MASSACHUSETTS THROUGHBRED BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

Minutes

 

September 20, 2007

Vinny T’s

Dedham, Massachusetts

President George Brown called the meeting to order at  7:15 PM.

 

 Board Members Present

Absent

Guests

Brown, George - Chair

Dirico, Joe

Brown, Arlene –Recording Secretary

Robbins, Harland-Treasurer

Dullea, Shirley

Bill Robbins - Accountant

Benson, Michael

Loebelenz, Lee

Beverly Joyce

Janjigian, Armand

Szymt, Gus

Ed Stone

Joyce, Daniel

 

 

Rose, Gregg

 

 

Salim, Adel

 

 

Spadea, Anthony

 

 

 

1.) Recording Secretary’s Report:

Minutes from August 16, 2007 reviewed by board.  Change date of Annual Meeting to Oct. 23

 

Motion to accept minutes as amended:  Mike Benson    Second: Motion:    Harland Robbins                             Motion Carries  

 

2.) Secretary/Treasurer's Report:

Mr. Harland Robbins reported that we haven’t heard anything yet from the final disputed IRS adjustment computation because of the backlog of claims but that no additional fines or penalties would be assessed if the IRS found against us.

 

It is time to renew the Indemnity Insurance for the Board of Directors.  Mr. Robbins reported that the cost is about $1300 per year 

 

Motion to renew:  Mike Benson Second: Anthony Spadea  Motion Carries

 

The next payment is due to the Beacon Hill Institute for the survey being done on behalf of MTBA.

 

Mr. Robbins reports that he ordered the jackets already based on the opinions of Joe Dirico, Shirley Dullea and Mike Benson.

 

The 3rd quarter review of finances was distributed and discussed.  We have not realized “the plan” for the last couple of months and discussion of canceling some stakes races ensued.  The Board felt that 2 year old races must take place but the stallion stakes may have to be dropped.  Final decision will be made at the October meeting.

 

Motion to accept Secretary/Treasurer’s Report: Anthony Spadea  Second: Armand Janjigian  Motion Carries

 

3.) Chairman’s notes and comments

a)      Mr. George Brown reviewed his meetings with the HBPA and Suffolk Downs officials and the plan to present a “united front”.

b)      Five copies of the summary of the Governor’s presentation recommending casinos in Massachusetts were distributed for review by the board.  At this time we are not sure who is writing the bill or how the horsemen are going to be represented.

4) Old Business

a)      The issue of how 1099 income was to be reported was again reviewed by Mr. William Robbins.  If he reports it in “box 3”, recipients can report it on their own personal income tax filing as either income on page 1 or on schedule C.  If he reports it in “box 7” then recipients can only report it on schedule C  Under schedule C, the recipient must pay self employment taxes.

 

Motion to report in box 3: Anthony Spadea  Second: Harland Robbins  Motion Carries

 

b)      The draft of the By-law changes was distributed and reviewed. Under article 5 Item 2, the Board expressed the desire to vote on Alternate 1, 2 or 3 to fill the vacancy.

 

The board decided to eliminate Article 9 altogether from the By-laws and all references to it.

 

The draft will be returned to the lawyer and final draft prepared for a vote at the annual meeting.

 

Motion to accept as amended: Anthony Spadea  Second: Adel Salim  Motion Carries

 

c)      A request was made in writing to Arlene Brown to post a pop-up or banner ad on our website.  Discussion followed and it was decided not to allow any ads on the website.

 

Motion to decline ads: Anthony Spadea  Second: Armand Janjigian  Motion Carries

 

5) New Business

a)      Four tickets for clubhouse seats were offered to directors.  Mr. Harland Robbins took them.

b)      A position of Financial Director or Administrator beginning with the 2008 season was presented by Anthony Spadea.  The position would involve all the work done by Harland Robbins in maintaining the books of the corporation and in working with the accountant.  The position would pay $15,000 per year.  Mr. Harland Robbins expressed a desire to take up that position.  In order to accept that position, he will not run for the Board of Directors in October.  Mr. Robbins was also offered a $15,00 payment for the past work done.

 

Motion to: Armand Janjigian  Second: Gregg Rose  Motion Carries

 

c)      Mr. George Brown brought up the possible creation of “TLC” Thoroughbred Living Care to provide homes for massbreds whose racing career has ended until they could be adopted for other careers. The idea for this organization originated with the Suffolk Downs Operational Organization and the HBPA.  Mr. Fields has already committed $25,000 in support of the idea. The HBPA will also contribute. Mr. Tim Kirby and Mr. George Brown have volunteered some space at their farms to house these horses.  Other members of the board also offered stalls at their farms.  The board suggested we commit $5,000 to show our support if TLC becomes a reality.

 

Motion to donate $5,000: Anthony Spadea   Second: Armand Janjigian  Motion Carries

 

d)      A copy of the ch.128 law regarding the powers and duties of the Department of Agriculture with regards to the registering of massbred foals was passed out.  Mr. George Brown had already consulted the lobbyist on the possibility of changing the law.  Our lobbyist recommended "not muddying" the waters” until a decision on the casino bill was made.  He feels we might be able to amend the law but not write the Dept. of Aggie out of it.

e)      A list of ideas from breeder organizations in Florida, Louisiana and New York was distributed by Arlene Brown.  These ideas cover rules and regulations for membership and dues.  There is also a list of member benefits offered by other organizations.  A volunteer has offered to look into some of these for MTBA.  It was agreed to have this person see what they could do for us.  The remaining rules and regulations will be discussed after the annual meeting.

f)        Other new business:  A letter from Chip Tuttle was distributed.  There is a request to post it on our website.  The board agreed it should be done with the minor change of dropping the MTBA logo off the top.

 

6) Next Meeting:  Annual Meeting Tuesday, October 23, 2007  6:30PM, Vinny T’s, Dedham.

Coffee, cold cut platter and pastry will be served.

7). Adjournment:         9:40  PM 

 

Motion to adjourn :            Dan Joyce        Second:  Armand Janjigian                   Motion  Carries

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

 

Arlene Brown