7333-R3_MSA_Oct2020_MaineSnowmobiler

Trails Committee Chair Report

wheels, ski’s any other obvious items that could be a windshield, seat, any bent parts that need to be straightened? Spark plugs, leaking fluid anywhere? Ripped out track studs too. How’s your battery? It really spoils your day when you have a break down. So, take the time and get your sled checked over. And while you’re in the checking over mood, let’s do your trailer. First look underneath with a flashlight and search for cracks in the frame. Yes, they will crack around the tongue area and where the axle meets the frame. Mostly due to our Maine roads, frost and potholes. Check your lights; do you have a spare tire? Safety chains, light plugs ok? Tighten bolts and check over the ramp and door(s).Check this stuff over before you head out you’ll have a much better snowmobile fun time! We will have lots of traffic this year, most folks know we have the best trails in the Northeast and with the summer recreation The E-board and it’s aforemen- tioned members are also responsi- ble for being the liaison between the MSA and the 280 some clubs through the Regional V.P.’s and Directors and assist all the clubs with any issues. They are a source of information and needed mate- rials that is handed down to the clubs. The legislative represen- tative is responsible for lobbying strued and be a bit confusing. Therefore, to simplify things or “make it clear as mud” the MSA is made up of four entities, the Executive board, legislative rep- resentation, the Trails committee and the membership. The Exec- utive board is comprised of all of the current officers, Regional V.P’S, Directors and a designated number of past presidents. They are responsible for governing the Executive Director or the “Steer- ing Committee” in the absence of the Director and voting on any directives or suggested changes brought forth by the Executive Director or “Steering Committee”, decisions are ultimately voted on by the E-board.

Safety Committee for bills concerning the sport and generally being the eyes and ears in Augusta, As well as anything that might be of interest relating to our sport and reporting it back to the membership. The Trails Committee is more the “Boots on the ground” part of the association and is responsible for the wellbeing of all snowmo- bile trails within the State more especially the ITS or Intercon- nected Trail System. The Trails Committee is comprised of 40 snowmobile-minded individuals. They are also a liaison between the MSA and the Clubs working largely with the Trail Masters and Presidents of the individual clubs on anything Trail related, for in- stance Trail grooming, Signage, maintenance, landowner issues etc. The Trails Committee works closely with Joe Higgins office at the Dept. of A.C.F., Snowmobile division. The forth part is the membership, without the support of the 288 clubs and the members that support each one we the MSA would have no purpose. Think of behind us and the season they had, from ATV’S to hiking to camp- ing to bicycle riding, the Maine outdoors had a record summer/ fall season. Already folks from other states are checking us out. With Canada being off limits, those folks are coming to our trail system. So we got to be careful we need to be safe this year. Twelve deaths last year in a shortened season was terrible. Let’s show people how to be cautious and enjoy the beauty of our trail system without being race car drivers. Signage with Mark Chinnock head trail master, leading the way having updated classes in parts of the state have already been successful. With more to follow, take time to attend one of his meetings. I attended a safety meeting put on by the Brookfield power group, IF&W along with some local club members. Brookfield wants to partner with us on safety issues involving the bodies of water they

it as a bicycle wheel, the hub of the wheel is the MSA, the spokes are lines of communication and the outer portion of the wheel where all the spokes attach are the clubs. This I feel over the years has slowly been lost and I think I can speak for the E-board and the steering committee when I say this has been a priority goal to reattach the spokes of the wheel. Letting the clubs know that we are all part of the same association and have the same passion and goals for the sport, because at the end of the day we ALL do what we do for exactly the same reasons. Ok so just when you thought you understood how the Association and the Snowmobile program works, there is a very important fifth part to the equation which is in no way part of the MSA but works hand in hand with the association on a daily basis. That is the Dept. of A.C.F. (Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry) Snowmobile Division. Joe’s office is instrumental in Land Owner Relations, land acquisition and is the major source of funding for all control. It’s going to be a great relationship and I’m looking for- ward to be working with them. Please be safe it’s a good time to get new batteries for you smoke detectors, get your chimney(s)

grooming and equipment grants for all clubs. As the MSA does not pay out any monies or fund any grants to the clubs, Joe’s office is a wealth of knowledge and information and is a vital piece in making the WHOLE snowmobile program work. So there you have it in a very condensed version how it all works, and hopefully clears up some questions that you might have. I hope I haven’t mudded up the waters too bad. One last thing before I part, when ordering signs please remember that like the insert next to my column outlines, all ITS SIGNS are ordered through Mike Grass Sr. and all other CLUB SIGNS are ordered through the Dept. of A.C.F. Both of their contact information is listed in the insert. Again, if anyone has any questions or just snowmobiling information of value please email or call me I would love to hear from you. Until next time thank you for reading, Mark (See Page 12for club signs.)

H ello Everyone, This is the time of the year when I am supposed to talk about everything “Trail Related”; what the Trails Committee has been doing and stumbling blocks that we might be having Or maybe what we should all be doing to get ready the snowmobile season. But this month I would like to talk about what makes up the MSA and a little bit about how it all works, as this can sometimes get miscon- Mark Chinnock,Trails Committee Chair 207-754-9874 435 Poland Corner Rd, Poland ME 04274 napadude66@hotmail.com

cleaned and your other heat sources.

Ok folks that’s it for now! Be safe wear your PPE!!! Ride right ride smart… Al

Treasurer’s Report

Lori Hemmerdinger (207) 890-5455 544 Plains Road Poland, ME 04274 Treasurer@mesnow.com

Alan Swett, Safety Committee Chair 207-872-7282 234 County Rd, Waterville ME 04901 snowtraveler@roadrunner.com H ello Snowmobiler’s, This is a good month to get things ready for your season. Get your sled into a certified dealer that can give you peace of mind that the sled will be checked over by a knowledgeable mechanic who can find problems before you get on the trail. If you can do it and you know what to look for bad wheel bearings new carbide ski runners, headlight tail light brake light, track condition boogie

Respectfully Submitted, Lori Hemmerdinger, Treasurer

Monthly Income Monthly Expense Net Revenue Checking (9/30/20)

$14,340.97 $ 7,118.15 $ 7,222.82 $ 20,466.39 $ 19,807.87 $ 53,637.42 $ 1,284.75 $ -

Dedicated Account (9/30/20) Credit Line (9/30/20) Building Fund (9/30/20) Brian Wass Safety Fund (9/30/20)

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