparent to you exactly what we're planning and what we've been doing. So,
I start out first to give you a sense of the scope of the uh the club. We're currently at 213 registered members, 32 since the beginning of the year. So, we are growing which is great. Uh we have a presence all over on social media. We have monthly newsletters. Uh we do a
WhatsApp now and we have a website. So if any of you are interested, I've provided all the links so you can get those in the in the u in the um report that I sent to you. >> So you're nonprofit organization, huh? >> Say that again. >> You're a nonprofit organization. >> No, we cannot characterize ourselves.
We've been discussing nonprofit status. >> We saw that.org usually.org. Yes. >> Yeah. We didn't need to get.org. We didn't need specific status apparently to get the OG status, but we actually have >> we've been discussing how we can get to that because I feel >> Okay. Thank you.
>> So, that's a that's a very important conversation we've been having. >> Um, but I think the the heart of what we wanted to talk to you is kind of give you an update on some of the outreach and um uh education that we've been doing. So, we've been really it's been a good month. May was a good month. June
has started off really nicely. Uh we do continue to meet monthly at the uh community/ senior center uh on the other side of the complex. Uh we're getting an average of maybe about 20 20 dozen members coming to our meetings. We're having good presentations. Uh everyone
here is welcome to please join us first Wednesday of the month on at 7:30 if you're interested in seeing what we're doing. Um but our our biggest focus has been on outreach and uh over the past few weeks we've done two school related outreach programs. One at Franklin High
School. We had an astronomy night with their astronomy club. Um, and that was on May 12th. We had about 20 students uh come and join us which was really nice. We had a chance to we set up telescopes. We have them walk around from scope to scope. we give us a little bit of
education and mostly listen to everybody go wow that's really so we love that and we've estab we're establishing and working on establishing a really close working relationship with the school uh and they have invited us back for more programs in in the fall so we look forward to
>> didn't you have a presentation live >> we did we did a presentation there initially and then that was kind of led into a nighttime uh thing so we have the astronomy club and you know they they might even expand to more students beyond on that. >> Yeah. Uh and uh just this past weekend
with the help of Jin Nasha and uh we and the uh trails advisory committee we had the support here of having uh a really amazing turnout on was that Friday night we did that? Yes, it was Friday. Uh and I I want to thank you Jasha for for what
you brought to us. You brought about 40 students I believe maybe even more than that. uh and parents and guardians all very well behaved uh and all very curious. We had a number of telescopes out there uh and we had a great night at John Clyde. We had a chance to give them
a tour of the night sky through various size telescopes and cameras, astrophotography. Um it was a really nice event. So we hope to do more of these outreach activities with schools either on their campus or at John Clyde.
>> Great. And then next is just some future plans and things we've been thinking about. Um, with summer coming December 20, sorry, December 20th, June 20th, uh, we've been talking about it our within our leadership team, maybe something doing some kind of summer solstice uh,
activity and I wanted maybe to present this maybe for some offline um, and perhaps even now Tara, I had asked you a question. You may recall, not really sure how to go about doing this, but there are specialized solar telescopes and we thought we might want to take advantage of the first day of summer to
uh do a little solar observing. And um I know in the past I think the astronomy club has set up telescopes out here in the complex on sidewalks or somewhere, but we don't know the ins and outs and rules about doing something like that. But we wanted to propose maybe on the 20th. This may have very little to do with the trails advisory committee, but
more coming to you as our sponsor to see if there's a way in which we could get uh there's approval or permission needed to set up a couple of scopes maybe near the library or some another obtrusive place within this complex. So if we get some foot traffic, >> yeah, >> random foot traffic may just want to look through our telescopes. The
alternative being we do it at John Clyde, which I think probably is less of an issue. >> Yeah, I like it here. I think that's nice. What? So it's June 20th now. What time are you thinking about? >> Anytime the sun's out. If the sun's out, maybe noonish 1 2:00. >> Sunday, right? >> No, that's the day before. Um,
>> the 20th. >> The I think the 21st is Father's Day. >> So, Saturday. >> Saturday. Yeah. We figured do it better on Saturday rather than on Father's Day. >> We have to ask the township manager for that. >> Um, or can we go through >> the best for you? >> Go for you.
>> Or we can ask Bob. >> Okay. >> That's the easiest way just to >> Okay. All right. We'll do. Okay. So, we'll ask the township manager. I'll copy you on it. >> Green telescopes at most. We put them in out of the way place >> and anybody who's passing by may want to look through it. >> Thank you for that.
>> Okay. I will see what I can find out. Um, and you're thinking like at this field maybe over here by the library >> or on the sidewalk or someplace that you know we can just >> Yeah, maybe between between the library and here the that island walkway we've
set up there. Okay. >> Were on post brownie meeting nights when we were doing it in the library. >> Got it. Okay. >> Out of the way. >> Let me see what So I will try and see if I can get an answer to that. >> Thank you. >> Um for some reason astronomy because it
focus on not at night time but focus on the sun. >> Yeah. >> If for some reason it's like there's some kind of hurdle in the in the way then I'm sure John Clyde is a poss. But I I like that idea. So I'll see what I can find out. ended tomorrow. Uh, and then, uh, I understand that you're going
to be doing you do have the Firefly hike, >> I think, now set up for >> July 11th, is my understanding. >> Correct. >> We would love to if you would like to have us there and do telescopes at night. >> Absolutely. >> I was out there on last Friday. We were on uh,
>> you already saw fireflies and uh, I took the students and parents on a hike. I'm like until so they have little less crowd and they can manage. So, I took other crowd for the hike. You won't believe hundreds of fireflies. >> Oh wow. >> Next day I saw this uh schedule for the
and I'm like can we move a little early? >> I was out the other night walking too and I saw a bunch of fireflies. I thought the same thing. I was like this seems early for them. >> We see them toward the end of the June, early July, but this time they're already out. Hello. There's so many. It
was like >> Yeah, >> I think the temperatures are >> warmer. Yeah, >> warm temperatures are being >> right. Right. Right. I know it differs, but normally it's between the first the second weekend in June. July, not
>> desert. Okay. So, >> how cool was there the fireflies or let us know if it changes whatever toate that. >> Yeah. Okay, >> thank you. Cuz I believe that August 12th is set uh for the Perciads. That's
a midweek event. Uh and that's one of the largest meteor showers of the year. Uh and this year it's also the day of the total solar eclipse. We won't see it here, but I we think astronomy and space is going to be in the news because of that. Uh there actually is a tiny little
bite being taken out of the sun. Maybe we'll do something in the daytime for Yeah, I think people might want to be there looking at it, but it's not a spectacular thing at all. But it's a nice day to do this. It will be a new moon, completely dark. You can see 20, 30, maybe even more meteors in an hour
under best condition. That's a great idea. >> Okay. >> And then uh putting forward also international observe the moon night. That's a little further down the road. That's September 18th. That's sponsored by I think NASA does some work on this.
It's basically as the name implies or directly says, you're just out to watch the moon. It's a nice not a full moon, a little less than full moon. Maybe an opportunity if you want to do a moon night or something. >> Okay. >> But we'd like to uh be out there. I think that's a Saturday night. So, I think we could be out there anyway with
telescopes um and something like that. So, >> just want to inform you about that day because it might be something that might be trail trails. >> Yeah. Perfect. Okay. We have a question. >> Yeah. Um so, now I understand that John Clyde is an ideal location for you guys.
Are there other other trails just for us to kind of because we're wanting to promote our other trails as well. So I know is is um are there other trails that you find would be conducive um for for night sky observing? >> Oh the nicest thing about John Clyde is
certainly has a 360 degree view of the horizon which is ideal. Uh but we can basically observe on any trails. I believe there was some conversation a few meetings ago about Negriot about Negri >> Napot which would be great you know because I believe it's ADA compliant so
you can bring in you know maybe you know you can open it up more and be more inclusive uh I'm not sure how conducive it is to us to setting up we'd have to take like a site survey to see where we can set up >> but uh there's nothing necessarily >> you know almost any trail gets dark at
night um all trails get dark at night >> but it's it's the view you know But for the kind of, you know, if we're trying to do astrophotography or something for ourselves as a club, John Klein is ideal because we're happy to take our telescopes anywhere.
>> And we need to keep in mind, too, that >> we have to carry all this equipment from our vehicles to >> Right. John 12, >> right? No, no. I I get it. I get it. I get John Clyde's good. I was just wondering I just wonder one question I have. John Clyde is in
the one side of a town. >> How about when they move windows? Is that something that might be >> I don't know it personally. I've never been there, but I I've thought about that as well because people are going to the light.
>> Would be better or no? >> But I think I think if you Yeah, just am I think that's the The reason I'm saying that they want >> light pollution from the city of course right so this will this will
>> I would say that even though polluted >> you can take a telescope of sufficient aperture you can take c astrophotography equipment and you can get images you may not see the deepest sky images but you'll see the ones people want to look
at you want to see, you know, Saturn or Jupiter or the moon or maybe the Andromeda galaxy. Those are things that can be seen even under not ideal light conditions. So, >> finally take a look at that. >> Yeah, too. I mean, I think it's great to
do this as cool as we can. >> Non Williams Park actually does have a pretty wide open field which is great. The only thing is I recommend go look at it at night. Go look at in the daytime and at night. In terms of carrying your equipment, there's a lot of parking which is great. It is on our other side
of town. The only thing is there's a lot of street lights around, but I don't know if that's going to matter. And there is a big field, right? >> So maybe check it out. Yeah, it's right off Matilda. And um yeah, more intensive hobbyist stuff that we might do, it probably would not be ideal, but for
kind of outreach, most people >> I like that idea for outreach. It's pretty close actually, too, like to the youth center. You might be able to get some people from the area. Well, that was the idea that part of a lot of food.
>> Yeah. I think it's something >> we would >> take a look and see. Yeah. And if there's anything you're interested in doing, we could always arrange it, you know. So, okay, great. >> I think in would be good, too. Like the lower softball field. I I don't know how many lights. >> I don't think there's lights there, but
I don't know. >> You're right. The bottom the last softball. I don't think there is any lights there. And that's by a trail. That's pretty flat. >> Dark there. I would say it's pretty dark. >> I would say it's darker than Yeah. >> And there is a parking area there. Yeah, you might be able to do that.
>> The lower area is actually really >> Well, check it out and let us know what you think. >> We can do a survey of different places. >> Even Middle Bush Park as long as the uh turf lights are right. Um, I also wanted to mention that um um often times we'll do like
tableabling events at the 4th of July event which is July 2nd this year. So if you guys were looking for foot traffic that might be something that you'd be interested in, you know, having a couple telescopes out, you know, >> I know we were talking about the uh about Franklin Day. >> Franklin Day. I'm still waiting on an
answer for that if you get a second. >> Yeah, because what happens is is different um I don't know if it's happened this year, but historically different organizations in the town will have a table. So we would have oftentimes we would have a trail table. So as people are coming for the fireworks show, they're walking by and
you're just networking. We we would give out trail maps. It's a it's a good right. It's a good uh it's a good foot traffic event. >> Very packed, right? >> So just like hearing what you were saying before, if you're looking for some foot traffic, >> actually it might be even very special
for the 250. >> Yeah. So there maybe may maybe be a show by the um um what is this thing I forgot the drones. The drone show.
>> Oh the drone show. Okay. Okay. Okay. >> Oh yeah. The Ruckers football games. >> Oh they're going to do that. >> There's a good possible looking >> Well, they're always the the fireworks here are always >> amazing. They're always good with that. What what
do we need to do? Is there a form we need to sign up? >> I'm looking here. It basically just says to call parks and recreations. You have you have Steven's information. >> Steven, I would reach out to him directly because he knows you and just say, "Hey, would you like us to he's in charge of it, it looks like." And so,
yeah, it's on July 2nd, uh, 6:00 and it's here at the municipal complex and it has fireworks at 9:15. So, >> I usually go to the fireworks anyway. So, >> so ask Stephen about it and he might be able to get you on there, which would be great, you know.
>> One last thing. I was looking at the calendar. June 20th, there's a band concert >> here 6 to 7:30 that morning, >> right? >> 6:00 p.m. to 7:30. So, I don't know if that
sun would still be up. So, >> yeah. So, There's nothing >> combined with that if you want to do it later in the day. >> Okay. >> So, >> okay. Any Oh, any other updates? >> And just thanks to the committee for uh
securing approval for us to use John Clyde on Fridays and Saturday nights. That is ideal because uh it just gives a little more opportunity to get a dark sky, especially when the weather doesn't cooperate. >> Nights are hard to come by in New Jersey.
>> Absolutely. No, that's great. Yes. No, we appreciate all that you guys are giving back to the community and it's really lovely to have that kind of access and especially for students, you know, to be able to interact, you know, with that with your level of equipment that they might not have otherwise have
access to or at least somebody who can kind of hold your hand through it because just starting that cold is is not easy. >> Thank you. >> And if I can tack on one last thing, it just triggered something, a thought. Uh we may soon be seeing in the public
library uh a lending library lending library telescope lending program. I may have mentioned this in the past but uh we have uh through a supplier basically donated who donated to us to donate to the library. It's a small tabletop
telescope. Uh we're going to enter it into the circulation system of the library and it'll be open to anybody who wants to borrow a library telescope like a book. Oh, that's great. I love that. >> Closing the process on that. Uh, and it
will be uh it could expand even further, but at least there'll be one telescope there if people are interested in using. >> That's great. I love that idea. Yeah, you guys are doing really good work. >> Really good. >> Nice. >> All right. Well, thank you. >> Thank you so much. All right. >> I'll let you know when I hear, you know,
once hear more. Okay. Thank you guys. Good night. >> You too. Enjoy. I know, right? We're going to try to get out of here in an hour. Check out that game. >> Yeah, we won.
>> Um, okay. Uh, moving on to Somerset Academy Trails Grant Program. And then OT printed out copies here for anybody who I printed out copies. Yeah, in case anyone wants to look at a paper copy. Um, but I sent out So, this is basically what the grant application to the county
would be. Um, you have to write a narrative and everything that's like the subheadings in the red color like where it says like recreational needs and tourism resources, those are all required on the checklist that they provided. So, I separated it into that
so it's easy for them to see. Um, I think it basically has everything we discussed. Uh, the only real major issue I wanted to kind of run by you guys is the grant amount. um cuz I want to make
sure I'm in the right realm here. Uh so the red crush stone by measuring the trail extension it comes out to um uh 3717 I believe it is and then I added on 15%
to basically cover divots and regrading and extension. I don't know if that's enough though and that's one question I had. Should I really be adding on like 25% the amount? Um, so that's one thing. Uh, the rebuilding and grading of the ramp, I have not been able to get an
answer from DPW on this. So rather than hold it up, I've tried to like estimate in my head by looking at things I found online and I came up with $2,000. Again, does that sound completely wrong? Uh, I don't know. Um, and then the 3D printer.
I did look that up at our open space advisory committee meeting last month. Was it last month? Yes, it was in May. We presented this idea, you know, again, to the open space advisory committee and they really loved the idea of having our own 3D printer rather than buying the
tactile maps. They were really into it. So, they actually made a motion that if the grant doesn't cover the 3D printer that they want to buy it out of the open space trust fund to use for tactile maps, which was great. So, they approved they approved up to what it was up to
$3,000, I believe. Yeah. >> So, that's good. So, I mean, we should definitely try and get it through the grant. I mean, they were ready to like buy it right then and we were like, "Well, let's wait because we might be able to get it through this grant." Um, so the 3D printer, it requires filaments, which are like ink to a
regular printer. Um, and then these therming plastic sheets. So, if you do 300, they're about a dollar a sheet. So, I did 300 sheets, but maybe we should be getting more or less. The filaments, I got four of the starter packs. Again, maybe that's not enough. I don't know. I
feel like we should be asking for more money basically, but I could be dead wrong. I So I don't know. I that's why I wanted to run it by >> the history the amount that they have given out. >> Um they've given out anywhere between like 15 and 65. So you can get a lot.
But the thing is I don't think we need that much money. Correct. >> But I'm wondering if this 17985 is low. >> I think it's it's low. >> I think it's low, too. Yeah. If you bring it up a little bit like even the bench you talked about the cheapest bench is like $600 700.
>> Okay. So you think that should >> definitely that should be more. >> Okay. >> And I would add for the first one also I would add a little bit more at the second one that's doing that whole thing is going to be cost.
That's what I was wondering too because if we hire someone to do the the ramp, which we probably should to make sure it's ADA compliant, then yes, it's going to be more, right? >> Okay. So, that's better. >> I would go a th00,000
and the other 1,000 and uh increase at 11 to say 13 >> at 25% maybe >> 25% and then see what the number. >> Yeah. So my question I know we had also
talked at one point about doing the whole yellow trail. >> We did. Yes. >> It looks like you only did the I did for blank. Yes. So >> the only reason I did that is because and I'm just going to be bluntly honest and I'll probably maybe potentially end up getting in trouble, but I do not
think that we are going to be successful in getting that whole yellow loop done because I can't get a response from DPW about a quote. I think that we should stick to the one part first cuz we only have 18 months to do this grant. That's all. And if we go beyond it, they could
potentially ask for the money back. So I don't think it can get done in that time. >> So it it can't get done at that time using DPW. >> Could we work into this grant working with somebody else to do it, somebody who specializes in trail building?
Because one of one of my concerns is the drainage and making sure that we're really laying a trail >> that is going to drain properly. >> We could now we would have to hire though. Remember when I brought the um the proposal? I think I brought it to this group and to the open space
advisory committee and it was about doing a feasibility study around the vernal pond and that area. >> You know, the open space committee didn't want to pay for the testing to see where the hydraulics are. And that has to be done first. We can't just get
someone out to build a trail. Like if we want to actually drain it properly, we have to have someone come out and figure out like where the proper drainage should be. if certain strategies have to be put in like under drains or >> permit the open space. It was the it was about getting like the permits.
>> Well, no, remember the study first. Oh, yeah. That was the study to find out basically what permits we need and what work needs to be done. >> But but what we're talking about for this wouldn't require permits, would it? >> If we have to put in infrastructure to drain it properly, potentially. Yes. Because it's around a vernal pond and
it's wetlands. So, yeah, tech potentially it could. is really up the DP. >> Yeah. >> So, my concern is for this grant, not saying that we shouldn't do that. I think we absolutely should, but for this grant, which is on an 18month time frame, >> I'm concerned that we're not going to
finish it. And then what are we going to do? You know, we're going to be I mean, I'm sure they would grant us an extension, but >> yeah, >> but I don't think they would grant us like an another 18month extension. They might give us 6 months or something and then we're kind of stuck. So my thought
was may we stick to the smaller version first. Now if you guys all want to go for the bigger version, we definitely absolutely can 100% can and I can I can look into that. I don't know if we can I'm sure we can get somebody else. I don't know how much that's going to cost then. We might be going more towards the
60 $70,000 range for the grant. >> So but open space was they didn't want to pay for it. >> They did not want to pay for the study of the hydraulics. >> Can we take the study of the hydraulics in this grant? So studies and can't be funded by this grant. The study part can't be the implementation can't be.
>> Okay. >> So I feel like you know Jim and I were there on Saturday and I'm just like you know >> Yeah. I mean maybe we crawl before we walk. So I'm with the with this small
let's do with that. I mean yeah we for trails day we did that entire yellow loop >> right. >> That's that's a long trail. >> It is. Yeah, it is. It is a little >> We had someone that kind of sat by the bench and took it took >> 15 20 minutes. >> It is. It takes you a long time to go around it. I remember when I was blazing
when I was doing the paint blazes. Yeah, it does. >> And it was sunny and it was hot in the sun. So, >> I'm not the decision maker though. I can only give you my professional recommendation based on what I know. And what I know is what I know.
>> So, I'm a little concerned is what I know. you know, >> so within the study area in the um dotted lines, there's the bird blind. Are there any other features that that yellow trail leads to? Like is there one other leg we
want to include in this instead of if we're thinking that the whole thing might be too grand for the 18month time frame? Like is there one direction of the trail that we can go in? like would they want to see in something over here
or uh another place that might be a higher priority for >> done the purple maybe? >> Yeah. >> Well, not not cuz the yellow is what we originally need to uh resurface, right?
>> What if they went up to the brown trail? >> Yeah, the brown and the red. Yeah. Where they combined kind of >> like are there any other features there that are >> orally It's pretty much grass land. >> Yeah. There's not much. >> I know that I know when we were coming
back, um, Chris Williams noted that I I think it was the purple trail where he said that's where they do the woodcock walks. >> The woodcock bird walks. >> Yeah. there. >> And so that I guess that could be a feature
um to make more accessible >> and you know if we were I understand completely if you want to just keep it small but um if we want to make it a little bit bigger I like that idea of maybe right it's almost keeping the loop with the purple like the smaller loop
could be >> Wasn't that the plan though the yellow was the blue to the whole yellow. >> Oh, I mean in this isn't Tara, isn't your plan the taking the blue and the purple and creating that as a loop? >> It's Yeah, let me Oh, I >> No, just the part that's in the white
dashed area, right? >> That's in the white. So, you would go up the blue though. You come around here around here. So, it is this yellow and this purple part right here, but not going out this way. So, it's just Yeah. >> Oh, so just the part in the area. I misinter I thought it was the purple
coming back >> which >> and because we're putting so the main reason besides that is that the way we're putting down the redstone because it's an existing trail and technically we'd be resurfacing it we're not we don't have to go for permits. So once we
start going beyond that that's where it becomes permitting time potentially. I mean >> we're going to but even for this that would be that right >> that's resurfacing >> the the new part. Yes, that is resurfacing because it's part of this existing trail around the bird. Oh, the new part. Yeah, you're right. Around
here. Yeah, >> it's not. >> It's not resurfacing. >> Points only to the bird line. >> Right. Right. But we're resurfacing this part of the trail. I'm saying >> Uh-huh. >> So, but if we have to start putting it like my thought isn't that we have to put any
like uh drainage features or anything in there. Is that correct or no? >> We don't. You said >> I don't think I'm not planning on it. >> I think >> if the vernal pond is there then definitely we would have to look. >> It's money. It's money around. >> It's definitely like definitely needs to
be drainage. >> I think it needs better. >> Okay. >> If you're going around the pond >> Well, so we did have a professional put in a a quote to kind of like look around there, but it was it was not funded. So this is where the problem lies. And
>> what if we went back to open space saying, "Hey, the project's going to be paid for. All that we're asking for is this and and it's going to cover the 3D printer." So the 3D printer, right? >> The 3D printer, >> we'll trade you. Exactly. Yeah.
>> So I wonder I wonder if we could like, you know, we could ask, you know, and then this would allow us >> Yeah. Because I think that like the last conversation we had, right, was about replacing a bird blind that not everybody thought was necessary,
>> right? >> Now we're talking about accessibility, >> right? >> Allowing more people access to our trails. And I think it's a better argument um for them to consider. >> Right. So, what do you guys think about as far as like what if we skipped the big
yellow loop and instead did like the the blue purple, but you know, we could leave that little bit of yellow around the pond, but what if we came down and and did that instead of the big yellow >> just would require the least permitting
>> Exactly. issues. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. whatever would require the least permitting would be preferable. >> Yeah. >> I mean, just because permitting is required doesn't mean it's like, oh, you shouldn't do it. But, I mean, you know,
>> I don't know what would require the permitting or not, but >> yeah, >> I'd like that. I mean, knowing that we have a solid project identified already, like I'm comfortable with that, but if we can find out if we can do more. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. So try to So the goal
is to try to extend it to where why you want to make sure we all agree on what we on what you think. >> Might as well see >> Well, so originally we had talked as a committee, we had talked about doing the whole yellow thing. So now like Tara, you kind you brought it down to like,
hey, let's do the bird the the uh the pond loop. And so now I think I'm proposing, okay, what if instead of doing the yellow loop, instead of just doing what Terra proposed and also the purple, >> the whole purple leading back to >> the whole purple leading back to blue.
>> So doing doing what we already have plus the rest of the purple. >> Okay. >> And letting go of the whole yellow. Letting go of what we talked about last time, but doing the whole yellow. >> The next that could be phase that could be the next phase. That could be better.
Yeah, that could be better for sure. >> It's shorter, >> right? >> Would the blue trail need to have any upgrades to it? >> I included That's why I included enough like I included the full length to resone it basically. So, >> is that in that quote here or?
>> Yes. >> Oh, okay. That's in there. But I think I added 15%. I think maybe we should add 25% to cover any shortfalls. >> So, so what? Right. So, right now we're talking about do we want to do what Terara proposed and just add the loop
around the uh pond? Well, that's option one. Or option two, do that. And also the see if we can do the purple trail as well. Let's go around. >> Option B. >> I see. >> I think better to do the purple trail
around as well. >> Yeah. I say we apply to do the purple trail as well, but we don't know how much we're actually going to get approved for for funding, right? Like it's not beautiful amount. >> Yeah. You put in your request and it's not like a limit per town. It's
basically project based and they kind of assess, you know, the merits of your project and figure out if it should be, you know, funded. And we've been encouraged to apply. >> So like this is something they're like, "Hey guys, apply, apply, apply." >> Yeah. Right. Okay. And then in that
case, sorry, go ahead. >> So if they give us a or if they um approve a smaller amount, can we focus this on just that central um loop that you identified in the project area? >> I think so. I mean, I think if we apply and they say we don't think this is
going to work, we we think you should focus I think they will guide us and say we think you should, you know, scale this down or we think this part really it shouldn't be covered. So I think they'll kind of give us some opinions and guidance on that. >> Sometime they don't they will just give
you let's say part of it and say okay this is what we did you have to get the rest from somebody else or reduce the scope of your project. So it depends >> cuz if if they're not familiar with they may not provide that guidance. uh but
usually I know a few times that people come for to uh council for grants they put high number and they will just give them what we can afford and that's we just tell them you got to reduce the scope of the project >> sure
>> that could be the case too >> I have a just a clarification the if we go with the purple one would that make the purple and the blue ADA compliant Yes, >> that would that's the intent. >> That's the intent. Yep. >> And it would be more. It would obviously
be more than what's in here right now in terms of what we'd be asking for. Yeah. >> Do we really know that? Because uh did we talk about the fact that it's around the vernal pond and it would require certain
>> Yeah. I mean in terms of Well, the other thing too is when I map out the length, we'll have to see what the difference is as well. So it might hopefully, but I think we would like to ask for more than I think we want to get into the 20s at least. I think that's important because it's a one time. So So that makes sense.
>> Sounds good. >> And I know I I think um the grade, right? Doesn't the grade matter, too? So I don't I don't know if the purple grade is going to be compliant or not. So that's something else we'd have to figure out. >> Yeah, we'll have to figure that out. And that's why it's better to have more
stone, I guess, than not. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Anybody else want to um say their opinion about this or is anybody everyone's okay with going for the purple >> and then landing on the smaller if we can't do it. Okay.
>> Oh, GR trails. Um for the ramp to the bird line, should we consider other materials that may be have more longevity? >> The metal like a metal. >> Yeah, like aluminum. Yeah. You see, if
we don't frame it, >> I think it's a good idea. >> I say aluminum. You know, you see houses, you know, there's some people that are disabled. You see the ramps in front of houses. I'm sure they last forever. >> Yeah.
>> So, yeah, I'd go with aluminum. >> Okay, got it. >> All righty. Yeah, that's a good idea. >> All right. So, now we can increase the amount. Yeah. >> And this doesn't the floor in the bird
blind cuz that's also not in good shape. >> No. So, my understanding is that Chris is supposed to be doing that as a volunteer, but >> I don't know. I don't know. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. I'm just thinking we also want to make sure that that's, you know, ADA compliant. >> Yeah. Absolutely. Okay. All right. Four four. >> I think in one of the conversations we had over time, I remember but faintly that because the flooring involved like
looking like removing everything and looking at the u the foundations that may be an issue >> and which is why it wasn't considered at that time. So >> I kind of faintly remember that conversation but I could be wrong. There might have been something like that cuz
Yeah. Something's like striking me like why isn't the floor done? Yeah. I have to go back and look as to what that was. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. I'll have to figure out when that happened. I'll ask. But yeah, you're
right. Okay. I think the more that we can like weave into this project that we can outsource and have other people install, you know, who are qualified. >> Yeah. um the better. Okay, that makes sense.
>> I don't think Crystal will mind. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> One less one less task. Any other comments about the the proposal? All right. So, I'll bring it back next time. Um, the next meeting I told
everyone at the beginning of the year, I won't be at the July meeting cuz I'm away, but I can send this ahead of time and you guys can like look it over and decide and let me know what you think. >> Okay. Um, moving on to bird blind and other
management at Negriot Napot uh, native grasslands preserve. Yes. So feel like we kind of touched on a little bit of that now. >> Yeah. >> Um so I know so Jim and I um were able
to be at the National Trails Day hike and um do a nice loop of it and see see the conditions of of things. Um Amarie who's not uh well could not be here tonight. We hear her every month at our meetings sharing her concerns about
Negri and you know and then Chuck Chuck and Amory have historically also been sharing their concerns. Um and so basically um and then Chris Williams you know who is a uh a lover of of Negri as well. Um who talking about the mowing versus the
burning and the schedules. And so something that I and when um when Jim and I got there, it was a little bit uh a little scary because half the parking lot was full. Like you know, the one side was all completely full of cars. >> And luckily there's enough on the other side if people don't park long ways that
you can fit in just as many cars and it all worked out. But apparently an Ottabon group from another area also scheduled a hike that morning. And so as they were finishing, they came up, a couple people came up and um uh and
complained complained about the grasslands not being properly maintained. Um and just like they're not really grasslands, >> you know, and they're burers. Yeah. >> So like they're they're looking for certain characteristics of grasslands. Um and so that was just a reminder of all the things that Ann Marie um has has
been saying. Um, and I was uh communicating with Tara about this, just thinking like, okay, like my understanding was that we weren't we didn't mow because we were going to burn, then they didn't burn and then now it's too late to mow because the birds are nesting.
>> But what Chris communicated uh to me was there's a mowing schedule and you don't have to not mow to burn. like you can just stick to the mowing schedule and the off if they're not going to if they're not going to burn then at least you've mowed. So I don't know if that's
accurate or not. Um but my I guess what I want to put out there is if that's accurate then I think we should definitely do that and really stick to the mowing schedule at Negri which it seems like several times now we've we've missed. >> Right. >> Yeah. He was saying what? You mow it a
year or something or every other year, but if you miss it, then you have to do it every every year. I I forgot exactly what he said. >> Yeah. >> But since we You're right. We missed the mowing schedule. So now you have to alter it, >> right? >> Yeah.
>> I mean, that's not true. I can just tell you that 100%. If you want, I can go through everything like show you documentation, but Chris says these things. It's not true to be honest with you. So we when I started working here in 2018, one of the first things I did was commission the autobond to do a
grasslands management plan, which they did. >> The recommendations that they put in there first thing was to buy a mower specifically for that, which we did immediately. We did. >> Um, we actually got rid of our previous mower because the way they were mowing was down to like half an inch and
autobond said do not do that. Only mow it to 6 in. So we actually bought a mower and a puller that does that. So, we followed that rule. The mowing schedule we did follow. The reason that we didn't do it is because we tried to get the place burned through the
prescribed burn. When the prescribed burn act came in, which was in 2020, it made it that municipalities that participated got it done for free if you followed their rules. Part of the burning process is we cannot mow for them to burn the property. I have
explained this to the point of like exhaustion and I don't know what to do. Maybe I should like put it on a poster and put it out there at Negri Napot because we have followed that all. Now, the one thing I will say is this. The New Jersey Fire Safety Service was supposed to burn at Negri and they did
not because they ran out of time. So, that is a problem. So, when they didn't burn again this year, I reached out to Chris Williams and Ted Chase cuz they're like the two people I know that kind of know the most about birding, right? >> And they both told cuz I said, "I want
to mow the property. I think we should mow it now because the fire service just told me the last day for burning in New Jersey is April 30th. They told me on April 30th like sorry there's no way we're getting out there. We went to John Clyde twice for some reason but we didn't go to Negri Napot. So I said I
think can we get should I mow that down completely mow it down and they both told me do not mow it because the nesting birds are there. So they told me I can't have it mowed until October 1st. So that is the schedule. Now we can mow with the nesting birds in
there. There's nobody stopping us. >> No one's asking for that. No one's asking for that >> except that I don't know when else to mow until October. Like the mowing is stopped from now until October. So we're kind of in a catch 20. >> My focus is not for now. It's for how do
we prevent this from happening? >> Well, I think the only thing we can do is is stop applying for the prescribed burn at Negri. I really think that's the only way because if we try to burn it, we can't mow it. If we mow it, we can't burn it. So, it's we were trying to go
through the burning process, but they can never >> the township doing the mowing or >> the township will do the mowing. Yes. But the fire safe New Jersey fire safety service, they're the ones that run the prescribed burn program, but they have not gotten out there. So, that is a
problem. That is one problem. >> The burning is unreliable. The >> motor is free. Yeah. >> And they keep going to John Clyde and not to Negri. I don't know why. >> You get what you pay for. >> And the other question is that if it's okay to burn, why is it not okay to mow?
>> Well, the burning stops on April 30th. So nesting birds, I guess, really is. >> But then it's okay to burn till >> April 30th. >> Correct. You can't mow on May 1st. >> Yeah. It's a little >> I know. >> Yeah. >> So, but maybe maybe we have till April
25th. Maybe if they if they haven't burned by April 25th. >> Yeah, we could have our maybe we like, you know, set of dates and then we go. >> So, the only problem is this and I I would I agree with you, but the fire safety service only gives us 24 hours notice of when they come out. So,
they've literally called me on Easter Sunday and shown up on Monday. That's how they are. And it's because of their staff. And that's totally it's all volunteer firefighters. It's, you know, that make up the New Jersey fire service with some paid people overseeing them. So my recommendation is then maybe we
don't apply for the prescribed burning at Negri anymore. We can keep applying for it at John Clyde. But >> what's the cost of the burning? >> What's the cost of mowing? >> Well, the mowing is done by TBW. So they charge us they charge their salary to uh the open space.
>> I say you need to check with them see how their workload is because I know that dur especially this time of the year they're so busy. So just add in that how often we're going to >> but this is an expectation that they mow. This is not we're not asking them to do anything additional. This is part
of >> but this we didn't do it for two years. >> We didn't do it for two years >> because of the burning. Well, let let me back up. We did do it last year in October. We mowed last year October. Oh, we didn't we did we haven't mowed in like April or March. >> So we got to do it in April at least.
April and start in October, right? >> Yeah. October for sure. Twice a year the mo. Once in April, once in October. >> Well, we haven't done it in April at Negri for the last two years because we were hoping to get the burn. >> The correct correctly in October. >> Yes. April and October. Yes.
>> Let's go with that for a while and see. >> Starting in October, we go back to the mowing schedule. We don't ask for the burn anymore at you know, we only limit the the burning to John Clyde. Seems >> I don't understand why is it okay? Wouldn't we have the same problem with
John Clyde? No, because for some reason they go to John They went there twice this year to John Clyde. They went there twice this year to John Clyde. I don't know. And I told them on the application the priority is Negri, but they went >> they might have been someone
>> I I know we'd also talked about one of our meetings the possibility of do we need to can we get can we hire somebody to earn it? Like if we if we're paying somebody to reliable >> Well, the only place we can really pay is the fire service because
>> they're Yeah, because they're really the ones that are authorized to do these big prescribed burns. If we pay them, they'll probably come out quicker, but it doesn't really make a lot of sense because we're eligible for the free program. So, it would kind of be hard to pay for that knowing that we can get it for free.
>> So, okay. So I one one thing that's on the table is just stopping the burning at Negri. Another thing that um Pesh was saying was like okay um if you know if we can burn or can't we mow whatever
what could we have our own cut off date could we say okay fire service comes but after because we have to have them mow by May 1st right >> so but we cut our we have the cut off date for us as April 25th and if they don't come by April 25th then we just mow
>> is that does that make sense >> we can do so it makes sense to me perfect sense Yeah, >> but I want So now they only have to give us 24 hours notice. So I can tell them that that's our cut off. I cannot guarantee that they won't appear on
April 29th and be like, "What the heck? Where the hell is all the grass?" >> Well, we know like, >> but we have to tell them. We would tell them, >> right? But a lot of times, like, >> they can't be mad at us. Did they show up in the >> No. Did they do it twice or just one? >> No, just one. So between January and
April, those are the times. Now again, they did go to John Clyde twice and I don't have any reasoning behind that. >> But I I have no they mentioned the wrong if we mow it on April 25th >> right >> or 26th and tell them >> yeah show up then it's no problem.
The only thing I will say and it's and like if we want to go down this road, totally fine with me. But they show up with about 50 firefighters, policemen, EMS, it's a gigant. So if they show up and and they can't burn it, whether we keep them or not, I think we're going to have a a problem.
>> They're going to be I I don't think we'll ever have anything burned ever again. >> You can't play that game. You You have to make a choice. >> That is a game. >> How is a game? I'm not telling them that we're escaping. We're not burn. We have to understand that they're burning grasslands.
>> No, we have to understand that this is how the burning service works and either it works for us or it doesn't work for us and it doesn't work for us. So there is no we're going to wait until the 25th and then maybe >> John Clyde apparently works right. So I'm just wondering
>> I may be mistaken about this but is the the consequences John Clyde is not the the the birding you know kind of like destination that Negri is or you know >> I mean parties as well for >> can I I suggest can we find out from the fire department what was the reason they
didn't go to >> I asked them that and they basically just told me like staffing so I know for example at at John >> what if we start from January say okay we are requesting Yeah. And >> in November every year, I think our
expectations are too high >> and and do me a favor whenever you are doing that just copy me because I will I will ask them as well and and usually >> whenever they hear from a few people locker has to sign off on the
application and actually so the guy that's the steward, the the fire steward, he actually comes and picks up the signed documents from the township building. So he he knows the problem is is that sometimes I guess it's a staffing issue. I mean they burn all over New Jersey. So I think I don't know
why though they went to John Clyde twice except that they just said it's a staffing issue. That's what they said. So I don't know what that means. But >> I think it was some miser that day. >> They clearly made a mistake. This is what I mean by I think you know
>> should maybe not set your expectations of service level. >> The service level is what it is. You can either live with it or you can't. Right. So I mean that's the >> Yeah. Let's give another shot this year and see what happens. >> Now can you mow in early May or is that like one of the Ottabon rules or something >> according to the Ottabon plan which is
Chris is saying you know we must follow schedule. That's the schedule. Can't mow then because there's nesting birds. I mean first I I find that also hard to believe. >> Oh no. Oh no. I was told very correctly only Mo if I am okay with killing baby
birds. That's exactly what it was. >> I don't know difference. I don't think but I'm pretty confident. Don't check the calendar. I think there's going to be >> Well, I think if you go April 30th versus May 1st, I don't think it's a big Yeah, I think you're still in in a problem. Oh yeah.
>> Well, you know, we can we can have a bird nest a nesting bird party. I was I was at uh what do they call it? Sandy Hook >> and they had some rangers. I mean, they were probably college kids, but they were going through a field and I asked them, I go, "What are you doing?" They go, "We're checking for nesting birds."
>> So, so they're just going, you know, three of them are breast and they go one way and back this way. And then so they were just they were disappointed because there weren't any nesting birds. Well, we could do that. >> Okay, I guess. very high bar also for the department of public works to say
like you know come mo on the 30th but not on the 1st and only if they expectations that we are setting of these government agencies honestly if we're going to go the mowing route what I would say is we don't put an application in for burning at Negri
Napot and we tell DPW that we want them to mow between April 1st and April 15th that gives them two weeks to account for their workload so that's not a problem it also takes any pressure off of fire service from even having to come or deploy people to our place. And if
people are complaining about the grasslands, then yes, I think we should mow the entire thing during the beginning of April. That's why I think the best thing to do is >> okay that's reasonable. It would be beneficial for ecosystem as well rather than like instead of burning it would be moving would be more beneficial
>> because it makes it fertile then you're not going to culture >> bigger the window for the department is okay they need to burn it down because they will make their soil fertile here just the weeds we are allowing weeds just grow naturally
>> I don't understand why we burn them >> I think it's >> because there are so many rodents and other like grasshoppers and before they they make their cocoon early winter. I mean they do and you're right and I'm actually the whole EOS. >> They don't they don't burn the whole
thing though, do they? I don't think they >> we burn certain fields of it but it's the bulk of it. It's the bulk of it. >> I'm sorry after they >> I'm glad you brought that up because that I almost forgot. That's a good point and um I appreciate your opinion 100% and so don't take but with how you
just talked about the rodents and the and the um grasshoppers. Someone else called me about turtles when we Oh, you burned all the turtles up because they nest between you know May 15th and and June 15th and then we got birds and we got bats, we got butterflies. So when
>> when should we mow the plate now? And I know you're saying March, right? But DPW will most likely tell me that March 15th it's too muddy out there to mow it. Most likely. So there's a window of time and we either have to mow it down or not mow
it. And so that's where all the uh >> All right. So for now we're going to we're not going to put the request in to burn it and we're going to make sure that it's very clear mowing expectation for April. >> I think that's I think that's the best thing. I mean you guys are again you guys are the decision makers. I'm just
telling you what I think. I think it's good. It'll be okay to give the DPWU a nice, you know, big window and if they'll they'll go when when they can when it's not too muddy. >> Yeah, they definitely need a boat. It was like 3 ft that Yeah, when we were there Saturday
>> carbon we talk about carbon mitigation and now in another hand we are adding carbon dioxide >> but then you also have you know when you burn it you're adding nutrients into the soil and you're letting the seeds like open up sooner. Well, it we really could >> the weeds which are growing, they are
they themselves add nutrients. >> You're right. >> The clover and other weeds, they put nitrogen back into the soil. Every weed puts some kind of a nutrients back into the soil and stuff. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. The objective is to keep it native.
>> Yeah. Yeah, I know. It's >> I think I think we we all there's lots of arguments for all the different ways, but for right now, for this coming year, >> we're going to mow in April and we're not going to burn at Negri and then we'll reassess and and uh determine what
we want to do for the future. And what's the window of time that that I'm going to be telling DPW to do their mowing? April 1st to April 15th or or March? >> I mean, if they need a bigger one, I would go earlier. So I I I I don't think we should push it to April 30th. We want to keep as far away from April 30th as
we can. >> Um well they say if we're you know they recommend burning. >> I know but >> um in terms of mowing I think it's before May 1st is the mowing. Yeah. So it dep anytime before May 1st or after September 30th. So I'm on the schedule
for October already. I'm already on the schedule for October. But um >> yeah, just April 1 to April 15 seems reasonable to me. And uh and you know if they ask you for a bigger window push it into March rather than >> weather related weatherpr
it's dry in March then go for it in March. >> Okay. So I'll just say March through April. >> Somewhere March through April. March through April. >> And then >> but not May 1st.
>> But we will have one mowing in October. Right. >> Yes. I am on the schedule. I'm on the schedule for October. >> Um, so I told them October 1st or what I directed them is basically October 1st or as close to October 1st. So hopefully
they'll get out there, you know, during that week or two, you know. So, >> okay. And I will present this to the open space committee on Tuesday. >> Yeah. And see what their feedback is. >> And the feedback? Yes. We'll see what
their feedback is. We already talked about the ramp and the floor. And I think the other thing is just like um this disposing of the old fence that's just thrown on the on the
bottom side of the new fence. So we need to get that cleaned up. >> Um so I think otherwise I think that takes care of everything. Oh, and there is um a bench at Negri that um is in bad shape. Um I know Terry you had mentioned about a possible scout for something
>> from um Bob Lort from the open space committee. So I reached out to him with that idea and he was going to talk to the scout and see if it's of interest >> and if they want to look we have the other scout from last year who designed the model with other ones. They could always we could always put in touch if they want to use that same because the
one that we're talking about has two solid posts like the two like um telephone pole posts. >> Yeah. Um, so we could do that. And then the the signs, there's several signs at Negri, the trail marker signs that have just fallen over.
>> Got it. Okay. >> Um Okay. >> Yeah. Can they use another post besides those big chunky >> wood ones? >> The wood ones cuz it's just probably tough to dig holes for those. >> Yeah. >> I can ask. I can absolutely ask. Yeah.
>> Yeah. Once they fall down, then it's really tough to replace. Like maybe if it's a >> the composite or they also have those thin plastic ones that are like concave. >> Yeah. Some sort of >> Yeah. Yeah. Like like a marker of some sort or something like that. Yeah. >> Cuz those things are really what those
are like 2 in maybe >> 2x4s or >> 4 in or something. >> Okay. I will >> All right. Moving on to the next item. >> New business. the uh the history hike to
Rockingham walking in George Washington's footsteps. >> Okay, I have your email up, Patrick, if you want to refer to it. >> Yeah, so we're set um for August 1st. Sorry, August 1st, starting at Flemmer Preserve, which I discovered has two
addresses. Neither of which gets you to Flemmer Preserve. You said a short incline. You should say short steep incline. >> Yeah. From Flemmer to the thing. It's like we can also go up the to the parking lot which is slightly less
slightly less. So there's two two options there. Um but um so yes, so we have so it's set um we have a uh the the curator the historian that just got assigned to um
Rockingham is a friend of mine used to be at Wallace House. Um so that was interesting because when I contacted D and then I get the email back from him. This is weird. >> So we're we're set with that. So he said, you know, he can accommodate basically they usually don't bring in more than 10 people in a group uh in the
house just because the side of the rooms, but he said we can, he said, I'll have somebody else there, so he can accommodate an alternating path for for different groups to go through there. And plus, they have the barn where people can rest and and sit and outside of the sun um if it's sunny that day. So
it's yeah, it'll take about 20 25 minutes to walk from Flower Preserve to to the house. Um, so we'll talk about the area and its contribution and how that was a real pathway during the the Revolutionary War. I'm going to try to
find somebody from uh the Kingston um uh historical society uh to come with us and then maybe on the way back they can talk about the later history of the area. >> So, we have the tour and then the house tour >> as well um for that. So, it'll be, you
know, a mix of that stuff. Well, I also just found out today that Commissioner Posnak is going to join us for the >> Oh. >> Oh, great. >> Patrick, thank you so much for putting this together. Just like reading over what you put just really wonderful and it's beyond what I could have imagined.
So, thank you for doing that. It's such a great opportunity to merge trails and history. >> I have a contact to I only worked with her from the Kingston Historical Society on something a while back. I'm looking for her email address. I can't remember her name right now. Oh, wait. It's right
here. Ann Zean. Ann Zean. So, I'll send you this is her email address. She's kind of and I can send you that info and maybe you can read that's my contact there. She's really good. So, >> see if maybe it'll help you out. >> Okay. Good. >> Yeah, I know.
>> We also had um Kathleen Gallagher who came to our April meeting from the Kingston Greenway >> Greenway. So, would that would that group that would >> that be helpful? Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. It's Kathleen Gallagher at kingston greenway.org. >> That's right. Yeah.
>> And I'm also going to share this with Bob Leort for the front. >> Oh, I was going to ask you about that. Okay, good. Yes. Perfect. I'm going to see him. We'll see him tomorrow. Oh, not tomorrow, next week at our open space committee. So, I will uh mention it as well.
>> Great. All right. So, we already did the astronomy club. That's checked off. Moving on to old business. um National Trails Day um which was which was Saturday. Um yeah, we had
about about 14 people um there and uh it was a nice it was a really nice hike. We had the binoculars and Maria shared the binoculars uh with Jim brought those and uh it was just a nice listening and
looking for birds. Um and uh yeah, >> good. It was good. >> Any highlights you wanted to share, Jim? >> No, just like I said, it was it was a long walk. I But you did give the option. Do you want to just do the small loop or the big loop? And
>> yeah, >> people didn't realize how big the loop the big loop was. >> I thought it was like a mile more. I thought it was like I guess I lied. I don't know. >> No, I mean it was just the weather related too cuz it was hot. It was sunny. >> People were trying to find the trail in the shade. >> When I said that it was it was cloudy. >> Was cloudy as overcast.
>> It was cloudy. It was nice. And then we turned the corner and the sun was out and I had my widebrim hat on. >> I was out on the Lehi River on Saturday morning. I thought, "Oh, it's not going to be too bad. It's cloudy." And as soon as we got
>> sunshine out. Um but yeah, it was it was really nice and uh yeah, it was a it was a lovely >> um the update on the open space and recreation plan. So I don't really have any update just
yet on that still. So still, you know, trying to work with planning to get that kind of going. So >> okay. Um at this point, there's no further update with the trail development on 518. No, nothing new at this point. Nope. >> Um, profile of a trail, just a reminder.
>> Yeah, the Franklin Times hasn't got out yet, so I will again follow up. >> Okay. Um, partnership with Stigmafree Franklin walk for September. >> We haven't done any work with this yet, but I think maybe we have a lot going on
right now, but we should start like working with Safy on that, I think. >> Okay. >> I think pretty soon. I haven't if we could figure figure out what the date that would be nice to have to have that on the calendar. >> Yeah, I have to check with Safy to see what works for her as well, but we can
propose a date. Yeah. So, I will check on that. >> Um, so trail walks and events. So, I I kind of I put together this like draft list of upcoming hikes and events. answers as
one extra copy if you guys want to look in on it. Um, and uh, so we have we have the July 11th Firefly hike. Although Jagnasha has me nervous now that it's going to be >> What time are we starting it? At 8 is
>> Yeah. Okay. >> I have to do the >> I think that's what was on last year. I don't I don't plan on changing it from last year. >> Okay. I have to do the flyer for that. So eight So eight's for sure. Okay. Got it. Well, if if it's different on last year's fly, let me know. But I think that's what it was. >> I think so. Yeah, I think that's it.
>> Astronomy club also coming, right? >> Yes. Both. >> And the environmental commission hopefully is going to be coming as well. So, yeah, they came last year, too. >> Yeah. For this I may I tried to just keep them real short, you know what I mean? Like, but there'll be individual flyers for each of these things. You
just I just couldn't put a lot of text in um for those details for >> this one. August. >> Um, so the August 1st is the George Washington's Footsteps hike. Um, August 12th is the one they were just talking about for astronomy. So
they have the astronomy night. >> Um, we we'll do a hike with that. Um, and Tara, do you have the dates for the I know it's September and October there's going to be Ottabon hikes. Do we have actual dates for those? >> No. So I reached out to the Ottabon to
ask them to please tell me the dates. So, I haven't she didn't write back yet. So, I'll I'll follow up with her again. >> And then we have um the stigma free the mental health hike um in September. I know you just you just said you talk to
Safy about that. >> I talked to Safy about it. I just saw her walk by a few minutes ago. I did. >> Yeah. So, I'll have to ask her what date works for her as well. >> And also, as far as location, I wasn't sure if we talked about that or not. I I put Inman just like as a placeholder. I thought we decided on admin last time,
but that was a while back. >> That's what I thought maybe we had, but it wasn't. Yep. Okay. Um, and then I just put in two other uh possible hikes in October and November, like a I wanted to do a storybook hike
and then also like an autumn hike. Um, any other hikes that people want us to get on the calendar? I can do one toward the July end because we have July 11th and one more at July end.
>> Sure. I'm also trying to think about like, you know, are there any trails that we're not hitting that we want to get to as well, >> right? >> July 18th is a big um Somerset event. Somerset County
event. >> That's not Franklin Day, is it? >> No. >> No, that's July 18th. >> No, but I'm just saying July 18th, there's a big thing on on the green. >> Okay. >> I can't remember what it is. I remember when I was looking for a schedule for the concert.
>> July July 25th, no 26th, Sunday morning. >> July 26th, Sunday morning. I will let you know the title and other details. >> Okay. >> So, July 26. Um, did you have a time in mind or not yet? >> None.
>> Nine. >> Yeah. Oh, that's something that I think I would do differently about Franklin Day is I would start I would have started it earlier, I think. >> Um, just to beat the heat a little bit. >> What do you think? >> What's that? I'm sorry.
>> I said Franklin Day, but I I meant National Trails Day. >> Oh, it's Jun, is it? No, you're talking about July 18th. I'm sorry. Go ahead. I'm just thinking. >> Next year, you mean? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Huh? >> We'll talk about it. >> Let's talk about it, right? >> 2027. All right. about
>> I'm just thinking it's a little 10 was a little bit a little bit getting warmer. Um >> yeah, you're right. Yeah. >> Okay. Oh yeah, the county on July 18th is Yeah. had history on the green. Yeah, that's in summer. >> That's okay cuz that's why it was would
have conflicted history. >> That's um and so obviously we're going to keep adding hikes on here, but I just definitely want to think about making sure we're hitting the other trails. So, I know we we don't have a middle bush. I
put I I put a middle bush park trail one on here. Who's who's Charles? Um who's Charles Middlebush? >> Okay. Um so, I was just trying to like think of um because we were talking about possibly putting like the story book trail there going to the library.
Um so, I just kind of that might be nice. Maybe we could uh partner on that. Um is there any trail that's not on here? Um, you want to have >> you know what we are and William?
>> How about this? I do uh at Neman and William >> is the one by closed by Route 27, right? >> It is. It is. It's William. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's the It's the park. We don't have a trail like in the woods yet there. That's one of our hopes is to kind of go in there. Um, but there's the
there's the path. There's the paved path there. >> Okay, I will go check. >> There is a paved path. It is really nice. Yeah. >> Last October we had a bike rodeo. >> Yeah, that was nice. There >> wants to go in on it again. Um, but our
friends at Ridewise, they're they're all prepared to do it. >> Oh, good. Okay. When was that? The fall. I think it was, if I remember the date correctly, it was October 18th last year. Um, I can follow up with the police department and see if they do
that again. >> Okay, great. What was it called? What did we call it? >> Bike rodeo. >> Bike riding. >> Kids bike class. >> Okay. >> And they had 18 participants. >> Yeah. Let's see. It was
Yeah. Kids bike class he called. It was Saturday, October 18th at Neon Williams. That was nice. >> That was really nice. >> Perfect. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I'll I'll um loop back to you uh
to see what the PD says and maybe if the district wants to do something with the schools um to promote it more. We'll find out. >> Uh one of the superintendent Yeah. Yeah, we have the new one. Yes.
>> Um and then we're stealing him from Terra's Manville. >> I know. >> Um okay, great. You know, another thing I know the last year we did we had done a hike um on the DNR canal to path and we
also did one at um a year ago May we did the one at um six mile run. Mhm. >> And then we could also think about if we want to throw in some state trails as well. Um, but I think this is a nice list and my hope was that we could kind
of just kind of like keep this list growing and going. Um, because it's I always feel like when people come to events, they want to know what's coming up. So, if we just have something that we can like just print out and post even like on social media, we just randomly
post them so people can >> put a copy of that in our the the website that we have. Yeah, now there's a bunch of question marks on here, but I could like take off the question marks and post the ones we know and then update it as we get the data. >> And another suggestion, we have the this
newsletter that goes out. I guess it's quarterly times. >> Yeah, it's been a while been out, but yeah, usually it's supposed to be quarterly. >> We've been doing the profiles of trails, >> right? But I'm just saying maybe this can go also. >> Yeah, for sure. that Facebook website
that >> you can put that on on the township one. >> Oh, the townships. >> Yeah. >> Um, yeah, Tara, that's something. >> And then during the council meeting the council meeting, I I can always announce what's coming up. >> Okay. Yeah, that would be great. >> I need to have that so
we can do that. >> That would be great. Um, you know, we can just, you know, edit it and update it. Maybe change the color so it doesn't get too confusing. I don't know. Um, >> I like the colors. >> Yeah, they're >> Yeah,
your pics are very good. So, >> well, thank you. It was a little uh Canva, but I >> I did my own my own people collage. >> Um, okay. So, we have some summer fall ideas up here. Uh, trail conditions updates.
Um, any anything anybody wants to say aloud about their trail? You can obviously you can also put it on the form the Google form. >> I also junk like twice in the last month inside everything is okay on the in the trail area but uh by the around the
parking lot all the wood wooden fence I think it started breaking apart. I saw many of the wood plaques they are all fallen on the ground. >> Yep. >> Yeah. At some part only one plaque is there two of them are down on the ground. I have taken multiple pictures
also. So I plan like I will upload it on in Google form. >> Okay. >> All the photos. >> Thank you. >> The CPW's work and everything is like nice and clean inside. >> And everything was just fine.
>> Nice. Nice. >> I've witnessed the same thing. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That was burned. Yeah, that was actually burned. I saw burns. I went there to see like how much what area they have burned. >> I know, right? Yeah. It's interesting to
watch. That's for sure. Yeah. So, >> yeah. I know. I I went um I know there are some trees down. Um uh I can't believe they are right now. I forgot. So, I have to go back to that. Um
okay. Um so the next item on our agenda is to adjourn. So >> to adjourn if >> all right anything to add I just take one minute and unrelated uh not related
to this one. I just came from the uh New Jersey blood donors awards ceremony. That's why I have my tie on. and Franken Township Community actually was one of the the groups that they uh donated up to 500 499
uh donors with the blood. >> Now they had an emergency shortage. They only had blood for 2 days. So they were asking people that they can donate blood. Please donate. And I announced during the council meeting on the 21st
there will be a blood drive at 49 Cedar Grove Lane that's behind there's a school sadik school in the cafeteria. So if you know anyone or if you are interested to donate every donor saves three lives.
>> So please consider helping the that >> council. What's the date again? 21st Saturday from 10 to 4 10:00 a.m. till 400 p.m. They'll be there at the cafeteria. It's uh when you enter at 47
is behind behind 47 is a school. >> Is that Cedar Pratt? Is that Cedar Press? >> No, it's the Sadi school. Sadiq school. Yeah. In the back behind the mosque. >> And which organization was it? Was it um New Jersey New York Blood Services?
>> That's what it is. Yes. >> Yes. Okay, great. Um, we have a motion to adjurnn. >> A second. >> All in favor?
Motion carries. Thank you.