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New England ATV Association, Inc |
Newsletters available: August 2005
I hope this letter finds everyone in good health. Our ride season is more than half over. We had 32 volunteers for spring cleanup for a total of 144 man-hours. For Project Day we had a campout at Bucksteep Manor. On Saturday, we had 8 volunteers. We removed four downed trees and measured the brook crossing for the Sunday project. Sunday we had 13 brave volunteers build a bridge over the brook on Roaring Brook Trail. The temperature was in the high 90’s and humid. The total man-hours for the weekend totaled 154. A big thanks to all who helped. Our total for the year so far is 298 man-hours. We still need to put in at least 102 hours to meet our requirements.
With this in mind, we have added another Project Day, which will be on October 9th at October Mountain. Please try to join us for this Project Day and/or the clean up scheduled for November 20th. For those of you interested in the Project Day October 9th, our agenda includes repairing the bridge on Felton Trail. The bridge has a rotten stringer and needs to be fixed before the bridge falls apart. Special tools needed for this project are crowbars, hammers, shovels, and picks.
At the time we made out the ride schedule, we did not know that the state was going to close Savoy. Due to this closing, we have changed the ride dated Nov. 6th to Pittsfield. It would be great to see as many of you as can make it attend these events. We have a great group and we all enjoy riding together.
We have also been active politically, sitting on several committees to help preserve and enhance trail riding in Massachusetts.
The Recreational Trails Program is the source of the money that NEATVA and the Department of Conservation and Recreation uses in its trails maintenance and its trails projects. This money comes from the gasoline tax that motorized recreationists pay. Half of the collected money is distributed to the states equally, and the other half is distributed based on the number of registered OHVs. The money Massachusetts receives is then awarded to organizations that have submitted trail project proposals, with 30% awarded to motorized projects, 30% to non-motorized projects, and 40% to shared projects. The Recreational Trails Program will receive $370 Million through 2009, a 54% increase from previous years. A committee reviews the proposals and awards the money based on the merit of the proposal. NEATVA has a member on this committee.
DCR has been reviewing the use on ATVs and dirt bikes in Massachusetts.
DCR has created a work group composed of land managers, trail users, scientists, and other stake holders from throughout the northeast (from as far as New York and Pennsylvania as well as New England) to develop criteria for the siting of trails, construction and standards of trails, and funding sources for trails.
Motorized trail users are well represented in this group with members from the New England Trail Riders, Snowmobile Association of Mass., Western Mass ATV, and the New England ATV Association on the group.
The Trustees of Reservations is holding a workshop on November 3, 2005 in Leominster, MA titled “Sharing the Resources, Sharing the Values”. One of the workshops is Treading Lightly: A Facilitated Conversation with ATV Advocates. NEATVA has been asked to sit on this panel and has accepted the invitation. It should be interesting.
Well the riding season is about half over. We had a good turnout for our spring cleanup, 37 volunteers for a total of 144 hours.
Project day was also well attended with 25 volunteers for a total of 137 hours. After the work was done we had a cookout at Buck Steep Manor and gave out T-shirts as a thank you for all the help.
We still have one more project day scheduled for Oct. 17th. And Fall Cleanup on Nov. 21st. We still need to meet our agreement with the state so please remember these two important dates and try to attend.We have ordered more T-shirts. Colors are Blue, Denim and Khaki. They will be available at the club outing on Sept. 11th. Price is still $10. We also will have a limited supply of hats at $10. I have talked to the printer and will have a signup sheet for those who would like to order sweat shirts or long sleeve t-shirts. The cost for the sweatshirts will be $20 and can be ordered in Black, Blue, Green, and Maroon with white printing and your first name on the front. The cost for the long sleeve t-shirts will be $12 dollars same colors as the sweatshirts.
September 11, 2004 is the date for the club outing at Westville Dam Recreation area in Southbridge. This is a family event so bring the wife and kids and leave the quad at home. We will be having BBQ chicken, Spiral Ham, Hot dogs and Hamburger’s. The club will provide juice and soda. You’re on your own for anything stronger. Please bring your favorite dish to share. If you need directions you can call David Kittredge at 508-867-8737 or by e-mail at dvktt@charter.net.
The Outing
Dealer Donations and Winners
Popoli Honda-Yamaha, 46 Springfield Rd., Westfield, Ma.
2 Holeshot Tires, Richard Farrow Fox Jersey, Bruce Rioux
HJC Helmet, Deb Buchanan Fox Jersey, Richard Farrow
Valley Motorsports, Rt. 5, Northampton, Ma.
Youth Riding Outfit by Thor, Randy Iozzo
Baer’s Cycle Sales, 11Harvey St., Springfield, Ma.
Cirus Helmet, Phil Hiser MX Gloves, Kevin Jose
O’Neal Jersey, Bill Cygan MX Gloves, Joe Witaszek
O’Neal Jersey, Bruce Rioux MX Gloves, Israel Morris
New England Cycle Center, 73 Leibert Rd., Hartford, Ct.
Fox Riding Jersey, Richard Farrow No Fear Jersey, Bruce Rioux
Enfield Motor Sports, 27 Palomba Dr., Enfield, Ct.
Moose Handlebars, Gary Goodro MX Gloves, Roland Bernier
Enfield T-Shirt, Bruce Rioux Enfield T-Shirt, Dave Kittredge
Tie Downs (2 sets), Richard Farrow ATV Tire Sealer, Kevin Jose
ATV Tire Sealer (2 cns), Randy Iozzo
Ronnie’s Mail Order, 43 Ingrahm Rd., New Ashford, Ma.
Set Maxtrax ATV Tires (4), Will Reynolds Black Helmet, Missy Reynolds
Ronnie’s Motorsports, 501 Wahconah St., Pittsfield, Ma.
Black Helmet, Bill Reynolds Goggles, Jeremy Farrow
MX Gloves, Rene Bernard
Ronnie’s Motorsports, 150 Howland St., Adams, Ma.
Off Road Helmet, Will Reynolds
North’s Services, 675 Lenox Rd., Pittsfield, Ma.
Motorcycle Care Kits (3), Steve Fuhrmann Goggles, Joe Messier
"$50" Gift Certificate, Bob Fournier
New Boston Crane Service & Sleds, Rt. 8, Sandisfield, Ma.
"$25" Gift Certificate, Gary Goodro "$25" Gift Certificate, Bruce Rioux
Smith’s Sled Shop, Rt. 20, Huntington, Ma.
Helmet, Bill Reynolds
AR Powersports, 549 College Hwy, Southwick, Ma.
"$40" Gift Certificate (2), Gary Goodro
Performance Cycles, 939 Boston Trpk, Shrewsbury, Ma.
CD Rom ATV Game (2), Randy Iozzo CD Rom ATV Game, Gary Goodro
ATV Video Tape, Israel Morris ATV Video Tape, Debi Buchanan
ATV Video Tape, Roland Bernier Performance T-Shirt, Bruce Rioux
Performance T-Shirt, Debi Buchanan Goggles (2 pr), Joe Messier
Goggles, Richard Farrow Goggles, Gary Goodro
Handle Grips, Will Reynolds Handle Grips, Richard Farrow
Handle Grips, Gary Goodro
Higgins Motorsports
ATV Tires (2), Rene Bernard Belly Pan (snowmobile), Gary Goodro
Polaris Saddlebags, Roland Bernier Higgins T-Shirt, Will Reynolds
Higgins T-Shirt, Barbara Fuhrmann Higgins T-Shirt, Steve Fuhrmann
MX Gloves, Bill Reynolds ATV Tank Bag, Will Reynolds
New England ATV, Webster, Ma.
Set Tie Downs, Randy Iozzo
Motorsports International
ATV Rims (2), Randy Iozzo
Donated by Ben & Elaine Phelps
Matchbox Cars, Randy Iozzo Matchbox Cars, Debi Buchanan
2 AM/FM Radios, Debi Buchanan Lego’s, Randy Iozzo
Matchbox ATV, Randy Iozzo Barbie Doll, Roland Bernier
Barbie Doll, Randy Iozzo Cat Puzzle, Gary Goodro
Walkie Talkies, Randy Iozzo Crayon Kit, Debi Buchanan
Crayon Kit, Randy Iozzo Organizer, Debi Buchanan
"Snoopy" Book, Randy Iozzo Candles, Amy Leo
Donated by The Reynolds Family
Jug Purple Power, Roland Bernier Bucket, Tony Woodman
Work Gloves (2 pr.), Richard Farrow Work Gloves, Gary Goodro
Tow Rope, Roland Bernier Tie Downs, Roland Bernier
Air Pump, Jim Doyle Air Pump, Kevin Jose
Tire Repair Kit, Brian Gunderman Jug Super Cleaner, Joe Messier
Donated by The New England ATV Association
Rain Suit, Roland Bernier Water Jug, Ben Phelps
"Aqua" Back Pack, Ashley Woodman Fishing Pole, Brittnay Kittredge
Thermos, Gary Goodro Thor Jersey, Will Reynolds
Kryptonite Lock, Jim Doyle Gas Grille, Richard Farrow
Gas Grille, Ashley Woodman Toy Cars, Kevin Jose
Toy Army Cars, Kevin Jose Monopoly Game, Dave Kittredge
Simon, Ashley Woodman "Art" Set, Bob Fournier
"Bead" Maker, Randy Iozzo Toy ATV, Tyler Baker
Toy ATV, Gary Goodro Toy ATV, Linda Leduc
"$50" Jar of Scratch Tickets, Cheryl Bernier
Winner of the 50/50 Drawing was, Gary Goodro
Well here we are, the middle of August and the season’s half over already. We’ve been able to stick to the schedule so far but some changes are about to be made. The Berkshire Trail Council met last week and guess what, the DEM needs more clean-ups. This is no surprise and we had felt that there was going to be more workdays added it was just a matter of when. Besides an extra day at October Mt., there is to be a Trail Maintenance Day at Savoy Mt., to be sponsored by Berkshire Trails. This is also no surprise. We even added June 10th as a maintenance day to the schedule back in the beginning of the season.
Below is the schedule for the rest of the year; changes have been italicized.
Sunday August 19th Trail Maintenance at Savoy Mt. State Forest.
Sunday August 26th Outing Meeting at the Eagles Club in Southbridge.
Saturday September 1st Mt Washington "Ride to the Clouds"
Saturday September 8th NEATVA Outing at Westville Dam in Southbridge.
Sunday September 23rd Club ride at Beartown State Forest.
Sunday October 14th Trail Maintenance at October Mt. State Forest.
Sunday October 28th Club ride at Pittsfield State Forest.
Sunday November 4th Trail Maintenance at October Mt. State Forest.
Sunday November 25th Club ride at October Mt. State Forest.
Friday November 30th All State Forest CLOSE for the winter.
Sunday December 9th Club Meeting & Elections at the Eagles Club.
Berkshire Trail Council is sponsoring the Savoy Cleanup and is looking for help from anyone and everyone. Savoy is falling behind on the much needed trail work and is in jeopardy of being closed down. This is something we cannot let happen. We are also hoping to add a benefit ride for Molly Bish sometime in October.
At this time we would like to take a moment to thank everyone for his or her understanding and help in making this year a successful one for NEATVA.