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Meeting Minutes - September 8, 2005
Meeting was called to order at 7:10
Present: Tom DiMaggio, Greg Barker, Jim Lalla,
Bill Bartlett, Leif Erickson, Josh Stevens, Bob Spoerl,
Bob Heckman, Jan Carlton, Pete Johnson, George Cook, Keith Bryar,
Danae Colbath
Guests: Lev Shuarts, Donna Johnson, Ann Cook
SECRETARY'S REPORT:
Accepted as published on website
TREASURER'S REPORT:
$1885.47
MEMBERSHIP:
Rhonda was not in attendance but sent email: Our membership is down
significantly from last year. There are currently 59 paid members (unless Bob H
has received other monies). It has been three years since the establishment of
this organization. It came together and was founded in good faith and for very
motivating reasons. I believe we all expected to see membership reach in the
000's at this stage. Since it has not we need to think deeply as to WHY?! IMO,
we need to share more information with the membership.
Much discussion followed:
We all agreed that we needed a membership drive and a good start would be a
mailing telling everyone what NHMA has accomplished over the past three years
and what our goals are for the upcoming year.
Tom DiMaggio agreed to write up a NH Mushers accomplishment sheet that will
be used as a basis of a membership drive mailing. Tom to email the sheet out
so we can comment and have ready for the next meeting.
Jan Carlton will send press release to NESDC, DESDC, and Sled Dog Central
noting our accomplishments.
Tom DiMaggio has accumulated/compiled a mailing list from various sources. He
is awaiting Vermont Mushers Association to forward their mailing list.
NH MUSHERS ASSOCIATION AND VERMONT MUSHERS ASSOCIATION:
Clarification was made by Tom DiMaggio concerning the joining of these two
entities. The Club Names ONLY are joint there is not reciprocal membership
for individual members. No vote was taken to establish this relationship the
"Presidents shook hands".
WEBSITE:
New Website!
Trails: Plan to use Recreation Trail Book (Compiled by DRED and DOT) to put
information on length of trails, surface, road crossings, bridges, and use of
ATV's. Bob (DRED) reports the map of trails is still in process.
Trail Reporting System: How do we keep the trail conditions updated? Discussion
followed concerning the availability of trail conditions on snowmobile websites.
General concensus was that mushers would prefer to obtain info from other
mushers. It was agreed that there would not be any assigned trails at present
but that we would all make an effort to update conditions. New format on
website for reporting trail conditions is much more user friendly!
CONSTITUTIONAL BY LAW CHANGES:
New Annual Meeting date has been changed to May. Do we want to specify a
set date each year or leave it open. It was agreed to leave date open.
TRAILS:
Federal Trails: Bob (DRED) spoke with recreational Specialist (Rebecca). They
are currently "under the gun" for 15 year White Mountain National Forest Plan
and he doesn't feel we would get favorable attention by asking them to look at
our issues right now. He feels they will follow the results of the State MOA. We
do need to make sure the plan does not specifically exclude sled dogs.
Discussion ensued concerning comments made by Bonny at the Annual Meeting
that we have every right to be there. Bob reminded us that Bonny is only one
spokesperson. Bob states there will probably be 3 or 4 particular trails or roads
that will be designated for use by mushers with ATV's.
Hill Village: Revisit of the issues that have arisen with training at Hill Village.
Mike Hayward has received two complaints concerning mushers. The problem
appears to be with unleashed dogs. Locals walk their dogs without leashes
(leash law is posted but not enforced). The locals are complaining, the mushers
are not. Mike has given us a one year trial period to continue using the trails at
Hill and Blackwater. No conditions for the trial period have been specified. Much
discussion on how to remedy the situation: Approach him? File complaints
against the unleashed dogs? Assign an ambassador to develop a rapport with
Mike? Initiate a "Trail Reporting System"? Offer courtesy leashes to those whose
dogs are loose? Agreed that we want to avoid a "pissing match."
Letters to Train at Hill and Blackwater with ATV's will expire at the end of this
year. Do we ask for new letters?
Motion made by Pete Johnson to request permission slips to train with ATV's at
Hill and Blackwater. Bob Heckman seconds the motion. Majority agreed.
MOA
The MOA has been posted on the website since the Annual Meeting.
Tom DiMaggio has received one response. Lev Shuarts (guest at this meeting)
requests a change to the Cheshire Trail to include the South Branch. Lengthy
discussion followed concerning why it was not included in the original MOA (no
parking available, primary trail coming out of MA with heavy snowmobile traffic -
defense was that ATV"s can already be used on snow covered trails so this
shouldn't impact decision, the more trails we put in the greater the chance of
complaints)
Bob (DRED) states that if we agree to MOA tonight- we can probably have it
signed within 2 weeks.
It Was Noted By Bob (DRED) that Attachment "A" of the MOA allows for
modification of the document from "time to time".
Motion made by Bob Heckman to add Cheshire South Branch to MOA. Seconded
by Jim Lalla. Majority favors.
Tom DiMaggio assigned Lev Shuarts the responsibility for signage of the trail
Lev accepts responsibility.
Bob (DRED) stated that if the MOA (as amended tonight) fails, it will go back to
the original document.
Motion made by Bob Heckman to accept the MOA as amended tonight. Keith
Bryar seconds the motion. Majority accepts.
Motion made by Jim Lalla that if MOA is not accepted as amended tonight, we
will accept the original document. Seconded by George Cook. Majority accepts.
Greg Barker volunteered to design sticker for ATV's.
Bob Heckman volunteers to prepare a "trail reporting system".
NEXT MEETING scheduled for October 8, 2005. Agenda items will include an
Annual Plan and Publicity.
Motion made to adjourn by George Cook. Seconded by Greg Barker. All in
favor.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM
Respectfully Submitted by Danae Colbath, Secretary
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