Attendees: Stephen Crawford, Norman Acocella, John Bracco, Margaret Bracco, Nancy Howley, Ellen Barrett, John Gakos, Anne Stires, Phoebe Epstein, John McClellan, Kate Lyon, Pat Porcaro, Seymour Sobel, Fred Cushmore, Marge Cushmore, Dennis German, Charlie Wilson, Al Kent, Brian Glennon, Steve Wysmuller

Meeting called to order at 7:35.

May 1, 2004 cleanup

• The conservancy discussed the first scheduled cleanup at the Hilltop. Spreading the word and trying to solicit volunteers was talked about. John McClellan will handle public relations via local newspapers, TV, etc. Members suggested that local scout troops and high school students were good choices for volunteers. Asking family and friends was another option to get more people on the Hilltop for the cleanup. The group agreed to meet at the Cedar Grove entrance to the reservation on Fairview Ave. The cleanup will last from 9:00am to 12:00pm, although anyone wishing to stay longer is more than welcome. A volunteer will be posted at the meeting spot for those people who show up after 9:00. It was agreed that to cover the most acreage as possible groups would split up and go to different locations on the Hilltop. Trash will be bagged and left on paved roads so a county employee can easily drive around and load the garbage on a truck. The county is providing trash bags and work gloves. The conservancy agreed that the rain date would be the following day Sunday May 2 if we were rained out on May 1. If there is a rain out a telephone chain will be set up to contact members.
• A clean-up committee was formed to assess the Hilltop on April 17th. The group is going to map out areas that have major trash so it can easily be found and bagged. This will also let us know were bulk items (car doors, iron railings, etc.) are located for removal at a future date.

Access to reservation

• This major issue was discussed with much input from members. Several entrances were talked about but none are definite as of yet. This will be an agenda item for future meetings, as more information is made available.

New business/old business

• Family membership dues were discussed and will be voted on at April’s meeting. It was proposed that an individual membership due price would be $20 annually and a family membership would be $35 annually.
• Official elections were held for officers of the Hilltop Conservancy. The following officers were elected: President (David Freschi), Vice President (Geordan Smith), Treasurer (Steven Wysmuller) and Secretary (Brian Glennon).

Hilltop education for members

• Charlie Wilson, Al Kent and Pat Porcaro gave a presentation on trail development on the Hilltop. Using existing trails and abandoned roads can create a good trail system from Verona Community Center to Fairview Ave on the northern end of the Hilltop. Al Kent suggested naming this the Old Hilltop Trail. Side trails and a loop trail were discussed along with keeping some of the paved roads for those who would rather take leisurely walks without having to go on trails. Charlie Wilson explained that we have an opportunity to create an active community environment for our towns. Walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, bird watching and relaxation can all be done on the Hilltop. Pat Porcaro talked about GPS and is going to give a presentation at the April meeting.

Misc

• Anne Stires explained the Montclair Habitat Backyard Fair taking place on May 8 at St. James Church in Montclair. The objective is to get 15% of Montclair household backyards certified by National Wildlife as bird and butterfly friendly. There will be presentations, demonstrations and activities for kids. Anne suggested having a volunteer from the Hilltop Conservancy set up a table and have some information to pass out to spread the word of the conservancy.
• The group discussed creating a logo for the conservancy. Many ideas for coming up with a logo were talked about. This will be an agenda item for April’s meeting to figure out what avenues the conservancy wants to take to come up with a logo.
• The next HC meeting will be held at the Verona Community Center on April 28 from 7:30-9pm.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.

Minutes prepared by Secretary: Brian Glennon