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Meeting Minutes - January 16, 2006
Meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM
Present: Tom Dimaggio, Rhonda O’Hearn, Greg Barker, Bob Heckman, Jan Carlton, Jan Carlton, Joyce and Bill Matott
Guests: Peter Colbath (taking minutes for Danae Colbath)
Secretary's Report:
Could not accept due to lack of quorum.
Treasurer's Report: $1,929.20
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR REPORT:
3 new individual members and one club membership ($50), The Yankee Siberian Club.
USE OF DOG TRAINING VEHICLES:
NH Mushers Association received a letter from Bob Spoerl of the State of New Hampshire
Department of Resources and Economics Development, Trails Bureau regarding the use of
Dog Training Vehicles on state lands this current season. The letter states that the
laws limit DRED's ability to enter in to the MOA. There is however a list of trails on
state lands that Dog Training Vehicles can be used on. These are broken into 2
categories, "bare ground conditions" and "under snow only conditions". Discussion
followed as to the location of several of the trails listed and the rational of the
trails listed and some that were not.
The discussion of Dog Training Vehicle use from state trails shifted to Hill. The
Army Corp of Engineers informed Peter Colbath (Keith Bryar and Jim Lyman also present)
on December 10, 2005 that Dog Training Vehicles were prohibited as soon as the trails
were covered with snow or after December 15. This misunderstanding has been clarified
and the policy is Dog Training Vehicles will be allowed on snow until the snowmobile
club begins grooming. The rule of thumb for grooming to begin is 8 inches of snow in
December or 6 inches of snow in January. During Peter Colbath's discussion with the
Army Corp of Engineers it was made very clear that the primary purpose of the Corp was
to serve those of recreational use and not the professional dog sled teams. The
discussion continued with the Corp regarding safety concerns of training without some
type of vehicle to assist them and how it applies to both recreational and
professional drivers. The discussion regarding safety concerns for the recreational
drivers appeared to peak the interest of the Corp. Peter expressed concern that there
may not be complete understanding by the Corp of why mushers train the way they do and
that we may not want to push so hard for Dog Training Vehicle especially on snow.
TRAIL REPORTING:
Trail reporting appears to be under-utilized at this time. General consensus
is that more detail of trail conditions would be helpful. It was also stated that in
time it should grow and postings should pick up.
DOG TRAINING VEHICLE STICKERS:
The issue of what to charge non-members for stickers could not be voted due to
the lack of a quorum. It was suggested that a special meeting be held on the web (via
email) but it must be restricted to one subject only. Several suggestions for a price
for selling stickers were discussed such as $5.00 for non-members or $10.00 for
non-members and make (or give) them membership in the NH Mushers Association. The
majority of members present liked the $10.00 charge.
The merits of the sticker program
were also discussed. The stickers have numbers, which will assist for monitoring
violations because each number will have a name associated with it. Also, in order to
obtain a sticker, the purchaser will have to agree with the code of ethics. The
state's position is that if we (NH Mushers Assoc.) do not have control over our
members then we run the risk of loosing the use of the trails.
BERLIN PROJECT:
This project was discussed at length. This park will be on approximately 10,000 acres
of land and be designed for multiple recreational uses. This will have to be brought
before the Trails Advisory Committee and it would be advantageous for the NH Mushers
Assoc. to have a member on the committee. More information will follow as it becomes
available.
:
LEGISLATION TO RECOGNIZE DOG TRAINING VEHICLES:
The need for recognition of Dog Training Vehicles as trail users was discussed. It
was suggested if you know any legislators, to ask them how they feel about Dog
Training Vehicle use. The legislature is currently in session and to get any
legislation (RSA) for special use would probably have to wait until the 2007 session.
PUBLICITY:
Jan Carlton expressed the need to promote to the mushing community and the non-mushing
community. It was also stated that this was difficult because we are always training
or racing our dogs. Jan proposed that we make March Sled Dog Awareness Month to
coincide with the Iditarod. This could be done with various displays in libraries
such as posters to promote sled dog awareness. Rhonda O'Hearn and Bob Heckman are
scheduled to put on demonstrations. Jan to send out information to participate to
publications such as Team & Trail, Mushing, Sled Dog Sports, etc. and develop a
proposed poster.
3-YEAR PLAN:
Now referred to as the annual plan will have the objective of obtaining a legislative
presents added to it. This will be achieved by developing a legislative focal point
(awareness) by creating a NH Mushers presentation. It was stated that Jim Lalla has
agreed to do this and it will be mailed out to the board for review.
HEAD OF TRAILS :
The Head of Trails is leaving that position on April 1, 2006. It is not known at this
time as to who will take his place. The relationship with Paul (Head of Trails) was
built over many years and it may take time to build a relationship with the new Head
of Trails.
Next Meeting:
February 20, 2006. Meeting place to be announced.
Meeting adjourned 9:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Peter Colbath for Danae Colbath, Secretary
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