On Monday, December 1, 2008 at 7:30p.m., the Coldbrook Snowmobile Club held its fourth monthly meeting of this season at the Coldbrook Country Club in Barre.

At the beginning of the meeting, last month's minutes were passed out to the present membership by the club's secretary, Mike Roy.  Club President Balchuinas began the meeting asking if everyone present had received a copy of said minutes and requested a motion to accept the minutes.  A motion was made, seconded, and the minutes were approved by a verbal vote of the present membership.

The second agenda item was to speak about the results of the board of directors meeting held on Saturday, November 15, 2008.  At this time President Balchuinas, with the help of the BOD’s informed the members of what was discussed at the meeting. The membership present were allowed time to ask questions about the outcome of the board of directors meeting.  The itemized report of how the treasurers report will be read to and presented to the members at the monthly  meetings, of which was also part of the minutes handed out at the beginning of the meeting, was reviewed at this time.  A motion was made by Jay Wrightman and seconded by Gerry Cremin to accept the meeting report.  Any further discussion was asked for by the president at this time. Some floor discussion was heard and questions answered by the president, vice president, and the treasurer, respectively. Hearing no more questions or concerns, the president called for a vote by the showing of hands for a count in favor of the proposed item. 57 members raised their hands in favor of the new listed treasurers report. President Balchuinas then asked for all members that opposed the new item. No hands were counted from opposed. President Balchuinas then asked for any member who was abstaining from the item voted on. . No hands were counted from abstaining members. The motion was passed unanimously.

Three new by laws were proposed at the board of directors meeting and they were presented to the members and voted on as follows:

1) The treasurer shall be allowed to spend club finances without a membership vote, to purchase SAM stickers up to an amount deemed reasonable and allowable by the President Vice president and the treasurer to maintain the stock at the sales places. No BOD or general membership vote is necessary for these purchases

2) Any event, fund raiser, training etc., requiring money over $750 will be brought before the BOD either via a meeting or an inquiry from the party to discuss the project. The BOD’s will then overlook and decide whether the money to be spent is worth the risk. No answer shall be given to person or persons seeking permission until the BOD’s have met in a closed session to discuss said article. When the BOD’s approve or deny the article the applicant will be notified within a reasonable time frame. . If time is of the essence the BOD will have the right to approve or deny the request immediately following the closed meeting.   The president or spokesperson will then announce said article and intensions at the following meeting the president will notify the membership at the next meeting of the BOD’s decision. If necessary the president will then hold a membership vote. . 

 A motion was made by Chris Ferragamo and seconded by Lou Brassard to accept this proposal as a new club by-law.  A vote by counting of the hands by present club members approved this amendment unanimously.

3) The board of directors may employ whatever items or personnel they deem necessary, and for which funds are available, to aid in the management of the club and may authorize any expenditure of the club funds in any other manner in the proper furtherance and operations of the club. These expenditures must be approved by the treasurer, president, vice president, and a two thirds (2/3) approval from the board of directors. 

A motion was made by Chris Coolidge and seconded by Jake Lyman to accept this proposal as a new club by-law.  A vote by counting of the hands by present club members approved this amendment unanimously.

Club treasurer Chuck Reed gave the treasurer's report at this time which detailed the club's income and expenditures which included trail work, trailer registration, decal costs, SAM registrations ( which included the on-line registration from the club's website) etc..

Bills were submitted by members as well as current expenditures for website cost, materials for trail work, SAM decals, on-line registration set-up costs, new part for Tucker, tractor repairs from trail work, repairs and parts for Piston Bully, McDonald Fuel Company bill, bill for Bombi repairs and parts, mailing costs, trailer hitches and pintle hitches for club's new trailer, and call system monthly costs.  A motion was made by Jay Wrightman and seconded by Phil Cormier to pay the club's bills.  A verbal vote of the present members was taken for paying of the bills. This was passed unanimously.

The next agenda item was the groomer reports and this summarized the need maintenance and repairs on the club's groomers.  Included in this discussion was a proposal by club president Gerry Balchuinas that if  a member wants to become a future groomer operator to notify him and times can be scheduled for this person to ride with an operator as well as time can be scheduled to find out more about the groomer the person would be operating.  If a member would just like a ride in a groomer, this can also be scheduled with either club president Gerry Balchuinas or Tom Donahue.  A request was made at this time by club president Gerry Balchuinas and board of directors member Louis Brassard for people to be gate openers and closers to go ahead of and to follow the groomers on grooming operations.  Such help would decrease the amount time to groom significantly.

The next agenda item was the trail reports which started with club vice president Dean Zuppio reporting that trail work from Route 22 to Grainger Road in the southern section was completed with the assistance from members of Snowmobilers United.  Club vice president Zuppio also reported that the work on the rail bed was done as well as corrections made in the area where previous beaver dams were a matter of concern.  Some gravel is still needed.  In the northern section, club president Gerry Balchuinas reported that trestle project has been very successful and is near completion with material still being needed.  Map huts and poles indicating the water levels in this area have been installed.  Pictures of the flattened corner area and other repaired areas will be available for viewing on the club's website soon.  Club president Balchuinas acknowledged and thanked Chris Higgins for the use of his dozer, Dick Pelloquin for the use of his chipper. Jake Lyman and Joe Reed for their help in delivering fill on a recent Sunday morning. Gerry expressed thanks to Glenn Hines for his help for without him the trestle wouldn’t have gotten done. He also thanked Tim Garin, Tom Dow, Heidi & Dave Besse JDH Landscaping and Graves Concrete for all of their devotion.

At this time BOD member Lou Brassard took a moment to personally thank president Gerry Balchuinas for all of his efforts and devotion. He briefly stated all of the time and commitment Gerry gives to the club. Then he stated that the trails are better as a direct result of him putting it all together as well as doing a boat load of the work.

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 Items on the new business agenda included the upcoming spaghetti supper scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 6p.m. at the Coldbrook Country Club in Barre as well as a proposal made by club president Balchuinas on behalf of club member Glen Whitney who could not be present at this meeting to conduct a meat raffle in the spring was made at this time.  Another proposed new business item was presented by club president Balchuinas and it was his intention to conduct a snowdeo in February 2009 on either the second or third week.  The event would include ice drags and vendors as well as food.  Volunteers would be needed to help out in running this event. A motion to approve the proposal was made by Gerry Cremin and seconded by Phil Cormier and a verbal vote approved the proposal to pursue the running of this event. President Balchuinas was then approved for start up money in the sum of $400 for costs pertaining to the event. BOD Lou Brassard then made a verbal note that Gerry approached the BOD’s at the BOD’s meeting with the proposal prior to tonight’s monthly meeting. Gerry then left the room during the BOD meeting and the directors talked and gave him the OK to proceed with the event.

The next item was presented by club vice president Dean Zuppio who proposed a poker run with the locations to be determined with a tentative date of the Saturday before the NFL's Super Bowl.  Details to follow as they become available on the club's website. 

The scholarship committee will be meeting to determine the amount and the way to determine the winner of the club's scholarship(s). 

The final item on the agenda was the results of the recent SAM monthly meeting which was the possibility of an increase in the cost of a SAM decal as well as the change of location for the annual Snow Expo from the Big"E" in West Springfield to the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Northampton .  Also a change for this event is the name and the increase in vendors to include all power sports. The new name for the event will be the MASS Power Sports Expo and the date may change to September. Many questions and discussions arose from this item. All of which were answered by Coldbrooks SAM delegates Dean Zuppio (first Delegate) and Gerry Balchuinas (second delegate)

The fourth monthly meeting for the Coldbrook Snowmobile Club adjourned at 9:15p.m..

                                     HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL AND PRAY FOR SNOW!