Hilltop Conservancy, Inc.
General Meeting
April 25th, 2007
Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:40 pm.

Meeting Location: Verona Park Boathouse Attendees: Anne S , President; Deborah J , Vice President; Geordie S , Past Vice President; Ron G, Dennis G, and Al K.

Historic Information

-Al K came to give us a box of historical information about trails in Cedar Grove, especially near the reservoir /Mills Reservation. He left the meeting after this business was accomplished.

Idea for Signage

-Ron G copied text from a sign marking the entrance to a Hudson River hiking trail. It reads as follows:

NOTICE

This land is open for public enjoyment.
It is owned by the Scenic Hudson Land Trust.
Please help us protect this land.
DO NOT LITTER
CARRY OUT WHAT YOU CARRY IN
Do not remove or destroy plants, wildlife or historic artifacts.

The Scenic Hudson Land Trust, Inc.
9 Vassar Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 473-4440
Fax: (845) 473-2648.
Web address:ScenicHudson3.org

Ron said the signs are inexpensive and made of a water proofed cardboard, are about 8” x 11” and are affixed to utility pools about 7 feet off the ground.

Aerial Photos

-Dennis G wants to post aerial photos... Anne S will ask John M , who took the photographs, and if it is agreeable with him, will send Dennis the discs. Anne displayed the new aerial photos – all were impressed!

Events

Dennis found an advert for our 'About Honeybees' event in Montclair Magazine. It contained word for word The Conservancy’s text from the online calendar.

All members list

Dennis will check 'all members' mechanics to make sure Deborah J and Geordie S are not excluded.

New Member Packet

- Deborah J made a large post card prototype that could be used as both an inexpensive and thoughtful mailer. She brought a few to the Essex County Environmental Center event on April 21 – Earth Day - and several people were drawn in and picked it up. It currently has a box turtle on the front and watermark map on the reverse. Geordie suggested that the map be the front and that the material used be solid enough to be reusable. Everyone liked the idea! Deborah will rework idea/prototype. Language is needed for message side.

Hilltop Brochure

-Geordie S will post brochures near entrances. All agreed cover language change from “To our fellow nature lovers in The Caldwells, Cedar Grove and Verona’” to To our fellow nature lovers in Essex County’ is a good idea.

Reports

Forest Avenue School hike Trails maintenance Clean up Day ECEC participation on Earth Day Hilltop walk with Jan Z , Deborah J , and Anne S . Jan suggested Dr. Steven H might be interested in ‘Hilltop’ for projects undertaken by his group – Center for Urban Restoration Ecology, www.I-cure.org - which specializes in restoration and/or preservation of land in areas heavily dominated by human activity.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Minutes prepared by the Secretary

Please note: These minutes have not been approved, They are made provided here in an effort to make them available in a timely manner. If you have any corrections, please send them to the Secretary as soon as possible.

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