Minutes February 25 2003

Macomb Orchard Trail Friends Group
Meeting Minutes for Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Meeting is called to order.

Last month’s minutes approved as submitted.

Correspondence: None

Approval of treasurer’s report by Chuck Mabley shows an end of November balance of $5,245.22. After discussion on cost savings, permission to pay $150 postage permit fee is passed.

The Clinton River Riders made a donation of $300 to FMOT. Thank you note will be sent.

Trail Commission Meeting -

	John Crumm says review of engineering proposal is estimated at $50,000-$116,000. Currently they are going through bids. A decision should be made next month.
	Plans are made to do the whole trail in crushed limestone. It will be up to the individual communities to improve on this as they deem necessary.
	A presentation on behalf of Lombardo Company was made about 4 adjacent development properties. "Trailside" is the name of one of these new subdivisions.
	Final cut was made to trail video. One hundred have been ordered at $1.20 each.
	The website links to Friends group and county are up and running.
	Updates and finishing touches made to brochure. These should be done in the next couple weeks.
	Anthony Casasanta has been contacted about who, possibly Friends group, should organize clean ups.

March 25^th is the next meeting.

Fundraising status – Prospects for fundraising in Macomb County will probably be difficult. The Fundraising group contacted has now "bailed out." The county is looking for local money possibilities.

Letter of Intent – Dave Rumohr will send back out with the new ideas.

Mailing List – As of now, there are 63 paid members. Postcards will be sent out in March. The mailing list will be updated. We need to find ways to get more members active.

Answering machine/Email – none

Membership cards – Think of places to approach for possible member benefits. We will pursue further when trail is up and running.

Dave Rumohr returned 15 of Bonior’s books to the RTC.

Richmond Ice Festival brought some feedback. We set up the banner and brochures. Lee was able to talk to a couple of property owners adjacent to trail.

There was discussion of how the trail will connect to Stoney Creek.

Lee Tait reported of trail property infringement at about the Mound Road intersection. Lee checked on this at the Shelby Township offices. The development company has been warned of their trespassing. Hopefully, this will not become a serious problem.

History report – Keep the articles coming.

New Business

	Spring clean-ups will be planned. We would like to plan a Richmond event in the near future.
	Election of officers – Officers have been officially accepted for another term.
	We are thinking of possibly having fewer meetings, shorter meetings, and/or canceling winter meetings.
	Meeting adjourned.

Next official meeting is Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at Camp Rotary.

Attendance (*Indicates board member):

Lee Sorensen*, John Tarantino*, Michael Sproul, Ted Gondert, Neil Kocsis,

Lee Rumohr, Dave Rumohr*, Christine Hamilton*, Lee Tait, Rich Platz*, Chuck Mabley*