Meeting held at Danbury Community Center. Board members present: Alex Bernhard, Steve Darling, Craig Heim, Lindy Heim, Charles Martin, Myra Mayman, Steve Rayno, Peter Southworth, Nita Tomaszewski, Bob Ward. Guest: Steve Robinson, Trail Master of Danbury; Jan Collins and Beth Geever of Newfound Pathways; Lily Ordway and Chuck Hoheisel of Danbury
Treasurer’s Report: Additional Annual Appeal contributions have come in since last month: $530 in memberships and a grant of $4,000. These funds are crucial to our ability to maintain the Trail.
Maintenance: Peter Southworth has put up 12 new trail usage signs between Potter Place and East Andover. There is a small washout on River Road in Boscawen and another in Franklin that need addressing.
Kiosks: Alex suggested two more kiosks, one at the start of the Trail on River Road in Boscawen and one at the parking area across from the Danbury Country Store. They will have maps and information about the Trail and identify those places as Trail entrances. Harvey Best is willing to build two kiosks for $850.
Charles presented ideas for design and content of the Gerrish Depot and Potter Place kiosks and proposed posters totaling $260. Both expenditures were approved for $1,110.
Special Event: Charles confirmed that, with the Andover Historical Society, we will present a special event on the history of the Rail Trail and its remarkable collection of artifacts and relics on Saturday, August 29, at the Proctor Chapel on the Andover Village Green. Ken Cushing, who is writing a book on the history of the Northern Railroad; Charley Freiberg, photographer of railroad artifacts; and Charles will speak.
Peter will inquire about a projector from Proctor. Jan Collins suggested contacting other local historical societies to promote the event.
Counting Trail Usage: Charles has located a counting manufacturer, Trafix, which makes a $2,700 kit with three counters plus equipment. Charles will send out a request to our members to see if anyone would like to manage this project, since he will not be here to implement it. He will send information on the equipment to the Board.
Myra said that we need to discuss what we want to get out of the counting before we go ahead with the project.
Gale Road Bridge: Alex has been approached by Paul Currier and John Warzocha about the possibility of FNRT’s joining an effort to preserve this disused bridge between Routes 4A and 4, because it provides excellent access to the Trail from Wilmot.
Franklin Historical Signs: Alex reported that there are new historical signs along the Trail in Franklin, put up by the Franklin Historical Society.
Map for Danbury Country Store: Alex proposed that we purchase a new map, not to exceed $300, to put up at the Danbury Country Store, since the one we have put up there is very out of date. The Danbury Country Store is one of our two welcome centers, and it is important to have accurate information there. The motion was approved.
Annual Meeting: There was consensus to have our Annual Meeting to elect Directors and Officers at our Wednesday, September 16, Potluck Supper.
One Percent of Profits: Nita described the One Percent of Profits Program, in which we can apply to be listed as possible recipients of corporate grants. She will send the enrollment forms to Craig to submit on behalf of FNRT-MC.
Gerrish Depot: Alex will meet next week with Ben Wilson, head of DRED’s Historic Sites Bureau, and Bruce Crawford of the Boscawen Historical Society to discuss progress and plans for preserving the Gerrish Depot.
Ride the Trail to Dinner: The Andover Fire Department is holding its annual Chicken Barbecue at the East Andover Fire Station on Saturday, July 25, from 5 to 7 PM. Alex suggested that we invite our membership to “Ride and Dine” at this event, since it’s right on the Trail. Everyone approved.