Rail Trail

Price-Taylor Rail Trail Corridor Commission Westboro Community Center Town Hall October 21, 2025 Minutes 1. Call Meeting to Order Meeting of the Price -Taylor Rail Trail Commission was called to order by President Dan Roiger on October 21st 2025, at 7:07 p.m. at the Westboro Community Center Town Hall. Commission Members present: Bob Meyer, Marvin Kuenne, Troy Larson, Dan Roiger, Steve Thums, Greg Foltz, Ron Kendziera, Marjory Brzeskiewicz, and Jeff Hallstrand. Ex-Officio Members: Luke Williams. Members absent: Darrell Thompson, and Joe Grapa. Others present: none 2. Approve Minutes of the April 22nd, 2025, Meeting • Motion by Ron Kendziera and seconded by Greg Foltz to approve minutes as mailed/emailed. Motion carried. 3. Approve the Agenda • Motion by Troy Larson and seconded by Marvin Kuenne to approve the agenda. Motion carried. 4. Treasurer’s Report • Bob Meyer presented the treasurer’s report, noting that the organization began the period with a balance of $14,918.70 and ended with $5,599.17. The primary expense during this time was the renewal of Certificate of Deposit (CD) 4984, which accounted for $10,015.77 in expenditures. • Income for the period totaled $696.24, derived from several sources: trail donations collected during the Iron Bull bike marathon, contributions from the trail donation box, and proceeds from a special event permit. • CD 4984 had a beginning balance on April 1, 2025, of $10,374.48 and balance of $10,573.38 as of September 30, 2025, resulting in $573.38 in earnings since its purchase on April 24, 2024. CD 0136 was renewed on August 8, 2025, with a beginning balance of $10,000, and a current balance of $10,000. • A motion to approve the treasurer’s report as presented was made by Troy Larson and seconded by Steve Thums. The motion carried unanimously. 5. Trail Condition and Maintenance • Greg Foltz reported erosion along the east side of the trail near a culvert, approximately 100 yards north of Forsburg. This erosion has created a noticeable dip in the trail surface. Troy Larson will assess the area and plans to address the issue in the spring. • Dan Roiger noted a dip along the edge of the trail near the 7¾ mile marker, just south of Beaver Trail Lodge. While the area is currently stable and not posing an immediate concern, he recommended keeping an eye on it for any future changes. • Dan Roiger and Marv Kuene reported that grass had encroached and regrown on the trail, making grading difficult. They recommended widening the spray pattern by at least one foot on each side of the trail, and applying a second treatment in areas where the trail is adjacent to lawns and frequent grass mowing occurs. 6. Trail Mowing Complaint and Scheduling Review • Williams received a complaint about mowing milkweed along the trail and how that affects monarch butterflies and bees. He said he'd pass the concern along to the Forestry Committee and the Pine Line Commission to see if the mowing schedule could be tweaked—in an attempt to address the concern without letting the trail become overgrown. Each mowing costs the county about $1,200. After some discussion, it was decided to try a one -year change to the mowing schedule to save money and respond to the concern. Mowing will happen in mid -July, and later in the season the trail will be checked to see if another round is needed. 7. Updated Culvert Inventory List • Since the last meeting, the Forestry Department completed a culvert inventory, which has been updated in ArcGIS. The results showed a significant number of culverts with erosion issues and reduced functionality. This updated inventory will help prioritize which culverts should be replaced as funding becomes available —either through the snowmobile program or future grant opportunities. • Jeff Hallstrand suggested that using culvert liners instead of full replacements could be a more cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly option. Williams will compare the costs of full replacement versus liners and present findings at the next meeting. 8. Utility Crossing Update • Joe Grapa was scheduled to provide an update on this item but was absent from the meeting. The topic will be carried over and discussed at the next meeting in April. 9. Additional Items to be Presented • Troy Larson shared that Buzz Meyer had recently passed away. Buzz was a longtime attendee of the meetings, a dedicated advocate for the trail, and made many meaningful contributions over the years. The Commission agreed to send a sympathy card to his family in recognition of his service and support. • Marv Kuene stated that the “Duker” memorial that had been approved was running behind schedule and will not be installed until next year. 10. Set Next Meeting Date • Tuesday April 21, 2026, 7 p.m. Westboro Town Hall 11. Adjourn • Motion made by Marvin Kuenne, seconded by Ron Kendziera to adjourn at 8:11 p.m. Price-Taylor Rail Trail Corridor Commission Westboro Community Center Town Hall April 22, 2025 Minutes 1. Call Meeting to Order Meeting of the Price-Taylor Rail Trail Commission was called to order by President Dan Roiger on April 22rd, 2025, at 7:02 p.m. at the Westboro Community Center Town Hall. Commission Members present: Bob Meyer, Marvin Kuenne, Troy Larson, Dan Roiger, Steve Thums, Greg Foltz, and Jeff Hallstrand. Ex-Officio Members: Luke Williams and Joe Grapa. Members absent: Darrell Thompson, Ron Kendziera, and Marjory Brzeskiewicz. Others present: none 2. Approve Minutes of the October 15th, 2024, Meeting • Motion by Troy Larson and seconded by Greg Foltz to approve minutes as mailed/emailed. Motion carried. 3. Approve the Agenda • Motion by Troy Larson and seconded by Bob Myer to approve the agenda. Motion carried. 4. Treasurer’s Report • The treasurer’s report was presented by Bob Meyer. Beginning balance of $4,361.60 and an ending balance of $14,918.70. • Both CDs matured in mid -February. Meyer renewed one for 12 months and will renew the other in mid -June. He staggered them so that if cash is needed, the CD with the lowest penalty can be utilized. Both CD4984 and CD4992 had a beginning balance of $10,122.40 and earned $126.82 in interest. CD4992, the one which was renewed, had earned an additional $7.62 by the end of February. • Motion by Thums and seconded by Kuenne to approve treasurer’s report as presented. Motion carried. 5. Trail Condition and Maintenance • Roiger said that the trail was in good shape except for one pothole on the east side of the trail just south of Center Avenue. Roiger will investigate furth and temporarily fix. • Price county is in good shape as well. • The Pine Line marathon occurred April 19 , 2025. Taylor County Forestry issued a special event permit, and the Medford Chamber of Commerce provided a $100 donation to the Pine Line Commission. 6. Possible Culvert Replacement • Discussions were held regarding the potential replacement of culverts. While no urgent needs were identified, everyone agreed to remain vigilant and continue to look for opportunities for improvement. 7. Updated Culvert Inventory List • Williams was unable to locate a more recent list of culverts beyond the 2014 version presented at the October meeting. He committed to conducting an inventory and assessment of the trail culverts and compiling a new list to present at the next meeting. 8. Update on Encroachment in Westboro • Law enforcement has been involved in addressing the misuse of the easement in Westboro. Additionally, Williams is coordinating with corporate counsel to draft a certified letter for the easement holder, outlining acceptable uses of the easement to provide clarity and improve compliance. • Williams investigated a solar panel near the Pine -Line just north of Westboro, but that was determined to be on private property. 9. Motorized Vehicle Traffic Issues Update • Williams consulted with DNR conservation warden Kurt Haas about enforcing restrictions on motorized vehicles on the trail. Haas suggested utilizing trail cameras and providing the pictures to him. The commission agreed it would be best to continue monitoring the situation and to encourage Haas to issue warnings in an effort to reduce the frequency of violations. • Discussion ensured about e -bikes on the trail, and it was determined that e -bikes 750 watts or less are allowed. 10. Ty “Duker” Dubois Memorial Kiosk • Kuenne would like to place a memorial kiosk for Ty “Duker” Dubois at the intersection of the Pine Line and snowmobile trail corridor 18. Dubois was a lifelong member of the Whittlesey Whizzers and helped with maintenance along the Pine Line. Kuenne made a motion to approve the site of the Ty “Duker” Dubois memorial at the intersection of the Pine Line and snowmobile corridor 18. Thums seconded. All Ayes. 11. Overhead Signs at County Line • Larson proposed placing a sign at the county line reading, 'Welcome to Price County – Home of the Prentice Bushbenders.' The sign would span the trail and be secured to utility poles placed along its sides. Only expected costs are the purchase of the sign and supports. Larson will gather additional details regarding the sign's height and size. He inquired if Taylor County would be interested in using the reverse side of the sign and splitting the cost. Roiger and Meyer agreed to this arrangement. Larson made a motion to install the sign at the county line, with the costs split 50/50 between Price and Taylor Counties. Foltz seconded the motion, which was carried. 12. Elections • Hallstrand made a motion that all standing members be reelected for another term. Kuenne seconded, the motion carried. 13. Additional Items to be Presented • Larson observed utility wires scattered along the trail from Charter Communications in Price County. It seems they are planning to cross the trail without obtaining the required approvals or paying the $500 permit fee. Joe Grapa will investigate further and report back with updates. 14. Set Next Meeting Date • Tuesday October 21 2025, 7 p.m. Westboro Town Hall 15. Adjourn • Motion made by Larsen, seconded by Thums to adjourn at 7:58