Mount Utsayantha - Mt Utsayantha Project Meetings

Mount Utsayantha Project Meetings

February 23, 2004

Thanks again to everyone who attended the meeting last night – although it is tough to get things done on the project during the winter months, I think we are making slow and steady progress toward our goals. The following is a brief summary of what was discussed last night:

Construction Committee: Like everyone else, we are simply waiting for Spring before we can make some real progress on the observation building and fire tower. Marty Podskotch and Walt Keller emphasized the importance of putting some pressure on the DEC to surplus the tower, since everything hinges on that. The group decided to reserve the weekend of June 5th/6th for a volunteer work day on top of the mountain. Helen and/or Waylen will get in touch with Paul Trotta of the DEC to inform him of the date and check on the progress of the Village’s request. Marty also informed the group that the Hadley Mountain Fire Tower group based in Delhi would be dissolving because their project fell through, but they had decided to give their remaining money (around $1,000) to the Utsayantha project to be used for restoration of the fire tower.

Fundraising Committee: There were no members of the fundraising committee in attendance to report on what was discussed at their meeting, but Dave Turan gave Helen a draft fundraising brochure that he developed to distribute to the group in his absence. The brochure was well received, and Helen indicated she would check on the cost of printing up a few hundred to start. A question was raised regarding paper sleeves to put around the donation cans, and Helen will check with Dave on that. Waylen agreed to check on the tax deductibility issue since donations will be going directly to the Village. In addition, Waylen reported that a grant request of $100,000 to the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation for the observation building was submitted back in December, and we should hear something by about May or June regarding their decision. In the meantime, Helen reported that the O’Connor Foundation was favorable to the project and expressed an interest in entertaining an under $5,000 “challenge grant” that would match funds raised locally for the project. The group decided to proceed with filing an application to the O’Connor Foundation by their March 1st deadline. Helen will also look into the availability of grant funds from the NYS Council on the Humanities for the interpretive signs/kiosks.

Interpretation and Outreach Committee: Don Dales and Dick Hinman had some discussions since the last meeting regarding the signage, and summarized for the group the basic needs for transitional, directional and interpretive signs. They are going to wait until the Spring to do a site visit to the mountain before doing a detailed inventory of proposed signs and locations. In the meantime, Don and Dick will be gathering additional information on kiosk styles from around the area, and will get in contact with the SUNY Oneonta museum program about possible assistance from student interns in developing content. Helen then unveiled a Power Point presentation she developed for the committee to use as an outreach mechanism to community groups and organizations (see attached PDF file). With some minor changes, the presentation was well received and a copy was given to Waylen on CD for the Village’s use and reproduction. Waylen indicated that the church had a lap top and projector that anyone could use to do a presentation to a local group. Don Dales offered to give a presentation to the Hobart Civic Association and the Hobart Rotary next month. Jim Kopp offered to do the Stamford Rotary in March, and Dick Hinman offered to do the Stamford Historic Society at their April meeting. Waylen agreed to do the Chamber of Commerce meeting at the end of March, and will also follow up with the local schools. Helen suggested that the fundraising brochures be printed up ASAP so that presenters would have them to distribute when they address a group.

The meeting concluded with agreement that we should meet again sometime in April (tentatively after Easter on Monday, April 19th).

Until next time,
Helen Budrock

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Any who are interested in helping should contact the mayor by calling his home at 607.652.7978 or Village Hall 607.652.6671.

Mail can be addressed to:
Village of Stamford
Mountaintop
PO Box 68
Stamford, NY 12167