Meeting called to order at 7:30pm.

Treasurer Theresa updated the group on progress regarding the Reservation's western entrance at Courter Lane:

• Need to retain a main entrance on the western side because of its popularity with visitors and easy grade, and ensure that there is a wheel-friendly route from the western entrance through the Reservation that re-connects to the central loop road
• September 20th meeting held at ECIA office of Jim Paganelli, Director
• Main entrance to remain at end of Courter Lane; gate that was broken during expansion of North Caldwell parking lot will be replaced
• September 29th meeting scheduled with Phil LiVecchi, Director, County DPW:
• Most of the alternatives to using Sanatorium Road (a section of which will be eliminated as part of North Caldwell's development plans) traverse delineated wetlands, and would involve DEP application and permits to upgrade
• The Conservancy will continue to follow up with the County to define a new western route and an overall implementation plan

Vice President Geordie spoke on upcoming Reservation events:

• Fall hike tentatively scheduled for a Saturday morning, Oct 28th or Nov 4th – Geordie will lead?
• Brownie walk scheduled for Oct 7th @ 9am – Ken Bogert will lead
• Trail development day scheduled for Saturday Oct 14 @ 9am – Geordie will lead
• Meadow dedication event scheduled for Friday Oct 20th @ 2pm – Theresa is coordinating with the County; all members, interested parties and anyone else are invited to demonstrate local support for the Hilltop Reservation

Next, Dave, Conservancy member and birding expert, Director of Field Work for the Bergen County Audubon Society and President of the Garden State Audubon Council was introduced. Dave gave a slide presentation on migratory and year-round resident birds of the area, and commented on various species' habits and their identification:

• Additional copies of the Conservancy's birding checklist were distributed
• Planned development for the western side will have a significant impact on bird observations, due to both habitat elimination and disruption from construction activity
• Dave is now working with Essex County's Environmental Center (located in Roseland) to lead periodic bird hikes in the local area:
• Most often these hikes will be held in Hatfield Swamp / West Essex Park; wear shoes suitable for slogging through the wetter areas
• Birding hike scheduled in the Hilltop Thursday, Oct 5th, starting @ 8:15am, from the parking lot behind the Mountain Avenue ballfield and lasting about two hours
• This Hilltop-specific hike is being sponsored by NJ Audubon Society; bring $6 cash if you're already an NJAS member, or $8 if you're not

Member Charlie spoke about the Conservancy supporting a resolution to ban ATVs and other off-road vehicles from all state and local park trails. Rules prohibiting motorized vehicles on these trails already exist, but enforcement is lax. Charlie is concerned that unless an outright ban is put in place, sooner or later the pro-ATV forces will get their way and be allowed onto public lands, further destroying habitat, disrupting wildlife, and in general ruining the outdoor experience for hikers and others who both enjoy nature and respect the environment.