| January | February | March |
| April | May | June |
| July: No Meeting | August: Picnic Meeting | September |
| October | November | December |
Present: John Mordes,
Loumona Petroff, Bill Humphrey, Robin Dexter, Bob Burke, Rena Getz, Evan
Weststrate, Don Ross, Sheila Purdy
According to Robin,there is
now $6,419,70 in the treasury. $700.00 came from the December outreach for dues.
The email went out to about 90 people. 24 dues payments came back. One special
donation came from Tanya which included an additional unique donation which came
with a letter expressing her special appreciation of Hemlock Gorge. She had
become aware of the park recently after living in the area for many years. Dues
payments were evenly split between Paypal and regular mailing. The $30.00
registration fee for 501c3 federal
tax exemption has been paid. The state filing is more complicated and will
follow.
The lumber has been dropped
off to install the second floor storage area. Erica’s approval will be needed to
approve the drainage improvements to the first floor. The cost will probably fit
into the budget for next year, but cost needs to be estimated for the partial
drain.
There is general support for
an additional bench as suggested by Lara Prebble. Evan has
looked into styles and costs of bench
options. 2 style categories are: formal or rustic. Evan showed examples of these
different styles. Rustic benches could theoretically made from downed trees in
the park or from elsewhere from other park properties. DCR could identify trees
that would be suitable. This could lower the overall cost.
Evan will follow up on the rustic bench options from local companies.
There was concern over potential graffiti
or defacement of a wooden bench.
Ruth Balser is working with
the MWRA on the stairs. There has been no information to update. She is also
overseeing the crosswalk and guardrail improvements which seem feasible.
MassTrails initiative proposal due to upgrade park trails. The steep trail steps
in the Gorge could be made safer. Rena is monitoring this project along with the
Waban Area Council. A proposal is due Feb 1st.
Bob is trying to report on
the changes in the park flora over the years and is seeking resources to
document them. Local resources were suggested including Richard Primack who
lectured at BU and Kathy Howard who is monitoring the growing problem with
invasives in the area. Don wanted more information about identifying invasives.
Local diaries or notes on the subject will be very welcome. Contacts on with
pertinent information should be referred to Bob.
The problem with recurring
graffiti is “endless”. Emily has repaired graffiti on the echo platform and a
check has been sent to reimburse her for costs. Her efforts have been much
appreciated.
Evan brought 3 examples of
posters he designed from photographs in his collection. They were very well
received and members brainstormed ways to use them in the future to reward
members or to raise funds. The posters reflected different seasons in the park
and could be reproduced in different formats.
John showed pictures of
numerous bags of trash that were dumped in the Needham area of the park near
Hamilton Place . There were quite a few of them. DCR has been apprised of the
problem. Some suggestions of technological oversight were offered to keep the
problem from recurring.
Health Concerns:
John updated the group on
vaccine developments and answered questions from members about precautions and
procedures.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: Tanya Karpiak, Rena
Getz, Maureen Riley-Meagher, John Mordes, Bob Burke, Robin Dexter, Lara Prebble,
Evan Weststrate, Jean Fisher, Lee Fisher, Don Ross, Bill Humphrey, Sheila Purdy
Treasurer’s Report: Robin
reported a balance of $6,408.62. The new Paypal option isworking well, and the
IRS paperwork has been filed for 2020.
Trash and Fallen Tree
Problems: Erica arranged for trash bags to be removed. Since they were
apparently left by a landscaper and contained mostly leaves, these were
scattered in the park. Lee visited the site and spoke to the neighbors in
Needham who were also concerned with the dumping of trash at the site. Maureen
stated that trash dumping isalso a problem for Quinobequin.
Skating Party: Kudos were
offered to Evan and Lee who helped organize a skating party on the pond. Around
50-70 people attended. A neighbor filmed the event from a drone.
Web Design Upgrade: Evan has
been contacted by Braun-Weiss to offer help for upgrading the Friends’
website. Over the next few months an
intern can be assigned
Hamilton Place Improvements:
John showed a picture of the Hamilton place site whichhas overgrown weedy shrubs
and an unsightly view of neighbors’ yards. He showedhow much the site could be
improved with plantings for a green fence of GiantArbor Vitae to improve the
look of the landscape. He spoke with Erica
who was verysupportive and could provide labor for planting. Friends were
concerned that the look of a row of identical shrubs would not look natural to
the setting and wanted to examine
Spring Cleanup: The date for
the 2021 spring cleanup has been set for April 24th.
Visitors Center: Wood is on
site to finish 2nd floor storage area. DCR does not want to
Crosswalk/Staircase Update:
Crosswalk is “in process” of getting
upgrade. Still waitingfor MWRA to communicate findings on Ellis street
staircase.
Ellis Street Parking Lot:
“Looks Good” trash barrel installed and emptied regularly.
Graffitti: Emily did a lot
of work to remove graffiti. Evan endorsed her efforts and OK’d reimbursement for
her expenses on supplies. Thank you, Emily.
A webcam was suggested to monitor ongoing illegal activity on the
platform.
Other Matters: 3 river
otters were spotted!
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: John Mordes, Robin Dexter, Tanya Karpiak, Don Ross, Bob Burke, Evan Weststrate, Bill Humphrey, Sheila Purdy
Treasurer’s Report: Robin reported that the balance is $6,447.64. Last year donations were $814.53. This was down from the previous year $1,024.75. There was some speculation why the donations were down when the park usage was increased due to the pandemic. Don asked if the number of contributors was also decreased. John said 30-40 people contributed. He had the records back to the 90’s. Are there people who were once contributors but stopped? Would it be useful to offer a gift to contributors such as the postcards printed by Evan? Members were open to using the posters to sell, possibly at the cleanup to raise funds and visibility. All agreed they were an appealing way to reach new visitors.
Web Design: The company in contact with Evan said they were waiting for their summer intern to work on the website redesign. John pointed out that there were
thousands of pages of archived material waiting to be organized. These included photographs and the copy of Ken Newcomb’s book. The original copy is in the Newton Library rare books collection.
Lara Bench: Evan showed a picture of a rustic bench at Walden Pond It has a metal back that could be made from downed trees at reduced cost. Erica would need to be consulted.
April 24th Cleanup: The date has been confirmed. The April meeting can be used for more detailed planning including possibly adding additional tasks such as painting. Can the Visitors Center be used as a gathering place for the cleanup? It offers a way to get out of the rain while serving a complimentary lunch. It could also be used as a place to show photographs, artifacts, and posters available for sale. John will consult on social distancing and pandemic regulations for the cleanup.
Hamilton Place Landscaping: John did not get any suggested alternatives to using arbor vitae as plant materials for the Hamilton Place entrance to the park. He pointed out that the current vegetation includes Japanese knotweed which is very difficult to eradicate. It would be helpful to get input from a landscape architect. John pointed out that Lara Prebble is a landscape architect who could offer suggestions.
Bob Burke’s Project: Bob has reached out to a number of people including Vaunita and Chris Pitts to gather information on flora and fauna previously seen in the park.
Status of Previous Projects:
Crosswalk project- no current information. Budget status unknown
Echo Bridge Railings-no current information
Ellis Street Stairway- no current information. Still waiting for proposal sent to Ruth Balser after inspection by MWRA.
Graffiti project at Echo Platform- no current information
New Business: Some members suggested guided walks through the park to encourage the participation of the many new visitors. Tanya said that some other parks offered nighttime guided walks. All the walks could emphasize historical layers the park offers.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: John Mordes, Robin Dexter, Don Ross, Paul Roberts, Rena Getz, Jean
Fisher, Lee Fisher, Evan Weststrate, Bob Burke, Maureen Riley Meagher, Sheila
Purdy
Treasurer’s Report: Robin renewed the Post Office Box for another
year. The cost was $90.00. There has been no word from Carol Stapleton about
resuming
in-person meetings as the pandemic restrictions evolve. Meetings
could take place outside or in the stone barn. Activities have resumed in
the Emerson for
children. In person meetings could possibly take place in
May or June.
Cleanup Preparation: The spring cleanup has been scheduled
for April 24th. Prior to the cleanup, a subcommittee will look at the needed
improvements to the Hamilton Place entrance to the park. Lee will chair that
committee and hold a walk-through prior to the cleanup to brainstorm ideas.
These ideas could form a report for DCR about proposed changes. John said
that there was still lots of bottled water, utensils, and hand sanitizer left
from the spring. Napkins are needed to help coordinate a lunch meeting after the
cleanup. Tzu Chi has expressed interest in possibly helping out. Erica will
supply trash bags and trash sticks.
Lara Bench Update: Erica is
still working with her staff to create benches from large downed trees that
could be adapted to making naturalistic benches. Sites for the bench/s could be
prepared in advance and Evan has looked into getting metal backrests.
Barn Construction: The materials for the 2nd floor of the barn have been
delivered and stored. Erica believes that construction “may happen this summer”.
Artifacts previously removed from the barn have not been located. Brenda Lawson
from the MA Historical Society and Sean Fisher , the state archivist, have both
been contacted in pursuit of the missing artifacts. So far, they have not been
found.
Updates from Ruth Balser: She is optimistic that funds for the
2nd floor of the Stone Barn can be located. This would enable improvements such
as better drainage, new flooring, and new windows which could be installed. She
also said that the DOT will look at the crosswalks to improve safe access to
Quinobequin parkland. MWRA wants to improve the safety of the Ellis Street
Stairway but needs the approval of the Upper Falls and MA historical commission.
Rena is keeping updated on the status of these projects. There could be possible
celebration this summer to thank Ruth for her invaluable support for the barn
roof project. Possibly this summer. The designation of the barn as a “Visitors’
Center” needs to be defined more specifically to help with planning.
Hemlock Gorge Art Project: Evan has made up postcards from his computer-
enhanced photographs. These could be distributed to volunteers at the cleanup.
There are 4 different views. They can also be printed in a larger format for
posters. They were much admired by the group. John has printed up business cards
for The Friends, which could also be made available to Friends for distribution
and enhanced visibility of FOHC.
Website Design Update: Evan said the
company that offered to help with the website redesign will probably have the
necessary staffing by June.
Bob Burke Project: Bob is still trying to
get access to files on historical park information. He will contact Vaunita who
may also have contacts for his effort.
Other Matters: Maureen said
there will be training in removing invasive plants offered by Katherine Howard.
She said there is a “huge need” for volunteers to assist with removal of
invasive plants. The training will emphasize “best practices” for approaching
this problem.
The group discussed resurrecting guided tours through
the park .
Beavers have been removing trees in the park. Their lodge is
on the Needham side of the river. It is not clear if this is a problem. Some
input from professional wildlife consultants would be helpful. Does DCR have
access to this type of assistance?
MWRA has send out a tank truck to
help with graffiti removal. Graffiti is a constant recurring issue.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: John Mordes, Lee Fisher, Paul Roberts, Robin Dexter, Ruth Balser,
Jean Fisher, Bob Burke, Paul Roberts, Erica Aubin, Don Ross, Bill
Humphrey, Evan Weststrate, Tanya Karpiak, Rena Getz, Loumona Petroff ,
Sheila Purdy
Update from Ruth Balser: An amendment to the state budget
for $75,000 increase in DCR budget for upgrades to the stone building
renovations including windows, drainage, flooring, and lighting. Because the
building is actually located in the Wellesley portion of the park , Ruth
coordinated with Alice Peisch from Wellesley and they co-sponsored the
amendment. DOT will install a sidewalk along the ramp from Ellis Street parking
lot to the stone building. This installation is paused while a gas leak is being
repaired. A survey crew should be active in a couple of weeks to begin the
project which should be completed in the fall. MWRA is in charge of the Ellis
Street stairway. They will need to be signed off by the MA and Upper Falls
historic commissions. 6 stairs have already been repaired. Ruth will follow up
on the repairs to the steel substructure of the stairway.
In- Person
Gatherings: The plan to resume in-person meetings at the Emerson in June, is
being explored with the appropriate authorities. An August picnic is also being
tentatively planned
for the stone building area. Erica said maybe 100 people
would be OK. Regulations for all post-pandemic gatherings are still evolving.
The Friends were not permitted to serve lunch at the spring cleanup due to
continued pandemic protocols.
Hamilton Place Entrance Proposal: Lee,
John, and Evan took a tour of the entrance during the April cleanup. Lee
presented at comprehensive plan including recommendations and pictures of the
problem areas that need to be addressed. This document was made available to the
Friends along with the current agenda for the meeting. The needs for the area
are extensive and include repair of broken guardrails, removal of “tangle of
vines” at the parking lot edge, entrance ways that are narrow and inaccessible
to wheelchairs, erosion of riverbanks, neglect of the display case at the
entrance to the park, unfinished trash removal from bridge repair.
Erica
said DCR could help with some of the brush removal and riverbank stabilization.
The bridge contractors never came back to remove trash and hazards like the
rebar sticking out of the ground.
Trail Improvements: Dead trees (widow
makers) pose a risk of falling over. Crushed stone can be brought in to help
with stabilization needs and possible bench footings and to combat erosion. A
half-log bench can be placed near the river to offer a place for fishermen. A
proposal to allow electric bicycles in the park is being discussed by a number
of properties including the Friends of Middlesex Fells. Members agreed that
bicycles did not belong on the “unimproved trails” but were safe for the Echo
Bridge and the connecting trail into Needham. Rena suggested that we work
together with the Friend of Middlesex Fells to coordinate a response to proposed
changes.
Bob Burke’s Project Update: Bob has been collecting
historical photographs of places like Circuit Trail and Chestnut Grove. It has
been easier to get information on plant life rather than wild life. The Friends
of Cold Spring Park and the Newton Conservators have been very supportive. Bob
will run an ad in the Tab for additional information. He has been able to
identify trees such as shagbark hickory, elms, and chestnut that used to be
abundant. He will also try to coordinate with Margaret Alexander in the Upper
Falls News for additional outreach.
Other Matters: Website improvements
are still waiting for outside assistance. Zoom access to meetings has been very
helpful for some. Evan said a hot spot could be located in the community room to
continue remote access during live meetings when they resume. Bill said that the
hybrid live/Zoom access to meetings is also being explored at city hall as
pandemic precautions are evolving. When live meetings resume, refreshments can
also return.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: Paul Roberts, John Mordes, Robin Dexter, Erica Aubin, Rena Getz, Betsy Hewitt, Don Ross, Bob Burke, Evan Weststrate, Loumona Petroff, Sheila Purdy
Treasurer Report : Robin Reports that the current balance for the Friends is $6,300 Update from Erica : The new bench project has identified 3 logs in Foxborough that can be fitted for benches and sealed on top. The metal back and armrest additions can be paid for by the Friends. Erica will level and create a stable base for the benches with one bench being reserved for the front of the Stone Building. Erica has left keys to the kiosk for Evan to access the display case. She will also arrange for the removal of the rebar, stabilization of the riverbank, removal of the trash from Hamilton Place including overgrown weeds. Rena will explore types of native plants that can be placed in the area and Erica has a list of native plants that she can forward. Erica can also consult a naturalist for suggestions. The new plantings will need to be cared for until they are established. They will need a year of watering to get them safely established on the site. A previous planting from Karen Osborne did not get the needed early care and died. Paul suggested that scouts and help with the planting and care for the area. Don suggested that signs be place about illegal dumping and cleaning up dog waste in the park.
In Person Meetings : There will be NO JULY MEETING. John followed up with the city which continues to require a charge to use public facilities for meetings. So far there is no movement on this point. Bill and Andreae will look further into this to see if an accommodation can be made to allow the Friends to use the Emerson Community Center. Other possibilities are being explored including the former St. Elizabeth Center and the Waban library. The former will not be available to the public until the fall of 2022. The Hyde Community Center was also suggested. The city is looking for ways to increase income. Paul can talk to Jack Neville from the local area council to get support for waiving the currently required fees.
The annual picnic is currently scheduled for August 3 at the Stone Barn. It will be held outdoors since the building supplies for completing the upper story are stored there and there is no completion date scheduled. It will be a picnic supper with no catering. BYO picnic supplies.
Spring Cleanup Review : Lee reviewed his detailed report on the problems facing the Hamilton Place entrance and identified the actionable list of improvement projects that were listed and displayed in his report.
Ruth Balser Update : Current projects are on hold awaiting additional information and planning. There is still the expectation of a$75,000 grant for upgrades to the stone building including removal of the bricks in front of the windows and installation for “bullet proof glass” to prevent vandalism. The request for E bicycles in the park has been coordinated with Middlesex Fells to keep them out of the vulnerable trails.
Bob Burke Project : Bob is waiting for feedback from his outreach efforts for historic flora and fauna information. He will be contacting Needham and Wellesley to get any information they have to offer. Other Matters : The Friends discussed an event in the fall to thank Ruth Balser for her special support and help.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: John Mordes, Evan Weststrate, Maueen Riley Meagher, Bob Burke,
Lee Fisher, Don Ross, Vaunita Schnell,
Sheila Purdy
Treasurer’s Report: Robin was unable to attend meeting due
to scheduling conflict. Some money was spent on supplies for the August picnic.
John recommended buying a booth at the Upper Falls Village Day on October 3 for
$25.00. A plaque dedicated to Brian Yates will be unveiled at the event.
Volunteers from the Friends can be present from 11-2:00 to give out business
cards and sell posters. Posters can be priced at $25.00 and include Friends’
membership until the end of 2022. Don, Paul, and Bob expressed interest in
volunteering for the event. We would need to supply a table and chairs. Payments
for the posters will be made in cash or check. Photocopies of the map can be
available for free.
Fall Cleanup: Dates of October 16 or 23 were
suggested and would need to be confirmed by Erica. The deterioration of the
Stone Barn Foundation is a continuing problem. Ruth Balser has approved use of
the approved $75,000 to make the needed foundation repairs. Lee has also looked
at the foundation and supports the need for a plan to make the needed repairs.
The electric power to the stone building has been restored. No plans are in
place to work on the 2nd floor of the building but supplies are being stored for
the project. The problem of ongoing moisture damage continues affect stability
of the foundation and proposed future work on the building.
Benches:
Evan has not heard any news on the proposed wooden benches to be placed in the
park. He is waiting for an update from Erica.
Ellis Street Stairs:
Repairs “look terrific”. The wooden treads have been replaced although no work
has been done on the metal substructure that needs to be sandblasted and
repainted at some point.
Website Changes: Evan has not heard anything
about work on upgrading the current website and making it more streamlined and
comprehensive.
Crosswalk Upgrades: Ruth said that the gas leak repairs
in the area have been completed. Upgrades to the sidewalk, crosswalk, and curb
cuts are planned but have not been scheduled as yet.
Future Meeting
Site: John looked at options including the Waban Library Center. The Mayor
suggested using City Hall as an alternative. Any approved site will need to
have WiFi available since not all members can attend in person. This hybrid
system can be put in place once a site is selected. The current status of the
Delta virus variant has put this change on hold for the present. Meetings will
continue on Zoom until further notice.
Bob Burke Project: Bob visited
local historic societies but could find no documentation of prior surveys of
local plant or animal life in the Gorge. Photographs were available but no
detailed descriptions. Lee pointed out the absence of small hemlock trees and
suggested that they could be transplanted from other sites to replace the mature
trees that have been lost over the years.
Kiosk Update: Evan now has
the keys to the display case.
Roof Dedication: The proposed dedication
event for the new roof has been postponed for the present.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present: Emily Gelbert, John Mordes, Paul Roberts, Rena Getz, Robin Dexter,
Evan Weststrate, Don Ross, Carol Laibson, Sheila Purdy
Village Day
Report: The Friends participated in the Newton Upper Falls Village Day
celebration on October 3 where a memorial was installed commemorating the life
and accomplishments of Brian Yates. The Friends had a booth where they gave
information about Hemlock Gorge and provided posters to newly enrolled members.
Paul, Don, Evan, and John ran the booth and helped engage attendees in learning
about the Friends. The posters were “a very big hit” and John commented that
this was the “most successful event ever”. Evan was recognized for his
contribution of the original posters which were greatly admired. Paul said the
Friends could build on this by sponsoring a photo contest where the winner’s
photograph could be made into a new poster. Perhaps the Village Bank might help
to sponsor this event. John suggested that the Friends invest in some “instant
shelters” or tents which could be set up for future events to increase
visibility and support. Banners could also be added. The Friends earned $283.00
at this event which was paid in cash or via the newly added Paypal option. Anil
was recognized for his contribution in planning this very successful
celebration. NewTV filmed the event. Evan requested mailing tubes for those who
wanted their posters sent out.
Fall Cleanup: A date for the fall
cleanup was set for October 16th with a rain date of October 23rd. Sign up
will be from 9:30-10:00 at Hamilton Place with refreshments served for lunch at
the Stone Barn.
Future FoHG Meeting Site: This is still being explored
but it looks increasingly likely that the next meeting will be held at the Waban
Library/Community Center which offers hybrid in-person and online options. Rena
will assist in facilitating the use of this venue. The meeting will be delayed
one week to avoid a conflict with the election on November 2 and will be held
November 9th. There is still some hope that advocacy can restore the previous
status of the Friends, and other NGO’s, for use of the Emerson without user fees
being required.
Report from Erica: Erica was unable to attend. The
Friends confirmed their interest in the status of the 2nd floor and the
installation of new benches as well as a plan for restoring the foundation of
the Stone Barn.
Christmas Party: Karen Osborne offered her building in
Upper Falls for the party. A motion was made and seconded to contribute funds
towards the celebration.
Safety Concerns in the Park: Two
separate letters from 2 individuals were sent to the Newton Conservation
Commission about safety concerns in the park. Both addressed different issues
regarding signage. One site of concern was the overlook at the Mill Falls dam.
There is no fence and only a tiny sign. Evan offered an example in Dover which
had a sign “ CAUTION: Drop off”. The suggestion for a sign will be sent to Erica
to follow up with DCR.
The second area of concern was the lack of a sign to
boaters on the river. There is only a small sign on Cook’s Bridge warning
of the dam’s falls ahead. This concern needs to be forwarded to the MWRA for use
of their standard warning signs to be placed. Emily Norton of the Charles River
Watershed Association could also be alerted to the issue.
Stone Barn
Roof Dedication: This event has been postponed until spring. The Friends wish to
thank a number of people who have contributed to the renewal of the Stone Barn.
These include Ruth Balser for her ongoing support and advocacy, Amy Mah
Sangiolo for the new windows, and Erica for her many contributions to
construction, landscaping, and countless other supportive improvements.
Updates on Additional Matters: Robin reported that there $6,456 in the treasury
after expenses. $92.00 has been expended for printing the posters. Ruth Balser
is monitoring the crosswalk improvements. She has also noted the deterioration
in the foundation of the Stone Barn. Emily is monitoring the graffiti
problem on the Echo platform and hopes to make repairs.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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This Friends of Hemlock Gorge Hybrid Meeting was held in In Person and by Zoom. Present: Bill Humphrey, John Mordes, Don Ross, Evan Weststrate, Lauren Comando, Loumona Petroff, Rena Getz, Jean Fisher, Lee Fisher, Jean Fisher, Robin Dexter, Emily Gelbert, Vaunita Schnell, Maureen Riley Meagher, Sheila Purdy
Village Day/ Treasurer’s Report: Current balance is $6,626. 21 after Village Day expenses. The posters are now on the website for a $25.00 donation and can be charged to Paypal. This can also include a membership in The Friends. 6 donations were contributed on Village Day. Members supported a continued similar presence at future community events.
Fall Cleanup: The cleanup was a success and was well attended including the picnic lunch. John expressed his appreciation for all the volunteers and contributions.
Holiday Party: This year’s party will be held on December 7 th at the Osborne homestead. Members voted to provide a financial donation toward the expenses and are encouraged to bring food contributions to the event. The December party is also the meeting to elect Board members and officers for the coming year. There will be no mailing this year and all communication will be online. Very few members have indicated a wish to continue paper mailings. A motion was unanimously approved to move the date of future meetings to the 2 nd Tuesday of each month. CWRA news:
A member from the Charles River Watershed Association has offered to attend a future hybrid meeting to coordinate activities and establish a liaison with the Friends. January 11 th has been proposed for the date of this meeting.
Quinobequin project Update: Ruth Balser is working on this currently. The crosswalk project needs to be coordinated with DOT and include Wellesley in the planning process. While the sidewalks have been installed, there are curb cuts and guardrail openings that need to be planned ahead. Maureen emphasized the need to plan all aspects of the project collaboratively and include the Friends of the Quinobequin.
The Stone Building: $75,000 has been set aside for repairs to the Stone Building. The foundation of the building has “eroded away” making the structure less stable. DCR is aware and could provide the names of approved contractors and structural engineers to address this problem. The new sidewalk has been constructed and Erica is also looking into placing a stone bench on the site. The second floor construction is still on hold. The lighting continues to be unreliable and is frequently out.
Hamilton Place: Last spring Evan and Lee created a list of improvements that needed to occur at the Hamilton Place entrance to the park. Remaining construction debris has been removed, but there are still safety and aesthetic concerns. The canoe launch site consists of gravel which washes away and erodes, making the bank unstable. Suggestions are welcome to improve the safety of the launch site. There are additional concerns about signage warning about the dam and the land drop off. Concerns were brought by members of the community who wrote letters about these 2 issues. John will look into how similar riverside parks handle these safety and signage. A positive new contribution to the site is a new stone bench which was already in use by visitors. Additional rustic benches continue to be approved for other areas of the park.
Other Matters: The members approved buying an "Instant Shelter" tent for future visibility events. Also approved, was the purchase of wrought iron backs and armrests for the new wooden benches. Membership dues have stayed the same for 25 years. Should they be revised in the future? The display in the kiosk has been updated. Could a summer intern take over the postings in the kiosk to keep them timely and informative?
This is the first hybrid meeting at the new venue, the Waban Library Center. Members are welcome to review the new format and provide feedback on this new format and meeting site.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sheila Purdy, Secretary
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Present in person were: Chris Osborne, Emily Gelbert, John Mordes, Paul Roberts, Rena Getz, Robin Dexter, Lee Fisher, Evan Weststrate, Don Ross, Vaunita Schnell, Lauren Comando. Present by Zoom was Bob Burke.
This was the annual holiday party meeting of the Friends of
Hemlock Gorge. It was held at the Osborn home on Chestnut Street and was catered
by Chris Osborn of Better Life Foods, whose sister Karen has long been a
supporter of the Friends of Hemlock Gorge. Everyone who attended had been
vaccinated against Covid and was massed except when eating. Push
The first order of business was to review our
accomplishments for the past year and take a look ahead to 2022. For the first
time we did not spend much of the evening stuffing envelopes with our annual
report, but instead agreed to mail it out to all of our members.
Robin Dexter reviewed our finances. We have about $6000 in
our treasury. Our relationships with The Village Bank and with PayPal have been
free of problems.
With the guidance of Paul Roberts, and following normal
rules of order, we next elected officers for 2022. There were no changes. John
Mordes will continue as president, Evan Weststrate will continue as vice
president, Robin Dexter will continue his treasurer, and Sheila Purdy will
remain as secretary.
We also voted on board membership. At the meeting it was
agreed that Bill Humphrey will take the place of Andreae Downs and that Chris
Osborn will take the place of Seana Gaherin for 2022.
The remainder of the evening was spent having a good time,
exchanging stories and trivia about Newton, remembering our founding president
Brian Yates, and enjoying the excellent food provided by Chris.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes
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