MASSACHUSETTS THROUGHBRED BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

Minutes

 

July 19, 2007

Vinny T’s

Dedham, Massachusetts

President George Brown called the meeting to order at  7:07 PM.

 

 Board Members Present

Absent

Guests

Brown, George - Chair

Dullea, Shirley

Brown, Arlene –Recording Secretary

Robbins, Harland-Treasurer

Dirico, Joe

Bill Robbins,

Benson, Michael

 

Burke, Dan

Janjigian, Armand

 

Burke, Suzanne

Joyce, Daniel

 

Joyce, Beverly

Loebelenz, Lee

 

Wakely, Chip

Rose, Gregg

 

 

Salim, Adel

 

 

Spadea, Anthony

 

 

Szymt, Gus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.) Secretary’s Report:

Minutes from June 20, 2007 reviewed by board.  Under Item 3a, the word “racing” should be changed to breeding”.

Motion to accept minutes as ammended:  Anthony Spadea    Second: Motion:    Armand Janjigian                             Motion Carries  

 

The final auditor’s report was passed out by Harland Robbins and the findings discussed.  Harland pointed  out that everything has now been addressed in the report to the satisfaction of the auditors and that we will not have to be audited for a couple of years.

 

A copy of the contract signed with the Beacon Hill Institute for the study to be done on behalf of the MTBA was passed out.  Discussion followed concerning the objective of the study – that it should determine the economic impact of breeding thoroughbred horses.  George Brown  says that a meeting will be held between himself, Harland  and Beacon Hill Institute to emphasize this fact. 

 

Harland Robbins suggests that a copy machine should be purchased by MTBA  and housed at the office of Arlene Brown.  Arlene has found a small business copier for $200 at staples that would be sufficient to meet the needs of MTBA at present.

Motion to purchase copier:  Mike Benson    Second: Motion:    Anthony Spadea       Motion Carries  

 

2.) Treasurer's Report

Bill Robbins handed out the semi-annual report with a detailed account of activity on all MTBA accounts.  He also explained that revenues for June surpassed expectations and he was optimistic that the goal for the year would be met. 

 

The IRS has absolved us of one more of the liens against us.  That leaves 3 more issues to be dealt with but he feels very optimistic about the outcome for these.

 

An issue concerning the reporting of earnings on 1099 forms was discussed.  If the awards are reported on this form in box 7 then members have no choice but to report it on a schedule C in their income tax filing which would mean they may be libel for self-employment taxes on their MTBA awards.  If on the other hand these awards were reported in box 3 on the 1099 then members would have the option of reporting in on page 1- ordinary income (and not be subject to self-employment taxes) or on schedule C however they choose. 

Motion to postpone a vote on this issue until the September meeting:  Dan Joyce    Second: Motion:    Mike Benson       Motion Carries  

 

3.) Chairman’s notes and comments

a)      Shirley Dullea has rescinded her letter of resignation and will remain on the board for the rest of her term.  Though she was not able to make this meeting due to prior commitments, the board expressed their gratitude for reconsidering.

b)      George Brown discussed a problem that has arisen between the MTBA board and Mr. Richard Fields.  There appears to have been some misinformation was reported to Mr. Fields from Mr. O’Connell’s office which was not favorable to MTBA.  George has called Christian Tejan and Chip Tuttle to make them aware that neither the Board nor its officers has ever had a conversation with Mr. O’Connell or anyone in his office and that this information is entirely false. Mike Benson suggested that a letter be sent to Mr. Fields directly.  Arlene Brown will draft such a letter and e-mail it to board members for their approval before sending it to Mr. Fields.

 

Motion to draft the letter:  Mike Benson    Second: Motion:    Dan Joyce                 Motion Carries 

 

c)      The by-laws meeting is once again rescheduled for August 2, 6:30 PM at Anthony Spacea’s office in Braintree.

 

4) Old Business

a)      Adel Salim has suggestions for a form to be used when visiting farms this fall.  The objectives for these visits was discussed and it was decided that we should gather information from other breeders programs about who registers horses for their program and who polices the conformity to rules.

Motion to gather information for next meeting:  Anthony Spadea   Second: Motion: Armand Janjigian                             Motion Carries  

 

Adel and Arlene will do this.

 

6) New Business

a)      Lee Loebelenz presented as list of the remaining stakes races and suggested that members sign up to present the trophy or be responsible for finding a presenter.  Many members did and Harland will only have to find presenters for two of the races.

 

7) Next Meeting:  August 16, 6:30, Vinny T’s, Dedham

 

7). Adjournment:         9:23  PM 

 

Motion from:            Lee Loebelenz        Second:  Adel Salim                              Motion  Carries

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

 

Arlene Brown