| January | February | March |
| April | May | June |
| July: No Meeting | August: Picnic Meeting | September |
| October | November | December |
Present were Ellen Katz, Vaunita Schnell, Sheila Purdy, Robin Dexter, Evan Westrate, John Mordes, Lee Fisher, and Jean Fisher.
Brian did not attend. (It later turned out that he was unable to attend due to another commitment to an ill friend.) Perhaps because of this, discussion turned initially to the issue of the dues that had been mailed to Brian but not yet deposited because Robin has not yet received them. We also discussed keeping better records of who is supporting our work. This was done by Dr. John for about a decade, but he stopped in 2010 becuase there was no interest at the time in the reports. Sheila Purdy was also concerned about keeping track of the small number of core members who regularly or semi-regularly attend our meetings, and she has started to make the compilation. Dr. John explained that there is an Access database of active and former members that is the basis for the mailing lists and was in the past used to record dues. This is separate from the Outlook distribution list that is used for our regular email notices, now that the minutes of meetings (recorded by Hannah Sherman until her death) are no longer mailed out. Dr. John promised to provide Robin with an Excel spreadsheet with all the membership data, and she and Sheila will use this for dues recording and maintaining the core membership list. Ellen pointed out that she is on the email list but not a recipient of the annual mailing. Dr. John explained that that was likely due to not having her membership paperwork passed along. (That has now been rectified.) We all expressed concern about not getting members' checks cashed in a timely way. In addition, Robin pointed out that Brian needs to go to the bank with her to update the signature cards so that she can process expenses and reimbursements. We will have a stricter accounting of expenses going forward.
It was mentioned that concern in the past over our lack of official 501 c(3) status as a tax-exempt organization has impeded efforts to implement an online dues paying option. Jean Fisher mentioned that the Upper Falls Council has renewed its own status recently, and she, who is a member, will find out if we can normalize or 501 c(3) status using the 'umbrella' of the Council as in the past we used C.A.N.E.P.I. (the Coordinating Association of New England Parks, Inc., no longer an option for us).
As a result of this discussion, it was agreed that the Friends' would now rent a post office box for all future mail and dues receipts. We will also start discussions about having a more robust panel of officers and chain of responisbilities. Dr. John expressed again a hope that he might get some skilled help to redesign and modernize the website.
Betsy Hewitt had notified us 10 days ago that the stairway
from Ellis Street up to Echo Bridge was closed. It turned out that a plank had
given way, but not it has been repaired and and the stairway is open.
Councilor Andreae Down was also looking into the stairway issue after learning of it from Dr. John. She sent regrets that she could not attend our meeting due to illness.
We set the date for the Spring Cleanupup as Saturday, April
27
Lee Fisher gave us an update on his initiative to replace the Echo Bridge railings with an historically appropriate replacement. (The saga of the railings can be found in the Archives on this website. You can visit the project website at www.echobridgerailings.com) Lee reported that we lost our bid to get Community Preservation funds from either Newton or Needham. That and the delay it cause led the MWRA to install the new, completed internal (to the original) railing that you see today. That project used up $250,000 that had previously been appropriated for railings and that we hoped would be used for restoration of the originals. As a result of all of this, the perceived urgency to fix the railings has diminished. The Echo Bridge committee has met to deal with this and plans to seek federal funding seed money for the restoration and then go back to the Newton and Needham for Community Preservation funding. The key to doing this is the "Save America’s Treasures Program". The the program requires that a candidate historical property has to be deemed to be "nationally" significant. The Registry of Historic Places has local, state, and national designations. Echo Bridge at this time has "state" significance. Upping the level may be difficult, as Echo Bridge is neither the oldest nor longest bridge of its type in the US. However, Lee will be working with the MWRA to find the original plans and the central role of the bridge in creation of a stable water supply for Boston.
The last issue we discussed was a followup to a meeting that was held on the need to improve the safety and environmental quality of the section of Quinobequin Road just downstream from Hemlock Gorge. The participants in that meeting included FoHG member Bob Ellertsen who forward to us the letter that is below. Ellen Katz, who is now a member of the Newton Conservation Commission, reported that the Commission is aware of the issues described below and is actively seeking to implement the stated recommendations.
We agreed that all future meetings would start at 7:15 (as in the past) rather than 7:30.
The meeting adjourned at 21:00
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Interim Secretary
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Present were Ellen Katz, Evan Westrate, Jean Fisher, Robin Dexter, Sheila Purdy, Vaunita Schnell, and John Mordes
Robin and Sheila both reported that they have spoken with Brian who is well, but preoccupied with caring for a very ill friend. Robin reported to us that Brian has given her all the receipts from the December appeal for dues, and we have an additional $610 to put towards our work in 2019. Robin will provide a detailed accounting at our next meeting. We all agreed to move the Friends' checking account to The Village Bank which as supported us, especially the clianups, in the past. We also agreed to move forward with obtaining a P.O. Box for the Friends to prevent any future issues with missing paperwork.
Evan and JPM reported that the fallen trees in the Reservation and across the trail along Quinobequin Road have been taken care of by Erica's teams.
The issue of cutting trees by the Newton Library for placing solar panels has been settled. (Brian had sent out a flyer about this.) No trees will be cut down.
Jean updated us on the latest concerning the Echo Bridge Railings. Barbar Kurze in the Newton Planning Departmen has interviewed two companies that are applying for a contract to do research on chaning the status of Echo Bridge from a stat historic site to a national one. This contract is being funded through a $25,000 state appropriation that was made possible by the efforts of Ruth Balser.
There has been no news on the Stone Buoilding Roof. We agreed that this is an important matter of historic preservation and that the Friends will make the necessary repairs our highest priority project for public/private funding in 2019.
Ellen reviewed plans that are in progress for the iverside Greenway in the Upper Falls.
Several people lamented the small number of historic tours and other events being held these days in the Reservation. The signage issues were also brough up. Ellen suggests that Historic Newton and the Newton Conservators should be approached to help with these issues. JPM mentioned that Councilor Andreae Downs will try to attend the March meeting and perhaps help us address these issues.
We adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Interim Secretary
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Present were Friends Members Vaunita Schnell, Jerry Riley,
Evan Westrate, Paul Roberts, Robin Dexter, Sheila Purdy, Bob Burke, and John
Mordes. In addition we were pleased to welcome Kathryn Winters, President of the
Waban Area Council, Maureen Reilly-Meagher of the Friends of the Quinobequin,
and City Councilor Andreae Downs.
John started the meeting with introductions and explained
that at a recent meeting of the Waban Area Council, Kathryn had asked for an
update on our activities and suggested that we and the Waban groups explore
possible coordination and collaboration. As a result Kathryn and Maureen
graciously agreed to attend this meeting.
Everyone present was aware that Friends’ President Brian
Yates has been seriously ill. We all asked Bob Burke, who is in contact with
Brian’s family, to convey our best wishes and to keep us all apprised of his
hospital course.
Because the Friends’ mailing address has been Brian’s home
for many years, we followed up on a proposal made last month to rent a P.O. Box
for us and we voted unanimously to do so. We also raised again the issue of
gaining official 5013c status. In February Jean had suggested that the Upper
Falls CAC might all us to share their 5013c status, but we learned tonight that
their status has lapsed. It was suggested that we reach out to the Newton
Conservation Commission. Friends member Ellen Katz is a member of the NCC and
John will reach out to explore this possibility.
We had an update on the result sf our 2019 dues appeal and
we have raised a little more than $600, raising our bank balance to around
$6,000. Our current bank, Citizens, has been a little hard for us to deal with
as the only approved signatures are those of Brian and our former treasurer, Jim
Purdy. We voted to ask Robin to set up a Friends’ account at our local Village
Bank and have Jim write a closeout check to move the account.
Jean Fisher presented an update on the Echo Bridge Railings
initiative, which she and her husband Lee have spearheaded. She told us that the
bridge railings had been written up in the Boston Globe as on of 12 very
endangered historic sites in the Commonwealth. She also reported that, thanks to
the $25,000 appropriated through the efforts of Ruth Balser, consultants have
been hired to initiate the process of securing the national historic status that
will be necessary to secure major funding for the restoration. Jean also
reviewed for the group the Hemlock Gorge Reservation signage issues that Lee has
raised at previous meetings.
This being the first of our meetings that Maureen has
attended, she reviewed for us some of the initiatives that that been promoted by
the Friends of the Quinobequin including traffic calming, trail bridge
construction, encouraging the use of the parkland for children’s activities, and
clean-ups. We reviewed for her the successful large scale projects that we had
worked on with Site Supervisor Erica Aubin including the windows and the new
railings at the Stone Building and the Ellis Street parking lot. Vaunita
reviewed the history of the restoration of the Stone Building in the late 1980s
and the process by which the Friends got the parking lot constructed. We also
reviewed the efforts of the DCR and Erica regarding removal of fallen trees and
reconstruction of the steps on the steep part of the trail leading up from the
river.
We closed with expressions of hope that the Hemlock Gorge and Waban collaboration would continue.
ADDENDUM
I spoke with Erica later in the week. A few things to pass
along:
She is now, in fact, the Site Supervisor for the
Quinobequin parkland.
She will be providing materials and support for the spring
HG clean-up. Perhaps we can coordinate with the Friends of the Quinobequin. We
have a lunch for volunteers at noon and it would be a good opportunity for the
two groups to get together.
She will also begin the process of helping us get the
Quinobequin trail footbridge project going. I asked if she could start by
getting us information on what we should do.
There was no news about the Stone Building Roof.
She got my message and photo and will get to the fallen
tree on the Q trail as soon as the snow is gone.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Interim Secretary
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Present: Jean Fisher, Rena Getz, Evan Weststrate,
Bob Burke, Jay Werb, Ellen Katz, John Mordes, Maureen Meagher, Vaunita Schnell,
Paul Roberts, Nina
Koch, Andreae Downs, Robin Dexter, Sheila Purdy
The agenda for this meeting
was extensive due to the recent death of the President of the Friends and
its founder, Brian Yates.
Treasurer’s Report: Robin stated that the Friends’ account at Citizens Bank was now closed. A new account was opened at the Village Bank. John said there is now a federal ID# and the Friends can apply to the state as a charity. John and Robin are both signers on the account. A post office box is now the new mailing address for the organization: P.O. Box #62; Waban, MA 02468
Brian Yates Memorial: Plans are underway with DCR to provide granite for a memorial bench and will transport it to the engraver.
Other ideas were also offered: Little Library, Naming the stone barn for Brian, Naming a square and garden for Brian in the neighborhood.
New Officers: In order to meet requirements to
become a nonprofit charity, officers were elected to serve one year. The
following were nominated and approved by the organization.
President: John Mordes
Vice President: Evan Weststrate
Treasurer: Robin Dexter
Secretary: Sheila Purdy
A formal Board of Directors was also elected: John
Mordes, Evan Weststrate, Robin Dexter, Rena Getz, Bob Burke, Vaunita Schnell,
and Andreae Downs
The
Board of Directors meets 1x per year in December.
A voice vote approved spending $100.00 to begin the
process of becoming a 501c3 tax deductible charity. Paperwork needs to be
submitted on both a state and federal level. John Mordes is the registered
agent to receive documents. Spring Cleanup: The Spring Cleanup has been
scheduled for April 27 rain or shine. Registration will be at Hamilton Place
from 9-10 am. Jean Fisher and Bob Burke will help with publicity. Seana Gaherin
will provide a lunch at the stone barn.
Other Business: Several members of the Friends of Hemlock Gorge met with the Friends of Quinobequin to determine the most effective way of coordinating activities. The stone barn needs new cedar shingles. State Rep. Ruth Balser has offered to help with this effort.
There has been no recent progress on the signage project.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: Erica Aubin DCR,
Bill Humphrey, Paul Roberts, Lee Fisher, Jean Fisher, John Mordes, Rena Getz,
Evan Weststrate, Robin Dexter, Vaunita Schnell, Sheila Purdy
Brian Yeats Memorial: DCR
has the granite for the bench and the group voted on the inscription. The idea
for a bronze plaque was declined at this time. Placement of the bench was
discussed. 17 initial sites were identified, and a subgroup of Friends will
reduce the number to 5. These will be brought back at a future meeting for the
final decision.
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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To be continued
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: Jean Fisher, Robin
Dexter, Paul Roberts, Don Ross, Lee Fisher, John Mordes, Rena Getz,
Emily Gelbert, Bill Humphrey, Evan Weststrate, Vaunita Schnell, Sheila
Purdy
The September agenda focused
on a review of recent accomplishments, unfinished business, and starting to set
goals for the upcoming year.
Administrative Business: The
Friends wish to acknowledge the help of all those who contributed their time and
efforts to making the Brian Yates Memorial Dedication so successful. Partly as a
result of that gathering, two new members were present at the meeting: Don Ross
and Emily Gelbert.
John updated the group on
the status of the 501c3 application. Don Ross was experienced in the application
process and offered to help. Funding for the requisite fees was approved.
Other financial matters:
Robin gave the treasurer’s report.
There is now a balance of $4,894 with a monthly savings of $24.00 resulting from
a switch to electronic statements. There was discussion of setting up an online
donation options, possibly on the website, and elimination of the Decembeandr
mailing.
John wants to move the
mailing list to Network Solutions which requires 100 names to be entered by hand
since they cannot be imported to the database. There was some interest
in volunteering for this effort. John, Robin, and Evan are the contacts for
webmail, Network Solutions, mailbox and barn access.
Stone Barn Repair Issues:
Rep. Ruth Balser has led the effort to secure $50,000 toward the restoration of
the roof. A discussion followed of how the work can be contracted and made
historically correct. It was also pointed out that there is a floor drainage
problem and rotting beams. Possibly these repairs can also be addressed at the
same time.
The group discussed a number
of issue related to the ongoing use of the barn: upkeep and landscaping, future
use of the building to justify the
roof repair project, historical artifacts, lack of electricity, or water for
plumbing.
Lee and Rena contributed
historical documents and maps.
Other Business:
The Fall Cleanup has been
scheduled for Saturday 10/26 from 9-12.
Lee gave an updated report
on improved signage and the status of the Echo Bridge railings project. He is
looking into federal funding applying for federal recognition of Echo Bridge. He
also gave a report on the July 4th Charles River Swim. He also gave a
report on the guided walk of the park in August. Apparently there is an
undiscovered VHS tape of a previous guided walk given by Ken Newcomb.
Emily Gelbert offered to set
up a table at the Village Day celebration on 9/15. The group offered suggestions
of pamphlets and materials to display. A motion was approved to provide Emily
with $100.00 reimbursement for materials and
fees.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: Jean Fisher, Evan Weststrate, Lee Fisher, Paul Roberts, Don Ross,
John Mordes, Robin Dexter, Erica Aubin, Rena Getz, Vaunita Schnell, Sheila
Purdy, Vanden Weststrate
The October meeting addressed planning for
upcoming events and follow-up for ongoing projects.
Administrative
Business: Options were presented for the end of the year donations. It was
agreed that an online option for donations should be set up on the Friends
website. Rena said that she used a web designer to set up a contribution button
and that the process was straightforward and could connect to Paypal. Don can
advise on this process. Others wanted to continue the December mailing as well
with an enclosed letter for a transition to the new system. Robin said the
account had a $4,972 balance. State forms needed to be submitted with a $35.00
application fee.
Stone Building Update: Ruth Balser has secured $50,000
of state funding for roof repair. At present there are no estimates for the
work. Erica said the state could advise on setting up a contract. Paul discussed
options for historical upgrades to the building. The group also listed future
uses for the building including as a Friends’ picnic site. There is one piece of
granite left for possible future use. An archaeologist intern is available to
help organize artifacts left in the barn. Karen Osborne has arranged for
landscaping for Brian’s memorial and could advise on future outdoor use. Plans
were discussed about extending the sidewalk to make the site more accessible but
there are issues about jurisdiction.
Fall Cleanup: The fall cleanup has
been scheduled for 10/26. John will not be available, so Evan will fill in at
the sign-in table from 9:30-10:00. Rain or shine. Lunch to be served at noon at
the barn.
Holiday Party: The annual party is tentatively scheduled for
12/3. Karen will bring some food. The party may also involve preparing the
mailing. Further discussion will follow at the November meeting.
Railings and History: Lee gave an update on railings project and the National
Landmark status of Echo Bridge need to access federal funds. Hemlock Gorge was
one of the first state parks. 1500 people a day passed over the bridge in 1897.
There was a caretaker’s house on Ellis Street. Lee also presented pictures of
the rustic bridge which could be made available on the website. New signs have
helped designate Echo Bridge site.
Other Business: Emily was unable to
set up a table at Village Day, but this established a precedent for future plans
for visibility events. Jean will maintain contact with local advertisers for
future publicity of events. Rena could track down the video on Ken Newcomb
giving an historical tour of The Gorge. The Friends were also advised that there
is a recording of a flute solo called “Hemlock Gorge” among Brian’s saved
artifacts.
November Meeting: Due to election day, the November meeting
will be held 11/12.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: Evan Weststrate,
John Mordes, Emily Gelbert, Robin Dexter, Rena Getz, Vaunita Schnell, Sheila
Purdy
The November meeting
addressed future planning and a review of the extraordinary challenges and
accomplishments of this year which were summarized in the annual report.
Treasurer’s Report: The
account balance is just under $5,000. The state still has not cashed the checks
which were sent by certified mail.
Annual Report/December
Meeting: A draft of the annual
report had been distributed to members prior to this meeting.
Friends addressed any changes in the report and the membership/dues form
for December. Plans for the mailing and dues request were revised and approved
since the December meeting is also a Board of Directors meeting. At that meeting
a new Board of Directors will be elected. John strongly urged the members to
approve an online donation option through the website. Evan said he knows how to
set up a pay button on the site which uses Paypal. There will be a fee for using
this options, but it is more efficient. Donations
can be used to rebuild the scenic “Z” bridge and possibly find a use for another
stone bench. John has moved the email address from his workplace to Hemlock
Gorge. This can allow for members to have individual boxes established on the
site.
Emily reviewed the dues
form and made suggestions to streamline the options and simplify the design.
Robin offered to help with the mailing of the materials to members so that this
does not have to be done all at once at the holiday party as it has in the past.
The Holiday Party: Karen
Osborne will once again host the party at her house on 12/3. Details of the time
and place will be announced.
October Cleanup: 30 people
came to the cleanup. Evan distributed volunteer release forms required by DCR.
The lunch was well attended as well. Pictures will become available on the
website.
Other Business: Erica has
additional information on the status of the barn roof project and sidewalk
extension. The landscaping work around the barn has no organized method of
maintenance, and there is no irrigation system available. Brian’s current
website will extend through July 2020 after which it will go dark. Rena is
gathering documents from Brian’s collection and will make some available through
the Jackson Homestead. The city archivist has expressed interest in them.
A Feast of the Falls
celebration is tentatively scheduled for June 2021. Emily has expressed interest
in participating in visibility events in the future to increase community
awareness of the Gorge and Echo Bridge.
The December meeting has
been identified as a time to re-elect the Board and Officers and to consolidate
gains and appreciate all of the accomplishments of this momentous year for The
Friends.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: Jean Fisher, Paul Roberts, John Mordes, Bob Burke, Karen Osborne,
Vaunita Schnell, Jerry Reilly, Andreae Downs, Lee Fisher, Sheila Purdy, Don
Ross, Evan Weststrate, Emily Gelbert, Robin Dexter, Rena Getz
The
December meeting was a combination of annual meeting, election of officers,
mailing of dues requests, and holiday celebration.
John expressed
gratitude for all of the successful challenges and accomplishments of the year
which were listed in the annual report. This was followed by the election of the
2020 organization officers and Board members. They are as follows:
Board of Directors for 2020:
John Mordes, Evan Weststrate, Robin Dexter, Paul
Roberts, Bob Burke, Vaunita Schnell, and Andreae Downs.
Organization Officers 2020:
President: John Mordes
Vice President: Evan
Weststrate
Treasurer: Robin Dexter
Secretary: Sheila Purdy
It was
noted that the Directors and Officers were the same slates of candidates that
served in 2019. The vote to approve the 2020 entire slate was unanimous.
Treasurer Report: Robin stated that the current balance is $4800. Bob Burke was
the treasurer of Brian’s most recent political campaign. The balance in his
campaign account was $194.00, which is being donated to the Friends.
Unfinished Business: A number of projects remain to be completed and require
ongoing management.
Outreach: John and Andreae attended Newton South student volunteer event to promote Friends volunteer opportunities.
Thanks expressed to Karen and Chris for their hospitality and refreshments.
The meeting adjourned at around 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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