Minutes of the January 17 meeting of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition meeting.

1. Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway
Minutes
January 17, 2019
miSci
Present Eric Hamilton, Clifton Park; Ed Tremblay, Cohoes; Jeff Twitty, Niskayuna; Larry Syzdek,
Clifton Park; John Scherer, Clifton Park; Jason Homan, Schenectady County; Chris Hunter, City of
Schenectady; Russ Van Dervoort, Waterford (by phone).
Guests Jean McKay and Miyoko Fulleringer, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
Minutes
-Minutes from last meeting reviewed.
Ed T. moves to accept minutes, Eric H. seconded, unanimously approved.
Treasurer’s Report
-Ed T. reviewed the Treasurer’s Report
-Funds reflect $2,300 already paid for 2019 phone tour service
-Eric H. indicated that information in this budget will be used to make slight correction in
budget reported on Annual Report.
Eric H. moves to accept operating budget.
Annual Report
-Eric H. will be adding pictures to it
-Final printed version will be booklet
-Report is especially important for municipalities
-Cost of printing is still to be determined.
Eric H. moves to print, Ed. T. seconded, unanimously approved.
Project Budget
-Includes $1,200 for two new kiosks, hopefully along Erie Boulevard.
-Includes $600 to expand Cell Phone Tour with six new stops, adding to the 24 existing stops.
-Includes $5,000 to re-do the Corridor Management Plan and update the Business Plan in an
effort to gain more publicity.
-Eric H. indicated that MTSB’s Erie Canalway Management grant proposal was declined, with
reasoning that indicated we need to self-promote more.
-Ed T. moves to approve budget, Jeff T. seconded, unanimously approved.
Announcement
-Eric H. will be delivering the “State of the Byway” address at the Rotary Meeting in Coburg
Village (Halfmoon) on Jan 24.
-Eric H. will also be presenting a plaque and medal to Henrietta O’Grady for her 20 years of
service to the Mohawk Towpath Byway Coalition at this meeting.

2. Election of Officers
A slate of officers was presented:
President - Larry Syzdek
Vice-president - Kevin Franklin
Treasurer - Ed Tremblay
Secretary - Chris Hunter
Jason H. moved to accept slate. Vote unanimous.
Special presentation, Jean McKay, Erie Canalway National Historic Corridor
-Discussed new initiative of Corridor - Canalway Challenge. Asking for MTSB assistance in
promoting and integrating challenge.
-Duathlon sponsorship needs to be filed by February 15
-Clifton Park sponsoring bus trip to Camillus and Chittenango on May 18
-Travel writer from Midwest will be visiting area, touring MTSB
-Discussed Central New York program, Tuesdays on the Towpath, a program including a bike
ride and interpretation. A group in Cohoes had done something similar in the past
-Clifton Park has National Trails Day bike ride, Sunday, June 2
-A free visitors guide to waterways will be coming out in the spring
New Business
-Discussed updating docent booklets - publishing info about byway, cellphone tour
-Need to update byway management plan
Chairman’s Report
-Reviewed annual report letter
-Discussed sites for possible presentations and public events - Schenectady County Historical
Society, Mohawk Harbor, Cohoes Falls Overlook, Eighth Step
Executive Director’s Report
-Audio tour use doubled in 2018. Increase credited to new birding trail and more QR codes
-Unique users increased from 118 to 290
-Page views increased from 700 to 1305
-Need to update PR plan, originally developed 2015.
-Eric H. will take first look and send out draft
-Reminder board to submit volunteer hours
-Updated on Clute Dry Dock Bridge
-Bids came in higher than grant
-Town working on alternative methods
-Town will make up cost difference
Future Meetings (@9:30 am)
April 18, Cohoes Senior Center, 10 Cayuga Plaza, Conference Room
July 18, Peebles Island Visitor Center, Conference Room
October 24, Niskayuna Town Hall
Meeting adjourned (Eric H. moved, Ed T. second)