Minutes March 25 2003

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

Meeting is called to order. Two new faces are welcomed.

Last month’s minutes approved with date correction and corrected spelling of John Crumm.

Correspondence: Thank you note to Clinton River Riders will be sent ASAP.

Approval of treasurer’s report by Chuck Mabley shows an end of February balance of $5,396.50. A waiver has been filed so the group does not have to file semi-annually. An expense of flowers for $40 was approved to send flowers to Lee Rumohr.

Trail Commission Meeting -

	Good progress is being made.
	A website is being put together, possibly www.macomborchardtrail.com, by an outside firm.
	A "slick" brochure is coming soon.
	There were 4 engineering firm bids for work on the trail. They firms were interviewed with the lowest bid receiving the highest rating. It is a company from Bloomfield Hills. They will work with the master plan. The county will pay and work with the company on the engineering work. The county board will vote on this next month.
	John Crumm, head of the Plan for Development in Macomb County, will head up the fundraising task.
	We’ve been given permission to work on trail. We are asked to schedule with Anthony Casasanta.
	The commission will design release forms for the school groups that work on the trail.
	The Master Plan includes drawings of every trail and road intersection.
	The engineers will consult with the master planners on issues such as potential overlooks, bridges, parking access, etc.
	April 25^th is the next meeting.

	Armada Township update – No new news. There was a comment, however, about Armada’s section of the trail being a prime area of the trail.
	Scheduled trail work – 9 a.m. start
	April 26 – Meet at Dequindre, south of 24 Mile in the ice arena parking lot. We will work up to 24 mile.
	May 17 – Meet at the Farmer Jack parking lot at 25 Mile. We will clean up to 24 Mile.
	June 21 – Meet at the Farmer Jack parking lot again and clean from 25 to 26 Mile.
	The voice mail will be canceled due to lack of use and to save money ($17.45 a month).
	Utica’s Eisenhower school fundraiser wants to donate to our group, possibly some sheltered benches. Lee Sorensen will be visiting the group on April 3 to give them information about the trail.
	Martha Nitz has made a $50 donation. It is earmarked to be spent on native flora.
	The Washington Lions Club has asked us to attend their Super Saturday event on June 1.
	Richmond Police Post is ready to patrol the trail with their bike patrol.
	Newsletter information is needed before April meeting.
	Meeting adjourned.

Next official meeting is Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at Camp Rotary.

Attendance (*Indicates board member)

Lee Sorensen*, Dennis Tipsword*, Michael Sproul, Ted Gondert, Jim DeMunnik,

Charles Bryant, Lee Tait, Rich Platz*, Christine Hamilton*, Sharene Kessler,

Neil Kocsis, John Tarantino*, Chuck Mabley*