Meeting Minutes  

July 5, 2007

The business meeting was called to order at 7:23 p.m. by the president Louis Mester, W1CH.

The salute to the flag was followed by a roll call. A quorum of 21 members was present. No guests were in attendance.

Secretary’s Report (Armand Augustine, W1BUG): John Carreiro, W1ZYV, moved to accept the minutes of the June meeting as presented in July’s Zerobeat. Passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report (Mike McDonald, KB1NB): Club’s financial account balances reported at $63,395 as of 30 June 2007. Mike had called NETCOM asking for the undisputed amount of June rent which was later received on 20 June. July rent, due on 1 July, has not been received to date. Information has been given to accountant Milt Johnson in order to file 2006 taxes. Mike asked that non-returnable beverage containers not be mixed with returnable items in the returnable bin. Motion by Mike Miller, N1ITQ to refer the report to audit passed unanimously.

Standing Committee Reports

Technical Committee (Dave Goldstein, W1DJG): no report.

Buildings & Grounds (Mike Miller N1ITQ): Mike stated that our lawn had been crossed again by Little People’s College (LPC) delivery trucks with ruts and possible petroleum spill resulting. He agreed to call LPC to report incident. Discussion followed about using telephone poles on hand to block access. Mike will put off oil burner service until Quonset hut is removed.

Scholarship (Larry Houbre, AA1FS): no report.

Special Committee Reports

Activities (Scott Szala W1EV [not present]): Tim Smith, N1TI’s suggestion of having a small hamfest the weekend after Labor Day was received positively by membership.

Ares/Skywarn: no report.

Building/Renovation (Dave Dean, K1JGV): no report (see communications).

Communications (Bob Kelley, K1KVV)

Dave Dean, K1JGV submitted an e-mail to the club officers on 7/5/07 announcing his committal to the removal of the hut. Additionally, he announced his resignation from the Board of Trustees effective immediately.

Ratification of New Members

No applications received this month.

President’s Comments

None.

Old Business

Jim Gilbert, no call, moved to rescind the motion made at the September 2006 to send information packages to all members before taking a vote on a new building. Passed unanimously.

New Business

Mike McDonald, KB1NB, moved to renew the lawn maintenance contract with Mike Miller, N1ITQ, for 2007 at $35 per cutting at a minimum of two weeks apart. Motion passed.

John Carreiro, W1ZYV, moved to have club cleaned by Jim Gilbert at $30 per month in accordance with the recommendations of the April BOD meeting. Motion passed.

Tim Smith, N1TI, moved that SEMARA take action to secure NETCOM tower base by installing a fence around it. Seconded. Mike McDonald, KB1NB, moved to table motion until NETCOM is contacted. Motion to table passed.

Mike McDonald, KB1NB, moved to notify the membership of the August building vote by the SEMARA reflector and ZEROBEAT. Motion passed.

For the Good of the Club

John Nery, WA1ESO, reported sending out club QSLs every few months. He would like to re-instate Logbook of the World (LoTW) at the Club. Tim Smith, N1TI, agreed to assist John.

Bob Kelley, K1KVV, reported that no events are planned at this time.

Dave Neal, W2DAN, moved to adjourn. Passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike McDonald, KB1NB, acting secretary*

* Armand Augustine, W1BUG, Secretary resigned his position mid-meeting.

Note: A full copy of the minutes can be read or downloaded from the SEMARA Website. A full copy will be also posted on the bulletin board in the clubhouse.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

15 JULY 2007

Meeting called to order at 10:20 a.m.

Present:

W1CH, Louis Mester, president
K1KVV, Robert Kelley, vice president
KB1NB, Michael McDonald, treasurer
W1ZYV, John Carreiro, BOD member
KA1YFV, Marty Jordan, BOD member
WA1ZCB, Edmond Duclos, BOD member

Observers: 5

Bob, K1KVV, suggested a 75th SEMARA celebration to take place on Saturday, September 8th. He suggested that members could also set up that day for the tailgate to take place on Sunday, September 9. Ed, WA1ZCB, will contact Scott Szala, W1EV, to see if we can coordinate the chicken BBQ with that day. Mike, KB1NB, will check last year’s BBQ costs.

The nominating committee will be notified of open offices existing within the club.

The missing fence around the NETCOM tower base was discussed. Tim Smith, N1TI, volunteered to obtain estimates.

BOD recommended that the Building/Renovation committee present what they consider the best option at the next business meeting in the form of a written motion. Building/Renovation committee chair, Dave Dean, K1JGV, present at this meeting, was so informed of the recommendation. Dave, being satisfied with services provided, recommended that Franklin Analytical Lead and Asbestos Services bill for $2500 be paid.

Bob, K1KVV, will contact scholarship chair, Larry Houbre, AA1FS, to arrange a meeting with the BOD to discuss scholarships.

Bob, K1KVV, will check his e-mail and provide to Mike Miller, N1ITQ, Buildings & Grounds chair, the latest list of cleaning duties for Jim Gilbert who was authorized at the 5 July business meeting to clean the club at $30 per month.

Mike, KB1NB, will prepare a letter to NETCOM addressing safety of the site, amount of monthly payments, past due amounts, and remuneration of collection costs if applicable. Southern New England School of Law will be contacted for assistance.

Tim Smith, N1TI, agreed to provide access to the club’s database for official notices.

Tim Smith, N1TI, suggested that complimentary tickets for the 75th anniversary celebration could be made available to dignitaries.

Mike Miller, N1ITQ, Buildings & Grounds chair will be reminded of the approved re-keying of the repeater site and clubhouse.

The vertical antenna that had fallen from the pole behind the clubhouse and was stored in the fenced in area at the base of the 80 foot tower was discussed. It was observed by Tim, N1TI and Dave Dean, K1JGV, on 13 July but was not there on this date. Misappropriation is suspected.

Meeting adjourned at 11:15 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Michael McDonald, KB1NB, acting secretary