November Duncannon A.T. Community Committee Meeting Minutes

Nov. 14th ~ Attendees:

Fred Lauster, Borough Council/Parks & Rec Board
Jerry Bell, Borough Council/Parks & Rec Board
Jack Conrad, Borough Council/Parks & Rec Board
Mary “trailangelmary” Parry, Lead Volunteer
Paul Smith, Entertainment Chairperson
Jason Finnerty, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission/Perry County Planner
Kim McKee, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Mike O’Connor, Mountain Club of Maryland
Barb Van Horn, Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club
Rob Shaw, Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club
Susan Norris, Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club/Graphics Chairperson
Pat Woods, Susquenita Middle School
Paul Marth, Susquenita Middle School
Malissa Hoover, Susquenita Elementary School
Luke, Susquenita High School (Senior Project)
David Snyder, Appalachian Music Conservancy
Annie Lieby, Outdoor Photographer
Jim Renner, Penn Township Parks & Rec
Linda Britcher, Business Owner
Deb Takach, Resident and Storyteller
Jim McNulty, Susquehanna River Trail Association
Bruce Bishop, Susquehanna River Trail Association

Committee Members/Participating Organization Reps that couldn’t make it:  Matt Smith, Fundraising Chairperson; Bob Peiffer, PR/Advertising Chairperson; Linda Sieber, Sherman’s Creek Watershed Association; Gwen Lehmann, PA Audubon

Minutes:

Introductions and congratulations to the Committee on Duncannon’s application having been approved!  Going forward we will need a volunteer to do a write-up and pick photos/images for Duncannon’s page on the A.T. Communities section of the ATC web site.  For examples click on the communities listed on this page: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/what-we-do/community-engagement

The Borough can also start planning for two 18" x 24" A.T. Community signs (see image at top right of blog) that will accompany the designation to be placed at community gateways or other preferred locations.

Mountain Club of Maryland (MCM) Rep Mike O’Connor let us know that the A.T. panel for the Susquehanna Greenway River Towns kiosk is currently undergoing final design and then will be sent to fabrication.  MCM is funding and coordinating this effort.

Councilman Jack Conrad updated the group on the Apple Tree Alleywalk project.  The Borough has voted to move forward with a site design for the first phase of the project – starting in the section adjacent to Clark’s Ferry Tavern. 

Susquenita Middle School teacher Paul Marth announced that the Middle School Art Teacher has already received several submissions from all four grades for the Post Card Art Contest.  The winner from each grade will be announced at the designation event and the post cards distributed to area businesses.  Mary will be coordinating donated prizes for the winners.

See all planning updates for the designation event on the A.T. Community Planning page of this blog.

Action Items:

• Borough can start planning for placement of two 18 x 24" full color aluminum street signs
• Volunteer needed to produce content for Duncannon page on ATC's A.T. Community web site
• All should fill out their event participation confirmation forms and return to Mary by January 10th or let her know when she will be receiving it if after that date.  If you need participation forms for additional organizations you'd like to reach out to, contact Mary. 
• Malissa Hoover will check into the possibility of screening the Nat. Geo. Appalachian Trail film at the School the Friday before the event.
• Insurance - Kim McKee will get answer on NPS insurance coverage - Mary(?) will explore other options for the event.
• Susan Norris has (wonderfully) volunteered to head up the Graphics Committee - additional volunteers needed to serve on this committee and start helping with graphics, fliers & signage
• Jason Finnerty will start putting together an event map in GIS outlining activity and event locations for use in meetings, on the web site, during the event
• Volunteer needed to head the Logistics subcommittee and to coordinate and delegate responsibilities
• Budget team will meet over the next few weeks to make sure the budget and fundraising targets line up once cost estimates are nailed down.
• Kim McKee will start organizing volunteer workday with NSRR Enola Yard employees