Meeting Minutes: 11.19.2025

A Zoom meeting of the board of directors of Western Mass Climbers Coalition (WMCC, a Massachusetts Nonprofit corporation), was held on November 19, 2025 at 7p ET pursuant to notice given in accordance with WMCC bylaws.

The meeting was called to order by Stephanie Giguere, Operating Executive at 7:pm.

Attendees
Ryan Shumeyko, Stephanie Giguere, Andrew Neuman, Rob Sullivan, Jenifer Dickinson, Josh Seamon-Ingalls, Laura Davis, Nick Friedman, Danielle Rao, Justin Raphaelson, Ryan Stefiuk

October Membership Drive – Stephanie

59 new members!
564 total members as compared to 400 this time last year

Maps for Farley – Ryan Shumeyko
Ryan Shumeyko has constructed a Farley Ledge Hiker Map and Climber Map. Board members will review this document and approve it for printing.

Rock Property – Group discussion led by Stephanie
Discussion about mountain biking trails at the Rock Property

Jenifer has offered to help with a baseline documentation report.
Wetlands Protection Act is the main enforcement mechanism
Several members, Laura, Danielle, Ryan, Ryan expressed concern that any trail construction efforts follow the proper steps/due diligence prior to construction
Nick clarifying his desire for a single track trail up/down loop that is non-public access that allows access to the cliff/Northfield Mountain Property
Justin, Jenifer voicing articulating concerns about enrichment, liability
Ryan Shumeyko says private trail entrance is not an issue. Also that trail would be impossible to make non-public/not visible.
Danielle voicing concerns that adding a user group may complicate parking or that the parking lot may prove inadequately sized
Andrew’s points
- Nick is a neighbor – a good faith effort to accommodate users
- He would like us all to get to a “yes”
Nick mentioned NEMBA is considering more trails at Northfield Mountain
Question about whether special permit would allow for mountain biking, or would need to be revised to allow “active recreation” Erving bylaws do not clearly define whether mountain biking is passive or active
Trustees would not be in favor of motorized access in perpetuity, only on a short-term, transitional basis
Is there space in the parking lot for an additional user group

Vote on this specific language to be added to the board handbook in order to guide this process at WMCC owned properties:

“The WMCC’s mission is to protect and conserve the climbing environment in western Massachusetts. The WMCC fully supports other forms of human-powered recreation such as hiking and mountain biking, as long as facilitating such activities is aligned with the WMCC’s mission. Trails are welcomed on WMCC owned property, upon review and approval from the WMCC. All applicable permitting processes for trail building must be obtained prior to project commencement and any changes in scope necessitate review and approval from the WMCC.”

All are yes votes (9), with Nick abstaining and Regina not present

Action Items

Clarify special permit language to see if it includes mountain biking
Reach out to NEMBA to see what their plans are at Northfield Mountain
Talk with Trustees about their feelings on this?

Farley Parking Initiative – Ryan Shumeyko

Ryan Sh reaching out to construction/contractors for parking lot project, board agrees this is sensible
Three bids required in order to get any grants
Is there the possibility of separate bids for a driveway and a parking lot?
Is there a local construction company that may be amenable to smaller payments
Brian Tickle from AF to provide mortgage terms for WMCC shortly, BOD members to review this.
AF wants to announce this, and would like WMCC to close 12/4 for an announcement by them on 12/5, 12/14, or after New Year.
Cal Brockie wanting to make a video about Farley
Jackson Chen wants to publish an article about Farley acquisition, board is amenable to this
Closing costs approximately $2000, title commitment secured for the AF

Review of Board Handbook
Can we review this prior to the next meeting?

Meeting adjourned at 20:56.