EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT … Eagle Scout Austin Adams (standing) was given the funds to put bike fixit stations along the Wabash Cannonball Trail and the Iron Horse River Trail, with the expense to be split between the funds for the different trails.
Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Montpelier Friends of the Park met on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7 p.m., with Seth Miller calling the meeting to order and welcoming new member Eric Smeltzer.
They then greeted Eagle Scout Austin Adams, and approved up to $4,500 for the project, with the costs to be split between the Wabash Cannon Trail and Iron Horse River Trail funds.
Next, the financial statements through February 29, 2024 were approved, as were the minutes from their December 7, 2024 meeting.
Funding was then discussed for the new pitcher’s mound discussed at the Montpelier Park Board meeting that took place the night before, with costs estimated to run $3,150.13, with a completion time of three to four weeks upon arrival.
The costs were decided to be split between the Pony and Little Leagues, and a quote and acceptance order for the fields DuraEdge infield mix was presented during Nick Ramos’s report, wherein he shared all of the recent details of the Montpelier Park Board meeting that occurred the night before. Twenty-five tons of material will be needed to complete the project, which is in addition to the 10 tons Ramos shared the village already has.
It was then shared that the benches at the concession stand are in need of replacement. Before, a type of bench had been chosen, but a wider, more durable bench was found.
They had to rescind the motion approving the first style of benches before approving the purchase of four 8-foot comfort benches for an estimated $2,567.03.
Sandy Gordon shared the most recent updates given at the Montpelier Park Board meeting the night before, including the Poetry Garden, and all of the rest of the hard work being put into the Kids Garden to ready it for the season.
It was also shared that about $46,000 was raised by roughly 12 community groups for the Wabash Cannonball Trail, with a new study and survey responses now posted on their website.
They then thanked the Montpelier Chamber of Commerce and Kevin Motter for their donations to the lunch program, with it being shared that there are 1-2 years of expenses covered, depending on how busy it is.
It was then discussed how the costs have risen significantly for shirts, making the tye dye shirt program pending discontinuation.
As a large donation was made to the fund last year, it was asked that the tradition continue for at least one more year, with the order totaling $2,000.
Funds were then sought for Christmas decorations for the Kids Garden, with a quote being presented to the board. It is proposed that they follow a winter woodland theme, with the park still to have Halloween decorations as well.
A motion was then made approving up to $7,000 for the decorations from the undesignated funds account.
The cost of showing movies has gotten really expensive, giving way to the purchase of only one additional movie for this year, with it projected that future years will see one special showing event due to a decline in participation.
Bean Days was then discussed, with it being shared that word on funding is still being waited on by the Montpelier Area Foundation.
Due to this delay, Gordon asked that the necessary funds be designated, with their reimbursement guaranteed if other funds are received. These funds will go towards tents, chairs, tables, and their set up.
With nothing further to address, a motion to close the meeting was made at 7:37 p.m.