8306-R2_MSA_March2023

From The Executive Board Secretary’s Report - Brad Barker 581 st Directors Meeting - Lincoln Snowhounds, Lincoln, ME, February 25, 2023

S ecretary’s report M/S/C The treasurer’s report was read and placed on file at the office. President Al Swett - Opening comments: Thank you for the wonderful ride and great food!!! Starting with happy stuff, I went to the North Anson snowmobile club and it was awesome. Clinton cookout/bonfire and that was a really nice set up. Alan Dugas and the Border Riders hosted a veterans run from Piston Farms to Jackman that started with 43 sleds. There was great snow, the American flag out and it was a great feeling day. There is still a big situation in Bingham. Al’s goal is to take care of the clubs. That is what he is going to do. There is a lot of concern about the established business being able to survive due to lack of traffic. MSA is there to support those clubs. Executive Vice-President: Mark Chinnock - Gave another round of applause of the Snowhounds! Also, kudos to Al for all of the traveling he does form one end of the state to the other working on managing issues and taking care of business. Riding has been really good and I hope you all have been getting seat time. Northern Region Vice-President: Matt Stedmen - via Zoom - School vacation week has been crazy busy. Had some challenges and a lot of events. The SnowBowl in Caribou is next week. On the 18th the Northern Region ride to Madawaska is happening. The biggest concern is safety up here. Fatalities are hard to deal with. Please, shame people when you see them doing things that are dangerous. Western Region Vice-President: Jim Boyce - not in tonight - shared that they finally got a meeting with the Penobscot tribe and were denied. Coastal Region Vice-President: Dave Watson - not in tonight - shared that trails are still closed, hopefully with the upcoming snow they will be able to open their trails for a bit. Eastern Region Vice-President: Eileen

really bad month with 6 fatalities. These were all tragic and preventable. Our hearts go out to these families. He has done a safety special with the news but that is not enough. We need to pick up on the safety classes. (Please contact Al for more information on this) New Business Northern Region ride and directors meeting is March 18th, please contact Matt Stedman for details and pre-registration. We need pictures for next year’s calendar, award nominations, and Hall of Fame nominations. We also need auction items for the silent auction at the annual meeting. Nominations for Officers for 2023/24 President - Al Swett Eastern Region - Paul Bolstridge, Larry Lafland, Gary Dowling, Craig Limeux, Barry Ryan Northern Region - Nick Morrill, Lendell Buckingham, Jeff Brooks, Denise Dupere Western Region - Jim Boyce, Paul Gallant, Jon Wakefield Coastal Region - Eric Perreault, Rodney Berry, Steven Bennett Central Region - David Cogley, Alan Dugas, Christopher Ring No nominations from the floor. Pot of Gold - the Forks Area Trails Club was called but not represented 50/50 - Mike Grass Jr. Adjourned at 8:05 M/S/C Respectfully submitted, Brad Barker Chairman for next year. Hope to see you all at the Annual Ban quet and Awards next month. Always nice to see volunteers rewarded for their hard work. AND, get that golf team together as we’ll be hitting the links again in June! Thank You to everyone who makes snowmo biling happen in Maine, Mike Executive VP - Mark Chinnock Treasure - Lorii Hemmerdinger Assistant Treasurer - Barry Ryan Secretary - Brad Barker Eastern VP - Eileen Lafland Central VP - Jack Lord Northern VP - Matt Stedman Coastal VP - Dave Watson Western VP - Jerry Major Regional Directors:

Lafland - Thank you to the Lincoln Snowhounds for hosting this meeting and for the wonderful meal. Thank you to Paul Bolstridge for leading us today and Bill Lucas for being our sweeper. She and Larry have been out riding all week. The region is split right now. Some good riding but some are still waiting for snow and cold weather. The ride today was a success. 13 sleds. Barny Robichaud is still out grooming at 99 years old, 100 next week. Thanks to the Mattawamkeag, Lee, Quad County, and Lincoln SnowHounds for the groomed trails we rode. I can’t thank you enough for all the work you have done this year.. Eastern Region is trying. Inland you can get going but… Nominations for snowmobiler/businesses/ groomers need to come in! Please nominate people and clubs. The annual meeting will be in Brewer on the last Saturday in April 29th at 9:00am. This includes a big silent auction. Matt asked for pre-registration for the March 18th showcase ride and directors meeting in Caribou, details for this are on the website. Steering Committee Chairman: John Monk: We have a bill, LD732 titled “An Act to Prohibit Off-trail Operation of a Snowmobile in an Area Closed to Off-trail Operation”, sponsored by Senator Russell Black. This is an act to prohibit off trail riding and deliberate trespassing. This is so that the wardens can enforce the trespass violation without involving the landowner. Please, get in touch with your legislator, our biggest hurdle is the wardens dealing with the off trail issues. This needs to pass so that we can keep the trails. A little disappointed in the fee structure. When it gets into committee then we can put numbers on that are better. This will bring some new signage that will be supplied by IFW. They will be doing a big information role out to educate people on the new laws. ing in the groomer with them, helping them sign. Now that’s working together! Please keep in mind, that it STILL has been a weird winter, weather wise and lakes, streams and bodies of water may still not be safe. Use extreme caution while riding as a water bar might not be frozen on a beautifully groomed trail and present a use of caution at any time. Ride safe and in control. Acouple months ago I wrote my column and put incorrect information out there, I want to apologize and explain any confusion. Maine snowmobile trails on Private Land are only open for snowmobile traffic by our permission form with the landowners. Other user groups are supposed to get their own permission. Rail trails and other state owned bodies do have to be open to all user groups. So, clubs that are having issues with Fat Bike or Dog Sleds do have a tool to keep other users off your trails. However, I suggest trying to work out a compromise first instead of driving a wedge between you that may close the trail because the landowner doesn’t want conflict, which, none do. I want to Thank Joe Higgins for the catch and I again apologize for the confusion. Close to 15 years ago now, I was asked to serve on the Trails Committee and then moved up to Chairman. I was lucky to also serve as Ex. VP and Presidents. Falling back to this position was easy with all my contacts still there and new easier ways to fill out inspec tion forms. It took me a few years to under stand how a lot of things work committee wise, clubs, people, club dynamics, person alities and how it all works and how to keep it working, even when there are breakdowns, conflicts, trail closures and politics trying to disconnect our trails system. Maurice Marden was my mentor and a darn good one. I tried to pass on much of what I knew and he taught me to Mark Chinnock and he did a fantastic

(A recent economic survey showed that every mile of trail has a $50,000 economic impact. The Economic Contribution of Snowmobiling in Maine) There are two good people that have expressed an interest in the lobbying position. We need to look at our options. One is familiar with the state side of things, the other is more familiar with the business side of things. Hall of Fame: Beth Bowie - We have a lot of great people out there that we need to honor. Think about who is out there, people who have made a significant impact on the snowmobile community. The forms can be found on the MSA website or call Beth. Please get the nominations in by February 28th. MSA Trails Committee Chair: Mike Grass Jr - We’ve already talked about the Carrabassett, Bingham issues. There is a kiosk near Moosehead MotorSports where there is an open water spot with not good signage and that was fixed. Golf tournament - it’s time to talk about that again. Should we have it the same place or a different place? Scholarship Committee Vice-Chair: Barry Ryan - We like to hand out two $1000 scholarships. Please feel free to donate to this and thank you for those that already have. Applications are due April 1st and we really would like to see more applicants. Hospitality Committee: Gail Ryan - entertained us with a great joke. Membership Committee: Eileen Lafland - as of 2/15/23 Northern 2,241 Western 2,638 Eastern 2,656 256 clubs out of 283 have their memberships turned in. Family membership 8,635 Business memberships 1,981 Total:10,616 Safety Committee: Al Swett - January was a job while I was away. This season, I have had many conversations with Brent Spaulding, Eastern Region VC. A car ride to Presque Isle and hanging out at his camp, he has expressed interest in being Chairman. Brent is definitely ready to move up and has the leadership skills to lead our group. As I am ready to slow down MSAwise, I will recommend him to Al for the Central 1,743 Coastal 1,327

Trails Committee Chair Report

Join the MSA & the Club of Your Choice Select the MSA-affiliated snowmobile club that you would like to support by going to https://www.mesnow.com/MSACLUBS.html , then fill out this membership form. Enclose your check for $30 or enter your credit card info and mail to: MSA, PO Box 80, Augusta ME 04332. If you’re paying by credit card you can fax the form to 207-622-7669. $15 of your dues supports your local club; $15 supports the state association. The club is credited for your membership, and an MSA decal is sent to you. Your subscription to the MSA newspaper, the Maine Snowmobiler, begins with the issue following receipt of your membership. Season runs from October 1, 2022-September 30, 2023 CLUB SELECTED ________________________________________________________________________ MEMBER NAME ___________________________________________________ DATE ________________ ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________ CITY/TOWN ____________________________________________ STATE ________ ZIP ______________ TEL _____________________________ DATE OF BIRTH ___________ ___________ IF PAYING BY CREDIT CARD, PLEASE CIRCLE ONE: VISA MASTERCARD DISCOVER CARDHOLDER NAME ______________________________________ TEL __________________________ ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________________________ ACCOUNT NUMBER _____________________________ EXPIRATION _____________ CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE _______________________________________________ TOTAL # OF PEOPLE IN FAMILY

Mike Grass, Jr., 207-368-2316 249 Condon Rd, Plymouth ME 04969 mgrassjr@gmail.com F inally! We are riding, maybe not every where and maybe not the best conditions but many, many projects are moving with snow in the forecast again as I write this. Clubs are doing their best to keep up as folks from far away are once again enjoying the best of the best here in Maine. I got my first ride on Jan. 25 th and have close to 1,000 miles on but my adventure for the past week got canceled for me as I battled the dreaded Covid most of the week. Finally feeling better and looking forward to getting back to work so I can take time off to ride! I have ridden my inspection route at least 3 times and have been in contact with my clubs. Most of the Trails Committee team has gotten to their respective routes as I have seen tons of inspection reports. Clubs are doing a great job. Signing continues to be our biggest obstacle but the MSA coordinators are communicating with clubs with one, Troy Grass, actually rid

MSA, PO Box 80, Augusta ME 04332 • 207-622-6983 • Fax: 207-622-7669 • msa@mesnow.com

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