MASSACHUSETTS THROUGHBRED BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

Minutes

 

May 21, 2009

Lafayette House, Foxboro, MA

Chairman George Brown called the meeting to order at __7:05_____PM

 

 Board Members Present

Absent

Guests

Brown, George - Chair

Barreira, Laurine - alternate

Brown, Arlene – recording secretary

Ferguson, Meg

Catapano, Frank

Robbins, Harland -Financial Director

Janjigian, Armand

Dirico, Joe

Piona, Joan - Alternate

Reagan, Kathleen

Robbins, Bill - Accountant

Joyce, Daniel

Emery, Velma

Loebelenz, Lee

Joyce, Beverly

Spadea, Anthony/Treasurer

Posco, Ken

Stone, Ed

 

 

1.) Secretary’s Report:

Minutes from April 16, 2009 reviewed by board.  Item 5a to be amended to read  “at personal expense”

 

Motion to accept minutes:   Anthony Spadea       Second_Meg Ferguson

Motion carries unanimously:                            

 

2.) Treasurer's Report

Bill Robbins reports that although revenues are lower this year we are in a better financial position because we started this year with more funds in the accounts than last year. 

 

Arlene read comments from Mr. Bill Koski regarding the Christmas party held in December.  He felt that we were misusing funds by spending it on board members and not having the party open to all members.  The Board made note that they have turned down salaries consistently in the past, have done away with the executive director position, assuming all responsibilities themselves thus saving thousands of dollars, attended many meetings at the state house with senators and representatives and many fund raisers at personal expense in an effort to keep MTBA in the front of slots and casino legislation.  They hold an annual meeting in October at which all members are invited to dine and vote for new directors.  Members are always welcome at the monthly meetings as well.  All of the  92% of the funds designated to go to awards payoffs by law always does and often some of the Administrative funds, the remaining 8%, are transferred to the Awards account as well to allow us to run one more stake race at the end of the year.  In the past  jackets have been purchased for all members out of this Administrative account.  So the general consensus of the Board of Directors is that they have not over indulged themselves.  The cost of the Christmas party is a small price to pay for the dedication of the volunteers on the Board.

 

Motion to accept report_Anthony Spadea    Second:  Lee Loebelenz      

Motion carries unanimously:

 

3.) Chairman’s notes and comments

 George Brown discussed his meeting with Representative Brian Dempsey of the House Committee on Economic Development.  This committee will be introducing the slots bill  in the house.  He has also met with Senator Michael Morrissey and has a meeting coming up with the chairwoman of the Senate’s Committee on Economic Development.  He presented Representative Dempsey a copy of the Beacon Hill Report and also some Department of Agriculture’s surveys of farms and open space.  This report notes the number of acres devoted to equine businesses and also the acreage devoted to hay.

 

Anthony Spadea suggested that anyone with a farm try to get their representative or senator out to visit.

 

4.)    Old Business

a.       Speaker for annual meeting:  Gregg Rose and Lee Loebelenz were nominated to be on the committee to find a speaker for the annual meeting .

 

 Motion: Anthony Spadea_ Second_Armand Janjigian

Motion carries unanimously:

 

b.      MTBA logo shirts: Lee suggested that T-shirts be purchased along with golf shirts as the women were not apt to wear golf shirts.  Harland suggested that these shirts be bought and offered as a gift to anyone who donates $20 to the horse retirement program at Equine Affaire this fall.  We may also want to consider them as gifts to members.

 

c.       Meeting to discus breeding regulations:  A meeting will be set up in the future to discuss tracking of mares, foals and stallions in the breeding program.  It was noted that in only two states are the rules set down and enforced by the state rather than by the breeders’ organization. Bill Robbins re-stated his position that we should create a salaried position appointed by the board of directors for a person to visit farms and enforce the breeding rules.  This person should not have a thoroughbred nor provide any service to thoroughbred horses. George Brown stated that laws would have to be changed at the state level and that we should wait until slots are approved before taking the next step.  We can however begin discussions.  Arlene will bring notes from previous such meetings to this new committee.

 

5) New Business

a.      Arlene Brown read a note from Bill Koski regarding posting the minutes immediately after the meeting is over.  The Board felt that no matter how many disclaimers are added to posting un-approved minutes.  Misinformation can never be withdrawn completely.  A motion was made to follow regular procedures and post minutes only after they have been approved.

 

Motion: Lee Loebelenz___ Second:_Gregg Rose

Motion carries unanimously.

 

b.      A suggestion was made by a member to post an advertisement  in the Thoroughbred Times or The Bloodhorse on a weekly basis.  Armand Janjigian suggested running some kind of affair such as but not limited to a golf tournament to benefit the retired horse fund.  He suggested that he could set everything up and MTBA would get the publicity.  It was felt that the good will generated at this time would be more beneficial.  Some directors noted that this would take a tremendous amount of work.  Armand will put together a proposal for the next meeting.

 

c.       A  member expressed concern that there could be a hostile take over of our organization from large outside corporations.  Since we only elect 4 directors a year, it is not probable that a hostile take over would happen over night.  It is not within our power to prevent corporations from buying farm land and bringing in large numbers of mares and stallions.  We must deal with the positive and negative results of increased interest in breeding in Massachusetts.

 

d.      Lee Loebelenz suggested that the list of senators and reps be put on the web site.

 

e.        The stakes schedule will remain the same at least for the first 8 races.  Suffolk will determine the dates they will be run.  Check overnights and condition books for more information.

 

f.       Anthony Spadea brought up the fact that Harland and Bill Robbins and Arlene Brown have been working for the same pay for 3 years.  Bill Robbins stated that he is comfortable with his current salary.  Harland and Arlene suggested waiting until the end of the year to address the subject.

 

g.       George Brown will contact Joe DiRico to see what his plans are for serving on the Board.

 

 

6).  Next Meeting:  June 18, 2009, _at Vinny T’s, Dedham  Time 6:30 PM

 

7). Adjournment__9:45 PM 

Motion:_Lee Loebelenz   Second:_Adel Salim

Motion carries unanimously:

 

 Respectfully submitted

 

 

Arlene Brown