2024 Meeting Highlights
June 2024
Attendance: Susan Sapp 5, 8, Rob Fugate 12,13, Genevieve Robine 2, David Roberts 4, 7, Andy Norton 15, Jan Hoffmaster 15, Bill Smith 2, Dan DeLotto 13, Laurie Jeffreys 1, Carolyh Hatley 1, Pat DeLotto ZOOM: Ken Johnson
Welcome to All Members: Bill welcomed all and called the meeting to order.
Approval of May Minutes: Dan made a motion to approve the May minutes. Rob seconded the motion and all agreed.
Announcements:
The Western PA Conservancy is hosting an Invasive Species Scavenger Hunt in Aug. Participants must first watch a July 30 webinar recording which explains this scavenger hunt volunteer event and the data-reporting process. Bill will post connection information. Dave offered to obtain invasive species booklets for each PaSEC team.
Budget Report: Rob reported a balance of $3956.19 which includes a grant of $1000.00 and interest of $12.29. The grant of $3000.00 and donations from Centre Gives have not been received yet.
Equipment Supplies Report: Dan is currently out of the 7pH standards and will order when additional items are needed. The $1000.00 grant is for equipment so Dan shared information he has learned about new meters. Jan made a motion to purchase two Oakton pH meters and a Sper oxygen meter kit.
Quality Control Updates: Bill’s QC group has tested six teams.
Publicity Report and Information: Thank you to Andy Norton for taking this position. Andy requested that members notify him of any opportunities to promote CCPaSEC and anything interesting or unusual that occurs streamside. Betsie recently staffed a table at Family Fishing Day at Tussey Pond and PaSEC had a table at the Outdoor Expo in Bellefonte. Elizabeth Chrisfield (ClearWater executive director) joined Rob’s team for a recent outing and would like to participate with other teams.
Website: Bill and Rob are working on the new website. Updates will be automatic.
Grants and Sponsorships: Gary submitted the following report: PA Foundation for Watersheds granted CCPaSEC $3000 for 2024. Berkshire Hathaway granted CCPaSEC $1000. ClearWater should have both checks in hand. Laurie thanked Gary for all of his work on grants
Old Business
1. Outdoor Adventure Expo Report: Dan, Genie and Kathi manned the table at the June 2 Expo at Talleyrand Park. They collected 8 or 9 names of people interested in joining. Several visitors mentioned the Town and Gown article. Genie reported that Susan Robb, our chairperson for new members, will be contacting those on the list. She will tell them to call team leaders to make arrangements to go out with a team. Team leaders should anticipate these calls and plan to involve new recruits. This is how they will get training experience to determine if what we do is a good volunteer fit for them. Sue will tell the new people to make plans to go out with several teams before calling her back with definite interest in being placed on our teams.
2. PA Master Watershed Steward Program: Jan Hoffmaster is half way through the on-line training program. He shared that there are many organizations in the state working to protect our waterways. Jill from ClearWater will be going out with some of our teams. Jill works on riparian buffers.
3. August picnic: Dan obtained permission to use the marina pavilion at Bald Eagle State Park for the August potluck picnic. A brief meeting will be held at 10:30 with the picnic following. It was suggested that Dan mark the turn-off with balloons!
August 2024
Attendance: Kathi Ferrigno 13, Dan DeLotto 13, Rob Fugate 12, 13,Dave DeCapria 17, QC, Ralph Locklin, Susan Robb 7, Susan Sapp 7, 5, Susan Braun 5, Diane Mills 8, Gary Moorman 16, Genevieve Robine 2, Viqui Gildow 16, Betsie Blumberg 9, 5, Dave Kantner 2, 7, Jerry Dittmann 8, 5, Kathy Dittman 8, 5, Terry Harrison 17, Marian Garcia 13, Carolyn Hatley 1, Pat DeLotto,
Approval of July Minutes: Dan made a motion to approve the July minutes. Rob seconded the motion and all agreed.
Budget Report: Rob reported a current balance of $3620.19. Debits: Dan spent $2334.97 on a Hach colorimeter and flow meter. He also spent $94.50 on a new Oakton probe tip. Credit: interest of $18.15 and $165.00 from Centre Gives
Equipment Supplies Report: Dan purchased a new D.O. meter. It is a different model so users will need training. And as mentioned in the budget, he had our oldest Oakton PCTS Tester 50 go bad and had to replace the probe tip. Betsie informed Dan that teams 5 & 9 are currently sharing a DO meter.
Website: Rob posted a document regarding plastic contamination. He received a letter from DPT stating that they will test wells for contamination.
Membership and Resource Advisor: Susan reported that 18 potential members signed up at the Expo. She has attempted to contact all but was only able to reach one. She told him to contact team 4. No teams are in desperate need of members at this time.
Grants and Sponsorships: Gary will apply for a $5000.00 grant from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.
Old Business
none
New Business
1. Gary volunteered to collect the volunteer hours and mileage for June, July and August. He will continue collecting the information as needed. Hours volunteered for other organizations should be sent to Brenda Reeve.
2. Genie reminded members to sign up for fall macros.
3. Carolyn reported that she received a call from Donnan Stoicovy, Interim Director of Clearwater Conservancy before Dr Elizabeth Crisfield assumed the position, from someone who owns property adjoining Weaver Farm. The neighbor knows PaSEC is water testing a site there and Clearwater Conservancy is doing a Riparian Project. In addition Fish and Boat is doing stream restoration. A lot of activity occurring and the neighbor spoke with someone (she thought it was water monitoring but not sure) and felt she was treated inappropriately. Carolyn emphasized we maintain good relationship with property owners. Donnan wants ClearWater to maintain good relationships also with property owners and asked that we follow up on the issue. Carolyn will follow up with Team 15.
4. Jerry said that his team site will be unavailable due to bridge repair. He asked how to set up a new site. Genie suggested that he contact Ivie Foster.
October 2024
Attendance: William E. Smith 2, QC, Rob Fugate 12, 13, Gary Moorman 16, Carolyn Hatley 1, Laurie Jeffreys 1, Dan DeLotto 13, Jan Hoffmaster 15, Genie Robine 2, Andy Norton 15, QC, Pat DeLotto
Welcome to All Members: Bill welcomed all and called the meeting to order.
Approval of September Minutes: Dan made a motion to approve the September minutes. Laurie seconded the motion and all agreed.
Announcements: The “Weaver Farm” site has been renamed to “Penn State.”
Budget Report: Rob reported that there were no expenses in September. Interest earned was $15.17 and the balance is $3622.11.
Equipment Supplies Report: Dan talked about the possibilities for future DO meter replacements. He found a Sper Scientific meter that is one-third the price of a new model YSI meter, and asked members to think about which meter would best suit our needs. Rob asked if temperature makes a difference in the readings and suggested checking accuracy specifications. A decision about purchases will be made at a future meeting.
Quality Control Updates: Bill announced that QC in progress. There is one team left to test. Bill will have a report at the next meeting.
Publicity Report and Information: Andy announced that the ClearWater Annual Celebration will be held on Thursday Oct. 17. Dan and Gary will attend with information about CCPaSEC. Carolyn mentioned that the last two volunteer awards were given to CCPaSEC members.
Membership: Jan has the name of a new member. The new member will be invited to do testing with Jan’s team and the member info will be given to membership advisor Sue Robb.
Volunteer Hours Report: We are waiting for access to the account.
Grants and Sponsorships: Gary – Proposals are pending with the Susquehanna River Basin Commission ($5000.00) and the Sierra Club ($5000.00). Both had deadlines for submission but no timelines for when decisions are made. It is likely that decisions would be made before the end of the year and the funds would have to be expended in 2025. Neither require that we spend funds on specific items but the proposals stressed our need to begin to replace aging meters.
Old Business
1. Walker Township (Little Fishing Creek) heavy metal testing: Bill has done a couple of tests and nothing was detected. He will continue to run tests. There are plans for solar farms but a couple of townships have pulled out.
2. Establishment of a Lick Run test site due to bridge repair: There have been no updates. Ivie needs to contact the team leader and give him the location information.
3. Volunteer hours database – two-tier authentication issue (Rob): The two-tier authentication needs to be turned off for others to access the database.
4. Master Naturalist: Carolyn reported that the CCPaSEC members presented to twelve students. The presentation went well. This is a good recruitment opportunity. One of the twelve students inquired about volunteering.
New Business
1. Continue with newsletter?: After discussion and checking the constitution, Rob made a motion to discontinue the newsletter, Bill seconded the motion and all agreed. The end of the year report will be continued. The public relations resource advisor will help with the annual report and team leaders will continue to add a summary on the monthly volunteer hours report.
2. Training news and updates – still needed? The group concluded that most are satisfied with the way volunteers are trained in the field. Bill made a motion to annually review the equipment operation procedures at the annual equipment check day. Rob seconded the motion and all agreed. Bill will list the proposal as an action item to draft changes to the constitution. There will be a vote at the next meeting. His suggestion to table until the next meeting was approved.
3. Holiday Lunch: Laurie asked if we wanted to have a holiday luncheon in December. Dan made a motion to have the luncheon. Carolyn seconded the motion and all agreed. Genie will speak to the representative of the Nittany Country Club about the possibility of holding the luncheon on Dec. 11, 2024.
July 2024
Attendance: Dan DeLotto 13, Gary Moorman 16, Rob Fugate 12/13, Genevieve Robine 2, Bill Smith 2, Laurie Jeffreys 1, Carolyn Hatley 1, Susan Sapp 5,8, Andy Norton 15, Pat DeLotto
Welcome to All Members: Bill welcomed all and called the meeting to order.
Approval of June Minutes: Dan made a motion to approve the June minutes. Carolyn seconded the motion and all agreed.
Announcements:
Equipment Supplies Report: Dan displayed the newly purchased Sper Scientific DO meter. The conclusion at the meeting was that, though it is not the quality of the YSI, at one-third the cost, we will begin to change over to Spers as the YSI’s fail. Bill took the Sper meter and will experiment with making a new probe tip guard on his 3D printer. The Sper had no probe tip guard, but rather a solid probe tip cap. Dan also purchased two new Oakton meters, a few standards, and reagents. Laurie made a motion to purchase a new flow meter and colorimeter. The cost will be about $1500.00. Dan seconded the motion and all agreed.
Quality Control Updates: (Bill) The QC has been completed for about half of the teams. The remaining should be finished by September.
Publicity Report and Information: Andy reported that the Town and Gown article was published in the Centre County Gazette. He was unable to acquire more T & G magazines.
Website: (Rob and Bill Smith) Bill has worked on the membership page plus officers and teams. They are also working on the security features and database.
Grants and Sponsorships: Gary reported that everything is up to date. He asked if anyone planned to send Deb Nardone a thank you note for the $3000.00 grant. Bill volunteered to send the note.
Carolyn shared Deb Nardone’s stream photos of Wyoming County and requested that Bill share them with the membership.
Old Business
1. August picnic: The pot luck picnic will be held at Bald Eagle State Park on August 14. The picnic will follow a brief meeting at 10:30.
New Business
1. A sympathy card was sent to the family of Mike Schmidt. Ken published a notice in the current newsletter.
2. Genie announced that she will be available to do macros in Sept. and Oct.
3. Genie reported that Sue Robb has contacted all those interested new members who signed up at the Expo. They are expected to contact teams of thier choosing to arrange to join them on an outing. They are then expected to inform Sue of which team(s) they have chosen to join.
4. Gary shared with us samples of the invasive mud snails that were found under rocks in Spring Creek.
September 2024
Attendance: Bill Smith 2, QC, Susan Sapp 5,8, Carolyn Hatley 1, Jan Hoffmaster 15, Dan DeLotto 13, Genevieve Robine 2, Rob Fugate 12, 13, Andy Norton 15, Ivie Foster, Centre County Conservation Officer, Pat DeLotto
Welcome to All Members: Bill welcomed all and opened the meeting.
Approval of Minutes: Dan made a motion to approve the August minutes and Jan seconded the motion. All approved.
Budget Report: Rob reported an expense of $94.50 for a meter head. There was a credit of $26.87 from one of the supply companies. The current balance is $3606.94
Equipment Supplies Report: Dan purchased a new probe tip for his team’s Oakton PCTS Tstr 50 since it would no longer calibrate.
Quality Control Updates: Bill reported that QC is in process. The two remaining teams to test will be finished in October
Publicity Report and Information: (Andy) The Master Naturalist class will meet on October 2. Carolyn mentioned that she has a team ready to participate. The team members are Carolyn Hatley, Genie Robine, Dave DeCapria, Fred Gildow, Dan DeLotto, Gary Moorman and Kelle Kersten.
Training News and Updates: PaSEC is still looking for someone to fill this position.
Volunteer Hours Report: Gary submitted the following information: In June, 24 participants reported 169 hours and 870.5 miles driven. In July, 25 participants reported 136.75 hours and 678.5 miles driven. In August, 24 participants reported 151.25 hours and 714.5 miles driven.
Webiste: (Rob Fugate and Bill Smith) A code problem has been fixed, php implemented and the database is up to date.
Grants and Sponsorships: Gary submitted the following report: A proposal was submitted to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission for $5000, the maximum amount that can be requested. Funds, if received, would be used to replace or refurbish equipment as we require. All the funds would have to be spent by the end of Dec. 2025.
Old Business
1. Weaver Farm incident – Carolyn noted her appreciation to Andy for following up on this incident. Andy provided photos that showed that the CCPaSEC site was not on the property in question. There were other groups working on that property.
2. Sign up for fall macro counts – Genie requested that team leaders sign up for fall macros.
3. Establishment of a new test site due to bridge repair on Lick Run – Ivie Foster spoke with landowner Terry Rogers of 593 Walnut St Howard. Mr. Rogers was very agreeable and gave permission for testing and parking on his property.
4. 3-D printed D.O. probe cover – Bill used his 3-D printer to make a protective head for a meter. The company has introduced a newer model with the a protective probe tip.
New Business
1. Walker Township Solar Farm Proposals – Cadmium testing: Bill found test strips and suggested testing Little Fishing Creek before the establishment of the solar farm.
2. Airport pollution: Rob received a letter from the state informing that wells will be tested. A document about the airport findings has been published on the CCPaSEC web site.
3. Maggie Anderson of ClearWater sent information to Carolyn regarding a grant from Sierra Club. Carolyn sent the information to Gary.
