Fairfield Heritage Trail Association

Meeting Minutes - January 8, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 7:18 by Vice President Jim Barrett.  Minutes of the December meeting were moved by Bob Williams, seconded by Anna Ford and approved. 

In attendance were Jim Barrett, Donald Claffey, Randy Devol, Anna Ford, Claude Ford, Peggy Mahler, Betty Shaw, Rich Solenberger, Ira Weiss, and Bob Williams.

Treasurers Report

Jim Barrett reported that we have $5,329 in the bank. Bob Williams moved we accept the annual financial report, which was seconded by Peg Mahler and approved.

Grants Received

Nothing new to report.

Old Business

Amanda Trail section

Jim Barrett wrote a letter to Jennifer Johns and also talked to Dick Strigel, who owns land on the trail. When Penn Central went bankrupt, land went to owners. The land is down the middle of the trail. Dick is in favor of the trail. We need ten feet of width. Dave Lynch owns part east of School Street.

On January 7th we met with three ODOT employees, preceded by a meeting at Four Reasons to discuss how to approach them. We decided to ask ODOT for an easement for the whole distance. The meeting with ODOT took place at 2:15 that day at RT 22 and Sandhill and also included Mayor of Amanda Betty Fulk and Coach Ron Hinton. The discussion continued in Amanda City Council chambers. ODOT needs to know which portions of the trail will be rail bed and which will be on 22. The group needs to contact people near the rail bed. We need to meet ODOT criteria and have a fence. Claude will meet with people near the rail bed one-on-one. Per ODOT, we need to build a plan for a county trail system. ODOT wants to split it into sections. Terre wants to connect to Groveport via the interurban and to the Buckeye Trail. Jim will contact the State to find out what happens after yes and nos. Ron Hinton will call people who have most persuasion and will assign contacts. Peg Mahler will get Claude's most recent list.

Jeff and Terre Vandervoort met with Rhonda Border-Boose. Rhonda said their grant score was based on where you're connecting. We need a global vision of what we want to do in Fairfield County.

The groups set a planning session for the following Tuesday at 12:30 PM at Four Reasons to develop the global vision.

Lancaster Trail section 

Terre created a budget and can fund the 1st section. She is going before Lancaster Safety Committee for lights and other safety items. Jim called Congressman David Hobson's office and will set up a meeting.

Visitors and Convention Bureau – Dave Fey and Dave Scheffler will set up a presentation for February.

Covered Bridge  

Bob talked to Lance Alspaugh and Miriam Wood, who authored Covered Bridges of Ohio and wanted information on the McCleary Bridge. The Athletic Boosters could help pay for it. Fairfield Heritage Association could also help. We need to build abutments above the flood plain. We would like local movers to help for a tax deduction.

Bike racks 

Nothing new.

New Business

Bob will continue work on the covered bridge and Jim will contact ODOT and Hobson as follow-ups.

Election of Officers

Claude Ford moved that we nominate the current slate of officers, seconded by Peg Mahler. The officers were elected unanimously (Jeff Vandervoort, President, Jim Barrett, Vice President, Dave Scheffler, Treasurer, Ira Weiss, Secretary and Rick Holt, Marketing).

Bob moved adjournment, seconded by Claude. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05.

Next meeting will be February 12.