| January | February | March |
| April | May | June |
| July: No Meeting | August: Picnic Meeting | September |
| October | November | December |
Present were Brian Yates, Evan Westrate, Vaunita Schnell, Robin Dexter, Paul Roberts, Jay Werb, and Bob Burke.
Discussions initially cented on the upcoming development of the large vacant property on Needham Street.
April 28 will be the date of the Charles River Cleanup, and Brian set this as the date for the spring cleanup of Hemlock Gorge.
Brial told us that he spoke to Rob MacArthur, the first site supervisor of Hemlock Gorge in the 1980s. Rob is now Director of Conservation and Open Spaces for the city of Framingham. Rob recalled helping with the restoration of the Stone Building some 30 years ago. He said that the building's stone work was repaired by MDC masons. After that the roof was repaired either by the Army Corps of Engineers or the National Guard, no one recalls for certain. Rob would like to work with Brian to re-establish contact with the appropriate parties.
Brian announced that the response to our December mailing and appeal for dues was fair, but he did not have a number. Paul suggested we approach the Chamber of Commerce and other local businesses for support. It was pointed out that we are not an official 501c3 entity, and contributions would most likely have to be given to the public partner as part of cost-sharing project, as was the new railing work that was recently completed at the Stone building.
We agreed that the Stone Building roof repair and re-shingling would be our priority one project for 2018. We will try to contact Marty Rudi of the DCR who told us a year ago that there might be shingles already available.
Finally, Dr. John turned over several bpoinds of old Friends of Hemlock Gorge documents that he had accumulated over the last 25 years. Brian will add this material to the Friends' archives.
This meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Interim Secretary
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No one took minutes.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Interim Secretary
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To be continued.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Pearson, Secretary
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No one took minutes.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Pearson, Secretary
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No one took minutes.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betsy DeVoss, Secretary
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Present were Brian Yates, Robin Dexter, Lee and Jean Fisher, Catherine
Howard, Sheila Purdy, Vaunita Schnell, and JPM
JPM announced that the FHG Website has been renewed for
another five years and paid for by the Friends.
Catherine Howard from the Newton Conservators came. She updated us on their activities. She expressed particular concern about invasives inthe reservation. She showed us a sample of black swallow-wort, which is not only invasive but fatal to monarch butterfly larva. Much of Upper Falls in infested. Members suggested trying to recruit children to help with this work. She announced invasive pull events at Hemlock Gorge scheduled for Sunday 6/10 and 6/17 from 9:30 to noon. Volunteers will meet at the Ellis St. parking lot. A notice will be sent to everyone on our mailing list.
The summer picnic was scheduled for the first Tuesday of
August, the 7th.
Lee suggested we appleal to Site Supervisor Erica to lobby
for better restoration of the Hamilton Place meadow and removal of hay bales.
Lee also proposed adding Echo Bridge to Hemlock Gorge signs
at park entrances. He also proposes moving the sign by the meadow on Ellis
Street to remove the obstructions blocking view of the electrical substation and
lamp post. The can they be made resistant to graffiti. The proposal wil be
posted here later. JPM will send it to Erica.
We voted to express our appreciation to Erica and the DCR
for cleaning up the property at the intersection of Ellis street and the Route 9
exit.
Brian and Catherine propose to add invasive plant removal
to clean up activities in the future.
Stone Building roof: there has been no progress.
Echo Bridge: JPM noted that the page link fencing is gone
and replaced by a more solid fence to the inside of the original BWW fence. Lee
explained that "Option 4b" was set in motion to replace the page link fence.
This was due in part to inability of the Echo Bridge Railings Project to obtain
funding for an historically correct railing. The funding proposal for $500,000
was defected 4-3 in Newton, and the $250,000 part of the proposal was defeated
7-2 in Needham. In general it appeared that there was a generic objection to
spending city funds on state properties Other issues included heavy expenditures
for other historical preservation projects that have already been approved.
Therefore, the MDC went forward with the option. The original BWW railing
is not being removed. Lee's strategy foing forward is to try to get federal
money (from the ave Americas Treasures Program), then go back to for Community
Preservation Act funs, $250-500K per project. The Bridge needs to be recognized
as of historical significance. There are 3 categories of significance: local,
state, and federal. Echo Bridge is state level. It will require a major effort
to get national status for the Treasures program application.
Sheila thinks we should try to make Echo Bridge a legend,
e.g. by making the echo platform a place to go for lovers to affirm their
affection.
JPM gave a report on the renewal of our website through
2023 and repeated his appeal for additional help to modernize and maintain it.
This meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jeff Session, Secretary
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Present were Robin Dexter, Vaunita Schnell, Jean Fisher, John Mordes and Ms. Jim Purdee
The summer picnic was thought to have been a success despite relatively smaller turnout than in the past.
Ms. Purdee told us that Jim wants to retire as treasurer, but because Brian was absent, no action was taken and the meeting adjourned early at 7:50 p.m./
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Secretary pro tempore
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Present were Evan Westrate, Vaunita Schnell, Bobin Dexter, Jean Fish, Ms. Jim Purdee, Lara Prebble who is a Wellesley College senior student, Brian Yates, and the Secretary pro tempore
Jim Purdee's retirement as Treasurer was made official, and Robin Dexter volunteered to take on the post.
The history of the Friends and our activities were reviewed for the benefit of Lara, who has undertaken an architecture senior project with a focus on Hemlock Gorge.
Regrets were expressed about Erica's inability to attend our Tuesday meetings, particularly to follow up on concerns about signage, the meadow, and the upcoming cleanup.
Brian expressed hope that the visibility of the Friends could be enhnace by participation in Village Days and Newton Green Days.
The Meeting adjourned at about 8:30..
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Secretary pro tempore
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Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary pro tempore
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To be continued.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Pearson, Secretary
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