Maine Snowmobile Association
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470th Directors Meeting
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Portage Lake, March 14, 2010
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The 470th Directors Meeting of MSA was held on March 13, 2010 and was hosted by the Portage Lakers Snowmobile Club. In the absence of President Paul Davis and Executive Vice President Ken Ingalls the meeting was chaired by Northern Region VP David Stevens. In the absence of Secretary Suzanne Hall the minutes were taken by Eastern Region VP Eileen Lafland.
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A motion was made to accept the Secretary's report as written of the February meeting. Motion was accepted.
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Treasurer's Report: In the absence of Treasurer Roy Tassinari, Bob Meyers read the Treasurer's report.
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Monthly income: $23,925.41
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Monthly Expense: $22,290.72
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Net Revenue: $1,634.69
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Checking Account: $47,287.31 (2/26/10)
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Credit Line: $0.00 (2/26/10)
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Building Fund: $48,358.52 (2/26/10)
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Brian Wass Safety Fund: $739.25 (2/26/10)
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The Treasurer's report was accepted as read.
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Snowmobile Division: No report
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President's Report: No report. Paul Davis was unable to attend this meeting.
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| Executive Director's Report: Bob Meyers gave the following report: |
ÒIt feels like spring at the office - things are slowing down. Registration numbers are still looking very good compared to last year. As of March 8, total number is 76,078, which is up 8,000 over the same time last year. Residents are up almost 5,000 over last year. Non-resident season are up about 5,000. At the very least it appears a lot of folks registered early, and it will be interesting to see where we end up. I think at some point the numbers will fall off the cliff from the weather conditions, but there's still a lot of counting to do before the fat lady sings.
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Legislature: The appropriations process is moving along, and there is still concern over dedicated funds. It is likely that some money will be taken, probably linked to the shutdown days and other personnel initiatives. It is very difficult to get information from the committee.
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LD-1637, our groomer tax bill has been passed and signed by the Governor. Another small problem solved. LD-1536, An Act To Amend the Standards by Which Game Wardens May Stop All-terrain Vehicles when Operating on Private Property had its first vote in the House and failed 76-70. It will be voted on again Tuesday.
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The new culvert rules from DEP would now have an implementation date of January 2011, and in the meantime, DEP needs to do more work on it.
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Cap and Bob attended a gubernatorial forum at the Maine Forest Products Council on Thursday. It was quite interesting and some clear choices to be made in the months ahead.
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The Appalachian Mountain Club has approached the Bureau of Parks & Lands about a land swap for some in-holdings in their ownership at KI and Second Roach. It potentially could benefit us by protecting some access, but they are anxious to do it right away, and there are dozens of issues that need to be resolved. It is likely this will happen next year if at all.
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There is a new land preservation initiative that has been getting a lot of discussion, called the Keeping Maine's Forests. There is a working group mostly of environmentalists, although the forest products folks are involved, and finally recreation interests, George Smith and I have been invited to ÒlistenÓ but not participate. Some people are hoping that there will be a lot of new money available from the feds for land and easement acquisitions, although that is not necessarily the case. Have spoken with both Mike Michaud and Sen. Collin's staff, and they're keeping an eye out for us.
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Northern Region VP Dave Stevens introduced two guests for the evening; Sgt. Dan Menard and Warden Preston Pomerleau of the Maine Warden Service.
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Vice Presidents Reports:
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Executive VP Report-Ken Ingalls was not present due to a death in his family. No report
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Eastern Region Report-Eileen Lafland present. Thank you to Portage Lakers for hosting the meeting. She reported at the present time there is limited riding in a very few areas of the Eastern Region but it is going fast with the warm temperatures. Overall many parts of the region did not have a very good year. Snow came early but was washed away in January by the monsoons and never came back.
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She mentioned she received an invitation to serve on Advisory Committee for the DOC, Dept. of Bureau and Lands regarding the Amherst Mountains Community Forest lands. She is unable to make the first meeting and has asked Maurice Marden to sit in for her, which is accepted.
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Western Region Report-Cap Campbell thanks everyone for their support during his recent loss. He stated there is still groomable snow in the Eustis, Rangeley areas but feels it may be gone in the next two -three weeks with the warm temperatures.
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Central Region Report-Mark Blake absent. No report.
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Coastal Region Report-Bob Lafontaine absent. No report.
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Northern Region Report-avid Stevens thanked everyone for attending and thanked the Portage Lakers for hosting the meeting. He indicated there are still areas that are riding in the northern region, but it is limited. He also reported he has three regional meetings scheduled at this time: April 17th in Oakfield, April 18th in Fort Kent and April 24th in Washburn. These will be working meetings and he is asking all those in attendance to come with suggestions/ideas.
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Standing Committee Reports
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Membership-Debbie Long reported the following figures:
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MSA Total memberships
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Number of Members: 11,317; Number of Businesses: 2,115; Total members: 13,432; Total members (including family members) 25,871. MSA Membership Totals by Regions. Region, Number of Clubs, Number of Family Members.
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Central, 60, 2423; Coastal, 61, 2081; Eastern, 73,3605; Northern, 35, 1986; Western, 62, 3277. Club totals 291, 13,372.
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MSA Trails- Maurice Marden was present. He indicated there are still a few pockets around the state you can ride in. He is concerned what next year may bring with the snow leaving early this year. It could mean people will wait and see next year and not register their sleds early or join clubs. Hopefully that will not be the case. He informed the group Felecia O'Clair is the new Northern Region Vice Chair on the Trails Committee. He thanked everyone for all they do; signs, stakes, landowner appreciation and permissions.
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Hospitality- Brenda Bunker absent. No report
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Safety- Marion Pinkham absent. No report.
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Scholarship- Dick Peck absent. No report. There was a reminder that scholarship applications are due by April 1st.
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Fundraising- Jerry Major absent. Bob reported there are still Easy Money tickets available for purchase. Please make sure you purchase one before tonight's drawing.
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| Nominating Committee-Maurice Marden did the second reading of the nominations for next year's positions. |
President: Ken Ingalls; Executive Vice President: Cap Campbell; Eastern Region VP: Eileen Lafland; Western Region VP: Caroleen ÔMac' Dudley; Northern Region VP: David Stevens; Central Region VP: Mark Blake; Coastal Region VP: Bob Lafontaine; Secretary: Suzanne Hall; Treasurer: Roy Tassinari; Assistant Treasurer: Harvey Chesley Jr.There were no nominations from the floor for these positions.
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Regional Directors: Eastern Region: Jim White, Barry Ryan, Larry Lafland; Northern Region: Dan Bridgham, Felicia O'Clair, Debbie Long; Western Region: Mary Tassinari, Ed Morris, Tyler Philbrick; Central Region: Hal Garnett, Pete Stinson, Jerry and Sally Withee; Coastal Region: Clint Davis, Rodney Berry, David Watson.
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Eileen Lafland made a nomination from the floor to add Mike Grass Jr. as another regional director in the Eastern Region. Dave Stevens made a nomination from the floor to add Mike Daigle as another regional director from the Northern Region. There were no more nominations from the floor.
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Debbie Long made a motion to accept the nominations as presented. Larry Lafland seconded the motion and the directors present passed it. Nominations ceased at this point. The vote will be held at the Annual Meeting on April 10 in Lewiston.
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Old Business- There was no old business to discuss.
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New Business-Rick Long made a motion that the Municipal Grant Payout document from the Dept. of Conservation be printed annually in the Maine Snowmobiler paper. Paul Qualey seconded the motion. A discussion followed that asked if the club and capital equipment grants could also be published. Rick Long was asked to amend his motion to include these reports as well. The motion was amended to include municipal grant payouts, club grant payouts, and capital equipment payouts. This motion was seconded by Paul Qualey. Directors voted to pass the motion.
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At this time Dave Stevens introduced guests for the evening. The first guest he introduced was Legislator Ken Therriault, who is also a member of the Madawaska Snowmobile Club. He spoke about safety being discussed at his club. He also indicated Bob Meyers speaks to him about snowmobile issues that are working their way through the legislative process. He feels the state needs to realize how much snowmobiling means to Maine economically. He also realizes there are some concerns about funding issues and knows they will be discussed.
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The next speaker was Sgt. Dan Menard of the Maine Warden Service. Sgt Menard commented traffic has been down on the trails this season. He has seen an increase in trespassing issues this year. He wanted those in attendance to know he is here for you and would like to be involved before issues get too bad. Warden Pomerleau spoke briefly and also stated the traffic has been down with not as many people visiting this year. He told everyone to pray for cold weather and more snow next winter.
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Dave Stevens then thanked to Portage Lakers for hosting the meeting, and they in turn thanked MSA for coming to Portage.
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The 50/50 drawing of $80 was won by Bill Pike of Washburn.
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Pot of Gold club drawn was the Gray Sno Wolves. There was no one present, so no winner.
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| Easy Money drawings were then held. Ticket #63 David Bishop of Auburn; Ticket # 179 Rock |
Oâ Dundee Riders; Ticket # 517 Topsham Trail Riders; Ticket # 509 Maynard Hill of Concord; Ticket # 6 Robert Russell of Mechanic Falls.
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Rick Long made a motion to adjourn at 8:38 p.m. Paul Qualey seconded the motion.
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Respectfully submitted,
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Acting Secretary,
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Eastern Region VP Eileen Lafland
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