Pictured are Bob Smith, left, and Executive Director Erlene Yentes of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee. The board heard updates from Smith on the progress of the Conklin Bay project. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)
SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee wrapped up its end-of-the-year business and also received an update on the Conklin Bay project at its monthly meeting Monday, Dec. 16.
While it was the last meeting of the year for the committee, it was the first meeting for the new executive director, Erlene Yentes.
Work on the Conklin Bay project has started, committee member Bob Smith said. He discussed costs from Earth Source as well as a bill from Selge Construction, the contractor for the Conklin Bay project. He gave each member a copy of Selge’s November bill.
Due to easements, permits and “some mistakes,” the committee has been billed for the work thus far on the project. Smith objected, however, to costs incurred by errors that need to be fixed by the contractor.
“Why should we pay for their mistakes?” Smith questioned.
Some permits are expected to expire, he said, adding: “Our new permits have been submitted.”
Also discussed was a bog. “There’s been some issues,” noted Smith.
A bog is a wetland that accumulates peat, a deposit of dead plant material. “Our biggest concern is wetlands,” Smith noted.
“Who missed the bog?” questioned Chairman Kay Young, as did other board members.
“I don’t know why the bog was missed,” Smith told Young.
Smith also passed around photos of the work that has been done so far. There is also a gas line issue that was discovered and is being taken care of by NIPSCO.
The boardwalk section is costly. Smith said every 10 feet section is $5,000, therefore this section could be in the $40,000 to $50,000 range.
Smith said “no trespassing” signs need to be put up during the construction phase. Smith did note, “We are in good shape in some areas.”
Yentes gave the old business and new business reports. She said the trails website has been updated. The website also features PayPal for those who want to donate to the trail projects.
She is also working on the trail newsletter. There will be 6,000 people who will receive the newsletters in the mail.
Yentes said the winter 5K warm up run will be Saturday, Jan. 25. Oakwood Resort is hosting the staging area this year.
“We need snacks, volunteers and prizes,” stressed Yentes.
She said Tour des Lakes will be Saturday, July 18. The bike ride starts at 8 a.m.
The board discussed subcommittees and which ones were needed and which ones were not. The most important committee is the development one. This includes raising funds.
“Development is key,” said Smith. “It’s been a great year (for donations).” Maintenance and signage is also a very important. “We need more signs,” said Smith. “New trails are important for all of us.”
A strategic plan is also necessary, he stressed.
Dr. Tom Edington gave the treasurer’s report for November. There was $1,500 in donations and expenses totaled $1,707.46. In addition, there was also an expense of $480,876.99 for Selge Construction, the Niles, Mich., based contractor for the Conklin Bay project.
The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20. For more information, visit www.syracusewawaseetrails.com.
The Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee discussed several topics at its meeting Monday, Dec. 16. Pictured are Erlene Yentes, left, the new executive director, and Dr. Tom Edington, the board’s treasurer. (Photo by Phoebe Muthart)