For the second consecutive year, the New Jersey Chapter hosted the Annual Board of Directors Meeting at the Manor House at Kittatinny Valley State Park, site of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service aviation base at Andover-Aeroflex Airport. Weather and road conditions proved to be factors this year, limiting attendance.

The Friday board meeting was cancelled due to the poor road conditions delaying the arrival of Chairman Keith Argow. The Saturday session was called to order by Chairman Argow at 9:00 a.m. The meeting got underway with Ray Grimes being appointed as Acting Secretary until the election and Steve Cummings as Parliamentarian. Roll call was taken; officers present were Keith Goodrich (ME), Mark Haughwout (VT), Henry Isenberg (MA), Bob Spear and Bob Wolff (NJ), Cummings (PA), Argow (VA), Gary Weber (ID), and Treasurer Shirley Goodrich. Chris Haartz (NH) and Historian Iris Baird had called and cancelled due to road and weather conditions. Introductions of others present were then made. Final meeting attendance was tallied at 34.

The Chairman’s Report was then presented. Included in it were thoughts of alternating between East and West or centralizing the location of the annual meeting. The announcement was made that one chapter brochure will be produced, possibly as a template for others to use. Keith relayed that the website is now up and running at the new address . Dave Hilton was appointed as the new web manager, with Rob Hoeye as a technical consultant. The status of the organization’s IRS 501(c)3 application was discussed. A full-year’s financial report must be submitted; the 1998 reports turned in to Treasurer Shirley Goodrich will be used. It appears now we are finally getting close to attaining this long-awaited goal!

Region and chapter reports began; Eastern Deputy Mark Haughwout briefed the group on projects throughout the region, including the status of Craney Hill in New Hampshire and Beebe Hill, Mount Utsayantha, Poke-O-Moonshine, Hunter Mountain, Mount Arab, Hadley Mountain, Balsam Lake Mountain, Overlook Mountain, Red Hill, and Tremper Mountain, all in New York. He related some of the specifics from the Beebe Hill project in which he had been involved. He then gave his Vermont report, where two more towers are to go on the register. The USFS is considering renovation work on the Glastenbury Mountain Fire Tower, and plans still exist to move a surplus NY tower to Mount Philo. Keith Goodrich then gave the report from Maine, where the fire tower outlook is not good, as it appears the state would like to get rid of most remaining towers. He also related some of the season’s events from Mount Hope Fire Tower. The outlook from Massachusetts appears better, as that state may actually increase the number of towers it operates, according to Henry Isenberg. He also distributed copies of a new brochure being circulated by that state’s forest fire agency. Bob Wolff reported that New Jersey is holding its own with towers; many in the northern division are getting new paint jobs and new roofs. Copies of "Silent Sentinels of Steel", a recent magazine article featuring New Jersey’s towers in New Jersey Outdoors, were distributed. Co-director Bob Spear gave an update on activities at Sterling Fire Tower; New Jersey members have taken the lead in work here, even though it is just across the border in New York. Keystone Chapter Director Steve Cummings noted that research priorities in Pennsylvania are focusing on creating a single source of data. He also noted that the total number of fire tower sites in the state has risen to 368. Bob Spear immediately upped the number, as research continues to reveal additional sites. Steve also distributed a current listing of State owned and/or operated towers; the count is currently 53. He discussed the proposed restoration of the Mount Penn Tower; the tower will be a part of the activities at next year’s winter meeting at French Creek State Park, the Tenth Anniversary Meeting of the FFLA. A proposal has been made to the Bureau of Forestry for a site near Caledonia State Park for the Pennsylvania Forest Fire Museum. Keith Argow then gave a run-down on the areas within the Southeastern US Chapter, as well as other areas, both east and west, where no chapters exist; some 16 states, all told.

Prior to the mid-day break, Election Committee Chairman Bob Spear gave the results of this year’s election. Those elected were Michael (Smoke) Pfeiffer as Historian, Ray Grimes, Jr. as Secretary, and Gary Weber as Western Deputy Chairman.

After the lunch break, New Jersey State Forester Jim Barresi addressed the importance of the fire towers to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, as well as other issues.

Tony Cardwell of Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry District 19 spoke of the use and value of fire towers in his program. He accepted the NHLR certificate for Buckhorn Ridge Fire Tower (NHLR #296 PA #07).

Tim Sullivan, Chief Ranger, Palisades Interstate Park, NY, spoke on the towers of his area, including Sterling.

George Profous, NYS DEC, gave an update on the Catskill Forest Fire Tower Restoration Project. He reported on the efforts at each of the towers and some of the hurdles that have been overcome as well as those still being faced. The original goal of "Five Towers for 2000" still holds; it is more important than ever to continue the efforts. Rumors have surfaced that the towers will be saved and that the state will maintain them. Unfortunately, the truth is that while the state supports the saving of the towers, the committees must still raise the money for restoration, as well as long-term maintenance.

Region and chapter reports continued when Gary Weber gave a brief regional summary from the West, including events from October’s Big Bear, California Conference. A new concern has arisen for more than one western director; individuals (who may or may not be FFLA members) are claiming to represent the FFLA in both proposed work and in unauthorized work. At a time when the FFLA is attempting to form alliances with agencies, any such efforts should be cleared with the chapter director. The importance of attaining IRS 501(c)3 status to facilitate many of the proposed western projects was reiterated. A chapter report from Oregon Director Howard Verschoor was then given; Oregon still has 191 lookouts standing, 105 of which were staffed in 1998. Oregon continues to be the largest chapter with 118 paid members. A chapter meeting is planned for spring. Ray Kresek’s Washington Chapter report was then given, as well as copies of a letter from Ray with the questions of "Where are we?" and "Where do we want to be?" Ray’s report noted over twenty lookout projects in the state, some on-going, others proposed. There are 108 lookout sites with structures still standing in the state. Chapter membership stands at 84 paid members. Gary then gave the Idaho Chapter report, where there are currently 84 paid members. The partnership efforts with the USFS at Surveyors Ridge are expected to continue for the proposed Conrad Peak Project. Restoration projects at Grave Peak, Bald Mountain, and East Mountain were noted, as well as the transfer of window frames from Bald Mountain to North Mountain in Western Washington. Involvement continues with programs and projects on the Kootenai NF in northwest Montana. While no other formal reports were available from western chapters, information from those in communication was related. It was noted that little or nothing had been heard from at least two directors; the same had been noted earlier in the east.

Treasurer Shirley Goodrich gave a current financial status report. Several chapters have turned over all financial matters to Shirley; those maintaining their own funds will need to keep detailed financial records to meet IRS requirements once we have attained 501(c)3 status.

FFLA business continued with a discussion on merchandise; Bob Wolff was appointed to the standing Merchandise Committee. Several suggestions were made of possible new items, including decals, bandanas, and an expansion of the magnetic decals currently available.

The subjects of National Budget, Director Dues and Chapter Dues came up. A tentative budget was proposed, covering items such as cost of the new website, postage and supplies used by Secretary and Treasurer, miscellaneous newsletter costs, and IRS fees. After much discussion, the decision was made that since we have gone to central distribution of the newsletter, the original purpose of Director Dues no longer holds. Chapter Dues will be $0.50 per paid member going to fund National Operations, leaving $9.50 to cover the newsletter costs and chapter activities. For those who have turned membership and renewals over to the Treasurer, this will be deducted at the time dues are received. For those chapters maintaining their own membership and renewals, the Chapter Dues will be paid to the Treasurer, based on the January 1 membership.

Newsletter distribution was discussed; all present were satisfied with the current central mailing. Concern was expressed over excessive time-lags in distribution in the cases where directors are getting newsletters in bulk and distributing to their members. It was decided that central mailing will now be mandatory for all paid members in the U.S. Directors may still use either means for distribution of complimentary copies.

Letters of appreciation will be sent to Dave Quam and Pete Bremy for their efforts in establishing the FFLA website and maintaining it over the past two years.

The Chairman will work with both Deputy Chairmen to resolve matters concerning non-functioning Directors.

Future conferences were discussed; the Eastern Regional Conference will be held June 12-14 with a work session at Tremper Mountain Fire Tower in the Catskills near Phoenicia, New York. Secondary dates of June 26-28 are being looked at if spring weather conditions dictate the need for a change.

The Western Regional Conference is to be be held in Libby, Montana, with tentative dates of October 8-10. The FFLA will return to its birthplace, Hopewell Tower in French Creek State Park, Pennsylvania, to celebrate its tenth anniversary with the Winter Board of Directors Meeting, January 14-17, 2000. More information will be forthcoming on all of these.

A discussion ensued concerning the funds generated at the Big Bear Conference. Eastern chapters were urged to look into fundraising ideas to help defray Eastern Conference costs, since the funds being held by the San Bernardino NF Association were explicitly designated for the next Western Conference.

Saturday evening’s ham and turkey dinner was held on the premises at the Manor House, thanks to the efforts of Sandy Wolff and Sue Merics, along with others.

The final business session after dinner revolved around the report from the visioning session at the Western Conference. After going through the report with much discussion, many present did not agree with the recommendation that the FFLA will need to redefine its goals and focus. The feeling was expressed that the goals as stated in the original FFLA Constitution may not have entirely matched the points used as a basis for the visioning session at the Western Conference. Also, and unfortunately, the visioning session had gotten somewhat side-tracked and ran out of time to have a discussion of the "Next Steps", so that portion of the report was strictly the recommendations from the consultant without the benefit of discussion with FFLA members. No firm decisions were made concerning the report at this time.

The informal evening program included a raffle to help defray expenses, followed by the viewing of the video, "The Ranger, the Cook, and the Hole in the Sky".

The primary lookout touring trip on Sunday was to Sterling Fire Tower, New York. Some opted to first go to Picatinny Arsenal, where icy roads prevented them from getting to Green Pond Lookout, but then were successful in visiting the Kinnelon stone tower. After the return to the Manor House, a final return-tables and clean-up session ended another successful gathering.