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The Coldbrook Snowmobile Club held its second monthly meeting of the 2008-2009 season at the Brickyard Billiards and Restaurant in Baldwinville, MA on Monday, October 6, 2008 at 7:30pm.
The meeting started promptly on time and the first item on the agenda was the selection of the board of directors according to the club's bylaws. Chris Ferragamo, Louis Brassard, Gerry Cremin, Tom Donahue, and Dave Eklund were nominated and approved through a verbal election of the membership present at the meeting. Next the clubs officers were elected and are President Gerry Balchuinas, Vice President Dean Zuppio, Treasurer Chuck Reed, and Secretary Mike Roy.
The next item for discussion was to approve holding the meetings at the Coldbrook Country Club in Barre because the Brickyard Billiards and Restaurant in Baldwinville is currently for sale because of the economy. The December meeting is being held at the Brickyard for that is as far out as the owner could guarantee club president Gerry Balchuinas. Tom Donahue presented the Coldbrook Country Club in Barre as an ideal location for the meetings and future club events if needed. There would be no cost to the club and the halls have recently been renovated. Discussions ensued among the membership as to returning to the every other month schedule of conducting the meetings in the North and South sections of the club's area. This notion was quickly downplayed as it was felt that such a schedule would create confusion among the membership. Newly elected board member, Louis Brassard, motioned to take this topic to a vote of the membership. This motion was seconded by Gerry Cremin and the present membership approved moving the meeting site to the Coldbrook Country Club in Barre by a show of hands. The move will take place in January with the January meeting being held at Coldbrook.
The next items for discussion were the groomers and their required repairs and or maintenance for the upcoming season. Tom Donahue reported that the groomer in the South section has been checked with a repair and maintenance plan mapped out. Dave Eklund started and drove the Tucker in the North section and a maintenance plan was developed for such. The ASV is in the process of being moved with the assistance of board member, Gerry Cremin. The Muskeg is waiting to be sold to another club which is required to use such on state approved trails only. Board member Gerry Cremin is handling the contact with the prospective buyer and should hear within the next couple of weeks. Club vice president Dean Zuppio reported that the Skandiks are ready for operation with minor maintenance to be completed soon.
The next item on the agenda was the trail reports and the necessary work to be completed in order to promote safe care-free riding along with groomer access to the areas. The mud hole area located near the railroad trestle was a major project discussed at this time. The amount of volunteers needed along with the materials and equipment to be used were the main subjects of the discussion. This upcoming Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 9am a work crew will be meeting at the quarter mile block gate near Lake Dennison to start this job. Details will be available on the club's website. Gerry Balchuinas encouraged the membership to volunteer to help on this project and any upcoming work. At this time, member Bobby Cox offered a story he heard from a member of the Winchendon conservation committee who had viewed some of the club's recent work on the trail system. Bobby reported that the member praised the nice work the club has done on the trails and the way the club keeps the conservation of the area in mind when completing such work.
Gerry Balchuinas inquired of Dean Zuppio if any of the required work in the Route 62 area had been completed and dean reported that he personally had toured the area to asses what work is needed. It was estimated at this time that the previously reported beaver dam concern was not as concerning as initially reported to Dean and Gerry. The membership present at the meeting was then informed by president Balchuinas that the agreed upon purchase of a new pole saw for the club had been completed and at a lesser expense than anticipated. The cost of the purchased pole saw was seven hundred ninety dollars which was significantly lower than the allotted amount approved at the first meeting in September 2008.
The next topic for trail work was the purchasing of stone to make needed repairs to an area of concern in the North which is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers which the club has developed a positive relationship with over the years. A meeting with Mike Travaglini of the DCR and Zach Koziol is scheduled for October 24, 2008 when president Balchuinas will present the club's work plan for the concerned areas which fall under their jurisdictions.
Dean Zuppio reported that Snowmobilers United are willing to volunteer their time and trucks to assist in completing some of the work in the South section of the club's area near the railroad bed.
At this time, Gerry Balchuinas requested that volunteers for the upcoming Sno Expo at the Big E to be held on Saturday, October 18 as well as on Sunday, October 19, 2008 sign a notebook sent around the meeting hall. The volunteers were asked to sign the times when they would be available to be in the club's booth to promote the club and to explain where the club's trails are located along with meeting dates.
Tom Donahue addressed the membership about the annual spaghetti supper to be held at the Coldbrook Country Club in Barre this year. A date of Saturday, December 6, 2008 has been secured for the dinner and night of entertainment. Further details will be made available on the club's website as they become definite.
Club member Glen Whitney presented another item of new business as the possibility of conducting possibly two meat raffles in the future. Details to follow when such become available.
Club secretary Mike Roy inquired about the club applying to SAM to conduct a vintage ride as he had read in the recent TRAILS magazine that the applications for the available rides need to be submitted by the end of this month. Gerry Balchuinas said that this can be further explored.
The second meeting of the Coldbrook Snowmobile Club adjourned at 8:50pm.