Alfred, Maine

Minutes of the Conference, Notes & Conclusions

*from written notes & tape recordings with additional informationprovided from State Directors and Board members present.

by Bob Spear; Secretary, Forest Fire Lookout Association Inc.
Trip report under separate cover.

Business session, Friday August 22nd 7 p.m.
Walnut Grove Campground, Alfred Maine

Invocation by Chris Harrtz, New Hampshire
Welcome by Keith Goodrich, Host

APPALACHIAN TRAIL report by Roy Schweiker,New Hampshire
A brief description of the Trailways news article was given byRoy and due credit was given to Steve Cummings of Pennsylvaniawho was quoted in the article by the writer as the one to writeto with any questions the readers may have concerning theselookouts along the trail. It was noted that Steve has andcontinues to answer residual inquiries which are still coming inas a result of this article.

It is as a footnote to also be added to these minutes that asan unfortunate result of an editor's misinformation that anearlier article which appeared in SHAPE Magazine about firetowerswas also directed toward Steve for any inquiries. Although thefanfare about the subject of Fire towers was aptly addressed inthis article and certainly gained notoriety with the public, ithas caused considerable problems for Steve at his Forestry Officewhere the incoming phone calls were directed. Being a Bureau ofForestry State telephone, this problem has luckily been takenwith a grain of salt by Steve's superiors, but such articles inthe future should be carefully screened by the originator toprevent similar problems to others.

It was also noted by Roy that some of the Forest Fire Lookout Association people quoted in the article were never sent a copyof that article by the magazine and those not receiving it, whencontacted by others did not even have knowledge of it.

It was unclear what the remedy to this situation would be exceptthat future references to fire towers in magazine articles shouldbe careful not to refer to unauthorized use of someone's phonenumber for information purposes without prior consent.

MAINE DIRECTOR RESIGNATION.
Caroline Parmenter RN, Maine Chapter Director, Machiasport, Maine has stepped down as Chapter Director. Health problems for Caroline have necessitated this action. Caroline who served in World War Two as a combat infantry nurse in the Burma© IndiaTheater with the famed Merril's Maurauders combat infantry team, and much later as a Lookout watchperson on Pico Peak in New Hampshire, and still later as the Watchperson at HARRIS MOUNTAIN
Fire Tower in Dixmont, Maine will be sorely missed by her fellow FFLA members. Caroline with others from her Chapter orgainized the 1993 Greenville, Maine Conference and had attended almost every Eastern Conference winter or summer during her tenure. Through her efforts several Maine lookouts were added to the National Historic Lookout Register. A motion was passed that the Secretary would address a letter of appreciation from the Forest Fire Lookout Association to Caroline in response to this news.

In addition to this, the Chairman announced that Keith Goodrich, of the Maine Chapter has been appointed to fill the Maine Director vacancy. Director lists should reflect this change as of this date. Dave Hilton, York, Maine will assist Keith with Chapter duties.

SECRETARY'S REPORT
The six month report of the Secretary, Bob Spear (NJ) was read. The report included a copy of corrections to the VirginiaConference minutes, also included in the report was a second reading of the proposed budget for Association officer positions.

This was addressed again after the initial report was given. The Secretary's report also included a description of the Membership listing which has been under development for the last year. It was further reported that the FFLA now has 539 members listed. A few of these may be repeats in different State Chapters. Included in this figure are Ranger Districts and other agencies where more than just the addressee are able to read orhave copied "Lookout Network Newsletter". To that end, it is unclear just what the exact circulation figure of the Newslette ris as per the membership roster, but a conservative figure offrom 540 to 600 may not be unreasonable.

State Chapter Directors are reminded to continue updating their membership list to the Secretary as often as they can andcertainly at least once annually to satisfy Incorporation guides.

In retrospect, the figure at the Virginia Conference was given at 370 paid members. As new data comes in, inactive names areremoved and put in an "omit" file.

Secretary's Report; re: Conference minutes
Anyone requesting copies of any of the minutes of past conferences may do so upon request to the Secretary. A full set of Conference minutes are on file from French Creek, PA to this one. Copying costs and postage being what it is, requests will be taken on a first serve basis and time will be a factor inproducing them.

Anyone having additional notes or transriptions of the South Carolina or Mont Alto Conferences are requested to send a copy tothe Secretary for addition to what has been documented.

BYLAW AMENDMENT
"Archivist" title changed to "Historian" The proposed amendment at the Virginia Conference was read by the Secretary. This Constitutes the Second reading. Bill Baird (NH) made a motion to accept the name change, and was seconded by Josh Nigro (RI). Thevote was unanamous and the title change was approved. All future Director lists should now reflect the term "Historian" to replace the previous term "Archivist".

Secretary's report: re; 1998
The Secretary announced the January Board of Directors meeting to be held at Kittatinny Valley State Park in New Jersey, January10 - 12th 1998. Information on particulars will be forwarded to all Directors and "Lookout Network" Newsletter.

This concluded the Secretary's report.
Keith Argow (VA) moved to accept the Virginia Conference minutes with the corrections as presented and was seconded by ChrisHarrtz (NH) There were no nay votes, and the minutes were accepted.

HISTORIAN CONCERNS:
At this juncture, the floor was given over to Iris Baird, Historian for comments and her reflection on "What should be and should not be saved" for Historian purposes. Several hand outs were given out. The question again arose about saving or finding certain Lookout "artifacts" and their proper disposition. This question has repeatedly been addressed at past conferences and apparently refuses to go away. It was universally acknowledged however by those present that the FFLA are not the "bad guys"here who are selling artifacts at flea markets, so this line of discussion was at best, inconclusive.

Concerns addressed were:
Records kept for Incorporation purposes. - what are they ? where are they kept ? and who has them?

Keith Argow responded that Incorporation proceedures require copies of Bylaws, the Constitution, amendments to same,and a setof minutes of all Conferences. Iris Baird, responded that these types of records are usuallykept by a "Recording Secretary".

After a series of complicated arguments it was decided that for now, the Secretary, who has all this information anyway would continue to keep the information and the Historian would not be bound to keep double records.

The Historian does request that each State Director provide a listing of known Forest Fire Lookouts in their State/Region or other. This can just be a simple listing of name, location, and status.

The debate over record keeping went on to discuss whether the Forest History Center in Durham North Carolina would be the target and if so, who would send that agency the information ?

In addition, a list of the National Historic Lookout Register should certainly be part of it. Keith Argow responded that one half of that information has already been sent to the Forest History Center and the other half will be, by the first of next year.

A decision was made to send a copy of the 1997 Minutes to the Forest History Center as soon as the Secretary is provided withan address by someone!

CORPORATE ADDRESS
The exact legal address of the Forest Fire Lookout Association Incorporated is still unclear for various reasons. Problems have arisen because apparently the previous Corporation papers have been missplaced and the attorney who handled the original Incorporation proceedures has retired. It is unclear therefore at this point what if any legal address the FFLA has. This is contributing to the continued delay in non-profit or "not forprofit" status which indirectly is delaying 501c3 certification.

"All these points are tied together like tin cans on a string, when one dosen't work, non of them make music"! <Spear>

Josh Nigro (Rhode Island) volunteered to collect all apurtinant papers and handouts for the record keeping of this conference.

BUDGET PROPOSAL:
Discussions ensued as to the particulars of the Budget proposal first suggested at the Virginia Conference. The Budget proposal was read by the Secretary as written. Keith Argow queried if a dollar amount was decided on for each segment of this Budget which is intended to provide necessary funds for each of the executive positions, to provide necessary information to other Board members at the conclusion of a Conference.

Iris Baird (NH) reminded the Board that the Bylaws say that Conference minutes are to be received 30 days after a Conference.

The Secretary reported that many of our Western Directors were supportive and in favor of the said proposal. Few Eastern Directors responded with supportive letters. The Treasurer,
Shirley Goodrich (Maine) responded that she would research her records and try and come up with a dollar amount that had previously been requested if this was what is needed.

The Secretary then responded with an arbitrary figure of $ 50.00 to advance the Secretary to help fund the cost of producing theminutes of this Conference to cover costs of mailing etc to Board members, The Forest History Center and whoever else needs them.

After several more inconclusive statements, it was finally moved and seconded to advance $ 50.00 for this undertaking.

The advance amount of $ 50.00 to come from the National Treasury account and other expense of copy costs and mailing can be submitted for reimbursement. The Treasurer could not produce the $ 50.00 check at the time of this decision but it is assumed it can be forwarded to the Secretary by mail.

The Secretary reported to the meeting the Directors who are infavor of such a budget and other provisions that may also be included such as Ray Kresek's proposal to possibly provide funds to cover Director's traveling expenses to Conferences.

Mark Haughwout (VT) queried if the $50.00 alottment to each Officer position may also be used toward covering travelling expenses to Regional Conferences. Henry Isenberg (Chairman) and Shirley Goodrich (Treasurer) responded that the Secretary or other Officers may submit expense reimbursements for monies used to copy Conference minutes etc.
There were no other decisions regarding setting up some type of permanent expense accounts for the other Officer positions as was outlined in the Virginia Suggestion, other than the requests for reimbursements by those positions.

It is viewed by this Secretary that if this Association isgoing to see a concisive rate of growth that would enable even asmall budget for Officer positions to permit mailing costs to be covered, we must make some kind of decision on it. This is only "good business" and common sense dictates it. <Sec>

What started out last January in Virginia as a simple proposal to find some financial relief so the Conference minutes could be produced and mailed in a timely manner became a referendum on travelling expenses and other reimbursements.

It was decided after the Conference by the Secretary to withdraw the proposal made at the Virginia conference. It being assumed by this action, that Corporate business will have to continue to be funded by "out of pocket" monies by the Secretary in the hope that at some point it may be reimbursed.

This will continue to be a source of hardship until such time that the NEXT Administration will be able to establish some kind of Budget structure.

TREASURER'S REPORT; Shirley Goodrich, Maine
*see insert
*note: Shirley requests that when membership renewals are sent in that the member's date of membership and next renewal date is provided. This makes keeping accurate records much easier.

CONFERENCE MINUTES:
A discussion ensued as to the volume of material which was included in the Vermont and Virginia Conference minutes, and the cost of reproducing them. In the case of the Woodford, Vermont minutes which was some thirty or so pages, the then Acting Secretary made an effort to be as defining as possible of what went on and what was discussed. A conclusive set of minutes was the goal at both Conferences. The Charlottsville, Virginia Conference minutes was likewise exhaustive and cryptic in content. The Conference host in Virginia, Keith Argow volunteered to reproduce those minutes and mail them out to all Directors which was deeply appreciated. The Virginia minutes included a written text of the Speakers who had extrodinary stories to tell.

It was suggested at this Conference that it wasn't necessary to reproduce such an exacting record of what happened at a Conference. That only a "summary" of events is all that is needed, and scaling down the content of the minutes to a more managable size to reproduce is better. It is suggested that rather than the Secretary include the content of the Speakers and their stories, the Conference Hosts are to do that.

It was then reminded of everyone that the next meeting in January will be hosted by the New Jersey Chapter of which theSecretary is a Co-Director and would be doing this anyway, regardless, so the argument was viewed by this Secretary as baseless.

All this discussion of production costs was once again reminded to the assembly by this Secretary that, "that was the subject matter behind the previous Officer Budget proposals in the first place." <Sec>

The Secretary finds the grounds of the above argument to "only summarize" Conference minutes as be counter-productive to what this Association is all about, that is the documentation of anecdotes and historical quality of the events which happen at and during our Conferences. This is what we are, why we formed this group and the purpose of our being. All other forms of business, et al; bylaws, amendments, policy, motions, etc etc that require reams of paperwork in the current Secretary's view is secondary to this Historical documenting work.

GUIDELINES FOR DIRECTORS
The "Guidelines for Directors" was approved at the Virginia Conference in January 1997.
It was unkown if all Directors have had this circulated to them.

CONFERENCE PLANNING MANUAL
Steve Cummings (PA) asked if the Committee that had previously been assigned had completed the "Manual for Conference Planning" There was no report on this. The question was then asked if a Committee could be appointed to produce a "Manual for Duties of a Director"

The Chairman then appointed a committee for this purpose, they are Steve Cummings, PA; Henry Isenberg, MA; Ron Johnson, OR. Questions about this Committee and/or it's progress should be addressed to one of these committee members.

ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR PROPOSED
A proposal by Henry Isenberg (Chairman) was called to add Dave Hilton of Maine, currently Merchendise Manager to the position ofa member of the Board of Directors. This proposal was argued by several Board members and was defeated.

POSTAGE STAMP PROPOSAL
The Chairman reports he has sent out a mailing on this subject to all Directors (*for the record) U.S. Postal Service; Stamp Development Rm. 4474E, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington D.C. 20260©2437*

*from Charlottsville VA Conference minutes.<Sec>

BOOKS re: Steve Cummings (PA)
"Wildland Fire fighter" books offered a cut rate to our group but never received any names from members. The Publisher wants articles on fire towers and he is a member of the FFLA, however no address was provided at this conference. There is an e-mail address, but again, it was not provided for these minutes. Anyone requesting additional information on this will have to get in touch with Steve Cummings for the details.

CENTRAL MAILING ISSUE:
The main holdup in making decisions about this issue was reported to be that "we did not have a clear counting of our membership" (Isenberg;Chairman) The Secretary in his report stated that the membership listing, started by Steve Cummings; PA was assumed by Bob Spear; NJ (Secretary) in Woodford, Vermont in 1996. Since that time a continuing updated list is being compiled. Updated listings have been given to the Chairman and to the previous membership committee man. Working together with our Treasurer, the Secretary is continuing this exhaustive project.

"The membership list will never entirely be complete, because new data is constantly coming and going. Renewals, new members and omissions of overdue people continue to be upgraded, as it shouldbe. As complete a list as possible has been at hand the last six months" <Spear>

The Chairman states that the list should now be made available to all Directors.<Isenberg>

The Secretary, astonished at this, quizcally asked "How would this be possible"?
*note: the current FFLA membership list on computer format is 58 pages., an impossible task to send to 24 State Directors.

A completed membership list was presented to the Chairman at this time. Updates coming from this Conference will be included on the master list which the Secretary has on computer

When at some point a decision and a plan to go through with "central mailing" is devised we at least now have a continuing membership upgrade list. Questions about the membership list should be addressed to the Secretary.

There was no further discussion on the Central Mailing issueand the vast gray area surrounding this topic is as much a voidas ever. <Spear>

NEWSLETTER REPORT:
See Report; Weber

BELT BUCKELS
This idea was dropped <Isenberg>

PINS:
FFLA pins are being sold by National, the initial cost of these were $510.00 + shipping.
Steve Cummings; Pennsylvania suggested giving the Chapters abreak on purchasing these pins for resale. There was a motion by Cummings to give the Chapters a 20% discount to sell the pins. It was approved with one abstention (Chris Haartz; NH)

1998 CONFERENCE SITES
The Board of Directors Meeting will be held in New Jersey inJanuary as previously mentioned.
Rhode Island was suggested as a possible Conference site in '98, Massachusetts also suggested as a possible site

IDAHO CONFERENCE
Re: Gary Weber, Idaho will be held in Orofino Idaho at the Clearwater National Forest Supervisor's Office Sept 26-28th

FOREST FIRE LOOKOUT ASSOCIATION & New Jersey Chapter
*will sponsor the annual Forest Fire Training & Field Day

exercises at Andover-Aeroflex Airport at Kittatinny Valley State Park, New Jersey, October 18th 1997 Saturday.

Invitations will be sent out to neighboring Forestry offices in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, National Park Service and other agencies.

SATURDAY EVENTS REVIEW
The business session for Saturday was gone over where State Reports would be given and any other business details to do, followed by the general agenda as outlined by our hosts, Keith &Shirley Goodrich; Maine Chapter.

The Friday night business meeting was adjourned and finishing touches were given to the indoor displays.

Others retired to their tenting areas where campfire banter continued into the late evening hours.

ADDITIONS AFTER THE CONFERENCE
Bill and Margaret Ellis, Colorado Directors have tenured their resignation as Directors. They give an inability to participate in all the FFLA activities, a growing family and their work at the Devil's Head Lookout as reasons for resigning the post.

They have provided names for two possible replacements which are being looked into.

Submitted by Bob Spear, Secretary, FFLA

9 a.m. Invocation by Steve Cummings

Carol Goodwin, Alfred Maine Selectman welcoming speech to the assembly of the Forest Fire Lookout Association

Mr. Goodwin is a retired Game Warden in Maine and served as a Park Ranger in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway region, and is originally from Caribou, Maine. He also served some seasons as the lookout watchman on Priestly Mountain fire tower.

Keith Goodrich welcomed everyone to the Conference and informed the assembly on "house-keeping" details, the day's agenda and afternoon meal scheduale and Campground facilities.

The Chairman then called for State Chapter reports.

Virginia/ West Virginia; Keith Argow
11 members all are "plus" memberships in Virginia
There are no paid members in West Virginia.
"The Negro Foot tower" which has been renamed the Hanover tower at it's new placement in an Historic display park near I-64 will be formally dedicated on the NHLR in October.
*See News insert.VA.

Vermont; Mark Haughwout
3 Plus members, 7 Complimentary members, 4 paid members, not including plus memberships and 5 non-paid members that have received dues notices and will be dropped at the end of the year

The project to replace a fire tower on Mt. Philo in Vermont is continuing. Efforts to bid for the Cornell Hill fire tower in New York are going on. The original tower on Mt. Philo was taken down decades ago and a new effort by the Vermont State Parks Dept. to replace it with another continues.

Vermont continues to maintain it's remaining historic firelookouts for observation points by the trail hiking public. The Green Mountain Club maintains many of the trails to these Lookouts and also the Vermont Conservation Corps. Volunteers also assist in this effort. Vermont is one of the few states to continue maintaining fire lookouts for these purposes, although they are no longer staffed or funded for fire observation.

Eastern Deputy Chair Report; Mark Haughwout (VT)
See insert

Oregon/California/Nevada report; Ron Johnson
See insert

Mid-Atlantic Chapter report; Stephen J. Cummings
Tower painting bids are asked for in conjunction with maintainingseveral Pennsylvania towers.

The "Rattlesnake fire tower" NHLR was severely damaged by vandalsthis year. Hooligans decided to try and hacksaw off the corners of the historic tower but did not succeed in toppling it. They did cut through three of the legs and at that point, the tower began to go over, but caught it's entire weight on the fourthremaining leg which held it upright. Apparently this scared of the woodbee vandals. Later investigations proved that the tower could be saved and efforts were successful in this. The cut through legs were "sandwiched" together with heavy steel and the entire structure "righted" and it is happy to report still stands.

The Pennsylvania Forest Fire Museum Committee is now a non-profit orgainization. It had it's original input from the FFLA and is now up and running.<Cummings>

Additionally to report "Two towers in District 9 will be moved and saved as Interpretive sites" <Cummings>

New Jersey Report Bob Spear, NJ Chapter
New Jersey Chapter is represented here at Alfred by two other members who made the long journey. Bill Wilmouth, who operates the Milton Fire Tower in Jefferson, NJ and is a full time employee of the State Forest Fire Service, who has attended the Spokane, Washington Western Conference as well as others and Ray Grimes Jr. of Pompton Lakes NJ who is one of the FFLA's original members from 1990 are present. Ray has attended the earlier Conferences of the Association held in Delaware and Maryland, as well as Pennsylvania and others. He is a DeputyDistrict Fire warden in New Jersey and Secretary of New Jersey Search & Rescue.

New Jersey still maintains it's 21 Fire tower force, with operator positions assigned for 20 of the 21 towers.

Fire activity in the state recently included an 1800 acre blaze in Wharton State Forest in the southern pinelands region.Ten power wagons were sent from the northern region to help fight the stubborn blaze which started in a cedar swamp. The fire burned for three days and ground fire persisted for several more before it was declared "out". The week before, an 800 acre fire consumed dry woodlands a few miles to the north of the larger one. Semi-drought conditions contributed to the high fire risk danger in the southern region of the state. The Northern tier of the Garden State had sufficent rain to keep the danger down excepting for one brief period of High risk, earlier this summer.

The Seward Hill fire tower proposal is rumored to still be considered. The old fire tower at West Point military Academy NY, at Fort Buckner which has been condemmed for years is now under the control of NYNEX (New York Telephone) who wants to replace the site with an ultra modern paging and communications site. Just how the old fire tower can be dissassembled and removed from the bare rock summit above Route 293 is under deliberation.

A proposal/plan to build an interpretive model of a firetower at the Jackson, NJ forest management tree nursery is being looked at. Forest Management is reported to want to construct a replica of a 20 foot fire tower at the nursery for interpretive usage.

County Fairs in August and September will see displays aboutthe Forest Fire Lookout Association along with the Forest FireService's usual interpretive material. At Sussex County Farm & Horse show at Augusta New Jersey, there was a great deal of interests shown at our NJ Chapter's Fire tower photographic exhibit which contained photos of all New Jersey and some New York State Fire Towers. People were concerned and amazed that Fire towers were still being used anywhere. A little known facto most people that a service which has been in existence since1905 is still an active and vibrant part of fire detection in NewJersey.

New Jersey Forest Fire Service maintains an aviation wing which includes 2 H2 Bell "Huey" helicopters, Delta 5 & 6 and 2 Bell jet rangers, and two fixed wing aircraft for observation.
A force of 9 contract "Ag-Cat" water drop aircraft supplement the state's often volatile spring and fall fire seasons. In additional ground force of 215 district forest fire wardens who are paid hourly volunteers and a regular force of 29 full time "section"firewardens make up the Department who respond to forest and brush fires and other emergencies in the State.

In 1997 New Jersey section crews reponded to two very large brush fires and a search call in District 19, Pennsylvania.

Federal assignments were dispatched to Alaska and California during conflagrations there. New Jersey has sent fire crews to western assignments since 1989 and assisted in the large LongIsland, New York fires in recent times.

The Chapter reports 28 paid members* of which 11 are "plus" members for this report. From 5 to 15 complimentary copies of"Lookout Network" are mailed quarterly.

New Jersey Chapter orgainization is:
1 Director and 1 Co-Director (having a combined vote in National issues of the ffla) a Chapter Archivist , and 2 assistant directors handling projects and the internet websites, plus another assistant for the chapter's newsletter.

In January 1998, the chapter along with section four fire fighters association will host the 1998 Board of Directors meeting at Kittatinny Valley State Park in Andover, NJ.

On October 18th 1997 the chapter will help sponsor the annual "Forest Fire Training Field Day, exercises" to be held at Andover-Aeroflex Air Base at Kittatinny Valley State Park NJ

Rhode Island; Josh Nigrow

The State has 9 standby towers 4 towers have manned positions
Last fall and this early spring were busy seasons. The State's Forestry Department loans fire fighting equipment, hose, pumps etc to local fire departments for the fighting of fires.

A recently aquired 1940 era Conservation report identifies a previously unknown fire tower that was in service at that time in Rhode Island.

New Hampshire; Chris Haartz
15 regular members and 2 complimentary, 1 honorary member and theState Director for a total of 19.

The State is operating 14 and a half towers. Mt. Magalloway is operated on an "as needed" basis. The town of Moultonboroughc ontinues to operate Red Hill tower.

There are four towers in New Hampshire on the NHLR, the most recent is CRANEY HILL, was dedicated in a June celebration, and fundraiser. Honorary FFLA member Dale Clement is primarily responsible for this registration.

There are in addition several on the Historic Sites nomination

Fire activity has been below normal. There were 2 exciting weekends during the spring with lots of activity but acreage burned was minor. June was dry but showers and rain came in time to wet the woods for the July 4th weekend. July and early August saw more dry weather, a succession of wonderful days of dry sunny weather. There were a few fires and these burned deep and were stubborn to extinguish. Now the State has experienced several days of rain and the fire danger is reduced. As of August 10th this year has seen 469 wildfires which have burned about 200acres. The number of fires is up but acreage is down.

Year #fires #acres burned
10 yr average 484 414 per year
1997 469 200 +/© (as of Aug 10th)
1996 272 not available
1995 479 458
1986 840 750 (most in last 10 yrs)

submitted by Chris Haartz NH Director

Maine; Keith Goodrich
As previously reported at the friday night meeting, Caroline Parmenter has had to step down as Maine Director for health reasons. Keith Goodrich, our Conference host has been appointed the new Maine Chapter Director.

In Southern Maine, there are three voluntary staffed lookouts upand running, they are. Mt Agamenticus, Mt. Hope, and Ossippee Hill towers. All are staffed by volunteers of the Southern Maine Fire Notification Association.

Recent vandalism at Mt Agamenticus tower has necessitated the installing of a chain link fence to prevent further damage. Mt Hope is also now enclosed simiarily. "This measure is an unfortunate by-product of our high visitation status at these towers" <Hilton> There are six volunteers which rotate thei rshifts for Agamenticus fire tower. 56 fires were spotted so far this year.

In other reports, Atherton Hill tower, near the town of Gray maybe coming down later this year.* see trip report;Atherton Hill which follows. The reasons sited are high vandalism which is on the upswing in that area. It's said the landowner wants the tower removed but an active local group may mount an effort to save the Atherton Hill (ex-Blackstrap Hill) firetower.

BALD MTN in Aquassic will get the rest of the steel from the Opportunity Hill tower which has been taken down. The cab section will be on display at the Fryeburg Fair grounds as a permanent interpretive site. *(later reports indicate that BURNT MTN will be where the steel is used to build an observation tower)

Volunteer time is being requested for manning the display at the Fryeburg Fair when the display is completed.

The firetower at GRAND LAKE STREAM is in process of a planned restoration by local groups <Cummings>

Trip report to follow: Bob Spear© travells and findings at
Atherton Hill, Harris Mtn in Dixmont, and Allagash Mtn. firetower
North Maine Woods.

Massachusetts; Henry Isenberg

35 of the 46 towers in Mass are running and maintained by the DEM
1 was taken down recently but hopefully will be replaced by a
"summit house" and put back in service.

In 13 Districts of the State, all 46 towers will be put on the National Historic Lookout Register.. in addition another tower besides is also being worked on for the NHLR, making a total of 49 firetowers (Dover,NHLR) that will be included on the list.

Fire activity was heavy, not large fires, but just a lot of them created lots of activity this year so far. There have been 300 fires reported so far this year from Sharon tower.

Washington; Ray Kresek,Director ,reported by Keith Argow

Lookout staffing is way down in 1997 from previous levels.
RED TOP Lookout was dedicated on the NHLR
Queola Lookout is on Champion Timber lands

Flat Top Lookout is being worked on. The old structure was takendown and a "next generation" modern lookout was built in it's place. It is the first of an 8 tower series of this type to be constructed. It is a "slanted window" aircraft control tower type structure that is more reminecent of airports today.

Idaho; Gary Weber Director reported by Keith Argow

The Western Conference will be held in Orofino Idaho at the Clearwater National Forests Supervisor's Office Sept 26-28th
BERTHA HILL, the first Lookout built in Idaho was dedicated to the NHLR.

Montana; John Waverek, Director by Keith Argow

Montana dedicated MORREL MOUNTAIN Lookout 2 weeks ago.

North Carolina; Keith Argow

Has 9 members. The WARREN COUNTY Tower which was built on afamily owned farm on the Bessie Hathrock Forestry Center was recently dedicated on the NHLR.

Break......
Keith Goodrich outlined Conference site amenities during thebreak, bus tour and evening Lobster and Chicken dinner.

NATIONAL HISTORIC LOOKOUT REGISTER REPORT; Keith Argow

There are now 222 listings plus International listings on the Register and another 3 will soon be presented making 225 total

This Spring was the most active ever registering lookouts included were 2 International listings, one is the last standing tower in SWEDEN, we are working on ones also in Finland and what was at one time EAST GERMANY, (now united Germany)

One-half of all the towers/lookouts registered have been through the Forest Fire Lookout Association.

In ALBERTA, Canada's Cypress Hills, has One tower dedicated on the International Register.
The Historic Site Register is still in formulation, with the emphasis still on "standing lookout towers"

Meeting aftermath:

The NHLR report was the last given at the Saturday meeting.

Afterwards the assembly took it's noon hour break and everyone was on their own for lunch. Some chose to stay at the campground where the on site kitchen offered hamburgers and hotdogs. Much "networking" was going on during this time, people got re-aquainted and the displays and sales of FFLA merchendise was in progress. Maine Conference T-shirts and Sweat shirts were onsale from $ 10.00 to $ 17.00 respectively. FFLA pins were onsale for $5.00 each, patches and books were also selling items.

By this time a large crowd from other campers who were at the Grove also meandered in to see what all the comotion was about.

Al and Sylvia Grimes had their nationally known "Smokey Bear mobile display" on site. Al announced that this would be the las ttime this particular trailer display would be used as it is showing wear and tear from road use.

The afternoon events got underway with a colorful rendition by Harold Jones, Forest Ranger Pilot retired, Maine Forest Service

It was a great pleasure of this note taker to introduce Harold to the assembly. Having been introduced to Harold many years before by our mutual friend, Dave Quam ;MN , I realized at that time I was meeting a man of unique qualities, of experience, humor, andc ongeniality. A man, that despite his decades of fire fighting experience and vast knowledge of Maine's inner deep woods never puts those experiences on a "higher plane" thinking perhaps he may be better than the next man. Harold Jones remains a person deeply respected by his colleagues and friends and as "down toearth" as his Maine homespun humor and I was very proud to introduce him as my friend.

Our 2nd speaker was Mr. Lawrence Dolby, retired State Fire Marshall of Maine who's years of service spanned from the 1947 fires in Maine to within a few years ago. Highly respected for his knowledge of the Fire Service, Lawrence recited excerpts from his book about the 1947 Maine fires, and with Harold, joined in on some mutual story telling that livened the afternoon audience.

Our 3rd and last speaker after the Lobster dinner was Joyce Butler, author of "Wildfire Loose", the story she wrote about thed isasterous 1947 Maine Forest Fires that wiped out scores of towns, killed seventeen people and burned in places to the sea, in one fire alone over 220,000 acres. In 1947, there were 175 major fires burning at the same time in Maine.

There were several folks present that remembered that time and were part of that story. 1997 is the 50th anniversary of those tragic fires.

REPRESENTATIONS

Customarily, the evening sessions of our Conferences have been reserved for presenting folks with awards and other tributes. One event Saturday evening was a tribute to Keith Argow, by
Mark Haughwout; Eastern Region Chr.

At the Virginia Conference last January, our tour of area fire lookouts took our intrepid group of explorers to a number of Virginia's remaining fire towers. One we found was missing entirely, only the old concrete footings remained amid freshbulldozer tracks in the red clay dirt, at the intersection of twoc ountry roads. Keith had not known of this tower's removal and we took it with mute surprise to find nothing there.

Our next stop took us a bit south to the area of "Short Pump", a fire tower had existed there also at one time, but was also removed. In a field along side the road in the waining afternoon light we were surprised to find a 100 foot fire tower on a small knoll where previously there had not been one. It obviously had recently been erected here, and putting the piecesof the puzzle together, we surmised it to be the missing tower we had previously encountered.

We rushed to get photos in the half light of the early evening and in our quest we discovered lying face down in the wet tallgrass a large Virginia Division of Forestry sign in the shape of the familiar "shield" . The bottom face was badly damaged from the humidity and we elected to rescue this piece of memorabelia. We spirited the sign away and in the ensuing months, it was repainted and re-lettered in the Virginia forestry's red and white original design.

It was our pleasure to "present" this restored "lookout sign" to Keith Argow at this meeting. The gleam in Keith's eye upon seeing the sign was reward enough for us. It is planned to present the sign at the dedication ceremonies for the renamed "Hanover Fire Tower" at "Field Day of the Past" park in Virginia, this fall.

Other presentations were judging awards for best all around display, best historical content display, and most unique display. The Best all around went to Al & Sylvia Grimes for their award winning mobile "Smokey Bear exhibit" Best Historical went to Henry Isenberg for his photo and post card exhibits, and Most Unique went to Kelley MacKinnon of Nova Scotia for her photograph display of the lookouts she helps operate.

There were judging awards for outdoor equipment exhibits of Forestry fire trucks from the surrounding towns also.

The evening concluded with a 50/50 drawing and raffle drawings for door prizes and other gifts. The traditional "fire tower cake" was presented and dutifully consumed to the delight of everyone and so ended our Saturday affair.

On Sunday there would be a bus tour to 3 area fire towers and lots of "campground relaxing".

Maine Conference wrap up & Critique

Many thanks are to Keith and Shirley Goodrich who have labored two years to make this Conference a success. Despite the rainy weather which at times deluged the buildings roof so loud we had to take a break till it calmed down.

To the Maine Forest Service for allowing it's Forest Rangers to attend and provide the Bell "Huey" Helicopter that gave some excitment to the campground with it's water dropping exhibition, piloted by our own Harold Jones, MFS !

To our Speakers who presented memorable renditions of Mainehumor, and historical background of the 1947 fires and of working on Maine's lonely lookout outposts of years gone-by.

To the Alfred, Maine Fire Department for providing chairs and tables and a great Pancake breakfast on Sunday morning.

To all the other local Fire Departments who brought their Forestry units to display at the campground.

To the proprietors of Walnut Grove Campground for the great sites and amenities and to the cook for that lobster dinner !!

On behalf of the Forest Fire Lookout Association I wish tocommend all for a memorable and rewarding Conference in Alfred, Maine 1997.

respectfully submitted

Bob Spear, Secretary
Forest Fire Lookout Association

Trip Report

Alfred, Maine Conference
August September 1997

Walnut Grove Campground, Alfred Maine
mileage 3589.9 first stop was in Grey, Maine for fuel then continuing on up Route 202, through Augusta and second stop at BOLTON HILL HDQTRS, Maine Forest Service.

Here I met with Ed Jones, Forest Ranger and radio operator at Bolton Hill. Remembering previous adventures, Ed was remorseful at learning I was headed for the Allagash country to the north, and that he would not be able to accompany me on the trek. Perhaps another day we can better plan a mutual adventure in the north woods. Ed advised that Opportunity Hill tower has been removed and confirmed that the cab section would be going to the Fryeburg Fair Grounds, however he said the steel work would begoing to BURNT MTN to build an observation tower, not Bald mtn aspreviously recorded, perhaps some future update on this can behad.

I left the hdqtrs and pointed the truck toward Dixmont andHarris Mtn fire tower, Caroline's last duty station which I had visited several times in the past.

Passing over the railroad tracks in Unity I remembered a previous trip where I had spied the biggest bull moose I had everseen browsing on alder branches. No moose this time as I continued on toward Dixmont.

The entry road off route 7 to the tower was devoid of the old red lettered sign, and it has been recently bulldozed and the drainage ditches deepened and widened on both sides. There are several "bear camps" on the dirt road and it is heavily rutted and filled with bog holes from the recent rains. But the ground was hard packed despite all of this and I hardly had to engage four wheel drive until I got to the really steep and craggy ridges further on.

Some thick woods on top, through a deep water filled hole and past a newly built camp, I rounded the bend and came in sight of the old tower. Caroline's little cabin has been burned down, and only a weed patch remains where it had stood. What was at once in evidence were beer cans and saplings that have been "put tothe hatchet" for unknown reasons only vandals can answer.

A camp fire had been recently built at the NW footing of the tower and the concrete charred almost to the wood beam. The yellow State of Maine sign that had been on the tower was gone, and the bottom set of stairs was missing to ground level.

The forward most steel guy cable has been physically pulled out of the ground and was lying crossways the tire tracks.

Overgrowth of tree branches crowd in from three sides and the small circular turn around area is matted down from heavy vehicle use. Regretfully I surveyed the site that I had remembered once as being a place of pride and joy for our friend Caroline who had served as watch person here, accompanied by her faithful "newffie" dogs, for the Maine Forest Service, only a few years earlier.

As rain was threatening again and evening shadows were only about a half hour off, I set to work clearing an area of broken window glass and setting up camp for the night. None to soon, raindrops began hitting the plastic tarp I roped on the back of the truck, securing it to the tower's legs. I set to work making dinner on my camp stove and later that night climbed the tower to the cab fifty feet above the ground.

Off to the north were the glowing halo of Bangor's lights,and far to the Southwest was that of Waterville, a smattering of farm and village lights punctuated the dark areas in between.
A camp's gasoline generator was whirring off to the east in a dark tree filled valley about four or five miles away.

I wondered out loud for a time what will become of this old tower, it seems being on the National Historic Lookout Register is not enough to preserve it's condition. The windows have all been knocked out and the door swung in the night breeze. Graffiti is scrawled on the woodwork as various visitors proclaimed their victory at climbing to this lonely firetower.

In the morning, I awoke to more rain showers, but they tapered off with the rising sun over Harris Mountain. After a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, I set to work doing my best to clean up the tower. With broom and flat nose shovel, I swept up the tower cab, removing broken glass and dirt from longn steep stairs. I cleared away thec ampfire stones at the blackened footing and buried the trash I gathered up in a spot where it could later perhaps be removed, camoflaging it with leaves and branches.

Unity College was reported to be taking care of the tower, but their maintenance leaves something to be desired, and I left wondering how many more years this old ex-Pennsylvania woodentower would stand here.

GREENVILLE
Indian Hill came up to a gentle rise as I neared the lakefront town of Greenville, Maine. Surmounting the knoll, I was greeted with that same beautiful panorama I had first seen many years before when I came here for the annual Seaplane Fly-in

The town was a bustle with late summer activity. Tourists were hawking the town's small shops, the Indian store and Red's Lakefront Restaurant. The "Kate" was boarding passengers fori t's lake steaming cruise. I made for the Forestry headquarters where in 1993 we had had our Summer Conference.

There I was given a hasty "hello" by the duty Ranger as I asked if John Boydston or John Roberts were around. The secretary advised that Boydston should be out by the helicopter area. I had noticed on driving up the chopper wasn't there, so I inquired in the shop if John Roberts was around. A rather rotund young fellow with paint brush in hand answered abruptly that hehadn't seen him all day. Another youngster was painting the picket fence outside the customary "Forestry brown". Nothing else to be gained here, I went back into town to visit the food store for camping supplies.

While there I heard the unmistakable chop of a "Huey" comingin overhead. Back at Forestry headquarters with the twirling blades of the helicopter coming to a slow stop, I found Ranger pilot Otis Gray and crew chief John Boydston doing their post flight checklist. Hailing John, I wondered at first if he had recognized me. Otis and I spoke briefly about the recent heavy rains and the roads conditions I would find farther north.

I told John I was headed for Allagash Mountain fire tower and if he knew what kind of condition it was in. Never one to be free with conversation, John asked if I was going to camp on the "lawn" at the tower. Not knowing what lawn he was referring to, I said "yes, I guess so", as I had never been there before.

That was about the best information I could get from Maine Forestry at Greenville, so with a "good-bye" I left and by way of the Greenville road passed Lily Bay State Park, I headed out.

KODAJOE population "Not many" the small sign says and its'correct in that statement. Silas Hill checkpoint on BowaterTimber lands is the first checkpoint on the Greenville road.

The turn off to Spencer mtn behind me now and through the checkpoint, another ten or so miles to the Golden Road. This wide hard packed oil finished tote road stretches from Millinocket to Lac' Frontiere on the Quebec border. Over ninety miles in length, it is a main artery for logging trucks.

Rain and mud joined together along the route to create aconstant bath of flying debrie which quickly covered the truck in every square inch. Huge logging trucks rumble by adding to the coating of mud, the back window encrusted with it so much it looks like a panel of wood.

MOOSE ! ......... suddenly along the side of the road I've just pulled off on, an ungainly looking cow rambling along with my truck for several hundred feet before loping off the side into a bog.

Caucocomac check point, North Maine Woods now in sight down the muddy gravelly road. I pull up to the small building ands tep inside, greeted by Mike Demo and his wife who operate this gate sixty-three miles from Greenville. It costs me twelve dollars to enter North Maine Woods as I advised where I was headed and for how long. We talked for a bit interupted by heavy logging trucks coming into this intersection of logging roads.

Pulp wood piled on trailer trucks headed for a mill somewhere.