Nickel Plate Trail - Indiana

November 24th, 12:10 pm

Next Meeting November 25 ,2025 @ 7PM at the St. Charles School, Peru

Nickel Plate Trail Minutes
October 28, 2025
Attendees: Ted Cox, Steve Gough, Gloyd Johnson, David Cota, Bill Shewman, Doug Martin, Joe Vernon, Navy Vernon, Dennis Grossnickle, Dan McCarthy, Phil Hart, Tim Finster, Mike Kuepper, Dave Campbell, Sam Goodman, Karen Burkeybyle, Terry Burkeybyle, Bill Hanson, Terry Hanson, Chris Baker. Darlene Moore, Mark Anderson, Chris McGuire, Patty McGuire
The meeting began at 7:00 PM at the Fulton Co Airport in Rochester. After introductions, Steve moved to accept the minutes, seconded by Dave.
Steve presented the treasurer’s report. It was a slow month. There was no income for October. Expenses 301.69 for materials to maintain the trail. YTD income is 51,847.69. Expenses are 29,275.32. Steve listed the funds available to the NPT. Steve presented an overview of the budget for the upcoming next level trail project. The budget should cover finishing the MAC trail. Jeff motioned to approve, Steve 2nd, motion carried.
Dave discussed the modifications on the trailer and put out the possibility of an additional blower to cover the southern part of the trail.
Navi brought us up to date on the renewal of the NPT website. She got a quote from a local entity on building the website. The quote was around $10k. We are still looking for ways to accomplish this. Dan gave the group a history of our website and the costs that have been incurred. Dan suggested we do the work internally to keep the cost down. Mike also made suggestions on how we can use what we have to help expedite the process. Mike asked the group to look at our website and make suggestions for improvement.
Jeff discussed the area around Birmingham that has always had a problem with the settling of the pavement causing cracking. Jeff has planned with IMI to bring in a load of gravel on Wednesday at 9:00 AM November 5th. We need as many volunteers as possible to help with the project. We will meet on the south side of Macy.
Jeff is also working with Howard County to see if they can help with the maintenance in the Howard County part of the NPT.
Joe Vernon Updated the group on updating the NPT map. He discussed items that he feel should be included on new signs.
We still need to finish the Cassville bridge approaches. There has been a proposal to put in posts that will allow us to backfill with rock. My question is, are we still headed in this direction, and has there been any progress?
Dan McCarthy, Ted Cox, Bill Willard, Brian Reinhart, Tim Finster, Steve Wolfe, Dave Campbell, Jeff Kassebaum, Navi Vernon, Joe Vernon, Jim Lahman, Pat O’Neil, Steve Campbell, Noah Spencer, Steve Gough. Hours worked in October were 209, hours worked in September were 181.3, total hours worked since July 2025 is 835.8.
October 13th Dave, Jeff, and Ted spent the day working with Panhandle volunteers at Star City grinding upheavals and sealing cracks. We are hoping to collaborate with the Panhandle folks on common issues that may help all of us. We taught them how to grind the upheavals to enable them to do this type of work on their own.
It is extremely important that volunteers, when working on the trail, report to dispatch and advise them of who, when, where, and what you will be doing. We had an incident in Fulton Co where a homeowner reported a vehicle on the trail. The sheriff’s department had to check it out, taking valuable time away from their duties. It is also important that you only drive on the trail when there is a purpose.

Joe brought us up to date with hats that he has made and the Christmas card project. Bill Shewman has volunteered to make a drawing that can be used for the cards.
Mike discussed the signage that will need to be installed on the MAC trail. Mike also discussed the progress of the Bunker Hill west portion of the project. We are getting close to having the details worked out. There is still engineering work that needs to be completed.
The official name of the “MAC” extension is Miami Central. MAC is an abbreviation.
Mike is still working with Peru for the Peru connector. We are still working to keep the grant in force.
Adjournment motion by Dan, seconded by Steve; meeting ended at 8:28 PM.
Respectfully,
Ted Cox
Next meeting: November 25 @ 7:00 PM St. Charles School, Peru

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