Attendees: Rena Getz. Paul Roberts, Benjamin Kahn, Robin Dexter, Amy Kahn, Julie Irish, Evan Weststrate, John Mordes, Don Ross

1. Remembrance of Vaunita Schnell, our co-founder
   • From Rena – Vaunita’s daughter, Kristen Rowe, will be in the area and will let us know more about her memorial
   • https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bostonglobe/name/vaunita-schnell-obituary?id=60899744
   • It would be nice to include her photography in our memorial
   • We can get her poster framed for our event in June
   • There is one granite bench left, maybe we can dedicate it in Vaunita’s honor. We could get it placed by the stone building. Maybe the wooden bench? Memorial picnic area? Rena will reach out to John.
   • what about funds? Brian’s bench was donated but we paid for the inscription.
2. Treasurer’s Report
   • $7470 in the account right now. We just got, in our mailbox, $200 from Nancy Van Zandt, as well.
   • Don is now a signatory on the bank account and has the bank card.
3. Update on federal non-profit renewal
   • John sent in 990 postcard
   • Need to file Secretary of State report.
   • Action item: Don to check in with John to make sure that happened.
4. Update on Massachusetts non-profit renewal
   • Filed annual report. Second person has to sign it. Evan second signatory.
   • Action item: Evan to sign, then Don to pay the fee.
   • We will then get a certificate that allows us to solicit funds.
5. Update for all officers and board members on access to our various new google accounts: mail, contacts, documents
   • FoHG has a non-profit Google account, which includes Google Meet, file storage, email, mailing lists. Free in perpetuity.
   • Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts also have their own accounts/websites. Free for them now too.
   • PayPal updated its website to include the ability to pay via Venmo
6. Re-confirm date for the spring cleanup that we agreed on last month. It is not on the website yet, and I forgot to put it in my calendar or get it to you..
   • May 2, 9:30-11:30, pizza after
   • Cub Scouts coming, not sure about Boy Scouts
   • Amy will put up the event on the website
   • Paul will reach out to John
   • Project ideas?
     • Trail clarification and maintenance
     • Erosion management for the top of the hill, placing berms
     • Forge/mark the trail around the pond. Weedwhacker? Hatchet? No chainsaws
     • nice Eagle Scout project: handle the fallen hemlock on the aqueduct and turn it into something useful
7. Reminder: There will be another Newton Conservators’ in HG on Sunday June 7, 9:30am – 12 noon. Does anyone want to join/replace me as leader?
   • Guided tour of Hemlock Gorge. Needs to be someone with expertise.
   • https://newtonconservators.org/events/tour-hemlock-gorge/
   • Rena will reach out to John
8. Update on the Friends of the Quinobequin
   • Hasn’t had much going on. Group needs someone who lives on QB road to pick up the mantle. Has to come from Waban Area Council.
   • Action item: Rena will reach out to the Waban Area Council.
9. Priorities for the coming year.
   • Events?
     • Upper Falls Village Day (Sept 13?)
     • Cleanups
     • August Picnic
     • Gorge Tours
     • Invasives Tour? Mustard/invasives pull?
     • Elementary school walks
       • Engage with young families, reach out to teachers
     • Get folks to submit photos, especially kids.
     • Wildlife identification, like in QB trail park
     • Other Priorities
       • Cub Scouts
       • Stone Building Maintenance
       • Archives need a home
       • Member drive
       • Get more existing members involved in projects
10. Matters arising
    • Can DCR clear the sidewalk next to Hemlock Gorge on Ellis Street?
    • Let’s designate a future meeting for archiving