FOKS Friend of Kingston Station Minutes for 8.02.04
Attending: Frank Heppner, Jack McCabe, Rich Neff, Norma Hagist, Veronica Trudeau.
Meeting started at 720pm at the Kingston Station, museum room.
Frank Read the treasurers report for Everett Stuart who has taken over the accounts. Copies will be sent as attachments to the board members.
Jack was asked to give the RIOL Report.
We gave one Safety & History class in July for the URI Transportation Camp kids. Jack took the history section and Everett took the safety portion on this class.
Rich Neff gave a report on his trip to San Antonio to represent Rhode Island in place of Jack McCabe. He reports that National OL is working on creating a Emergency Responders program, which we are very excited about including as part of RIOL.
OL has hired a company to assess the states programs with the idea of determining how to improve policies and programs in the future. We will do what we can to assist them.
Rich produced his envelope of receipts for the expenses associated with the trip.
Frank gave report on the NARF grant.
Categories: Safety / Education / History / Technology
Grants are supported by Rail Labor Unions.
This was reported in the June minutes. Although we seem to be within the scope of what this organization approves, we didnt get much satisfaction.
The unfortunate response was that we were turned down.
Our appeal to the Washington Trust Bank for assistance with the clock project was also turned down in a letter from the board, (signed by Rep. Dennis Algeres), of Westerly.
Tower: Frank recently advised RIDOT of our position in regards to the idea of splitting the tower in order to move it less expensively and hopefully sooner. We have photos of another similar project that was successfully moved to a new location. RIDOT will take our advice under advisement. RIDOT cannot provide a timetable for the project.
Trees:
Jack gave a report. The replacement beech tree is showing signs of stress. The bark is split and some leaves are dry. We have photos of the recent ditch digging there should we need to make a case for the tree in the future. We have been soaking it overnight. Two new replacement ash trees were installed in the circle in the unseemly month of July. We have also been soaking those trees with water on alternate nights.
Wood: Jack gave a report. 600 board feet of the mother tree was finally delivered and is stacked in the basement. The board went to see the lumber after the meeting. Frank took some samples to try working with it at home. Credit was given to David Whelan for doggedly tracking this one down for us.
Signs: Veronica has some iron parts to use but they need to be cut to fit. Frank offered to do this in his home shop. Frank and Veronica met after the meeting to view the component parts and make some determinations on the placement.
Frank: A review of some of the project ideas and future actionable activities was made. Frank will make calls to Amtrak persons in the Boston Division to investigate a possible ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Overpass to track one.
This should generate some excitement for the upcoming election season and allow for some celebration moments for our members and new friends.
Jack & Rich will start researching ideas on a Safety Fair with professionals in the MBTA. They have an annual event of some kind to demonstrate a mock crash or other emergency response disaster training event for Emergency Responders.
Rich Neff: Proposed that the station could really use a train status board. An electronic display of some kind was discussed. This might replace the clock idea for the 30th anniversary gift. Jack will ask the station clerks what they think of the idea before we proceed to go into it. There was no vote taken as this is under discussion only.
Meeting ended at 845 pm.
Next meeting will be on the 13th of September due to Labor Day.
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