On Monday, September 7, 2009, the Coldbrook Snowmobile Club held its first monthly meeting for the 2009-10 season at the Lucky Dragon restaurant in Winchendon, MA.  Club president Gerry Balchuinas conducted the meeting with assistance from  club vice president Dean Zuppio.

      The first item on the agenda was the treasurer's report give by president Balchuinas who informed the club of the account balances and of any potential upcoming expenses.  Such expenses will include, but are not limited to the purchase of SAM stickers for the season, software for the computer program/website, butane torches for welding jobs (ie. gates to be built for SYMS grant), and other minor expenses to be determined and reported at a later date to the membership.

      Club president Balchuinas spoke about the proposed gates needed to be completed for the SYMMs grant.  Details will be posted on the club's website and reported at future meetings as they become known.

       The next item on the agenda was encouragement from Gerry Balchuinas and Dean Zuppio for the membership to complete the survey regarding the Ware River Watershed which is on the club's website. This survey will help protect snowmobilers interest in the use of the state lands we currently use.

      Elections for club officers and board of directors will take place at the next meeting on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 7:30p.m. at the same location. Officers present (President, Vice President and Treasurer) had stated they will return in their respected roles and of the BOD’s 3 said they would return and two said they would step down if someone wanted to take their spot to allow new people to serve. Gerry stated that all offices are up for re-election and any member that is in good standing for the previous season is eligible to run for an office.

  Gerry Balchuinas did asked the present membership if there was a location midway between the north and south sections of the club's catchment area to conduct monthly meetings.  This would make it possible to split the monthly meetings in an effort to increase attendance. Gerry had mentioned that in the past years we had a meeting down in the southern section and the next one was in the north flip flopping back and forth. That gave members from the whole club geographical area a chance to attend a meeting.  

A decision to hold a spaghetti supper was discussed with no definite answer at this time.

 Club president Balchuinas addressed the membership about the proposed increased late fee for registering with SAMS after December 1, 2009. No decision has been made as of today's date regarding this matter. This will be on the voting agenda at the next meeting.

     Contacts with the Department of Conservation and Recreation are being made by club president Gerry Balchuinas in an effort to continue the club's working relationship with this state agency.  The purpose of these upcoming meetings will be to discuss trail work and groomer operations for and during the upcoming season.

      Mike Chenowski has graciously offered the facility at Jandris Block located in Gardner for the repair and maintenance of the groomer vehicles.  For economic reasons, Gerry Balchuinas has already spoken to Mike about purchasing bulk oil for the groomer vehicles.  Further research on this type of purchase is in the process and the costs will be reported back to the club.

      Club president Balchuinas is currently in the process of assessing the need for each individual groomer, determining cost effective ways to complete the repairs and maintenance, and developing a schedule for completing these tasks at Jandris Block or where the groomer is located.  The known needs of each groomer were touched upon in a discussion between those members who had first hand knowledge of their respective groomer.  Examples of such future work included, but was not limited to, the ASV needing a starter, the Tucker in the south being in need of at least three wheels coupled with additional drag work, addressing the Bombie's steering concerns (explained by club vie president Dean Zuppio) which have an unknown final analysis of repair needed to correct the same, and the Skandiks in need of regular seasonal maintenance along with Dean Zuppio's Skandik needing a battery (approval was granted for Dean to proceed and purchase a battery for such).

    Club president Balchuinas proposed the implementation of the trail boss system where an assigned person would be in charge of trail repairs in designated areas when the club was notified of the need.  The notification of the trail concern can be made by a rider's call or the club's website/email. Then the situation can be brought to the attention of the club and one of the officers can contact the section of trail that has been assigned and that person can get the problem fixed. This will speed the process of trail upkeep and relieve a little work of the person doing this now.

    Club president Balchuinas addressed the membership about the upcoming trail projects which included the proposal to add fill to the trestle area in Lake Dennison State Park to make the trail smoother for passage under the railroad tracks.  Additional trail work is necessary, but the areas still need to be assessed as walk throughs are in the planning process.  Please check the club's website for updates.  Making necessary repairs to the current pole saws or the purchasing of a new pole saw was the topic of discussion in order to proceed with any trail clearing projects. Gerry stated that he would get in touch with Orange Saws who does the servicing on our equipment and get a quote from them.

    Club member Tom Donahue mentioned about needed repairs in the south section which included pipe repair along with trail clearing in order to maker riding safer in certain areas.  Club member Jay Wrightman mentioned the need for repair to a sign post which was driven over by a careless driver in the Lake Dennison State Park near New Boston Road trail. Gerry said he could weld extensions on and we could reinstall the signs in their respected place.

  The next item on the agenda was the Powersports Expo which is scheduled to be held on the weekend of October 17th and 18th, 2009 at the Big "E" in West Springfield.  Club vice president Dean Zuppio will be in charge of sign-ups for booth presenters for this event at the next meeting in October. The club granted the officers their budget for this event as in years past. While we are not having a booth, Dean and Gerry and his wife and family represent our club at the expo.

   Club vice president Dean Zuppio mentioned the SYMMS grant which had been approved for the amount of $9,500 for the club to purchase a mutli-purpose tractor with an over the rail mower attachment.  The club commitment would be the completion of four more gates including their installations at site to be determined by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

   The first monthly meeting for the Coldbrook Snowmobile Club adjourned at 9:20pm.