Moultonborough SC Update 3-20-2011

[VitaBene]

The following questions were asked in a different thread but I thought they merited their own:

Originally Posted by pcmc

wow It looks like the club is going through some large leadership changes.

I lost track of the problem you had with a groomer early in the season, we're you able to make the much needed repairs, or did you make due with Plan B for the remainder of the season?

(just a thought) If you don't already, would you consider asking for support from snowmobile manufacturers? From the local shops, which I'm sure support you already because you basically support them, to maybe the groomer manufacturer? Do the lease them? Possibly the groomer manufacturer would help out with repairs to support the sport?

Anyone with ideas to get the ball rolling, better now while the fun is still on your mind?

Thank you for the great questions, I will try to answer them as succinctly as possible:

MSC Leadership

The Moultonboro Snowmobile Club officers and directors are all volunteers. We are going through a relatively normal turnover this year, likely having to fill three officer/ director positions. It is a little different this year with our President and VP stepping down and taking roles on the Board.

Our Trail Master, which is an appointed position, worked hundreds of hours this year securing 2 major reroutes and coordinating all of the normal trail maintenance operations. Paul Driscoll (LocalRealtor on this forum) is currently our Trail Master and also serves as our Treasurer. He will need to give up some of his Trail Master responsibilities as his family expands. He deserves a special thank you for all he does.

Anyone considering volunteering with the Club, whether for a single Saturday work day, as a groomer operator, or a leadership role, is more than welcome. It can be a lot of work but it is a lot of fun. I would like to personally thank all of our great volunteers.


Groomer Issues

The ASV Track Truck that pulled an 8' Snow Saver drag on the Suissevale/Balmoral end of town had a severely cracked (aluminum) frame. It was totaled by our insurance company, and we received a small settlement.

We currently own a 2009 Tucker Terra 1000 HD with an 8' Mogul Master drag (which currently is cracked- drags live a tough life!). It is used to groom the Corridor 15 trail along the power lines from Ambrose Cove (neck side) to Center Harbor and the Red Hill trail. It is an 8 hour shift and we run it at least 4 nights a week, as often as 7 on school vacation weeks.

We also have three Skidoo Skandic SWT work snowmobiles that pull 4' MM drags. They are used to groom the Kona Forest loop trail and all of the small feeder trails, such as Swallow Point, Berry Pond, Downtown Moultonborough, etc).

We essentially have two "sides" to the trail system in Moultonborough, which are divided by the Lake. Sound practices and our rules dictate that we never put our Tucker on the ice so we cannot groom all of our large, wide trails with the one Tucker.

Our board voted to try to buy a used Tucker and 8' drag to replace the Track Truck. A new Tucker 1000HD and drag can easily cost $175K and used models hold their value pretty well. To get something in good shape we will likely have to spend $75K to $90K. We have applied for grants from the Federal and State governments and are awaiting to hear the results. Regardless, the Moultonboro Snowmobile Club is going to have to contribute a large portion of money to fund the purchase. Look for those groomer jars in the fall and anyone wishing to contribute to our groomer fund is more than welcome!!

While those figures certainly sound large, one needs to understand that snowmobiling is a huge economic engine in NH- A Plymouth State study found it to have a $1.2 Billion impact on the State's economy.

Sorry for the long response, but I thought that some might want to understand the back stories.

John Harrington
Director, Moultonboro SC

[VitaBene]

Here are some images of our grooming equipment. The top 2 photos are the 2009 Tucker 1000 HD. The bottom 2 photos are two of our three Skandic Snowmobiles.

[islandboater]

Thanks John for writing a very complete answer to the question of why the change? My departure as President, I hope bring more people into the leadership of the MSC. My service began with one day putting up fences. It felt good to volunteer and to get to know the many people behind the great system of trails that we have in our backyards. I have my good friend Leo to thank for bring me into a Club that not only shared the love of the outdoors but also the fun we had making the trails safer. The short answer is I am not going away. I will serve as Past President for 2011 and will continue to help anyway I can. Besides who can miss the chance of grooming....sliding backwards in the Tucker down Red Hill at 5am??? We had to winch up the hill 4 times that morning. You can't get paid enough for that thrill. What a winter. So much for global warming.