Meeting Minutes  

February 1, 2007

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.

Moment of Silence in memory of Robert Kish- KA1YON, and Richard Houghton-WA1CXG who became SK’s this month.

Roll Call – 31 voting members present.

Secretary’s Report was accepted as posted on the web site unanimously.
BOD Meeting minutes accepted as posted on the web site unanimously.

Treasurers’ Report was read and referred to audit by John-W1ZYV and passed unanimously.

Technical Committee –Tim-N1TI reported a planning stage pin code system for EchoLink and IRLP.
Interference issues should and will be focused on in a much more aggressive manner.
Persistent use of the club computer for navigating undesirable sites and some downloading of material from these places. As recent as last Saturday at 8:30 AM, someone used the repeater for this activity. There is just one more step to pinpoint and expose the offending member. Self-policing would be the better solution.

Building and Grounds – Mike-N1ITQ reported everything is going well. Oil tank was filled and additive was introduced to retard moisture inside the tank. This additive will be used every other tankful for the cold months.
Mike also asked if anyone knew exactly what part was deteriorated on the cold return ductwork. Some explained, and he said that he would investigate the junction and measure the piece needed and repair it. Bob-WX1DOG offered to help him locate and pickup the part needed.

New Building Committee – no one in attendance.

Communications – Bob-K1KVV read a Planning Board Hearing Notice inviting us to attend a meeting for someone trying to obtain a variance from the town to build a house on property at 49 Donald St., which is classified wetlands. The club will not involve itself in this proceeding.

Ratification of new Members – 3 applicants

Joseph Hampson, KA1JFI
Christopher Washburn, W1EAV
Leslie Dole, No Call

Motion made by Don-N1PMB to vote for all three on one vote and all were affirmed unanimously.

Presidents Comments – Lou-W1CH spoke of how all meetings will be conducted in an orderly fashion. He promised that all meetings would be openly conducted, with BOD meetings being conducted in the same manner. There will be no nefarious action tolerated.

ARES/SKYWARN – Rob-KD1CY reported that the monthly RACES net will be Monday 02/05/07 at 7:00PM at the Acushnet EMA. 147.135 will be the frequency.
Eastern ARES will follow at 8:00PM the same evening.
A MARS drill will be held Saturday 02/24/07. 9:00AM—1:00PM.
Saturday 02/24/07 a section communication test will be held on repeaters and simplex frequencies. HF frequencies will also be tested.
He also gave a summary of the ARRL Division Cabinet Meeting held in Framingham, MA.

Old Business:

Tim-N1TI made a motion to withdraw from the table the motion concerning the replacement of the vandalized sign. The motion passed unanimously.

New Business:

Bob-WX1DOG questioned the safety of the outside oil tank and our liability if vandalized or ruptured. After some discussion, no action was taken.

Dave-K1JGV questioned again if the New Building Committee was without a chair, and expressed a desire to preside over it. He said that he tried to contact the former chair of the committee, and found that e-mails bounced and phone was discontinued. The president appointed him the chair of the New Building Committee.

Don-N1PMB made a motion that would replace the “Bill Miller sign” that was stolen from the driveway. After some discussion, a modification that would add a “Private Way” sign below was agreed to and the motion passed unanimously.

John-WA1ESO, who has been filling in managing the QSL cards, notified the membership that they were out of cards. He offered to check around and report back next month with the estimates and samples. Louis-W1CH asked him if he would like to be the QSL manager and he answered yes. He was appointed the QSL manager.

Tim-N1TI suggested that someone contact Ed-WA1ZCB about the club getting involved with APRS. He also made a motion that would rescind the earlier motion to sell the old duplexers, stating that if in fact we involve ourselves with APRS, the old duplexers could be retuned and used, therefore saving the expense of new ones. The motion passed unanimously.

Mike-KB1NB asked for approval of his motion that would establish a $50 petty cash account that would enable him to buy small incidental items needed to run his office. The motion passed unanimously.

Recommendations of the Board of Directors meeting of January 13, 2007 were read and introduced for approval by the membership. See the BOD minutes of that meeting for full explanations of the recommendations brought forward.

1. Mandatory Book Audit: no action taken.
2. Appointing 3 Member Nominating Committee: passed unanimously.
3. Procedure to handle resignations: no action taken.
4. Building Inspection: passed 29-2.
5. Club Cleaning Arrangements: passed unanimously.
6. Shingling North Side of Building: no action taken.
7. Keeper of the Keys: passed unanimously.
8. Change Repeater Site Door Lock: passed unanimously.
9. Sign-In Sheet: passed unanimously.
10. Food Subsidization: passed unanimously.
11. New Member Orientation: no action taken.
12. Sale of Old Duplexers: made moot by earlier motion.

Tim-N1TI announced in lieu of the “Tech Talk” this month, he has scheduled a “Foxhunt” for February 15th at 7:00PM.

Mike-N1ITQ asked the membership for an ovation for Bob-K1KVV acknowledging the effort and time invested to ensure a successful “Kid’s Day”. It was noted that all who were in attendance enjoyed it.

Dave-K1JGV made a motion to adjourn. The motion passed overwhelmingly without discussion. Adjournment was at 8:55PM.

Respectively Submitted,

Armand Augustine, W1BUG, Secretary

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.