The Coldbrook Snowmobile
Club held its sixth monthly meeting of the 2008-09 snowmobile season at the
Coldbrook Country Club in
The first item on the meeting's agenda was the treasurer's report given by club treasurer Chuck Reed who detailed the club's expenses and purchases for the month since the January meeting. A motion was made by Ron Higgins and seconded by Gerry Cremin to accept the treasurer's report along with the monthly minutes for the January meeting. An uncontested verbal vote by the present membership approved the motioned for items.
The next item to report on was given and detailed the current condition of the club's fleet of groomers from the north and south sections of the club's areas. The Piston Bully needs a new wheel and tire setup as well as a new heater motor along with new bolts to lessen the wear on the track clips. The Northern Tucker broke a front right track and had necessary lights replaced. The club's ASV which was purchased from a recent SYMS grant has an estimated three thousand dollars in parts need to repair internal gears which broke accidentally during proper operation which caused further damage. The monies for the parts to repair the ASV were loaned to the club by an anonymous club members until reimbursement can be made. Club president Balchuinas made it clear that the repair estimator made it clear that this repair was not caused by operator error. The Southern Tucker needs new keels and the brake system fixed itself through bleeding the system when fluid was added. President Balchuinas reported that the groomers are out every Friday and Saturday night and that late night riders should be aware that due to a great amount of trail usage during the day, the trails can be left "bumpy" at the end of each day. The Bombi and the Skandik in the southern section are operational and in use.
The third item on the meeting's agenda was the trail report which was given by club president Gerry Balchuinas who asked for assistance from the club members who are out riding the club's trails and they notice a downed tree or tree limb which appears to be hazardous. The groomer operators asked that the member either notify president Balchuinas of the downed tree/limb's location or cut the troubled obstacle leaving a two passage way to the side in order for the groomer to move the downed tree/limb out of harm's way on its next pass through the area. The areas where there are currently dangerous areas to be aware of was a topic of discussion at this point.
Jake Lyman was acknowledged for the terrific job in regards to the signage for the recent poker run which was held this past Saturday, on January 31, 2009.
A report on recently held events sponsored by the club was given by club president Balchuinas with assistance from club vice-president Dean Zuppio. The report included the rescheduled spaghettis supper which was held on Saturday, January 10, 2009 from the original date of Saturday, December 13, 2009 because of the massive power outage to the central MA area.
The event was a smashing success as it netted a substantial profit as the turnout far exceeded the initial ticket sales. Both Gerry Balchuinas and Dean Zuppio acknowledged the people who made the night such a success at the Coldbrook Country Club. Special Thanks were given to Dawn Balchuinas for heading up the event, and also to her helpers Robin Grant Briner, Sue Foresman, Lou Brassard, Sarah Balchuinas, Erica Balchuinas, Chelsea Hawkins Balchuinas, Kevin Balchuinas, Taryn Everhart Balchuinas, Scott Kelley, Ryan Grant, Brett Grant, Sherrie and Tom Donahue, Gerry Balchuinas, the Dj was great and Jason the bartender. This supper was the largest one to date with a special shout out to Bill Mucha for rallying his troops to the event. Every seat in the hall was taken and the line never stopped and there were seconds and thirds for all who wanted them as well as ice cream and brownie Sundays for desert. BOD Tom Donahue was thanked for the use of the hall and he stated that it was open whenever we needed it for our functions. He also stated that he was thankful for all of the hard work that Dawn Gerry and his family do for the club and that their commitment is second to none.
A recent radar run held at the Candlelight Pond in Templeton netted about four hundred dollars to the club through registration and food sales. A top speed of 129 mph was recorded by a very modified Polaris sled with the next closest speed being 103 mph by club member Derek Anderson on his Ski-Doo. Gerry stated that he would have the speeds on the web as son as he had a free moment to sit at the computer and put them up.
The final items for discussion and reporting were new business. President Balchuinas reported a meeting and spending time with the newly assigned MA Environmental Police Officer whose name is Bill Woytek. Gerry reported that the time spent with this new officer assigned to this area was productive as areas of concern were pointed out to the officer as well as the requirements the officers are looking for in order to keep our trails safe for all. The officer was very appreciative of the cooperation received by club president and the BOD members the officer met on the trails. Gerry informed members that he had applied for some policing through the funding through SAM. This is where SAM uses their money to pay for details from the environmental police and they patrol for local clubs. He said that the patrol was out in full force for the poker run. Where many members were checked a few times and many non compliant riders were ticketed.
Gerry then reported that he had taken environmental officer Bill Woytek out on a night run in the Tucker groomer with him. Gerry stated that the ride was a two groomer tandem run from Waterville plaza in Winchendon to Glenwood Kitchens in Templeton. Dave Eklund and Ben King operated the other Tucker groomer. Gerry reported that they weren't even up the trail 100 yards when they ran into the first sled which was unregistered and had no SAM sticker on private land. To make a long story short Gerry said by the end of the night, Dave, Ben and Gerry had been in the groomers for over 13 hours straight and that the EPO gave out 10 tickets and 5 warnings and many other verbal warnings for non compliance with the state registration requirements as well as the SAM law requirements. One violator complained that the officer was in a groomer. To which the officer replied that it didn't matter how he got to the spot and that if the violator was properly registered he would have just waved him through just like the hundreds of other sleds he had during the day. Gerry stated that he though that the EPO out at night gave a strong message that people riding illegally at night will now be addressed. A groomer operator present mentioned the high number of non compliant people he sees at night while he is grooming.
Gerry also stated that this officer now knows where he can set up so people will not be able to run and that he is looking for compliance and that is all. He is not out to harass or give people a hard time he just wants them to have to be accountable just like all of the people who have the proper paperwork do. He also stated that our club definitely gives riders a reason to join with the quality of riding that we give our members. The officer also informed Gerry that he has shift flexibility and he will be doing some night patrols in the area also.
Gerry stated that while
some people will never comply, but these steps would help in making sure that
everyone who rides help pay their share.
The next item for discussion was the placing of safety fencing or cones to slow down riders in the area of the Dog Shack where food and drinks are provided on the trail system. Concerns were mentioned about riders who ride the area at excessive speeds when there are patrons at the Dog Shack are making purchases. President Balchuinas mentioned the possibility of arranging for a club sponsored event to be held at the Dog Shack.
Club vice-president Dean Zuppio mentioned
that the next SAM meeting was being held on Thursday, February 12, 2009 in
Bill Mucha mentioned that a sled counter had been set on the trail near Route 122 by the area known as the "flats". This counter has recorded over three thousand sleds having passed through the area this riding season.
Club president asked if there were club members who were willing and able to record gate coordinates by the use of their GPS systems. Such assistance would be greatly appreciated and be put to use in the next formulation of the club's trail map which is expected for next season, possibly
There were no other items of new business from the present membership when asked by club president Balchuinas.
President Balchuinas then took the last minutes to thank the groomer operators for all of their assistance and also added that the Dog Shack has been taking care of all of the operators when stopping in for lunch on their sleds. Alex Allen from the dog shack presented the club with an envelope of money that has been left at the groomer donation jar at the shack. He also stated that the shack would love to support a Coldbrook day and all profits from that day be given to the club for their grooming efforts. Alex also noted that they (Dog Shack) knew that if the club didn’t groom the business would subside. Alex also stated that if they could help in any way to please let them know. Gerry then stated that the gentlemen, including Alex, that run the dog shack , are the ones who cleared the trail during the ice storm as mentioned previously. Gerry also mentioned that Alex was an operator in training and thanked him for that. Gerry then reiterated back to the thanks for his groomer operators, Ben King, Bill Mucha, Dave Eklund, Chris Ferragamo, Tom Donahue, Lou Brassard, Dave Balchuinas, Vern Lussier, Chris Bigwood, Phil Cormier, Gerry Cremin,Alex Allen, and anyone else who has ridden or opened gates. Club member Mike Chownowski was also mentioned for his outstanding mechanic work as well as grooming efforts. A member then stated that we forgot Gerry for he grooms more than anyone and is always keeping the whole ball running without his leadership we would all be in hard shape. A warm applause was given and he humbly thanked everyone for the warm thanks. Gerry stated that snowmobiling and the related activities are his and his families life and passion and that they do it for the love of it. He mentioned how he started with his grandfather and father and has never stopped with his brothers and extended family.
The last item mentioned
was the upcoming proposed radar run
on
The sixth monthly meeting for the Coldbrook Snowmobile Club adjourned at 9:05pm.