Meeting Minutes

June 28, 2005
Meeting called to order at 7:05 PM by Art Beveridge and the group was led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Two months of minutes needed approval. April was approved. May approved as amended: Paragraph 12 – XXX changed to Susie O’Brien, and some typographical errors.

Jennifer Chilcote gave the Treasure’s Report. The current bank balance is $2385.39. There were 3 new memberships and the members have been divided into different categories as follows:

• Individual 14
• Family 5
• Group 3
• Lifetime 3

Art Beveridge said that we would accept new memberships at this time for one month only based on the motion from the previous month’s meeting. Ten dollars collected from new member, Traci Watson.

Sean motioned that any memberships incurred 2 months subsequent to the end of the fiscal year (June 30 to July 1), the membership fee covers those 2 months and the current fiscal year. Mike Malicki seconded the motion. Motion was carried.

Donna Carnahan discussed our Growing Greener Grant, which ends at the end of the month. She’s been working with Sean and Jen. She indicated that not all of the data would be in, but all of the invoicing will be done by the end of June. Also discussed was the fact that there was over $1,000 leftover from the grant and suggested that we maybe give donations to the places where we had to have meetings. The group discussed using the money to pay for our website and website hosting. A raise of hands showed that we would use the money for the website and website hosting. Sean will have the invoice for the website, website hosting sent to MCWC.

Sean let the group know that Jen would like a sampling date in July and the sampling date was set for the weekend of July 22 (24).

Mike Malicki had news on the MCWC sign. He received a quote of $1,040 from JR Saupp of Saupp Signs to do all of the work. The artwork and signage size of 12’ x 6’, and placement was approved, however it was noted that one logo (Chesapeake Bay) still had not been received and the question whether there was a guarantee on the sign. Mike was going to check on that. David Gustkey asked about regulations about placement of sign. Art spoke with PennDot and their only stipulation was that it has to be 16 feet from the center of the roadway. Art contacted Rush Township and there are no signage ordinances along Route 970. Steve Sidorick, the property owner where the sign will be placed gave permission to erect our sign.

Jennifer Chilcote spoke about the trash cleanup. She called Gladys, the Morris Township Secretary, and again offered our assistance. They said they’re looking at a site on Troy Hill and they have to use the $1,000 by the end of August. Jennifer told her to let us know if they wanted us to help them out. If they contact us, we’ll see if we can organize some help.

Sean brought up the subject of the landfill and that he thought that we should send a letter thanking them for the donation of $2,000. Also, we discussed the interchange issue, what we want to do if they don’t put in the interchange and use local roads. Sean suggested we write a letter to them that if they are seriously going to move forward using other roads, that we are in opposition and we’d like to have a discussion. It was agreed that a letter would be appropriate. Sean was asked to compose such letter and email it to the group for approval.

Art brought up the July 21 landfill tour led by the Centre County Solid Waste Authority, that there is still room for others if they wish to attend and gave contact information.

Donna Carnahan discusses the Cold Water Heritage Grant ($5,000) – The Cold Water Heritage is a partnership between the Fish Commission, PA Trout, DCNR and Western Pennsylvania Watershed Protection Program – who want to protect our high quality streams, which have a natural producing trout population. The idea of the grant is to get information from the public and to educate the public on how important it is to conserve the specific watershed, address any concerns the public might have for the protection of the watershed. Most of the grant money was used for a 12-week salary for water sampling, etc. for interns to complete this project while gaining experience in this field.

No plans to make a presence at Heritage Days.

Art summarized 2 letters to the group. One was for information about Susie O’Brien, and one was a newspaper clipping from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette in regards to a landfill for our scrapbook file. Art also discussed a Mine Water Technology Conference being held in Pittsburgh August 16 – 18. The cost is $300 if there’s any interest. Donna added that there is a special workshop the day before on how passive treatments are designed, which is free and limited to 50 people. There are limited scholarships for one member of each watershed groups.

A letter addressed to Art from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation was read regarding their review of our proposals for support of an acid mine drainage assessment on the headwaters of Moshannon creek, abandoned mine drainage project on Trout Run (TR-24), abandoned mine drainage on Trout Run (TR23) – they cannot offer assistance at this time.

Art shared with the group the letter that came with the policy for the Directors & Officers Liability. It was added that we should check the policy to make sure it is what it’s supposed to be.

Jennifer Chilcote brought up that we gave Susie O’Brien and honorary membership to MCWC, it was decided that a new category “Honorary” would be added to the members list.

Election of Officers:
Art Beveridge, President (ran unopposed)
Traci Watson, Secretary (nominated by Mike Malicki)
Mike Malicki, President Elect (nominated by David Gustkey)
Dave Cowfer, Board of Directors (nominated by Carl & Sean)
Dave Gustkey, Treasurer (nominated by Art in May 05)

After the election, Sean recommends that the bank account and insurance needs to be changed – a new signature card for the bank account, and names on the insurance.

Jennifer to get treasurer records to David Gustkey.

Traci Watson will get with Art to organize MCWC files. It was discussed that we might want to get a 2-drawer filing cabinet for our files and leave at the Rush Township building.