Attendees: John Mordes, Emily Gelbert, Ellen Katz, Jay Werb, Evan Weststrate, Jean Fisher, Lee Fisher, Nancy Van Zant, Kent Van Zant, Paul Roberts, Don Ross, Robin Dexter, Amy Kahn, Chris Osborn, Betsy Hewitt, Bob Burke (on the phone)
Agenda:
- Thank you to Nancy and Kent for their generous gift.
- Welcome to the Friends!
- Kent is a geologist – it would be wonderful if he came on our walks!
- Book recommendation from John Mordes: Geology by John Sheldon
- Review of the December Election of Officers
- See https://hemlockgorge.org/2025/12/meeting-minutes-december-2-2025/ for the full list
- Vaunita Schnell will also be added to the board of directors
- Treasurer’s Report
- Robin has transitioned the role to Don. Thank you Robin for your service
- 7220.58 in the account
- Date for the spring cleanup
- Tentative date: May 2 (same weekend as Newton Serves)
- Updates if any – Scouting Projects?
- QB trail project, but need approval from DCR
- John has been in contact with the Waban Area council
- Areas of aqueduct path/New Pond path in Hemlock Gorge are quite washed out now, on Needham side. Lots of roots. It would make sense to shore that up. Waterbars may be helpful to slow the erosion/flow of water.
- Laura Preble’s benches have been approved by DCR. Would make a nice project
- QB trail project, but need approval from DCR
- Skating this winter?
- Need 2 weeks of frozen lake.
- Ice is thick enough, but not smooth. If it thaws a little and smooths out then we’re ok.
- Priorities for the coming year.
- Thank you Chris for feeding us
- Matters arising
- No movement on stone building right now. Need to contact Greg Schwartz to release the funds that are currently in possession of DCR. Still in phase 1 of 3 phase restoration.
- We will start meeting in person at the Waban Library Center
- Amy and Ben will set up Google Meets from now on