The December Secretary’s Report (from the website) was read and accepted.   The Treasurer’s Report was read and accepted and sh owed a current balance of $11,501 before an $8000+ check was cut to VAST for TMA’s.  The balance includes recent payments for bridge and trail repairs.

Old Business

• All of the bridges washed out or damaged by Hurricane Irene have been replaced. These include, the two bridges at Eye’s, The Fontaine’s Bridge. Rink’sSawmillBridge, The bridge to Osgood’s Field, Ruthie’sBitchBridge, a new bridge North of the 4 corners and a small bridge on the trail between these two.  Additionally several bridges have been replaced on Rt 35 between Eye’s andPutneyMountain.
• The $1,500 bridge and repair appropriation the members approved earlier has been pretty much used up.
• A temporary work around has been cut to avoid a serious washout heading to the 4 corners from Parker’s
• Verbal Permission has been granted by Jeff Ezequelle to use the Power line South of Putney Mountain Rd heading towards Dummerston.  Donald or April will get an address so that we can send him a Landowner’s Permission Form.
• A heroic job by our dedicated volunteers (with a little help from the weather) to get the trail system back in rideable shape and make some much needed improvements.

 New Business

• The club voted to make a $ 250 donation to Larry Gould & Sons for picking up additional Poles inVernonVT, Concrete Blocks and setting them in place behind the Fontaine’s (Alternate 35).
• The Club agreed that we should attempt a Construction Grant-in-Aid Application toVASTto recoup our Out of Pocket expenses of approximately $1,000-1,100 for the two RT 35 Bridges.
• The Club agreed to set up a Snowmobile Club account at WW Building Supply.  The initial list of approved persons includes, Mike Fontaine, Don Gokey, Tom Brooks and Daryl Graves.  All future major purchases will need approval by one of the above to get the discount.  Minor Trail Maintenance items will still be reimbursed by submitting an invoice slip.
• Rink’s Camp, The landowner has requested that no bonfires be built w/o the landowner’s specific permission.  Small cooking fires in the fireplace are OK.  Also if you pack it in, pack it out (Pack it out even if you didn’t bring it in).  We’re on a slippery slope of losing use of this popular stop, so we need to show the land owner that we can be good stewards of the land.  The Club will investigate adding some signage and/or a trash barrel (with landowner’s approval)
• The VELCO gates are being opened
• The Poker Run is still a go for February 4^th (no Rain Date).  The course will be run in Reverse with the same stops as last year.  In the event of a continuing lack of snow it could become just a field event (Draw Card’s, Food, 50/50 Raffle). The event will be promoted on the local media outlet’s
• The 35^th Anniversary Fred Robinson Steak Cookout is on track for Saturday February 25^th.  A minimum of 100 steaks will be ordered (An additional 20 if the weather looks especially promising).  The cost will be $12.  As always, help is needed to set up on Friday as well as Saturday Morning.  Contact Ruth Warren (413-566-3350) if you can help out or if you would like to make a dessert.  A special commemorative T-Shirt will be available for purchase.
• The next club meeting is scheduled for 7:30 PM, Saturday March 10^th at John and Pat Eye’s House,409 Grassy Brook Rd inBrookline.

The meeting was adjourned @ 8:40 PM

Bob Samuelson, VP