Meeting Minutes

January 24, 2006
Meeting called to order by Art Beveridge and the group was led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The agenda was adopted as is.

Adoption of November minutes as amended.

Treasurer’s Report - $2,395.39 in bank account, $72.00 petty cash to be deposited. $50.00 check to Osceola Mills Post Office for new post office box and keys.

Old Business:
Grant Status: Jen D. reported that she’s still working on Trout Run; an extension was filed through March 2006 for the assessment restoration plan. It’s about 75% done. We have $800 of equipment money left from Chesapeake Bay. Growing Greener we have $114 in equipment and potentially $1380 for equipment. We also have $1200 for samples from Growing Greener.

Discussed were the purchase of a projector and money to cover water sampling, and possibly the purchase of another billboard, and other equipment.

Carl motioned for the purchase of a projector and Michael Malicki seconded the motion. The purchase was approved for the purchase of a computer projector.

The $1380 needs to be spent by March 30, 2006. Jen will check back with our advisors to see if purchasing another billboard could be possible.

Jen has a plan for the areas near Rt. 970. John Foreman did get her the re-mining plan. John talked about the remaining possibilities and possible treatment option for Trout Run, Bear Run. There is 9 million recoverable tons of coal in that reserve; overall ratio, an acceptable 18:1. So there’s clear interest from his discussions with George Cowfer that there are several companies that have approached him about the possibility of permitting to mine that reserve.

Blue Pipe Discharge: No new news. Art explained to new members what the Blue Pipe was.

New Business:
DEP meeting in Williamsport: Jen, Art and Michelle went. It was about the grants and how to do the paperwork, etc.

AMD Education Topics: John Foreman educated the group on several topics, ratios, etc.

Town Meeting: Art is to set a date to get people involved with upper Moshannon Creek. Will try to get Ned Weston to speak – he is not available in February. Possibly the week of March 12 at either the Osceola or Houtzdale Fire Hall.

Grants Received: For the 4 grants, Jen will work with Dave Gustkey and Art Beveridge to get paperwork, reimbursement, accounts, etc. set up.

Discussed also was to aim for summer months for weir installs using Houtzdale prisoners to build the weirs. Carl to help with instructions.

Future Grants: 3 to Chesapeake Bay. Jen to convert to implementation plan to get federal dollars.

2 grants for Trout Run for 4 discharges, 1 possibly for Moshannon Creek headwaters.

Need 15% match for Growing Greener grants.

Need to keep track of time spent on projects – every volunteer.

Discussed was a need for a fundraiser person for corporate donations, projects, etc.

Landfill on 153: Carl was asked to partner with for harms/benefits. Carl cannot get involved. Jen is against the landfill as well.

Discussed also of the need to send a letter to Resource Recovery notifying them of our change of address as well as other sources.

New Memberships: Rob Cotter

Next Meeting: Art cannot attend. Michael Malicki will run meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.