Called To Order @7:16 – Moved to Social @ 7:54

• Snowmobile Association of MASS
  • Tom Bertram attended the last SAM meeting and provided a brief update
  • 2010 Raffle calendars are in, cost is $20, $10 goes directly to SAM
  • Discount tickets for the Expo are available; anyone interested can pick them up tonight after the meeting.
  • Tom will be working on the Education subcommittee at the meetings for the next several months.
• Fall Festival
  • Festival is October 24th,  attendees by invitation; friends of friends encouraged.  This is our only fund raising event for the club – we need to make sure it is a success!
  • Entry is $10.00 per head; $20 cap for a family
  • Kid events start at 4:00 p.m.
    • Donuts on a String
    • Pinata
    • Pumpkin Painting
    • Crafts
    • Games
  • Chili Cookoff at 6:00 p.m.; Sign ups so far:
    • Carl Fagan
    • Ken Chenis
    • Chris Catorio
    • Amanda Bertram
    • Mike ?
  • The Open Highway Band will start at 8:00 p.m.
  • Chinese Auction and 50/50 raffle planned; members need to knock on doors and get items for the Chinese Auction.
  • T Shirts have been ordered; red shirts with black emblem $20 each
  • Darla to order 100 Koozies to be given out with T Shirt
  • Food Sign Ups:
    • Jay B. – Mexican Dip
    • Eileen R. – Deli Platters
    • Carl F. – Meatballs
    • Paula B. – Ziti
    • John – Brownies
    • Dave – Pizza
    • Bill N. – Keilbasa
    • Joe – Dessert Dish
    • Joe – Pasta Salad
    • Walter O. – Swedish Meatballs & Cheese & Crackers
• Nomination of Officers
  • Motion was made and seconded to approve the following slate of Officers:
    • Melvin (Tom) Bertram – President
    • Bill Narus – Vice President
    • Ken Chenis – Secretary
    • Eileen Ramsden – Treasurer
    • Darla Proulx – Vice Treasurer
    • Eric Martineau - Groomer
    • Tommy Bertram – Trail Boss
• Groomer Updates
  • Tom Bertram informed the club that a long track sled has been donated
  • Jay Biery said he has exchanged emails with Jeremy Martineau but has not picked up the groomer yet; will pick up soon.
  • Groomer contracts need to be submitted.
• Trail Updates
  • Tommy Bertram gave the following updates:
    • Hickory Hills to Lake Shirley is done except for one small bridge
    • The Orchard needs to be marked after apple picking season
    • Route 13 to West Townsend has been worked on, beaver dam causing some issues.
    • Route 13 up to LeCuyers has been opened up but beavers have caused a pond; need a serious bridge.
    • Next trail work session on Sunday 10/11/09 at 9:00 a.m. – meet at Bertrams – need volunteers!  Work will be on Hickory Hills to Route 13.
    • Need hard wood pallets – Walter Osgood said he has some he will drop off.  Brett Ramsden also has bluestone pallets.
    • West Townsend to Poor Farm needs to be marked.
  • Ernie Pappas gave the following updates:
    • In Ashby can get thru Willard Brook and cross 31.  Jay Biery asked if the loader will be moved to allow access, Ernie responded that loader is usually moved but he will check with landowner.
    • Valley Road to South Road/Camp Lapham open.
    • Springhill to Blood Hill open.
    • Large pile of brush at Springhill Rd. needs to be moved.
    • 101 into Ashburnham State Forest needs to be cleared a bit more.
    • Near the swamp is a mess
    • Need to look into access via Fitchburg Rod & Gun
• Trail Work Seminar Tips
  • Ernie attended the DCR trail building seminar.  Seminar focused on tips for working on Conservation Land
  • If a bridge is more than 30” off the ground than DCR recommends a railing
  • Use galvanized screws when putting up markers
  • Markers should not be nailed tight to tree to allow for growth.
• Club Trip
  • Tom asked if there was interest in a Club trip this winter.  Many people expressed interest.  Item to be placed on next agenda