Meeting Notes: 1/14/14

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RNA Meeting 1/14/14

CALL TO ORDER

Greg Basralian

Allen Briggs

Nicole Caldwell

Fran Farren

Katie Hunter

Rick Lopez

Kevin Nelson

Kathy Nelson

Laurie Petersen

Treasurer's Report: $630

Open/Public Comments

Fran Farren Reporting:

A survey came in from the Township ofAlexandria regarding our opinions on quality of life and more. RNA should answer and attach letter to survey for consideration by town. What is our #1 industry? Tourism because of the St. Lawrence River and Indian River Lakes System. The RNA needs to offer representation. What is the biggest threat to the lakes around here? Pollution (at large) and milfoil.

Addendum notes to survey (group will draft and mail to town):

• Pavilion lights: require expanding lighting district by two lights if we want town to be responsible. For us it is $1,000 per light to maintain.
• Public dockage/boat launch: inadequate boat launch at Butterfield Lake. Requires a dock and/or cribs with gravel for ease of boat launching.
• Baseball field—requires draining, markers and landscaping, then dugout
• Pavilion—constant issue with destruction of fencing. Hearts for Youth owns playground. RNA put pavilion up but maintenance falls on Hearts for Youth
• Apartments and rentals: okay to have some but not too much, more parking (hamlet-wide parking?) needed
• Pedestrian trails: more maintenance and more trails needed!
• What types of businesses do we want to attract?
• Opinions on zoning: some is too strict, some is not strict enough.
• Public transportation: ride shares? Bulletin boards? Small-scale bus system between Bay, Redwood, Watertown? Carpool program?

Discussion of giving $100 to church bi-annually for use of space (unanimous)

Kevin chairing effort for community-wide Thanksgiving celebration. Survey FB group to determine date and attendance. Thanksgiving Day? Or weekend before? Firehall? Tavern? Get donations of food to prepare.

Can drive: Pick up provided? Tavern is willing to accept bagged cans. If cans are marked we can receive separate checks from Theresa redemption.

Shirts: Nicole will send around designs and order shirts before next meeting.

Kathy will file for e-statements from Watertown Savings Bank. Asked about PO Box. Used to have one; since lapsed. Group decides no need to renew if we can get electronic banking statements, as most donations/memberships determined in-person.

Kathy said Food Sense Program is going very well, RNA is listed as a partner. Group has expanded to include families in Philadelphia, etc. Would like to set up a bank account through RNA. Would not mix with RNA funds. Unanimously approved. Suggestion by Nicole that Better Farm might attend pick-up days to sell fresh produce. Kathy in favor.

Redwood Composting: Katie proposing “Better Buckets” compost program. People can sign up, bucket dropped off, weekly pickups to compost at community greenhouse to create dirt.

For next meeting: brainstorm spring fundraiser. Greg offering up space at Tavern for said event. Wine/beer pairing? Chili or fish-fry cookoff? Iron chef? Think of March or April event.

Greenhouse Goes Up in Redwood

Redwood Neighborhood Association Vice President Jim Stine holds the metal greenhouse arch in place.

Members of the Redwood Neighborhood Association met last Saturday at the Redwood Volunteer Fire Department to construct a community greenhouse for the public.

With funds secured from the local not-for-profit Hearts for Youth, the neighborhood group's plan was to build a structure to house seedlings and plants for the community. Local residents interested in participating can sign up to help tend the plants, with all excess produce going to the local food pantry.


At the commissioners' meeting at the fire hall April 10, I presented the idea of the greenhouse being put on that property. The group voted unanimously in favor of providing the host site for the greenhouse.

Here are some shots of the construction (thanks to Rick Lopez for the design, Jim Stine for donating some of the materials, and the Better Farm crew for lending a hand!):

All that's left to do are the doors and the greenhouse plastic. Want to get involved, as a volunteer or gardener? Shoot us an e-mail or call (315) 482-2536. And stay tuned for an upcoming announcement on our planting day!

Seeking Partnerships for Upcoming Earth Day Cleanup!

The Annual Redwood Earth Day Cleanup is tentatively slated for Earth Day, Sunday, April 22.

The event is put on by Better Farm in conjunction with the Redwood Neighborhood Association. We're trying to broaden our reach this year, and are looking for other local groups and individuals who would like to team up with us to cover more ground. Sponsors will donate biodegradable garbage bags for the event, and we'll be running an aluminum can collection as fundraiser for the neighborhood association. A potluck picnic lunch will be held during the event at the pavilion in Redwood. This is a great all-ages event, and one that really makes a difference in the appearance of the hamlet.

E-mail info@betterfarm.org or call 482-2536 for more information or to volunteer.

Harvest Festival Tomorrow!

Some version of what could occur at tomorrow's Harvest Festival in Redwood.

Redwood's First Annual Harvest Festival kicks off tomorrow at 9 a.m. with a 5k road race through the hamlet sponsored by Noah's Ark Pre-School. A chicken barbecue fundraiser hosted by the Redwood Historical Society will be held at noon in the Redwood Tavern, while reps from Better Farm and the Redwood Neighborhood Association hand out free pumpkins to children for Jack-o-Lantern carving.

Several local organizations, including Better Farm, will have tables set up at the event. Stop by our booth for brochures, Better Farm T-shirts, betterArts mugs, to sign up for our mailing list, buy some fresh fall produce, and even get your face painted. But be sure to bundle up—it's going to be chilly!

For more information or to volunteer, call (315) 482-2536 or e-mail info@betterfarm.org

Earth Day Cleanup

Reviving Redwood

We at the Redwood Neighborhood Association have always been dedicated to making Redwood a better place to live. In fact our (un)official slogan is "Neighbors Helping Neighbors." But our mission can only be brought to life with the support of you, our neighbors!

The Redwood Neighborhood Association is seeking new members to attend our once-a-month meetings and help us to realize the community's true wishes for improvement. Not only will you get to stay informed of what the town government is up to, but that same government will get to know your opinions and interests first hand.

We meet the SECOND MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 7 PM, at the Redwood Historical Society in the old bank, right in downtown Redwood.

Here's a short list of what we've accomplished so far in our efforts to revitalize Redwood:
• The construction of a pavilion and park (assisted by Hearts for Youth)
• The construction and organization of community gardens in the park area
• Established a walking trail
• Organized a Farmer's Market every Saturday during the growing season
• Organized Redwood walks
• Formed a Business Committee
• Formed a Neighborhood Watch
• Tore down the old Robinson Building
• Founded the Sunshine Committee to welcome new folks to town
• Hosted two annual Family & Friends Days
• Hosted a Harvest Event
• Hosted a Community Day
• Have started forming a Redwood Master Plan for Revitalization (any ideas??)

And here's a short list of what is currently on our to do list:
• Forming an Art Council with local business Better Farm
• Researching possible water power for the town
• Organizing a Redwood Appearance
• Continuing improvements on Felder Park (grills, security lights, Little League field)
• Continue the Redwood Master Plan

Have an opinion on anything you see listed? Want us to address anything not listed? Well, then we hope to see you on the next SECOND MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 7PM!

Dates of meetings for the next 6 months...
November 8th, 2010
December 13th, 2010
January 10th, 2011
February 14th, 2011 (Date subject to change)
March 14th, 2011
April 11th, 2011

(And if you've been missing Nicole Caldwell's Redwood Happenings column, keep updated at her blog: http://kobiashimaru.blogspot.com/

Redwood Happenings: July 21

By Nicole Caldwell