Five Restoration Grants were awarded in 2007, $500 each for a total of $2500:

1) Squaw Mountain Fire Tower, Maine
2007's first FFLA Restoration Grant was awarded to the Squaw Mountain tower restoration project. Bill Cobb, FFLA-ME Director, is chairing the effort. The $500 grant will be used as seed money to begin procurement of materials and hardware needed to rebuild the cab of the tower, located in Big Moose Township in Piscataquis County. .

2) Page Pond Hill Fire Tower Facility, New York
The FFLA Restoration Grant Program's second award for the year went toward the restoration of the Page Pond Hill Fire Tower and Observers Cabin. The Twin Rivers Girl Scout Council owns the tower and cabin, located in North Sanford, Broome County. Project Manager (and FFLA New York deputy director) Warren Johnsen received the $500 grant. Work on the cabin, started in the fall of 2007, included trimming back trees, neutralizing moss growing on the cabin, repairing roof damage, staining the exterior and varnishing the interior. Tasks on the tower include scraping and repainting the interior of the cab, replacing cab floor, stair treads, and landings, and replacing or repairing missing or damaged stair safety fencing. Work will be done in cooperation between FFLA-NY and the Girl Scout council.

3) Pillsbury Mountain Fire Tower Facility, New York
The third FFLA Restoration Grant of 2007 has been awarded to the Pillsbury Mountain restoration project. Pillsbury Mountain is located in the Town of Arietta in Hamilton County. Bill Starr, FFLA-NY Director, is chairing the effort. The $500 grant is to be used toward the initial restoration of the Pillsbury Mountain fire tower facility, including the observer cabin. Initial efforts will focus on replacing the roof of the observers cabin. The roof is in very poor condition; failure to remedy the situation will likely result in serious damage to the cabin interior. Restoration will be done in cooperation with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation personnel from the Northville office.

4) Fence Meadow Lookout, California
The Buck Rock Foundation, in cooperation with the Sierra National Forest, was awarded the program's fourth award in 2007. The $500 grant will go towards the cost of materials for replacing rotting siding, windowsills, and the doorframe; re-glazing and puttying windows; and replacing the shutters. Currently the shutters are so deteriorated there is question about their ability to protect the building or keep out the severe winter weather. The goal is to complete the project in time for Fire Season 2008 and subsequent staffing of the lookout.

5) Mount Adams Fire Tower Facility, New York
The Friends of Mount Adams group was awarded the fifth grant of the year for restoration and repairs of the Mount Adams observer's cabin and fire tower. The cabin is the only remaining 1922 model in the state. The tower is to receive paint, new roof panels, windows, and a reproduction of the firefinder map. The work will be done in cooperation with the Open Space Institute of New York (the property owner), the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Town of Newcomb, the Newcomb Historical Society, and the FFLA-NY.

Gary Weber
Treasurer