On Monday, October 4, 2010, the Coldbrook Snowmobile club held its second meeting of the 2010-2011 season at the King Phillip Restaurant in Phillipston, MA.
Copies of the treasurer's report listing expenditures and deposits were passed out for the present membership to view before the meeting started. Club president Balchuinas opened the meeting by affording the present membership to ask any questions about the treasurer's report. A motion to accept the report was made, seconded, and a verbal vote from the present membership unanimously approved the report during the meeting.
Club president Balchuinas addressed the members about the necessary materials to upgrade/repair the Stoney Bridge. Exploratory inquiries already have been conducted into the most cost effective way to "mill" the lumber for the project and for additional materials by club president Balchuinas. A meeting has been scheduled for Friday, October 8, 2010 at 12:30pm to meet with the appointed authority from the Baldwinville conservation Commission and club president Balchuinas will be the representative. The current plan is to place the rehabilitated bridge over the river near the Templeton line..
Club president Balchuinas plans on completing a "walk through" the state park are of Lake Dennison to determine what trail work is necessary for the upcoming season. Member Chris Ferragamo reported that rocks exist on trail areas which would impede snowmobile travel or make it very difficult to ride in certain areas.
Club president Balchuinas announced that the club has started the procedure for the purchased of an over the rail multi-purpose mower with the SYMM grant monies and for the price agreed upon by the grant and the club. Club president suggested that the three gates which are part of the agreement for this grant should be installed on the first weekend of November in the areas designated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Results of the September SAMS meeting will be on the club's website along with the September monthly meeting minutes.
Club president Balchuinas asked for members to submit trail projects by the November monthly meeting in order that they can be approved to be started in mid-November. Club president Balchuinas asked that any member wishing to volunteer and/or lead in a trail clearing project notify him first in order that DCR and/or Army Corps of Engineers approval can be requested prior to any project be given the authority to proceed. Discussions about possible areas of trails needing work since last season ensured among the members in an orderly fashion. The weekend of October 16-17, 2010 was suggested as possible times to conduct some viewing of the trails which were mentioned in discussions as concerning. Any further information will be posted on the club's website.
Club president Balchuinas has received a message from a member regarding a recent post on the club's website forum. The post made mention of the intent to place a bridge in a "secret" location. Club president Balchuinas made it crystal clear that the Coldbrook Snowmobile Club will not condone the placement of any club constructed bridge in a "secret" location. A motion was made to remove the post from the forum site. The motion was seconded and a verbal vote approved the removal of said post from the forum site.
A message will also be posted on the club's website and its forum page that subscribers to the forum page who are not paid members by the 12/5/10 club meeting will be removed from the site until such membership is paid.
Club vice-president Dean Zuppio requested that the club purchase an additional ten books of SAMS stickers at this time for the three dealerships that sell such for the club. This request will be put on hold until the November meeting as the members present agreed that it would be too soon to make this purchase considering the projects needing to be completed and time still exists before the riding season.
Club vice-president Zuppio also suggested that the club start thinking long-term in regards to increasing the monies in the club's savings account.Member Dave Eklund proposed that a small portion of each membership be placed into savings for future use. Several options were appropriately discussed among members at this time. The idea would be more definitively discussed at a Board Of Directors meeting which was scheduled at the end of the meeting.
Club president Balchuinas discussed the conditions of the club's groomer fleet with a concentration on "studding' the track of the southern Skandik. Member Chris Ferragamo reported that he and BOD member Chris Richards would be attending a snowmobile show in Fremont, NH this upcoming weekend and he would volunteer to purchase the appropriate studs for said machine and be reimbursed by the club. Maintenance and minor repairs to the other groomers along with a proposed schedule to complete such work were detailed by club president Balchuinas. The next item on the agenda was to determine the groomers for the club and their groomer assignments. At this time, a "key" discussion ensued among the groomers as to which groomers needed additional keys made and who had the key and for which particular groomer. this discussion was very organized as each groomer and its key(s) were accounted for by the operators.
The second monthly meeting for the CSC adjourned at 8:45pm.