Attendance: J. Kremis, C. Jochman, W. Stevenson, N. Loprire, P. Anthony, K. Tarczy, and R. McClelland

Guests:  WCO’s Jeff Giardina & Chad Doyle / PaTU NW Region Coordinator Samantha Kutskel

• Special Report / Samantha Kutskel – Trout in the Classroom (TIC)

Samantha said that the TIC program has enjoyed tremendous growth.  There were 11 schools participating in 2006, and that grew to 169 in 2009 with 40 PaTU different chapters as sponsors.  She reviewed the goals for PaTU, and made suggestions for chapter participation:

• Be there with the students on trout release day, advertise it in the local newspapers
• Provide field trips and invite students to participate in stream projects
• Plan activities for Watershed Conservation Day
• Try fly fishing mentoring classes or Family fishing day
• Provide financial support for new equipment

She mentioned that the website patroutintheclassroom.org covers TIC activities, and has the key dates for introducing new schools into the mix:

• Apply for grants starting December 6, 2010
• Grants close on February 24, 2011
• Grants awarded early April
• Contracts due May 6th
• Training for new teachers and chapter partners will be June 24 & 25th

• The minutes were approved from October 25, 2010.

• Receipts & Disbursements Report – Carol reviewed her report ending October 31, 2010. 
• The Treasurers Reports will be filed for future audit.

A. Stream Improvement – Jeff Kremis

• Big Run Project – Jeff reported that the rebar was installed, and Bob Peters was contacted for the stone that goes on top of the mudsill.  Tom Weingartner, property owner, volunteered to install the stone.  We are not sure if the stone will be donated, or if we will have to purchase it.

Jeff Kremis made a motion to allocate $500 to pay for the stone, it seconded by Reg McClelland, and the motion passed.

• Coolspring Creek Projects – Pete Anthony presented a 3-year plan for Coolspring Creek with a sketch of the DHALO area to highlight the areas needing work.  He said that Mark Sausser, Pa Fish & Boat Commission told us that the DHALO Project is eligible for a grant of up to $3000 per year for stream improvements.   Pete said that, based on Mark’s visit to the DHALO area on November 10th, a three year program should involve stream improvements at the following locations:
   
  A. First Year - Glory Hole, east and west side of the stream
  B. Second Year - East side of the stream just north of the 'Old Swinging Bridge' location
  C. Third Year - West side of the stream 25 yards south of the Swinging Bridge location

Pete will contact Mark for approval on proposals A, B, & C for possible grant monies. 

B. Nursery – Pete Anthony & Ken Tarczy

• Raceway Status – Pete reported the fish were treated with antibiotics for 10 days.  They had a bacterial skin disease, and about 30 fish died.  The trout growth is good and they are about 10 ½ inches long.

C. Banquet / Newsletter -  Nick Loprire  & Carol Jochman

• Tabled until the Dec. meeting

D. Membership – Tom Jochman

• No report.

E.   Youth Committee – Jeff Kremis

• No report.

F. Trout in the Classroom (TIC) – Jeff Kremis & Rick Stephens (Delahunty Middle School)

• Classroom Report - Jeff reported that the eggs are starting to look like fish.

• Nothing significant.

• Marcellus Shale Gas Wells – Jeff mentioned that National TU will offer training classes that explains the hydraulic fracturing process used to drill gas wells.  There are environmental concerns associated with that process, and the membership needs to know what to look for when diagnosing potential problems.  He will contact them for the training class meeting place and schedule.
• New WCO added to Mercer County - Jeff Giardina introduced new Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO) Chad Doyle to our board members.  Jeff will continue to serve most of Mercer County and Chad will have responsibility for NE Mercer County and South Central Crawford Counties.