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Meeting Minutes - November 3, 2005
Meeting was called to order at 7:08 PM
Present: Tom Dimaggio, Rhonda O’Hearn, Greg Barker, Jim Lalla, Bill Bartlett,
Leif Erickson, Josh Stevens, Bob Spoerl, Bob Heckman, Keith Bryar, George Cook
Guests: Donna Johnson, Peter Colbath (taking minutes for Danae Colbath)
Secretary's Report:
Accepted as published on the website.
Treasurer's Report: $2,073.20
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR REPORT:
Presented by Rhonda O’Hearn. We currently have 85 members, which is an
increase of 4 from the October meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
INCIDENT REPORTING SYSTEM:
Discussion began as to what items should be mandatory such as location, date and time.
Currently no information is mandatory. The discussion continued as to whether the
Incident Report should be left as is or have further revisions. Concerns ranged from
forms not being completed if no information was mandatory to requiring certain
information would be outside the mission of the NHMA. It was agreed to leave the form
as is for 1 year as a general concession. Jay will add language to the website the
importance of the Incident Reports being completed. Greg Barker agreed to draft this language.
HILL VILLAGE:
A meeting with held with the Army Corp of Engineers. The Corp had two major
concerns. First, too much alcohol was being shown around. According to the Corp this
was most prevalent during the NESDC event last winter. Although there are no rules
prohibited the consumption of alcohol in Hill Village, it was suggested that more
discretion be exercised. Second, dog waste was not being properly disposed of. Either
the waste was not picked up at all or it was just discarded in the woods. The Corp
stated that if NHMA could not get control of the situation, they would take it upon
themselves to enforce proper waste disposal. Discussion began on how to improve these
two issues. It was the consensus of those involved in the discussion that this is
certainly not the image we want to portray. It was suggested that an informational
message addressing the afore-mentioned concerns could be posted on the website.
Tom DiMaggio contacted the snowmobile club that grooms the Hill Village trail system
regarding ATV use. B. Hurd of the club had no objections to ATV use except for in
time of soft snow conditions. During these conditions the ATVs rut up the snow.
This would have no effect of dry land ATV use. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding
the merits of using an ATV for training on snow. The snowmobile club had concerns about
speed and asked if drivers could give advanced notice when approaching and overtaking
someone on the trail. The snowmobile club also requested the all dog trucks park on
one side as to allow the trail groomer to pass through. Much discussion followed.
This included the difficulties of parking in a manner to make the approach and passage
through the gate practical to posting the parking request using some type of signs.
Rhonda mentioned that the permission slips for Hill Village use would be valid from
October to March. Jim Lalla reported that no written complaints had been filed against
mushers. He stated that if any written complaints were filed it could be problematic.
MOA:
Tom DiMaggio stated the MOA is dead for the most part. The Trails Bureau feels
in order to go forward, public meetings and hearings would be required. This would
include a 25 point analysis pursuant to RSA 215:34, analysis to open new trails to ATVs.
It was suggested that work on the MOA be continued.
Discussion continued regarding the possibility of requesting an ATV exemption from the
legislature. Jim Lalla made a motion to pursue a legislative exemption. Rhonda O’Hearn
seconded this motion. Discussion continued. Tom DiMaggio had been in contact with a
member of the legislature whose plan was to attach to another piece of legislation in an
effort to pass without much discussion or resistance. Tom to check on the status.
George Cook would also consult the member of the legilature Jay Phinizy from Acworth.
The motion to pursue an ATV exemption from the legislature was voted on in the affirmative.
NEW BUSINESS:
NEW MEETING PLACE
NHMA has been asked by the state to change the meeting venue in an effort to control
energy costs associated with after hour use. Discussion followed with suggestions of
a new centralized meeting place. The issue was not resolved and it was agreed that
notification would be sent out when a decision was made.
FUNDRAISING/PUBLICITY
The fundraising ideas from Jan Calton’s email were discussed. There was discussion
regarding the sale of calendars with various topics and including mushing/training tips.
Jim Lalla cautioned that calendars can be very expensive to produce. General consensus
was to pursue other options.
There was discussion regarding displays at libraries for advertising and presentations
to be held in conjunction with the running of the Iditarod. There were no other suggestions
and no further discussion.
ANNUAL PLAN
Bob Heckman recommended looking at the annual plan. Currently the plan contains an
agreed upon format which contained many of the items currently be worked on. Keith Bryar
recommended that goals be set. These goals should have a specific timeline and be
measurable. These goals should coincide with the basic mission of the NH Mushers
Association of protection of dog drivers and ensure continued use of the trails by
mushers. Tom Dimaggio read the mission statement. There was much discussion about
mapping trails and timely reporting of trail conditions. George Cook stated that in
regards to mapping, time constraints have limited progress. Discussion continued on
what the association’s goals should be. These included but were not limited to:
recognition as trail users; the goal should incorporate NH mushing history; and the 7th
objective of the annual plan, legislative awareness. The discussion continued as to whom
to contact to sponsor a piece of legislation to be recognized as trail users. George
Cook with talk to Jay Phinizy of Acworth. Tom DiMaggio suggested contacted Mike Wally.
General consensus was not to contact Mike Wally because our interest may conflict with
his best interest. Robert Spoerl listed some of the RSAs to be considered by the
association in its pursuit of its goals. RSA 212:34 Land Owner Liability. RSA 215
Winter Sports. RSA 508:14 Land.
Absenteeism Minutes: Rhonda expressed concern about how to best have Board
Members views expressed when they could not be present at meetings. It was
agreed that the secretary is not responsible for reading email responses to the
Proposed Agenda. It was agreed that the best option is for the absentee Board
Member to appoint a representative. This will allow for discussion to take place.
Meeting Minutes: Per Tom DiMaggio, Meeting Minutes to be forwarded to Greg
Barker for posting on the Website. Board members can review and email
corrections, additions, etc. to Greg.
Keith Bryar would like to make meetings less frequent.
Thank You to Leif Erickson who presented Steve Hessert with a sled that was
identical to the one that was destroyed in the snowmobile/musher accident!
Next Meeting: December 5, 2005. Meeting place to be announced.
Meeting adjourned 8:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Peter Colbath for Danae Colbath, Secretary
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