Those present: George Lewis, Jim Arnold, Tom Anderson, Lynne Marquess, Larry Sharpe, Blanche Sharpe, Keith Schoonover, Tyson Rose, Ginny Brace, Mike Kay

1. Call to Order: Keith called the meeting to order and November’s minutes were approved as written.

2. Treasurer’s Report: Tom noted that we have a balance of $11,646.90 in the Treasury. This includes $5.00 interest. Tom mentioned that the Town of Thurmont had been reimbursed for the MUCFC Grant that they applied for.

3. Logging Site Exams: Mike noted that two plans were submitted. Anybody who wishes to inspect these sites should meet at Gambrill at 8:00 am on Tuesday, December 22, 2009.

4. State Association Meeting: Lynne and Larry were in attendance. Lynne mentioned that about 30 people attended the meeting. Gary Allen from the Sustainable Forestry Commission spoke about the 2009 Sustainable Forestry Act. It appears that each board can receive up to $2,500 in kind grant funds for submitting a budget to the Forestry Board Foundation. The details of an additional grant are being worked out. This grant does not require matching funds on behalf of the boards. So far, there have been no candidates stepping forward for the Chair of the State Association. Lynne mentioned that Mel Noland is more than ready to step down from this position. Lynne also mentioned that the Boards need to recruit younger members.

5. Signage: Ginny received some bids from Minute Man Press for signage. Ginny would like to receive ½ dozen tree sign templates from Mike then she will have signs made up that she can erect in Waterford Park to see how durable they will be over winter. Mike mentioned that he will submit these templates ASAP.

6. NRCC: Lynne mentioned that the Treasurer for the NRCC did an analysis of the actual cost to send a student to camp and determined that it was around $500, much more than the present $300 cost levied per student. Lynne believes that the committee may vote to raise tuition to cover these costs. Lynne mentioned that she and Larry will be attending a committee meeting on Wednesday so she will have more information to share. Lynne mentioned that there is a real push to come up with 48 students this year. Larry mentioned that members should make individual trips to assigned schools like we did in the past to promote the program.

7. Nature Notes: Ginny mentioned that she is receiving enough articles to keep the column going this winter. However, she asked members to submit any columns that they could; along with ideas for columns. Ginny has been trying to solicit articles from the Frederick County Ornithological Society but has been unsuccessful.

8. Web Site: Tyson mentioned that he is making weekly updates to keep the website current. Like Ginny, Tyson is always looking for content.

9. Hemlock Restoration Program: Mike indicated that a sub-Committee of the Catoctin Forest Alliance met for a morning meeting to discuss this initiative. So far we have identified all of the landowners who own land in recognized hemlock zones. Mike will draft a letter to these individuals requesting permission to enter their property for the purpose of doing an analysis of the stand. Once we have this information we can prescribe treatments. Larry Maxim is working with Cunningham Falls to replant evergreens underneath an 18 acre hemlock grove at the park. Mike suspects this will be part of a public planting that will occur during the spring of 2010.

10. Residential Reforestation Program: The committee met to brainstorm ideas to target residential lot owners for reforestation and we generated a lot of good ideas regarding how to provide expertise, funding sources, and training programs. The committee is scheduled to meet on Friday, December 18, to further our discussions. At this meeting we hope to plan a training session. Mike asked the board if they would be interested participating in, and funding this training and members indicated that they would be.

11. Big Tree Program: Lynne received a request from a Montgomery County Park Dept. employee to measure a sycamore tree in the Woodville area of the county. Lynne directed that person to our web site and indicated that we can provide measuring equipment if the person receives permission from the landowner. Ginny distributed a copy of an article on Big Trees that ran in the Washington Post.

12. Other Business: Lynne mentioned that an article ran in the Cross Cut that mentioned legislation that would be more restrictive regarding drift from spray operations making it easier for neighbors to seek litigation if drift occurs on their property.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Thanks for all you do in the name of Forestry in Frederick County! Let’s hope for a Great 2010. Cheers!