Blue Hills Trails Association Annual Meeting

June 4, 2025

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Meeting called to order

by John Waldron, president, at 7:05 p.m. at Out There: Nordic Sports Store, Rice Lake, Wisconsin

Attendance

Officers: John Waldron (president), Geary Searfoss (vice president / treasurer), Tom Paulsen (secretary emeritus)

Members: Dan Bale, Sam Behrends, Carolyn Chatterton, Howard Chatterton, Tyler Gruetzmacher, Dominic Hodkiewicz, Ron Jasperson, Justin Johnson, John Kann, Peggy Kohler, Andy Komp, Greg Mikunda, Jan Paulsen, Jerry Schneider, Gail Waldron, Kevin Westlund, Amanda Wieckowicz, Bob Wieckowicz, Mark Zellmer, John Ziemer

Non-members: Joe Binek, Anna DeMers, Ryan Ebner, Kathy Halbur, Tim Halbur, Bjorn Hanson, Kristin Hanson, Audrey Komp, Gary Mikolon, Ryan Urban

With our large gathering, attendees introduced themselves, and described their association with the Blue Hills Trail.

‍Minutes

Motion by Ron Jasperson, second by Tom Paulsen, to dispense with reading of the prior minutes of May 2024 and to accept the May 2024 minutes without changes. Unanimously carried.

Treasurer's Report

The fiscal year runs September 1 to August 31 inclusive. Revenue ($34264.84) exceeded expenses ($20781.22) by $13483.62. We received generous donations from individuals and businesses.

Our bottom line shows a positive balance on April 1, 2025 (available cash) of $72477.71.

Objectives

1. Election of officers
2. Old Business
3. Membership Fees
4. New Business
5. Designate committee members
6. Establish a Board of Directors

Election of Officers

Moved by Tom Paulsen to elect Geary Searfoss as vice president, Geary Searfoss as treasurer, and Amanda Wieckowicz as secretary. Seconded by Andy Komp. Approved unanimously. 

No candidate volunteered or was presented for the role of president. The position of president is currently vacant – a president will be sought and recommended by the Board of Directors (a Board of Directors will be a new form of operations for this organization).

Old Business

Review of the past year (2024-2025):

• Annual snowfall was just 33 inches, with frequent melting of the base. Comparisons were made with previous winters. Visit our website for detailed comparisons of snowfall going back to 1999.
• Grooming occurred 25 times during the 2024-25 ski season: once in December, 5 times in January,16 times in February, and 3 times in March.
• Rusk County Trail issues were discussed.  
  
  • Since 2019 we have utilized Excelsior Road on the West Side for skiing and it has become a favorite trail. However, the Rusk County Forestry Committee, after many meetings, has decided to allow truck traffic on the trail year-round. The Forestry Committee further instructed the Blue Hills Trail Association to come up with an alternative trail to thereby avoid skiers needing to use Excelsior Road.
  • Image problems were reviewed. Some of the animosity in Rusk County regarding the Blue Hills Trail Association (BHTA) results from our image as a ‘private club’. We have taken these criticisms to heart and have built a kiosk emphasizing our public roots, designed to be similar to kiosks at other Rusk County properties. We have reduced our trail signage. We have created and begun using a mobile display that can be taken to public gatherings. Tnhis display has been shown at a library presentation, Farmers Market and other public events.
  • John showed a proposed alternative (new) West Side trail utilizing the power line and an abandoned Hunter Walker Loop running from Audie Lake to intersection K. Rusk County is willing to help with some of the costs associated with this trail extension if it becomes part of our future plans.
• Machinery issues reviewed. Breakdowns continued with the Honda Pioneer over the past year, with fractured ball joints of both front ends necessitating in-field repairs 2-4 miles out on the trail. A spirited discussion ensued on options to replace the Honda Pioneer, and it was requested that this issue be pursued by the new Board of Directors to be established as part of this meeting.

Membership Dues:

Current annual dues are $60 for individuals, $100 for families. Dues were increased by $10/$25 in October 2022.

Following discussion, Bjorn Hanson moved to change (reduce) dues to $40 for an individual and $50 for a family and to institute a business category at $100; and to continue a $10 daily trailhead donation. Seconded by Anna DeMers. Approved unanimously. 

New Business:

Future Planning and ideas:

• There was consensus that BHTA should continue and not consider disbanding. The long history, hours, and great value of the organization and trails was recognized.
• There was consensus that BHTA needs more participation by the next (younger) generation(s) of leaders, skiers, and non-motorized enthusiasts.
• Skiing has changed. Man-made snow has lessened the need for skiers to travel from the Twin Cities. In the Twin Cities, man-made snow is found at Theodore Wirth, Hyland, Elm Creek, and Battle Creek. In Wisconsin the Birkie Trail, Spirit Mountain, and Trollhaugen have man-made snow. Man-made snow has made good skiing conditions predictably reliable, albeit on shorter loops. The implication for us: we may need to provide better conditions on fewer kilometers of trail, rather than lesser conditions on more kilometers of trail. We may need to coordinate with other nordic ski areas to represent the many options in the Barron, Washburn and Rusk County areas.
• The Blue Hills Trail Association needs to participate in Rusk County public affairs (Trails Committee, Forestry Committee etc.) even when there are not pending issues.
• Attendees expressed a lot of support for adding mountain biking trails and winter biking trails) fat bike trails). Winter bikes are probably compatible with some of the snow shoe trails. A potential substantial donation for development of mountain bike trails was discussed. Perhaps dedicated bike trails can be linked to existing roads and trails for a hybrid solution.
  
• Creation of a Board of Directors: Our bylaws identify 4 officers - President, vice president, secretary and treasurer. One individual may serve more than one position. Waldron recommends a larger board of directors to bring in additional leaders and knowledge. A motion was made to appoint the following to a board of directors:
  
  • Dominic Hodkiewicz 
  • Bob Wieckowicz - machinery issues 
  • Bjorn Hanson - coordination with other ski areas
  • Amanda Wieckowicz - fundraising and secretary
  • Andy Komp - trail maintenance
  • John Waldron - temporary director during transition
  • Other open slot? Education person from Rusk County?
• Volunteer positions adopted:
  
  • Summer trail mowing – Joe Binek and Dominic Hodkiewicz volunteered. Tom Paulsen will show them the ropes.
  • Equipment Committee – Bob Wieckowicz will continue on the committee, Joe Binek volunteered for the committee, and John Waldron suggested Damian Sonley be a member as well.
  • Fundraising Committee – Amanda Wieckowicz volunteered to head the fundraising. Tom Paulsen will work on clarifying the role for Amanda.
  • Kevin Westlund - will continue warming house and grounds maintenance
  • Social Media – we need a more active presence on social media. Sam Behrends volunteered to enhance our Social Media and chair the new committee.
• Additional volunteers needed for the following:
  
  • Annual November banquet coordinator: the new Board of Directors should decide if we will hold our usual annual banquet (37th annual) again this fall. We need to decide on a banquet chairperson, raffle items, online and/or in-person auction, and more.
  • Fun days at trailhead: we need someone to organize Moonlight skis, campfire nights, etc
  • Trail Committee: this has a short timeline to apply. Separate email forthcoming.
  • Grooming coordinator: this individual communicates with the head groomer to decide when and where to groom during the ski season, depending on conditions, weather, snowfall, temperature, etc.

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Committee Designations

To be carried over with additions as highlighted in bold

• Banquet Committee - We Need A (chair and emcee)

• Fun Day / Full Moon Ski Committee - open

• Equipment Committee - Bob Wieckowicz (chair), Joe Binek, Damian Sonley

• Fundraising - Tom Paulsen, Amanda Wieckowicz

• Grooming and Trail Maintenance Committee - Jerry Schneider, Steve Porn (chair)

• Social Media - Sam Behrends

• Ski Clinic Committee - open

• Snowshoe Trail - Dan Bjugstad, John Kann (chair)

• Website - Tom Paulsen (chair)

‍Meeting Adjourned

Motion to adjourn by John Waldron. Adjourned 8:58 p.m.

Minutes

Taken by John Waldron and Tom Paulsen

 A Listing of Active Committees

• Banquet Committee
• Fun Day / Full Moon Ski Committee
• Equipment Committee
• Fundraising Committee
• Grooming and Trail Maintenance Committee
• Social Media
• Ski Clinic
• Snowshoe Trail
• Website Committee

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