Next meeting: Tuesday, February 1, 2021; 7:30 p.m. The February Woods Committee (WC) meeting will be held by remote access via Zoom Video Conference. Our meetings are routinely held on the first Monday of each month. Our March online meeting will be held on the 1st.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84752854366?pwd=WnBTOWhBajdKL01XcDZ0TWV0MGp3QT09
By phone: 301-715-8592 / Passcode: 798005 Meeting ID: 847 5285 4366
The volunteer Bow Hunter Firefighters of Maryland (BHFFMD) continue a Town-approved managed deer hunt in the East and West Woods. One doe was harvested in the West Woods in January. The 2020-21 Maryland archery deer hunting season will end January 30, 2021.
The WC is developing a trail maintenance plan to improve several frequently wet sections of East Wood trails, During the next month you may see workmen improving drainage and raising trail levels in three areas along trails in the East Woods. Several large dead trees, mainly along the Challstrom Trail in the East Woods, pose a danger to walking trail users. The WC is working with a local tree service contractor to remove these trees during the winter months.
A Town Ordinance to clarify activities not permitted in our Woods Preserves, Town Parks, and other Town land was approved at the January 2020 Town Council Meeting. The Woods Committee is investigating new signage at the entrances to the East and West Woods to ensure recreational uses which foster preservation and rejuvenation of our treasured Woods. The WC is also working on trail markers to identify the authorized walking trails.
There has been a recent report by a Saybrooke community resident of ‘campfires’ in the West Woods. Burned wood and aluminum pans were discovered in several locations in the Woods. The WC notified Mayor Compton and asked him to inform our MoCo police liaison of this dangerous vandalism. Please be vigilant when walking in the West Woods and immediately contact the Town Office if you notice any suspicious activity in our Woods.
The WC occasionally requests Town maintenance to have our Town-authorized tree service contractor to place wood chip piles near East Woods trail entrances so our volunteers can spread these chips to identify and maintain the trails. Town residents should not use these wood chips. Further, private contractors and Town residents may not dump chips or other landscaping debris in the Woods. Please help us to preserve our Woods Preserves for the enjoyment of current residents and future generations.