ROARING CREEK VALLEY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

Minutes of June 17, 2010 Monthly Meeting

Kristen Vitkauskas at 7:00 pm around the campfire and was kicked off with roasting hotdogs, a visit to the corncrib and a brief history of the property provided to the Zackowski’s by the former property owner’s family.

The secretary’s report was read for the April meeting; there were no additions or corrections. A meeting was not officially conducted in May due to a lack of quorum of officers.

The treasurer’s report showed a balance of $5672.47.

A report on the completed stream bank stabilization project on Roaring Creek’s South Branch was given by Ralph Evans. This project was finished in four days in May.

Hellbender Chairman Dan Brassington provided an update on the upcoming half marathon and 5K race.  The event is being advertised in various publications.  The group was asked to continue to seek sponsors and door prizes.  Race needs include food, volunteers along the course to provide water to the participants and bicycle riders to help monitor the race.

Kristen Vitkauskas provided an update on the Raingarden project at the Southern School District campus.  A suitable location needs to be identified as well as plant placement, signage and participants.

Another project that was suggested for the group is a pharmaceutical awareness program to collect unused medications. This would serve to heighten understanding of dealing with the disposal of medications that are no longer needed.

A motion was made by Dan Brassington to pay $325 for the Association’s annual liability insurance premium. The motion passed.

The Association has been provided with four sites to perform bacteria monitoring.  The locations are along the main and South branches of Roaring Creek.  No decision was reached to perform this monitoring, but considerable interest was demonstrated by the membership

The Association’s July meeting will be a picnic at the McWilliams Reservoir in the Weiser State Forest, Roaring Creek Tract.  Participants will be able to meet at either the Route 42 or Route 54 gate at 6:00 pm.  Vickie Zackowski made a motion to for the Association to provide the entre at a cost not to exceed $50.  The motion passed.  Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish, table settings and to bring their own non-alcoholic beverage.

Kristen Vitkauskas noted the Association has a need to back up our electronic files and suggested the purchase of a USB of adequate size to perform this function. Vickie Zackowski moved that the Association purchase a USB at a cost not to exceed $100.  The motion passed. It was noted that sites are available on the internet that can provide this service as well.

Discussion turned to the use of a website such as Facebook to help the Association to become known and as a communication tool.

Stream monitoring (as was performed in the fall, 2007) was discussed.  These are visual assessments.  It was noted that a project such as this needs to have specific goals and the Association would need to establish a committee to lead this project.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.

Wayne Kashner

Secretary