Fairfield Heritage Trail Association

Meeting Minutes - August 13, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 7:03 by President Jeff Vandervoort.  In attendance were Jim Barrett, Donald Claffey, Anna Ford, Claude Ford, Ed Pool, Dave Scheffler, Larry Smith, Ira Weiss and Bob Williams.

Minutes of the July meeting were moved by Bob Williams, seconded by Larry Smith and approved with one correction: "bridge", not "bride". 

Treasurer's Report - currently have $4,157.77 plus $1,006 from the Fairfield Foundation. $1,500 of the $4,157.77 is from the Fairfield Medical Center. A motion to approve the treasurers report was made by Bob Williams, seconded by Ed Pool and approved.

Grants Received - There is nothing new to report.

PR Report - Rick is concerned about the traffic on Columbus Street and something needs to be brought to Dominion Homes attention. It was felt he should ask the City of Lancaster for help. Rick could go to the zoning meeting and ask for a trail along the road. We could get mitigation money for this trail.

Old Business

Lancaster Trail section 

Jeff Vandervoort gave a progress report. The trail is looking good. There will be removable posts by the softball field. The trail will go alongside the creek and some segments will need to be re-adjusted. There may have to be a four-foot safety fence installed along side of the creek. Some re-grading may also be needed. The trail is approaching the football stadium and will be paved once it is dug out. We need to get pictures of the trail to send to ODNR and Ohio Rails to Trails. Another grant application is pending. They will level off areas to make them accessible. The goal is to make it to Fair Avenue by Winter.

Amanda Trail section

Midwest Fabricating bought the land and it can still be used for the bike trail. It is 100 acres. Dave Strigel says we will need a portion by the wetlands. We need to decide what to do along US 22.

Covered Bridge

Bob Williams talked to Jim Walter and told him we needed more money. We would put up a plaque about their donation of the bridge. We should get the bridge appraised. He could get money off of his taxes and give us money back. Dave Fey is looking at an appraisal, we need someone who does historical appraisals. Bob suggested $1/foot as a donation. Carolyn Tilley sold bricks for Amanda High School and made money one each one. Rick will send Bob a press release. Bob and Jeff Vandervoort will talk to Mrs. Walter. It was moved by Bob Williams, seconded by Larry Smith to do a prominent plaque to Jim and Jane Walters. The motion passed. Bob noted that a Sunoco dealer has white oak timbers that could be used for the bridge. A local company, Shaw and Holter, could move and build the bridge. They have previously done the Hanaway Bridge that cost $200,000 in grant money. Terre Vandervoort felt that low profile fundraising may be appropriate with a goal of $10,000 to $15,000. It would be good to move the bridge in November. It was noted in Fairfield County that covered bridges are like apple pie. Jeff Vandervoort noted that the covered bridge is an easy fundraiser and we should move forward on it. It's a different target market than the trail. Once the bridge is built, we gain credibility. Bob suggested a ribbon cutting ceremony for the bridge and a Spring fundraiser. We need a fundraising letter. Larry Smith could stuff 3,500 which would include a history of the bridge. Bob Williams will work on appropriate language.

Interurban

Dave Scheffler will call Bob Stebelton.

New Business

Pledge Ride  

Claude Ford suggested we hold a pledge ride each year before the County Fair as the FHTA Fall Ride. We could get matching funds. Bob moved that Claude investigate this. We need to know how to organize it. Claude suggested we get two co-chairs.

Bike Racks

We should distribute the bike racks at Cenci Park, High School, OU-L with credit given to FHTA and Community Action.

Bi-Monthly Meetings

Jeff Vandervoort opened the discussion of every month meetings - We should call people who have been at meetings. Some people don't want to be at meetings and would rather do trails. We need people to spearhead projects and act as leaders. The alternate month meeting would be an informal time. It was suggested we go to Grilli next month at the patio in back. They have a bar and sandwiches. Start time would be 7:00. We will do an e-mail notice 10-days before the meeting.

A motion to adjourn was made by Ed Pool and seconded by Bob Williams. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m..

Next meeting will be October 8.