2011 Annual Meeting Review

Lively Budget Discussion Highlights Annual Meeting.

The Clubs of Addison County hosted the 2011 Annual Meeting, where 220 voting delegates quickly approved the first few items on the agenda. Approval of the By-Law changes and the Articles of Association for the Counties also went fairly quickly leading into the discussion of the proposed budget.

It was explained that the budget as presented was approved by the Board of Director’s prior to the devastation of Irene in late August, and was a balanced budget, meaning the income would equal the expenses for the year, and was based on 30,000 members. This budget would result in a $15 increase in the TMA price over last year. After some preliminary discussion a motion was made from the floor to add an additional $5 to the increase, adding an additional $150,000 to the budget, to help pay for trail repairs. After an inconclusive voice vote, a ballot vote was conducted with the motion being defeated when the required 2/3 majority of votes was not met.  Subsequently a motion was made to approve the budget as presented, which passed by a clear majority voice vote. Actual TMA pricing will be set by the Board of Director’s at the September 26^th monthly meeting at the VAST office.

The election of VAST Officers also saw a ballot vote, when a nomination for Vice President was made from the floor.  Brian Currier, Lamoille County Director, was nominated to oppose Joe Cicia, for the position. After the tally of votes, Joe remains Vice President for the upcoming year. Also returning to their previous positions were, Jim Hill (President), Mark Ellingwood (Treasurer) and Bonnie Holbrook (Recording Secretary).

Annual awards were also handed out during the meeting as follows:

Trails Administrator’s Awards:

Ambition Award – Doug Todd – Chittenden Dammers

Dedication Award – Steve Malnati – Barre Town Thunder Chickens

Effort Award – Bert Desrochers – Connecticut Valley Sno Riders

Enthusiasm Award – Jim & Nancy Rogers – Glover Trail Winders

Trail Master of the Year – Scott Daniels – Woodford Sno-Busters

County Trail Coordinator of the Year – Francis Pillsbury - Caledonia

Groomer of the Year – Dave McFadden – Alburg Sno-Springers

Scholarship winners:

    Leah Rogstad and Kristen Rouleau

Club of the Year – Poultney Valley Sno-Devils

Dealer of the Year – Absolute Powersports VT

Snowmobile Family of the Year – Michaud Family

Snowmobiler of the Year – Ruth Blake

Most Improved Trails – Williston Hill Hawks

Best Groomed Trails – Woodford Sno-Busters

Best Signed Trails – Brighton Snowmobile Club

Project of the Year – Green Mountain Roamers –

     Suspension Bridge refurbishment – Waterbury

Presidents Award – Bernie and Janet English –

     Land easement donaton

Director of the Year – Ray Dubreuil – Essex County

Distinguished Service Awards –

      John Lyons – out going Washington County Director

      Larry Trottier – out going Orange County Director

Carmi Duso Award – Alexis Nelson – VAST Trails Administrator

 

A clear message was delivered that “TRAILS WILL BE OPEN FOR THE SEASON”, and that priority will be given to repairing main North/South – East/West corridors. It was also suggested that clubs across the state pull together to help each other to make this a possibility, as some areas will require a substantial amount of work before snowfall.

Thank you to Addison County Clubs for hosting, Middlebury High School Football Boosters for serving lunch, the various vendors for displaying sleds and groomers, and all the club delegates that attended.