· Welcome visitors and introduction.

· February’s meeting minutes approved.

· The treasurer’s report shows an end of February balance of $5,077.03 after expenses. Our bank account status has been changed. We now have unlimited check writing and are not charged unless our balance falls below $1,000.

· Renewal reminder list of nonmembers and former members should be ready in about a week by Dave Rumohr.

· April event-

o We have received clearance to go forward with our April event on the trail.

o There was discussion about having the event start at 6:30 so that there will be more daylight on the trail. The meeting will start at 8:00 p.m.

o The meeting setup will be like an Open House with information stations for the members to stop and ask questions.

o For the meeting we need to set up a welcome table for members to sign in and pick up a name tag. Rich Platz will take care of a raffle. We will also have a donation box available.

o A few volunteers will be needed to help serve food and man the Friend’s table.

o Other groups at our open house with tables will include the Macomb Land Conservancy and the Wolcott Mill Trail Association.

· Clean up day-

o On hold because we need to check with the Trail commission next Tuesday about our plans.

o Dennis Tipsword has a brush hog, grater and other implements to aid in the clean up of the trail from about 26 Mile to West Road.

· Interlocal

o As of March 19 this will become an official document with the signatures of Shelby, Washington, HCMA, Macomb County and City of Richmond.

o A curious citizen of Armada wanted to discuss if they could organize a group of citizens from Armada to help work on the trail even though Armada has not signed the Interlocal. This does not seem to be a problem since they could just volunteer under the name of the FMOT if necessary.

· Not much action with the answering machine and email.

· Martha Nitz and Gale Barr will be looking into some ideas on inexpensive items we can sell such as buttons.

· A coupon will be put into each member’s newsletter so that they can use it at the Open House. The coupon will be put exactly on the opposite side of the address label so there is no chance of mass production of coupons.

· The newsletter should not need the application included in this issue because it is no longer renewal time.

· Major fundraising is still being looked into.

· Armada Township meeting-

o The meeting turned out to be more positive than we thought it would be. Parts of the ordinance have been backed down and the rest has been tabled.

o Gale Barr, a very active member of our Friends’ group, is the official Armada Township representative for the trail.

· "Future Site" signs have been seen on the Clinton River Trail. Maybe we should consider doing so for the MOT also.

· There has been a lot of evidence of motorized use on the trail. When it starts getting developed and used more there shouldn’t be as much of this.

· The idea of selling a simple flashing LED safety light with MOT printed on it was brought up. An example will be brought to the next meeting.

· The Macomb Land Conservancy is happy to say there is a 40 acre and 110-acre parcel they are looking into from a tip from Mr. Nitz. This land is not necessarily on the trail.

o On March 28 there will be a Landscaping with Native Plants class at Shadebush Nature Center. For more information their website is www.savingplaces.org.

o If we give MLC about 250 blank membership applications they will put their own mailing labels on them.

· Board members need to look over newsletter draft for additions or corrections.

· We will see how the April event goes before we plan any more large events.

· Meeting adjourned at about 9:30.