(Paper Mill in Person + Zoom meeting)
Attendees:
In Person: Brian Herbert (Vice President), Brian Vant-Hull, Kenny & Joyce Foldvary, Jamie Hall, Susan, Jim Donovan, Paul Voight,
Online: Ron & Andrea Traudt, Rolan, Griffin, Billy Diomis, Tom McCormick, Shani, anonymous iphone,
Opening
Wayne Neckles, HVFF President, is recovering from Covid. Brian Herbert, HVFF Vice President, ran the meeting in his place.
Treasurer’s Report:
Amounts in Checking and Savings account today are not entirely meaningful given movements between Savings→Checking→Refunds in flight as donations get returned.
As of Saturday night, 4/27/24:
- Checking account had $7,220.79 before land purchase project began. Now, checking account has $13,423.51
- Savings account now has $52,909.71. $32,041 of that is a liability, in that it is all donation money that may have to be returned. (We know some may be gifted to the club for either “general purpose” or for another “land purchase”.)
So far:
- Paul Voight (Treasurer) has refunded $198,454
- 120 people remaining to be refunded (of 331 total donors)
- $11,800 Ellenville donations were officially repurposed by donors to the general fund
- $4,800 Ellenville donations were officially repurposed by donors to the land purchase fund
In future:
- All operating money (old funds + new general fund donations from donors) will be kept in the checking account
- All land purchase funds will be kept in the in the savings account
- Floated idea of investing donations in CDs so money grows
Hosner Mountain
Brian H read out loud Wayne’s message: “I’ve been working on getting permission to land at the Jackson Family Farm which is at the foot of the launch. On 4-10-24 I had a 1/2 hour meeting with Kevin Jackson of the family farm. It went well for a starter and he told me they had just purchased some additional lands that might be suitable for what we need. We googled it and I think it would work as well. The next step is to have a meeting with the elders of the Jackson family, which I’ll plan as soon as I’m back in the game.”
Shani wanted to know who owns the launch. Post meeting Wayne clarified it is owned by the Appalachian trail. The easiest access to launch is via Duada family property. As long as pilots don’t get disruptive (in the past, there were loud parties happening), the Duada family would be supportive of letting pilots use their property for access.
Overlook Woodstock
Brian H read out loud Wayne’s message: “In May I’d like to plan a hike back up to the old Overlook launch. The last time I was up there 4 years ago. We could not find the old launch site. Marcus Santos has flown it in the past and can pinpoint it so we can survey the status of that site and what kind of work would be needed to make it launchable.”
Reconnaissance hike in Woodstock to come.
Pursuing new sites generally:
Griffin mentioned he is interested in helping, but doesn’t want to contact landowners independently if Wayne already in contact. “Too many cooks in kitchen” notion.
Shani mentioned she asked Wayne to create a primer on pursuing new sites. Brian H suggested Griffin let Wayne know that he wants to help so that there’s a coordinated effort
Ellenville Maintenance – Kenny spoke with Tony
Brian Herbert thinks it’s in our interest to mow the site.
Kenny update:
- Tony in process of getting new mower and repairing old mower
- Tony did say he’ll step up
- Kenny told him he would still help him. Won’t have 8-10 hours every week like did in past. Mowing is 8+ hours, and then after every mow, a belt would go and need repair
- Thinks if 3 people mow, it’s more doable
Nomination for Civic Award:
Kenny reported that pilot John Morse lives in Albany, comes down by public transport to clean up the roads outside the Ellenville Flight Park.
As a gesture for the town of Ellenville, Kenny cleaned up Route 209 Earth day this year, Route 52 another year; packed 12 bags of garbage this year. Kenny will take to dumpster
Kenny wants to nominate him for some kind of club award or reimbursing him for bus/train fare.