WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, INC.
Your local forum for discussion, participation and comment in matters of concern to the community. WACO promotes the social, cultural and economic welfare of the Willow area.
WACO EventsVolunteer
This website is a service for the community of Willow, Alaska. Find WACO meeting minutes and agendas as well as information about committees, the community center and, local groups. Committee and group news or announcements are also posted as received. View the calendar for the schedule of local activities/events.
WACO meetings are the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Willow Community Center.
WACO Meetings
WACO Community Meeting
The first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM
Willow Community Center
Latest News
WACO COMMUNITY MEETING AUGUST 4 2021 7PM
AT NEWMAN MEMORIAL PARK
MEETING AGENDA:
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PAST MEETING
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
F. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
1. Board Officers' Reports – Attached
a. Chair, Linda Oxley
b. Vice-Chair, Lisa Schooler-Nuss
c. Secretary, Debbie Cook
d. Treasurer, Al Felt
e. At-Large Representative 1, Tyge Erickson
f. At-Large Representative 2, Chris Stitt
g. At-Large Representative 3, Barbara Ensley
h. At-Large Representative 4, LeaAnn Reicks
2.. Committee Reports – Attached
a. Carnival
b. Trails
c. Youth Forum (40-acre park)
d. CERT
e. Recycling
f. Lions Club
News from the Borough – Tam Boeve
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. MEA and electricity issues
J. NEW BUSINESS
K. Community Groups/Clubs
Fire Service Area, Library, Chamber of Commerce, Community Enrichment, WDMA, Lion’s Club, PTA,
WHO, WHWF, Garden Club, Willow Ice
L. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PERSONS TO BE HEARD
M. ADJOURN
WACO Consent agenda reports
Aug 4, 2021
Chair report
Sadly I need to make sure that as many Willow residents as possible are aware of the increasing risk (again) of Covid 19. The newest known variant called Delta, is even more transmissible than the other variants. That means that the amount of virus living in a person’s nose and being distributed with breathing, etc. is a much bigger volume of virus than the available volume of previous variants. As of this writing, CDC has also alerted us to the fact that even vaccinated people who catch a mild case or even a case of Covid with no symptoms are passing it along to other people (another aspect of the Delta variant; the virus will continue to evolve in an effort to survive – only when enough people are vaccinated or have had the illness, only then will our pandemic be over... ) As of today, CDC is recommending that everyone wear masks indoors again. It is a tough thing to think about; here we thought we’d made enough progress with vaccinations to be able to stop that infection control measure. Please take care of yourselves, your families and your friends and contacts. As I heard recently, each of us has freedoms, but those freedoms end at the intersection with another person’s health… Shared air space makes everyone vulnerable….
Complaints have come forward from folks who live in mid Willow with regard to power surges, power outages and communication to/from MEA. I am in communication with Jennifer Castro, their Community Outreach contact. She has provided some info on the rash of outages this summer and I will bring a copy for folks to the meeting. I have invited her to attend but I do not know at this time what her plans might be. For sure she welcomes anyone to call her about their specific situation: 907-761-9317
Library construction and Willow Community Center renovations continue. We have no firm completion date – still somewhere between Sept and Nov…
Please join us for WACO meetings. We are having nice evenings in Newman Memorial Park. Bring a chair and your favorite bug spray although lately the mosquitos have quieted a bit. Maybe we have bats….. First Wed of each month, 7-9P… See you on Aug 4!!!
Youth Forum
This next week we will meet 7-9 on Aug 5 at Newman Memorial Park. We have received word that the AARP forwarded our application for pickle ball equipment to a state agency and we are funded!! This is a growing indoor sport good for all ages of folks…
Unfortunately, we did not get the grant from AARP to put benches on the Shem Pete trail, but a couple of ideas are being discussed about benches.
And we are still waiting to see if we got a grant to build a community greenhouse and raised garden beds. Maybe we will hear by the meeting….
Put on your calendar!: Shem Pete Trail Ribbon Cutting after a fun run/walk… Saturday Aug 7… Watch for further information…
Also, Susan Bartel, an Alaska Geocaching enthusiast will be discussing with us the option of using the park as a geocache site!!
Come join us!!
Carnival Committee
We have started planning for the 60th year of the Willow Winter Carnival!! Next meeting is Aug 2, 6-8p at the Newman Memorial Park…
So far decisions include: any outdoor activity that can otherwise be held will go forward if they have leaders (cost and insurance coverage issues may arise). Each of the usual indoor events/activities is being discussed and we are identifying what modifications might be available if Covid remains difficult. We had some really creative thoughts come forward about those modifications and the beginning a timeline for final decisions has been started. And yes, we are working to bring the Fireworks back!!!!
Please consider joining the planning – it’s a fun activity in itself!!!
Willow CERT Consent Agenda WACO August 2021
Community Safety Day at the Willow Farmers Market - Willow CERT was invited to be part of this wonderful event and we asked Talkeetna CERT to join us. CERT, Willow and Caswell Fire Dept, Mat Su Borough Emergency Operations Center (MSB EOC), Red Cross and AK Solstice Search Dogs all partnered for a great day of sharing information on emergency preparedness with the community.
CERT volunteers brought our new educational “spin and win” disaster game, We had 12 community members sign up interested for more info on CERT training.
Red Cross signed people up for free smoke alarm installations, MSB EOC offered property Firewise assessments, Willow & Caswell Fire Dept were recruiting for Firefighters and AK Solstice Search Dogs were there with their humans explaining their valuable work.
We are working with the State to return on the last day of the Farmers Market and it will include the State of Alaska Earthquake Simulator trailer.
July 4th WACO Parade. Per Request of WACO, for the 6th year Willow CERT enthusiastically worked to promote safety at the Parade. Our team met prior to the parade line up to practice with our radios, assign our positions and plan our strategies. Working in pairs our team met with each group of parade participants as they lined up and reviewed the WACO Parade Safety Guidelines. We then spread out with 2-3 CERT volunteers at each road crossing and the school parking lot and a rover on a bicycle along the Parade route. Our CERT volunteers enjoyed helping keep the parade safe and fun!
Interested in CERT? Contact Brenda McCain at: HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected] or call 907-355-1418
Brenda McCain
Willow CERT Program Manager/Team Leader
Willow Trail Committee Report
It’s been a great month for Willow trails. First, we were awarded $21K from the Recreational Trails Progam. Our project “Tracks for Trails” will be to purchase and install a set of Mattracks to a committee owned Nissan pickup truck. This will give us another tool to help groom and bust out some of the snow berms that plagued us last winter.
Other good news is that the Parkway Trail alongside the Willow Creek Parkway has been completed!
This latest 360’ segment crosses a salmon rearing stream feeding into Willow Creek which was a real challenge to design and build. Thanks to the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, WACO and WTC funding this $27K project!
If you haven’t done so already, pickup your passports for the Willow Trails Challenge at the Willow Public Library. The mosquitoes are thinning out so it’s a good time to explore. Directions to and description of the trails are written in the passports.
To get good information on Willow’s winter and/or summer trails, , visit:
www.waco-ak.org/committees/trails/
The Willow Trail Committee meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7pm at Newman Park.
All are welcome. Ask to join us at [email protected]
Join us on Facebook: Willow Trail Committee
AT NEWMAN MEMORIAL PARK
MEETING AGENDA:
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PAST MEETING
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
F. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
1. Board Officers' Reports – Attached
a. Chair, Linda Oxley
b. Vice-Chair, Lisa Schooler-Nuss
c. Secretary, Debbie Cook
d. Treasurer, Al Felt
e. At-Large Representative 1, Tyge Erickson
f. At-Large Representative 2, Chris Stitt
g. At-Large Representative 3, Barbara Ensley
h. At-Large Representative 4, LeaAnn Reicks
2.. Committee Reports – Attached
a. Carnival
b. Trails
c. Youth Forum (40-acre park)
d. CERT
e. Recycling
f. Lions Club
News from the Borough – Tam Boeve
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. MEA and electricity issues
J. NEW BUSINESS
K. Community Groups/Clubs
Fire Service Area, Library, Chamber of Commerce, Community Enrichment, WDMA, Lion’s Club, PTA,
WHO, WHWF, Garden Club, Willow Ice
L. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PERSONS TO BE HEARD
M. ADJOURN
WACO Consent agenda reports
Aug 4, 2021
Chair report
Sadly I need to make sure that as many Willow residents as possible are aware of the increasing risk (again) of Covid 19. The newest known variant called Delta, is even more transmissible than the other variants. That means that the amount of virus living in a person’s nose and being distributed with breathing, etc. is a much bigger volume of virus than the available volume of previous variants. As of this writing, CDC has also alerted us to the fact that even vaccinated people who catch a mild case or even a case of Covid with no symptoms are passing it along to other people (another aspect of the Delta variant; the virus will continue to evolve in an effort to survive – only when enough people are vaccinated or have had the illness, only then will our pandemic be over... ) As of today, CDC is recommending that everyone wear masks indoors again. It is a tough thing to think about; here we thought we’d made enough progress with vaccinations to be able to stop that infection control measure. Please take care of yourselves, your families and your friends and contacts. As I heard recently, each of us has freedoms, but those freedoms end at the intersection with another person’s health… Shared air space makes everyone vulnerable….
Complaints have come forward from folks who live in mid Willow with regard to power surges, power outages and communication to/from MEA. I am in communication with Jennifer Castro, their Community Outreach contact. She has provided some info on the rash of outages this summer and I will bring a copy for folks to the meeting. I have invited her to attend but I do not know at this time what her plans might be. For sure she welcomes anyone to call her about their specific situation: 907-761-9317
Library construction and Willow Community Center renovations continue. We have no firm completion date – still somewhere between Sept and Nov…
Please join us for WACO meetings. We are having nice evenings in Newman Memorial Park. Bring a chair and your favorite bug spray although lately the mosquitos have quieted a bit. Maybe we have bats….. First Wed of each month, 7-9P… See you on Aug 4!!!
Youth Forum
This next week we will meet 7-9 on Aug 5 at Newman Memorial Park. We have received word that the AARP forwarded our application for pickle ball equipment to a state agency and we are funded!! This is a growing indoor sport good for all ages of folks…
Unfortunately, we did not get the grant from AARP to put benches on the Shem Pete trail, but a couple of ideas are being discussed about benches.
And we are still waiting to see if we got a grant to build a community greenhouse and raised garden beds. Maybe we will hear by the meeting….
Put on your calendar!: Shem Pete Trail Ribbon Cutting after a fun run/walk… Saturday Aug 7… Watch for further information…
Also, Susan Bartel, an Alaska Geocaching enthusiast will be discussing with us the option of using the park as a geocache site!!
Come join us!!
Carnival Committee
We have started planning for the 60th year of the Willow Winter Carnival!! Next meeting is Aug 2, 6-8p at the Newman Memorial Park…
So far decisions include: any outdoor activity that can otherwise be held will go forward if they have leaders (cost and insurance coverage issues may arise). Each of the usual indoor events/activities is being discussed and we are identifying what modifications might be available if Covid remains difficult. We had some really creative thoughts come forward about those modifications and the beginning a timeline for final decisions has been started. And yes, we are working to bring the Fireworks back!!!!
Please consider joining the planning – it’s a fun activity in itself!!!
Willow CERT Consent Agenda WACO August 2021
Community Safety Day at the Willow Farmers Market - Willow CERT was invited to be part of this wonderful event and we asked Talkeetna CERT to join us. CERT, Willow and Caswell Fire Dept, Mat Su Borough Emergency Operations Center (MSB EOC), Red Cross and AK Solstice Search Dogs all partnered for a great day of sharing information on emergency preparedness with the community.
CERT volunteers brought our new educational “spin and win” disaster game, We had 12 community members sign up interested for more info on CERT training.
Red Cross signed people up for free smoke alarm installations, MSB EOC offered property Firewise assessments, Willow & Caswell Fire Dept were recruiting for Firefighters and AK Solstice Search Dogs were there with their humans explaining their valuable work.
We are working with the State to return on the last day of the Farmers Market and it will include the State of Alaska Earthquake Simulator trailer.
July 4th WACO Parade. Per Request of WACO, for the 6th year Willow CERT enthusiastically worked to promote safety at the Parade. Our team met prior to the parade line up to practice with our radios, assign our positions and plan our strategies. Working in pairs our team met with each group of parade participants as they lined up and reviewed the WACO Parade Safety Guidelines. We then spread out with 2-3 CERT volunteers at each road crossing and the school parking lot and a rover on a bicycle along the Parade route. Our CERT volunteers enjoyed helping keep the parade safe and fun!
Interested in CERT? Contact Brenda McCain at: HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected] or call 907-355-1418
Brenda McCain
Willow CERT Program Manager/Team Leader
Willow Trail Committee Report
It’s been a great month for Willow trails. First, we were awarded $21K from the Recreational Trails Progam. Our project “Tracks for Trails” will be to purchase and install a set of Mattracks to a committee owned Nissan pickup truck. This will give us another tool to help groom and bust out some of the snow berms that plagued us last winter.
Other good news is that the Parkway Trail alongside the Willow Creek Parkway has been completed!
This latest 360’ segment crosses a salmon rearing stream feeding into Willow Creek which was a real challenge to design and build. Thanks to the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, WACO and WTC funding this $27K project!
If you haven’t done so already, pickup your passports for the Willow Trails Challenge at the Willow Public Library. The mosquitoes are thinning out so it’s a good time to explore. Directions to and description of the trails are written in the passports.
To get good information on Willow’s winter and/or summer trails, , visit:
www.waco-ak.org/committees/trails/
The Willow Trail Committee meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7pm at Newman Park.
All are welcome. Ask to join us at [email protected]
Join us on Facebook: Willow Trail Committee
www.waco-ak.org
Maps, descriptions and planning for winter and summer trails in the Willow, Alaska area.
WACO MEETING MINUTES
Date: July 7, 2021
Occasion: General Board Meeting
CALLED TO ORDER: 703PM
QUORUM: 6 BOARD MEMBERS – 12 COMMUNITY MEMBERS – BOARD AND COMMUNITY QUORUM REALIZED.
PLEDGE - deferred
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE MEETING: APPROVED
Changes to the agenda – comments from the Chair, Agenda approved as modified
CHAIR – LINDA – 4th of July parade great success. Thanks to to 3 churches involved. Thanks to Sid for cleanup and thanks to the band. Only costs were 250.00 for the port O potty and 309.00 for event insurance. Carnival meeting will be 19 July at 6pm.
BOROUGH ASSEMBLY REPORT – TAM BOEVE
There is a dumpster available for metal at the Willow Transfer site. Guidelines for disposal are posted online.
SIDNEY – Wanted to bring awareness to MEA to power outages when there is no weather disruption.
Linda will see if we ca get a tech out to answer questions.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Agreed to have Lisa put together a committee to get the community more involved and informed.
FIRE DEPT. – 11 calls and a forest fire at mile 92 over the holiday weekend. Still working on recruiting.
Firewise surveys are going well.
LIBRARY – Summer reading has 4 more weeks. There are 45-65 kids a week participating. Looking forward to next year. Still have Trail Passes. People coming from all over the valley to try our trails. Library closed 24 July. Siding going up on 21 July.
*Note from Linda – taking Chamber off of the groups list.* Bird house experience postponed.
DOG MUSHERS – Chris Stitt officially resigned. Rabies clinic in October.
LIONS CLUB – Meeting 8 July. Willow Wild Program taking 10-12 kids out for events.
PTA – Tiffany – funded virtual trips. Farmers Market Kids Day.
HEALTH – Regrouping – new bylaws. Want to do more going forward.
WILLOW HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION - Putting the roof on the cabin. Hoping to finish in August.
Maybe we can have a WACO meeting in the finished cabin!
GARDEN CLUB –Garden Tour info TBA and coming out soon.
CERT – Firewise and Sound the Alarm going well. Thanks to Tiffany for Farmers Market involvement.
ICE – N/A
TOM PHILLIPS – Road service 14 July at 7pm. 6 August with Farmers Market bringing a trailer.
YOUTH FORUM – LINDA – will meet in August. DOT – Shannon will be at the Community Center this fall to talk about plans to bring the Parks Highway through Willow.
ADJOURN 825PM
Date: July 7, 2021
Occasion: General Board Meeting
CALLED TO ORDER: 703PM
QUORUM: 6 BOARD MEMBERS – 12 COMMUNITY MEMBERS – BOARD AND COMMUNITY QUORUM REALIZED.
PLEDGE - deferred
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE MEETING: APPROVED
Changes to the agenda – comments from the Chair, Agenda approved as modified
CHAIR – LINDA – 4th of July parade great success. Thanks to to 3 churches involved. Thanks to Sid for cleanup and thanks to the band. Only costs were 250.00 for the port O potty and 309.00 for event insurance. Carnival meeting will be 19 July at 6pm.
BOROUGH ASSEMBLY REPORT – TAM BOEVE
There is a dumpster available for metal at the Willow Transfer site. Guidelines for disposal are posted online.
SIDNEY – Wanted to bring awareness to MEA to power outages when there is no weather disruption.
Linda will see if we ca get a tech out to answer questions.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Agreed to have Lisa put together a committee to get the community more involved and informed.
FIRE DEPT. – 11 calls and a forest fire at mile 92 over the holiday weekend. Still working on recruiting.
Firewise surveys are going well.
LIBRARY – Summer reading has 4 more weeks. There are 45-65 kids a week participating. Looking forward to next year. Still have Trail Passes. People coming from all over the valley to try our trails. Library closed 24 July. Siding going up on 21 July.
*Note from Linda – taking Chamber off of the groups list.* Bird house experience postponed.
DOG MUSHERS – Chris Stitt officially resigned. Rabies clinic in October.
LIONS CLUB – Meeting 8 July. Willow Wild Program taking 10-12 kids out for events.
PTA – Tiffany – funded virtual trips. Farmers Market Kids Day.
HEALTH – Regrouping – new bylaws. Want to do more going forward.
WILLOW HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION - Putting the roof on the cabin. Hoping to finish in August.
Maybe we can have a WACO meeting in the finished cabin!
GARDEN CLUB –Garden Tour info TBA and coming out soon.
CERT – Firewise and Sound the Alarm going well. Thanks to Tiffany for Farmers Market involvement.
ICE – N/A
TOM PHILLIPS – Road service 14 July at 7pm. 6 August with Farmers Market bringing a trailer.
YOUTH FORUM – LINDA – will meet in August. DOT – Shannon will be at the Community Center this fall to talk about plans to bring the Parks Highway through Willow.
ADJOURN 825PM
No one had brought a flag to the park and with no flag, no pledge.
What does it mean where it says Pledge: Deferred?
Hello can you tell me if willow has a council meeting? Thank you
Willow eBreeze July 2021 - mailchi.mp/2a5a9e062949/willow-ebreeze-july-2021
Could you include a photo of the plastic clam shells referred to in the Recycling section please? I don't know if a lot of people realize what they are. Thank you.
***FOR THOSE OF YOU INTERESTED IN SEEING WHERE THOSE TAX DOLLARS GO!***
ecommerce.matsugov.us/transparency/Documents/FY2020%20Citizens%20Financial%20Report.pdf
ecommerce.matsugov.us/transparency/Documents/FY2020%20Citizens%20Financial%20Report.pdf
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WACO COMMUNITY MEETING JULY 7 2021 7PM AT NEWMANS PARK
MEETING AGENDA:
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PAST MEETING
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
F. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
1. Board Officers' Reports – Attached
a. Chair, Linda Oxley
b. Vice-Chair, Lisa Schooler-Nuss
c. Secretary, Debbie Cook
d. Treasurer, Al Felt
e. At-Large Representative 1, Tyge Erickson
f. At-Large Representative 2, Chris Stitt
g. At-Large Representative 3, Barbara Ensley
h. At-Large Representative 4, LeaAnn Reicks
2.. Committee Reports – Attached
a. Carnival
b. Trails
c. Youth Forum (40-acre park)
d. CERT
e. Recycling
f. Lions Club
News from the Borough – Tam Boeve
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Evolution of WACO, developing a committee
J. NEW BUSINESS
K. Community Groups/Clubs
Fire Service Area, Library, Chamber of Commerce, Community Enrichment, WDMA, Lion’s Club, PTA,
WHO, WHWF, Garden Club, Willow Ice
L. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PERSONS TO BE HEARD
M. ADJOURN
Consent agenda reports:
Chair Report
We are excited to be able to liberalize our activities a little bit and hold the parade, a family picnic and kids games for the 4th of July! We deeply appreciate the support of the Baptist Church for letting us stage the parade from their parking lot, and the Baptist Church, the Church of the Rock and Hilltop Assembly for providing the kids games…. Sincere thanks also to Brian Grenier to be the Parade Master and to the CERT members for providing safety support for the parade.
Construction continues on the new library and on the renovations to the WCC!! We still hope for a return to that building by sometime this fall. In the meantime, WACO meetings will continue to be held at Newman Memorial Park. We strongly encourage all to join us; you are also encouraged to bring a chair and bug dope… While an occasional bat has been seen in the park, the mosquitos currently have the upper hand!!
Carnival committee
We will resume meetings in the 2nd half of July – stay tuned for notice of day/time (tentatively July 18, 6p) and they will also be held in the park. We will work on 2 basic designs, one that would renew our traditional schedule of indoor/outdoor activities and one that will minimize the indoor activities. Sadly, the specter of Covid remains impacting us. With the delta variant currently advancing in numbers around the country with its increased communicability and some breakthrough severe illnesses, we will be staying on top of the numbers in our state: of disease counts; disease severity and vaccination rates and effectiveness as we move forward in planning. I would love to see many, many folks involved in our planning!! So watch FB, the calendar and/or the website for further info.
Youth Forum
Please go to the park and see the developments!!
Thanks to Steve Charles, Mike Jonrowe and Marty Spinde for helping to install the educational kiosks along the Shem Pete trail. They are beautiful and informative. We used the remaining monies from the recreational bond money and grant monies from Matsu Trails and Parks Foundation to pay for the development by Alaska State Parks of the educational panels and for the installation.
And also deep thanks to Mike Feil, Cory Conklin, Chamberlain Waterhouse, Bridget Burks, Emmet Owen, Tom Wise, John Spitzberg, Julie Nelson, Debbie Cook, Vic Fitzgaireld and Mart Spinde who spent a hot day chipping the slash (from Forestry fuel mitigation efforts) into mulch and laying it out on the tree roots that have emerged along the Dog Park trails. We plan on gathering more slash as standing dead and dying trees are felled in the park to do a second day of mulching later this summer and hope to cover the entire trail system within the dog park with a nice thick layer of mulch. For that gathering we will do a barbecue now that we have learned just how long a task this really is!!! Volunteering in the park is fun and a great way to support our community!!
While doing the mulching project, sharp eyes noted that many of the top rail ties had been cut on about 120 feet of the dog park fence on the backside near the Sunnybrook neighborhood. We believe that we have thwarted a 3rd year of top rail theft. Several mitigation efforts have been implemented including more frequently drive-bys by Alaska State Troopers. And many thanks to Todd Thompson, a neighbor to the park who will be installing a camera to help us identify the thief should he/she foolishly tries to come back. Thanks to Tom Wise and John Spitzberg for replacing the ties on that fencing….. We appreciate everyone helping to keep an eye on all parts of the park to keep it safe….
We are skipping the July meeting, and will convene again in the park on August 5, 7p. We will review what the results are for several grants that we have submitted to develop the bike park and a community greenhouse and raised beds, and making plans accordingly.
Linda Oxley
July 2021
Willow Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Consent Agenda for WACO
Willow recently lost a long time, dedicated Willow and Forestry firefighter and former Chief Lori Wiertsema. Lori was a legend for her determination to promote community awareness of wildfire and home fire safety.
Willow CERT worked with Lori on Fire Prevention activities over many years.
Our team was proud to support our Fire Dept by implementing their plan in providing traffic, ATV trail management for the Last Alarm Service and Bell Ceremony held in our park to honor Lori Wiertsema.
Preparedness for the community
Red Cross “Sound the Alarm” campaign- On June 19th, Willow CERT, Willow and Caswell Fire Depts and Red Cross worked in teams throughout the community. We installed fire alarms, provided info on reflective address signs, and having Firewise property assessment done by MSB and Forestry.
For a property Firewise assessment by Borough Emergency Specialists and ForestryYou sign up on Borough website. Lots of really great prepared info there. HYPERLINK "https://firewise.matsugov.us" firewise.matsugov.us
FEMA Region 10 Senior Preparedness Webinars held 6/22 and 6/24
Lots of good info presented by FEMA in these one hour programs.
Watch and hear Willow CERT Program mgr Brenda talk about Willow CERT and promote CERT training as a great way to learn about prepareness
HYPERLINK "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENi48pStXKE" Preparedness at Home for Older Adults Webinar - 06/22/21 - YouTube
HYPERLINK "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_squlMHxMoQ" Social Support Networks for Older Adults Webinar - 06/24/21 - You Tube - YouTube
This Consent Agenda is submitted one week prior to the WACO meeting. At this time additional activities CERT plans to be involved in prior to the WACO meeting are:
July 2nd: Community Safety Day at the Willow Farmers Market
July 4th WACO Parade. Per Request of WACO, for the 6th year Willow CERT will work to promote safety along the Parade route.
If you are interested in CERT contact Brenda McCain at 907-355-1418 or HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]
Brenda McCain
Willow CERT Program Manager/Team Leader
MEETING AGENDA:
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
C. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM PAST MEETING
E. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
F. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
1. Board Officers' Reports – Attached
a. Chair, Linda Oxley
b. Vice-Chair, Lisa Schooler-Nuss
c. Secretary, Debbie Cook
d. Treasurer, Al Felt
e. At-Large Representative 1, Tyge Erickson
f. At-Large Representative 2, Chris Stitt
g. At-Large Representative 3, Barbara Ensley
h. At-Large Representative 4, LeaAnn Reicks
2.. Committee Reports – Attached
a. Carnival
b. Trails
c. Youth Forum (40-acre park)
d. CERT
e. Recycling
f. Lions Club
News from the Borough – Tam Boeve
H. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Evolution of WACO, developing a committee
J. NEW BUSINESS
K. Community Groups/Clubs
Fire Service Area, Library, Chamber of Commerce, Community Enrichment, WDMA, Lion’s Club, PTA,
WHO, WHWF, Garden Club, Willow Ice
L. ANNOUNCEMENTS/PERSONS TO BE HEARD
M. ADJOURN
Consent agenda reports:
Chair Report
We are excited to be able to liberalize our activities a little bit and hold the parade, a family picnic and kids games for the 4th of July! We deeply appreciate the support of the Baptist Church for letting us stage the parade from their parking lot, and the Baptist Church, the Church of the Rock and Hilltop Assembly for providing the kids games…. Sincere thanks also to Brian Grenier to be the Parade Master and to the CERT members for providing safety support for the parade.
Construction continues on the new library and on the renovations to the WCC!! We still hope for a return to that building by sometime this fall. In the meantime, WACO meetings will continue to be held at Newman Memorial Park. We strongly encourage all to join us; you are also encouraged to bring a chair and bug dope… While an occasional bat has been seen in the park, the mosquitos currently have the upper hand!!
Carnival committee
We will resume meetings in the 2nd half of July – stay tuned for notice of day/time (tentatively July 18, 6p) and they will also be held in the park. We will work on 2 basic designs, one that would renew our traditional schedule of indoor/outdoor activities and one that will minimize the indoor activities. Sadly, the specter of Covid remains impacting us. With the delta variant currently advancing in numbers around the country with its increased communicability and some breakthrough severe illnesses, we will be staying on top of the numbers in our state: of disease counts; disease severity and vaccination rates and effectiveness as we move forward in planning. I would love to see many, many folks involved in our planning!! So watch FB, the calendar and/or the website for further info.
Youth Forum
Please go to the park and see the developments!!
Thanks to Steve Charles, Mike Jonrowe and Marty Spinde for helping to install the educational kiosks along the Shem Pete trail. They are beautiful and informative. We used the remaining monies from the recreational bond money and grant monies from Matsu Trails and Parks Foundation to pay for the development by Alaska State Parks of the educational panels and for the installation.
And also deep thanks to Mike Feil, Cory Conklin, Chamberlain Waterhouse, Bridget Burks, Emmet Owen, Tom Wise, John Spitzberg, Julie Nelson, Debbie Cook, Vic Fitzgaireld and Mart Spinde who spent a hot day chipping the slash (from Forestry fuel mitigation efforts) into mulch and laying it out on the tree roots that have emerged along the Dog Park trails. We plan on gathering more slash as standing dead and dying trees are felled in the park to do a second day of mulching later this summer and hope to cover the entire trail system within the dog park with a nice thick layer of mulch. For that gathering we will do a barbecue now that we have learned just how long a task this really is!!! Volunteering in the park is fun and a great way to support our community!!
While doing the mulching project, sharp eyes noted that many of the top rail ties had been cut on about 120 feet of the dog park fence on the backside near the Sunnybrook neighborhood. We believe that we have thwarted a 3rd year of top rail theft. Several mitigation efforts have been implemented including more frequently drive-bys by Alaska State Troopers. And many thanks to Todd Thompson, a neighbor to the park who will be installing a camera to help us identify the thief should he/she foolishly tries to come back. Thanks to Tom Wise and John Spitzberg for replacing the ties on that fencing….. We appreciate everyone helping to keep an eye on all parts of the park to keep it safe….
We are skipping the July meeting, and will convene again in the park on August 5, 7p. We will review what the results are for several grants that we have submitted to develop the bike park and a community greenhouse and raised beds, and making plans accordingly.
Linda Oxley
July 2021
Willow Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Consent Agenda for WACO
Willow recently lost a long time, dedicated Willow and Forestry firefighter and former Chief Lori Wiertsema. Lori was a legend for her determination to promote community awareness of wildfire and home fire safety.
Willow CERT worked with Lori on Fire Prevention activities over many years.
Our team was proud to support our Fire Dept by implementing their plan in providing traffic, ATV trail management for the Last Alarm Service and Bell Ceremony held in our park to honor Lori Wiertsema.
Preparedness for the community
Red Cross “Sound the Alarm” campaign- On June 19th, Willow CERT, Willow and Caswell Fire Depts and Red Cross worked in teams throughout the community. We installed fire alarms, provided info on reflective address signs, and having Firewise property assessment done by MSB and Forestry.
For a property Firewise assessment by Borough Emergency Specialists and ForestryYou sign up on Borough website. Lots of really great prepared info there. HYPERLINK "https://firewise.matsugov.us" firewise.matsugov.us
FEMA Region 10 Senior Preparedness Webinars held 6/22 and 6/24
Lots of good info presented by FEMA in these one hour programs.
Watch and hear Willow CERT Program mgr Brenda talk about Willow CERT and promote CERT training as a great way to learn about prepareness
HYPERLINK "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENi48pStXKE" Preparedness at Home for Older Adults Webinar - 06/22/21 - YouTube
HYPERLINK "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_squlMHxMoQ" Social Support Networks for Older Adults Webinar - 06/24/21 - You Tube - YouTube
This Consent Agenda is submitted one week prior to the WACO meeting. At this time additional activities CERT plans to be involved in prior to the WACO meeting are:
July 2nd: Community Safety Day at the Willow Farmers Market
July 4th WACO Parade. Per Request of WACO, for the 6th year Willow CERT will work to promote safety along the Parade route.
If you are interested in CERT contact Brenda McCain at 907-355-1418 or HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]
Brenda McCain
Willow CERT Program Manager/Team Leader
firewise.matsugov.us
Learn how to take effective measures to help protect your home and property from the risk of wildfire. Use FIREWISE principles to create defensible space and reduce your vulnerability to fire hazards.
The Solid Waste Division will have scrap metal collection containers at the Willow Transfer Station and the Talkeetna Transfer Station this summer.
Scrap metal will be charged at the current cubic yard rate which can be found at www.matsugov.us/services-and-rates....
***All scrap metal must be put into the designated scrap metal can – scrap cannot be left outside of the can.
***No refrigerators or freezers please. Refrigerators and freezers are accepted only at the Big Lake Transfer Station or the Central Landfill in Palmer.
***ALL fluids must be COMPLETELY drained (oil/gas from lawn mowers, engine blocks, water tanks, etc.). No sludge please.
Please see the attached flyer for more details on acceptable items and unacceptable items.
Call 907-861-7600 with any questions Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Scrap metal will be charged at the current cubic yard rate which can be found at www.matsugov.us/services-and-rates....
***All scrap metal must be put into the designated scrap metal can – scrap cannot be left outside of the can.
***No refrigerators or freezers please. Refrigerators and freezers are accepted only at the Big Lake Transfer Station or the Central Landfill in Palmer.
***ALL fluids must be COMPLETELY drained (oil/gas from lawn mowers, engine blocks, water tanks, etc.). No sludge please.
Please see the attached flyer for more details on acceptable items and unacceptable items.
Call 907-861-7600 with any questions Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Willow Community - We Need You !!
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Yesterday, June 21, 2021 we found damage to the dog park fence in Newman Memorial Park. Almost all the metal ties holding the top rail onto the top of fence had been cut off on 110 feet of the back fence (fence facing the Sunnybrook neighborhood). Only enough ties had been left on to keep it from being noticed unless you are looking for the damage. We believe that we interrupted the third year in a row of top rail being stolen from our dog park fence. Defensive measures have been implemented and the troopers have been notified. We believe the access to steal the fence is by the cul-de-sac on the Sunnybrook side of the fence.
Please keep an eye out as you use the park and as you drive by. If you see anything suspicious, please call the troopers. Do not confront anyone yourself - that could be very unsafe.
Thank you for helping to protect the community's park by being a Neighbor Watching....
Feel free to call me for more info.
LInda Oxley
Chair, WACO
907-841-3421
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Yesterday, June 21, 2021 we found damage to the dog park fence in Newman Memorial Park. Almost all the metal ties holding the top rail onto the top of fence had been cut off on 110 feet of the back fence (fence facing the Sunnybrook neighborhood). Only enough ties had been left on to keep it from being noticed unless you are looking for the damage. We believe that we interrupted the third year in a row of top rail being stolen from our dog park fence. Defensive measures have been implemented and the troopers have been notified. We believe the access to steal the fence is by the cul-de-sac on the Sunnybrook side of the fence.
Please keep an eye out as you use the park and as you drive by. If you see anything suspicious, please call the troopers. Do not confront anyone yourself - that could be very unsafe.
Thank you for helping to protect the community's park by being a Neighbor Watching....
Feel free to call me for more info.
LInda Oxley
Chair, WACO
907-841-3421
It is the best dog park in the Valley! I am so sorry this keeps happening. Y’all do a great job maintaining it so I know this has to be maddening!
where is this specifically? i want to take my willow there to enjoy herself?
Hidden camera is that possible?
Mark fencing with permanent etching when installing?
Sad to hear 😞
I replaced all ties with heavy duty ones.. Also did other security measures...