Fairfield Heritage Trail Association

Meeting Minutes - August 8, 2001

The regular monthly meeting of the Fairfield Heritage Trail Association was held Wednesday, August 8, 2001, at the Olivedale Recreation Center, Lancaster, Ohio. Meetings are always on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM.

Co-chair Bob Williams opened the meeting at 7:00 PM.

Bob Williams, Co-chair, read the minutes of the May 2001 regular meeting as Ed Pool, Secretary was not in attendance.  Minutes are usually posted on the website. Minutes were approved.

There was no treasurer's report as David Scheffler, treasurer, was out of town.

Old Business

Response letter from ODOT

Bob Williams will send a response letter to ODOT, with copies to Tim Schaffer, Jay Hottinger, and Annemarie Kuhn before the next meeting.

Booths

Zane Square Festival- August 17-18, Larry Smith and Phil Walker
Larry needs volunteers to put up/tear down and man the booth.

Farm day at Lancaster Festival - Pam/Marilyn - sold 7 raffle tickets - handed out brochures.

Capital Campaign Committee - Claude Ford, Jim Barrett, and Bob Williams.

Came up with giving levels - $25,000 - one mile of trail, $12,500 - 1/2 mile of trail, $6,250 - 1/4 mile of trail.  Also calculated that 130'x10' of $50 bricks could pay the matching part of a grant for a mile of trail.   Also discussed selling "deeds" for $5 per foot - comes up with $26,400 per mile.  Plans in works to approach Olivedale group to sell bricks.

New Business

Boy Scout Troop 575

Troop member Jay Contieri asked how the scouts can help.   They'd like to assist us in trail-building.  They would need us to help their members document their work for various merit badges.  The group thanked Jay for his offer.  Larry Smith said he had some possible projects they could begin to help with right now, and Claude Ford suggested they provide us with a letter of endorsement.

Raffle

Bob Williams reported that Wayne Paul of the Whitehall Fire Department donated two bike helmets to be raffled off with the scooter.

Lancaster Trail Section

Larry Smith inquired of Dave Bogear about the possibility of Lanc. Parks and Rec. paving the additional trail connecting Hunter Park, Olivedale, and Cenci park.  Some discussion was held concerning a footbridge crossing Hunters Run, and the possibility of restoring that bridge to continue the trail into the west side of Lancaster.  Unfortunately, one side of the creek is private property, and the owners are not likely to support a trail over it.

Dave Bogear discussed the grant application.  He received a call from ODNR inquiring as to whether we would accept less money than we requested.  Dave will respond with a letter saying we would.  He is very encouraged that we will receive some money, but isn't certain of the amount.

Amanda-Stoutsville Section

Claude Ford reported a number of calls concerning the article in the EG.  Most were supportive, but one landowner had reservations about liability, vandals, right to hunt, and eminent domain.  Claude assured them that we don't intend to use eminent domain, and that the Sheriff will have a patrol on the trail.   Jeff Vandervoort proposed developing a list of landowners and organizing a meeting with them next month.

Although not directly related to the Amanda-Stoutsville section, Dave Fey reported that ODOT is working with an engineering firm to purchase land in the Clear Creek valley to mitigate some of the environmental impact of the Rt. 33 bypass.  One plan is to develop a riparian corridor along the main stem of the creek, and a trail would most likely be developed along with the corridor.  This would intersect the Amanda-Stoutsville section at the railroad bridge over Clear Creek west of the Amanda sewage treatment plant.  Dave will keep the group posted as this project develops.

Other New Business

Bob Williams had a conversation with Ken Lysinger.   Ken suggested that we organize a bike trip for the group and interested folks in the area.  This could help us build our membership.  Ken also told him about a relative of his in the National Guard in Connecticut.  It seems that the Guard used trail building as training for some of their engineering battalions.  It would be worth our while to look into this.

Everyone is encouraged to check the Website for next month's agenda. Items may be added by members by emailing Ed at poolfam@buckeyenet.net.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Next meeting, September 12, 7:00 PM, at Olivedale Recreation Center, Lancaster, Ohio

NOTES: (MSP) - Motion Seconded and Passed.