Mount Utsayantha - Mt Utsayantha Project Meetings

Mount Utsayantha Project Meetings

June 21, 2004

In attendance were Helen Budrock, Jim Kopp, Marty Podskotch, Kevin Prior, Joan Hinman, and Sean Lynch.

Construction Committee

As reported earlier, the work weekend was a big success and many thanks to everyone who participated. Jim Kopp reported that he has located a company in Texas that produces the stamped metal “Kortright shingles” currently on the observation building. Because the cost of steel has increased dramatically over the past few months, the cost of materials alone for the roof will run about $3,000 to $4,000 which is comparable with a standing seam metal roof (the other alternative discussed). It was suggested that we look at the Bonacic grant dollars remaining and perhaps order the shingles now before the price goes up again. Jim suggested that the next phase of work be removing and rebuilding the observation deck on top of the building, and working our way down. The next phase would be rebuilding the dormers as needed, followed by replacing the roof. Jim will work up some numbers for materials and labor to rebuild the observation deck and will coordinate with Kevin Prior to do the work sometime in July.

Helen also provided a brief update on the fire tower. Paul Trotta of the DEC forwarded a copy of a “stewardship agreement” drafted by the department and already signed by Mayor Bray that essentially says that the DEC no longer needs the tower, that the Village is willing to buy it for a dollar, and that the Village will restore the tower and consult with the Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation before beginning work. Once this piece of paper is signed by Peter Innes over at the Region 4 office, a closing will be scheduled and the transaction will officially take place (Paul: Don’t forget you offered to pony up the dollar!!!). So, bottom line is we are hitting the home stretch. Kevin Prior and Marty Podskotch had arranged a work weekend for July 17 & 18 to work on the tower, so hopefully things will be settled by then.

Fundraising Committee

Helen reported that the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation has looked favorably on the Village’s request and has committed up to $100,000 toward the project, which needs to be matched on a 2:1 basis through other grants and in-kind donations of material and labor by volunteers. This means we need to raise a total of $50,000 in matching cash and in-kind contributions in order to be able to access these funds. With the O’Connor challenge grant and the Bonacic member item, we are already $15,000 toward that goal.

In addition, Helen reported that she is working on a state parks & recreation grant with lots of help from Peter Manning from the Dept. of State that is due June 30th. That request will be roughly $25,000 or so and will be for the park elements and entry drive overlooks. Helen will also be working on a request to the NYS Council on the Humanities for a small grant to hire exhibit designer Linda Norris to do an exhibit design plan for the site and observation building.

Finally, Helen reported on the progress of using the alumni mailing list from the Stamford Central School as a fundraising tool. Waylen sent Dave the database, and after some manipulation, Dave discovered that there are approximately 1300 alumni who currently live in New York State, and of them, 77 are still in Stamford. It was suggested that we put together a bulk mailing to the 1300 in New York and see what happens. We will use our next meeting in July to label and stuff envelopes for the mailing, and Helen will check with Waylen on the feasibility of obtaining a bulk mail permit for this purpose. It was also suggested that Helen follow up with Decker Advertisting, who publishes the County Shopper to find out about the cost involved in doing an insert to raise awareness.

Outreach & Education

Waylen recently gave up a whole day to talk to the vast majority of 6th through 12th graders at the Stamford school about the project. In addition, on June 2nd a small group met with Linda Norris (exhibit designer) and took her to the site so she could get a feel for the building, etc. Linda will work with Helen on putting together a request to the NYS Council on the Humanities to go out sometime in July.

Additional tasks to follow up on for our next meeting: Kevin Prior agreed to do some research and get cost estimates on installing one or more security cameras on the site, perhaps utilizing the County Sherriff’s tower. Helen will do a press release for Waylen’s review on the Robinson-Broadhurst grant, and she will also follow up with Paul Trotta and Rick Dearstyne at the DEC about arranging a site visit to the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower so Jim Kopp and Kevin Prior can take a look at the steel shutters they fabricated to protect their cabin from vandals.

Our next meeting will take place on Monday, July 19th at 7pm at the Village Hall. Please remember to mark the date on your calendars and I will see you then!

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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