MHTU Board of Directors Meeting Minutes -

 MHTU BOD MTG 11/5/24 REV2

 Attendees: Dan Swart, Clark Angevine, Pat Crisci, Steve Dolce, Mark Jones, Bill Rooney, April Stark, Bill Soja, Kevin Miller, Dave Barletta, Mike Matts

Meeting called to order at 6 pm.

 P Crisci motioned to accept OCT BOD minutes. Clark Anevine seconded. Minutes accepted.

 COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Youth Outreach: K MILLER, A STARK

●      K Miller seeking youth campers for various summer camps in 2025 e.g. BOJC, TU Camp, NYS DEC Camps.  Contact Kevin Miller for more information about specific camps. Kevin’s email is Milllwoodbuilders@aol.com

 Conservation: M MATTS, BILL ROONEY, ANDREW PELLETIER

●      Stream Cleanup on Wappinger Creek on 11/9 – meet at 9am at Greenvale Park New Hackensack Rd.Poughkeepsie.  Volunteers will clean the stream in the park and clean up in Pleasant Valley Rt 44 near the hot dog stand.  Mike Matts team leader.  Email michael.j.matts@gmail,com

●      Ten Mile River Watershed Mgmt Plan Update - At the October 10 meeting NYS DEC shared data re Ten Mile River and Wells Brook.  Mike Matts notes that water temps in Wells and Stone Church Brook (tribs of Ten Mile RIver) were low to mid 60 degrees V. 70+ degrees in main stem Ten Mile River.  DEC data also confirmed presence of Brook Trout in Wells Brook. Data was collected in July and August 2024.  HVA is interested in partnering with MHTU on a future stream improvement project in the TMR watershed.

 Chapter Outings: Clark Angevine/Mark Jones

●      Planning for 2025 is underway. At a future BOD meeting Clark and Mark will present a draft chapter outings for the year. Some ideas were suggested – Neversink R., Penns Creek, Salmon River, saltwater – striper fishing. 

 Stewardship Dinner: Pat Crisci

●      Dinner netted $5856.61 (this is $100 more than reported at the 11/5 board meeting due to  a credit from Coppola’s for the deposit made when we booked the event).

●      Dinner committee will reconvene in early 2025.

 Membership: Dan, Dave

●      Dan reports we now have 288 members based on TU national reports.

 Treasurer Report: Bob (P Crisci covering)

●      pCrisci reports chkng acct balance is 10,834.42; CDs = $34,655.15

●      request to transfer 5k from checking to CD was tabled.  Per board request pCrisci will follow up with bob Meyen re

○      number of CDs and their terms

○      funding for MHTU scholarship

○      2025 budget

 MHTU SCHOLARSHIP

○      MMatts presented a plan for an annual scholarship for Dutchess County public HS senior pursuing studies  in environmental science/ecology. Scholarship proposal was approved. Amount of scholarship to be determined – between $100 - $1000.

Note from Mike: “it’s only one scholarship per year at this point, and possible fields are not limited to environmental science only.”

 “DONATE” to MHTU

●      Mike M and Bill Rooney are working to enable MHTU to accept online credit card donations via a “DONATE” button on theMHTU web page using a 3rd party service such as Venmo, Paypal, etc.

 MHTU ELECTIONS

●      Dswart reported that there is one board vacancy in 2025. There are no vacancies for elected positions.  All incumbents are returning.

 MEETING PROGRAMS

●      pCrisci discussed

○      Nov 18 7pm MHTU Town Hall  – open forum for dialog among members and prospective members. Promote understanding of recent accomplishments, our mission and goals.  Member expectations, etc. An opportunity to meet and mingle.

 ○      Dec 16  7pm Eat, Drink, & Be Ugly!  Mid Hudson Trout Unlimited Holiday Gathering and "Ugly Coachman Contest" Monday December 16. ENTER the "Ugly Coachman" fly contest. No entry fee! Everyone who enters the contest will receive a free raffle ticket Prize for the “ugliest” Coachman.  ONE ENTRY PER PERSON. All entries must be a variation of the traditional ROYAL COACHMAN fly with a red and green color scheme. Streamer, nymph/wet, or dry fly – all are eligible. Board approved expense of $250 for refreshments at this event.

 ○      JAN 20 2025 - Region 3 Inland Trout FIsheries Update - Bob Adams NYS to be confirmed.

 NEW BUSINESS

●      DSwart discussed The Wappinger Creek Derby.  MHTU has been invited to participate on April 26 in a canoe race on Wappinger Creek.  Dan will follow up with the event  organizers to see what they are asking MHTU to do/how/if we might participate.

●      pCrisci discussed Ketcham Park Fly Fishing Event 3/29/25 - Dutchess Land Conservancy and the Town of Dover invited MHTU to participate. Pcrisci will attend Nov. 19 meeting w/ partner organizations DLC, Dutchess Soil & Water, HVA to discuss the event.  Event is to promote awareness of recreational opportunities and fishing access on Ten Mile River in Dover.

●      FLY TYING AT PLAN BEE FARM BREWERY – March 1 or 8.  Date TBD - PCrisci.

 Meeting adjourned at 8pm

 Minutes submitted by Pat Crisci