| INDEX
Banks to Step Down || Scouts
Build Foot Bridge || Equipment Donations
2005 Annual Meeting
Banks to Step Down
by Bob Carreau
 Land
Trust President Marybeth Banks has announced her intention to step
down at the end of her current term. Prior to the next election (Annual
Meeting February 10), the Board of Directors will screen several qualified
candidates, and announce its choice, pending confirmation by the general
membership.
During her tenure, Marybeth devoted countless hours meeting with public
officials, and private individuals on behalf of the Trust and its
goals. Marybeth’s dedication and devotion to the Trust, and
Shelton’s natural environmental well being is, and has always
been a top priority. Her achievements, and the Trust’s vigorous
growth over the years admirably mirror that dedication and devotion.
Marybeth was first elected president on March 7, 1986. After assuming
office, she made a number of key appointments to the Board of Directors,
strengthening and solidifying the organization. She personally directed
a number of very successful membership drives, and enlisted the support
of many of Shelton’s Corporate and business neighbors. One of
the highlights of her tenure occurred in 1991 with the acquisition
of the 52-acre, “Nicholdale Farm”
located off Rt. 110. “The thing that was especially gratifying,”
states Marybeth, “is that the acquisition came about as a result
of unprecedented cooperation with the City, Iroquois Gas, BHC(Former
Water Company), Jones Tree Farm, and the Nichols family.” Under
her stewardship the Trust has developed from a fledgling organization
with total land holdings of approximately 41.75 acres, to its present
size of over 366 acres in various parcels throughout the city of Shelton.
Marybeth hopes that the growth of the Trust will continue, along with
the public’s interest in the environmental well being of Shelton.
The Trust’s Board of Directors is pleased to note that Marybeth
has agreed to continue working with the Board of Directors to further
the Trust, its goals and objectives.
Scouts Build
Foot Bridge (top)
by Bob Carreau
The Land Trust, and residents that enjoy hiking Shelton’s
wooded trails, are the recent beneficiaries of a new wooden foot-bridge
built on a trail that meanders through one of the Trust’s White
Hills parcels at the end of Tahmore
Dr.
The new bridge (see photo) is the final result of an Eagle Scout project
that was very successfully planned, organized, implemented, and successfully
completed by Boy Scout Eric Keirstead. After carefully laying out
the plans for the bridge, Eric approached the Stevenson Lumber Company
and the Housatonic Lumber Company, persuading both to donate the materials
needed for the project. Following the planning, and acquisition of
materials, Eric secured volunteer help from members of his own Troop
55, as well as a handful of other volunteers interested in the project.
Among the volunteers from Troop 55 were Andy Deptula, Ryan Hobson,
Brian Shimer, Matthew Scinto, Geoff and Chris Toal, Danny Moody, Jeb
Bruno, Matt Demanchyk, Jacob Keisman, and Adam Peck. Other volunteer
helpers included, Megan Geraghty, Keith Sansone, and Tom Hope
 Eric
says, “After I began to work on the project, starting with the
trail, it took about 18 hours to complete, over 4 separate days. I
worked on the bridge for only a day, while I worked on the trail for
only 3.”
Eric summed it all up saying, “ It was tough work to get everything
together and organized, but in the end, it was so worth it, to see
what you can accomplish.”
Members of the Trust couldn’t agree more, and are very much
appreciative of a job well done by Eric, and all the members of his
volunteer crew. We also thank the Stevenson and Housatonic Lumber
Companies for their contribution.
Equipment
Donation: (top)
by Paul Uhrynowski
Big news in the
equipment area! Randy Szkola from Hill Top Nursery has donated a used
wood chipper to the Land Trust. The need for a chipper was brought
to the attention of the Land Trust’s Board as a result of the
on-going brush removal effort at Nichodale.
 Although
considerable progress had been made in dragging brush to a burn pile
for disposal, (yes we obtained all of the necessary burn permits and
complied with town regulations), the work is very labor intensive,
and there is a lot more of it to do.
A check with Preston’s garage determined that the Trust’s
tractor would not be able to handle a chipper attachment. And, the
cost of a self powered chipper would be too expensive. The only other
options were to either rent a chipper, which runs about $250 a day,
or have one donated to us. Well ask and ye shall receive – thanks
to Randy!
The donated chipper needs a little work but we have already changed
the plugs and fluids and have gotten it to run. The folks at Professional
Tire helped with a donation of a couple of like-new used tires. It
also appears that the blades need to be sharpened, and when done,
we will be in business.
More good news in the equipment department: Many Trust members, and
perhaps most Shelton residents, might not be aware that Stihl Tools’
Northeast Distributor is based here in Shelton. For those of you who
don’t know about Stihl, they are a manufacturer of high end
chain saws, weed wackers, and other forestry tools.
Using the old knock on the door and introduce ourselves routine, a
couple of Trust representatives were successful in getting Stihl to
donate about 18 pieces of brush removal equipment ranging from axes
and hand saws to loppers and hand pruners. It is so nice to have our
own set of tools for the invasive plant management project.
Mr. Richard Mohr of Stihl Northeast met with the Trust reps. at Nicholdale
recently and showed him what we have been doing. He was impressed,
and offered some suggestions. He indicated he will try to get some
addidional tools, and possibly a chain saw. He also expressed the
possibility of running a power tool safety training class on the property.
We want to thank Stihl for their generous donation and look forward
to working with them in the future.
New Tools from Stihl
Annual
Meeting - Feb. 10, 2005
The Trust's annual
membership meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday
February 10, 2005 at the Plumb Memorial Library.
(top)
SHELTON
LAND CONSERVATION TRUST, INC.
PO Box 2276 - Huntington Station
Shelton, CT 06484 |
