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The Official Publication of the New York State Snowmobile Association

New York SNOWMOBILER Online April 2018

SLEDNY EDUCATIONAL FORUM: OUR YEAR-END CELEBRATION!

Special Forum Section! 16

...Award Winners! 19

...Vintage Sled Show Winners! 22

...Super Raffle Winners! 25

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NYSSA Online Magazine

Contact NYSSA: PO Box 1040, Pine Bush, NY 12566-1040 * EMAIL - [email protected] April, 2018 - TOLL FREE: (888) 624-3849 * FAX: (888) 317-2441 * www.nysnowmobiler.com

SNOWMOBILER Online

New York

Publisher: The New York State

Snowmobile Association

P. O. Box 1040,

Pine Bush, NY 12566-1040

Editor: Anne O’Dell

[email protected]

888-624-3849 x101

2018-19 Officers

President Rosanne Warner, 315-697-8130

[email protected]

Vice

President

Craig LaPlante, 315-854-6719

[email protected]

Secretary Kelly Grammo, 315-854-7452

[email protected]

Treasurer John Occhino, 845-225-3140

[email protected]

Staff

Executive

Director

Dominic Jacangelo, 888-624-3849 x104

[email protected]

Trail

Coordinator

Jim Rolf, 888-624-3849 x102

[email protected]

General

Manager

Anne O’Dell, 888-624-3849 x101

[email protected]

Membership

Helpline

888-624-3849 x103

[email protected]

Join or Renew Membership Online:

Our Website: www.nysnowmobiler.com

www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles

DMV, Register a Sled: NY Resident

DMV, Register a Sled: Out of State

CONTENTS

Win for Snowmobilers: Boreas Ponds! 3

ACTION NEEDED: Support for Adirondack Rail Trail 4

NYSSA Annual Meeting Election Results 7

State of the Association ..Rosanne Warner 8

From the Desk of the Executive Director ..D.Jacangelo 13

Trail Coordinator Report ...Jim Rolf 14

We’re Not Bragging, but... 15

Special Forum Section! 16

...Award Winners! 19

...Vintage Sled Show Winners! 22

...Super Raffle Winners! 25

National News from ACSA 26

AD RATES

2018 Super Raffle: Special thanks to Tim Taylor, Penny Case, and

Jennifer Simmons of the Toad Hollow Trail Riders, and Roger McCabe, former NYSSA Treasurer, for stepping up to the task in the

absence of John and Wendy Russell this year.

mailto:[email protected]

https://www.nysnowmobiler.com




http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles

https://transact.dmv.ny.gov/RegistrationRenew/index.cfm

https://transact.dmv.ny.gov/SnowmobileOutofState/

https://membership.nysnowmobiler.com/


https://www.nysnowmobiler.com/pdf/2015/NYSSA-Online-Magazine-Rates-2015-16.pdf

http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles



ANOTHER WIN FOR SNOWMOBILERS!

Boreas Ponds

Governor Cuomo Approves Historic State Land Classifications for the Adirondack Park

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo approved State Land classifications recommended by the Adirondack Park Agency for

State Lands inside the Adirondack Park. Classifications were approved for land in all twelve Adirondack Park counties

including the final tract of the historic Finch Pruyn & Company land deal - the 20,543 acre Boreas Ponds tract. The Bo-

reas Ponds action completes the State's unprecedented, multi-year land deal with The Nature Conservancy. Under the

leadership of Governor Cuomo, 65,000 acres of globally significant forests were acquired for inclusion into the Adiron-

dack Forest Preserve. This marked the largest Forest Preserve addition in the history of the Adirondack Park.

The Boreas Ponds parcel is located in the Towns of Newcomb and North Hudson in Essex County. The centerpiece of

the tract is the Boreas Ponds. Other outstanding natural features include seven unspoiled waterbodies, 27 miles of pris-

tine streams and the State's largest high elevation peatland - the 1,200 acre Marcy Swamp. There are three named peaks

over 2,000 feet: Boreas Mountain (3,776 feet), Moose Mountain (2,700 feet), and Ragged Mountain (2,677 feet). The

tract includes a vast diversity of low and high elevation habitats that support an exceptional array of plants and animals

including boreal habitats which are critical to several species of northern birds at the southern extent of their range.

Through the Governor's action 11,412 acres of Wilderness, 9,118 acres of Wild Forest, 11 acres of Primitive and

two acres of State Administrative lands were established in the Boreas Ponds Tract.

The newly classified wilderness lands are now part of the High Peaks Wilderness Area, which abuts the Boreas Ponds

tract to the north. This creates a contiguous wilderness zone in the heart of the Adirondack Park that rivals in size na-

tional parks such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Mount Rainier National Park and Zion National Park. The public

gains a new remote paddling experience and a new southern access point into the High Peaks Wilderness Area. This will

enhance the Park's appeal across the United States, as well as internationally.

The 9,118-acre Wild Forest area includes lands 500 feet north of Gulf Brook and Boreas Ponds Roads, the roads them-

selves, and the land south of the roads. This area extends east to Elk Lake Road, encompassing Gulf Brook, Ragged

Mountain, The Branch River and a beautiful section of the Boreas River. These lands are now part of the Vanderwhacker

Mountain Wild Forest. Through the Department of Environmental Conservation's Unit Management Plan process new

recreational opportunities such as camping along Gulf Brook Road, hunting, fishing and new mountain bike, skiing and

snowmobile trails may be created on these Wild Forest lands.

The Primitive Area and Wild Forest Corridor will allow the Department of Environmental Conservation to reach and

maintain the dam on the southern end of the Boreas Ponds.

Detailed maps and the Final Environmental Impact Statement describing the approved action are available at the Adiron-

dack Park Agency's website at www.apa.ny.gov.

STILL TO DO: Amendments to Address Management of Lands Classified

The DEC is amending the Unit Management Plans (UMPs) for the High Peaks Wilderness Complex and the Vander-

whackerMountain Wild Forests to address more than 95,872 acres of Forest Preserve lands classified and added to the

two units after their respective UMPs were finalized. This includes the recently classified lands that were part of Boreas

Ponds Tract, Casey Brook Tract, MacIntyre East Tract, MacIntyre West Tract, the lands formerly owned by National

Lead, the former Dix Mountain Wilderness lands, and other tracts of land. The UMP Amendment will focus on the man-

agement of these 84,191 acres of lands located in the towns of Keene, Newcomb, and North Hudson in Essex County.

Read the Governor’s press release in its entirety here.



http://www.apa.ny.gov

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-approves-historic-state-land-classifications-adirondack-park



ACTION ALERT

Submit Comments to Adirondack Park Agency

on the Definition of a Travel Corridor

Dear NYSSA Member:

Since 1996 the snowmobile community has been awarded a permit to maintain the Adirondack Rail Road Travel Corridor from Remsen

to Lake Placid as a snowmobile trail. Six snowmobile clubs maintain the corridor and we have advocated for

the removal of the rails so that the snowmobile season can be extended and other recreational users can enjoy

this route.

In 2016, the State of NY adopted a revised Unit Management Plan that called for the rails to be removed from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid. A great start for what

promised to be a world class multi use rail-trail.

Unfortunately, the Adirondack Scenic Rail Road sued the state and an adverse decision to our position

was made by the court. In part the court found that the current definition of a Travel Corridor did not allow for

recreational uses without a track in place.

Because of your letters, the state has not lost sight of its desire to create a rail-trail and on March 9th

the APA began a rule making process to amend the State Land Master Plan to change the definition of a travel cor-

ridor to explicitly allow for recreational uses with or with-

out tracks on a travel corridor.

A full description of the APA's proposed action can be

found at https://apa.ny.gov/.

There are two alternatives which we support: Alternative 4 and Alternative 6.

Alternative 6 is the APA's preferred alternative.

Alternative 4. "Revise Travel Corridors Definition and Guidelines to allow rail trail on any

railroad corridor owned by the State. "

Alternative 6. "Revise Travel Corridors definition and guidelines for management and use to

allow rail and rail trail use on the Remsen-Lake Placid Travel Corridor and future State-owned

railroad corridors with existing rails. "

Alternative 4 is likely to be rather controversial since it would apply to over 800 miles

of rail corridors that have been long ago abandoned. Some of these would travel through wil-

derness areas to which we are very unlikely to gain access. (Continued on page 5)



https://apa.ny.gov/



Alternative 6 has broad based support among all interest groups and is clearly the least controversial. It will provide access to the corridor from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid, keep our

current access on the rest of the corridor and ensure our access to the Saratoga to Tahawus

line should the state ever acquire it.

We have come this far because of the thousands of snowmobilers who have raised their

voices for the rail trail. It is time to raise our voices once again for the sport.

Please submit comments to the APA in writing or in person at one of three public hearings:

(Continued from page 4)

Written comments may be submitted to:

Kathy Regan

Deputy Director for Planning

NYS Adirondack Park Agency

P.O. Box 99

Ray Brook, NY 12977

Fax: 518-891-3938

Email - [email protected]

Please submit all written comments to the APA by May 7, 2018.

Your comments need not be long, you simply need to state

that you support Alternative 6 (or 4); and

urge the APA to adopt the new definition as soon as possible.

THANK YOU!!

Photo by Rosanne Warner





The 2018 NYSSA Annual meeting took place on Sunday, April 22 at the

Conference Center at Niagara Falls. Elections this year were for the positions of

President and Secretary. Both candidates ran unopposed, so outgoing Secretary

Erin Pittsley cast one vote for the slate.

Congratulations to President Rosanne Warner (Madison

County) on her re-election and incoming Secretary Kelly

Grammo (St. Lawrence County). Both will serve a two-

year term, ending in April 2020. The current Vice Presi-

dent, Craig LaPlante, and Treasurer, John Occhino, con-

tinue on in their positions. The 2019 election will be for

the Vice-President and Treasurer positions.

The 2019 Annual Meeting will also be held in Niagara

Falls, on Sunday, April 28, 2019, in conjunction once

again with the SLEDNY Educational forum, which

precedes it on April 26 and 27.

Hotel reservations at the Sheraton at the Falls may be made by going to this website.

NYSSA Annual Meeting - Election Results

President Warner re-elected; Kelly Grammo elected Secretary

President Rosanne Warner Secretary Kelly Grammo

Downstate Helping Upstate: Long Island Sno-Seekers present two clubs with checks!

For this years’ 10th Annual 2017-18 Donation for Downstate Clubs Helping

Upstate Clubs, the Long Island Sno-Seekers would like to thank all the clubs

who have taken their time to send detailed letters with photos of projects that

they are looking to improve - their trail system, bridges, groomers, etc. After

reviewing this years’ candidates, we have decided to donate to two clubs.

The first recipient to receive our annual donation is Turin Ridge Riders Snow-

mobile Club (Turin, Lewis County), in the amount of $2,000. The second

receipient to receive our annual donation is Osceola Snowmobile Association

Inc., (Redfield, Oswego County), in the amount of $1,000.

Thank you again, and

please don’t forget to

apply for next years’

2018-19 Donation!

-- Scott Viesta,

LISS President Chris Moyer accepts the $1,000 check on behalf of

Osceola Snowmobile Association.

Photos by Jane Chaddock

Jason Kowalczyk accepts the $2,000 check on behalf of

Turin Ridge Riders. Anne O’Dell officiated.



https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/NYSnowmobile2019



http://www.lisnoseekers.org/



President’s Message: State of the Association by Rosanne Warner, NYSSA President 315-697-8130 [email protected]

This season has certainly seen its share of ups & downs and those issues once again included the weather! This year started off with a bang in the central and northern portions of the state and there was snow earlier than usual allowing some trails to open as soon as the hunting season ended. Cold temperatures in January froze water holes that had not seen ice in the past three years and everything looked very promising. Then came February? With drastic swings in the February weather and serious flooding issues all over the state, what is usually our best month of riding left people thinking that it might be time to break out the shorts and put the sleds away for the season. Then March showed up in grand fashion. The rest is history. Although it was not the best year of riding, it definitely was much better than the past few seasons and I am hoping next year will be even better!

Snowmobile Registrations The registrations in New York saw an uptick in the 2017-2018 Season. Total snowmobile registrations were 112,159 with 95,082 sleds being registered to Club Members and 17,077 being Non-Club members who pay a higher registra-tion fee per sled. This was an increase of over 5,500 snowmobile registrations from the prior season.

2017-2018 NYSSA Memberships The season finished with 56,072 members.

Fatalities This season New York saw seven unfortunate deaths. Of those, four were off trail and three were on. Six of the seven victims were men. The average age of the victims was thirty-six. In two instances, the riders were on private property and were not wearing helmets. Speed appears to have been the major factor listed in all but one case where the rider was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road on a state highway.

RTP Grants This year clubs from all across the state applied for and were awarded RTP grants. In total, New York clubs took home Over one million dollars in grant awards!

Ful-Mont Snow Travelers - $143,604 Nick Stoner Trailers of Caroga Lake - $106.815 Indian Lake Snow Warriors - $83,821 Long Pond Sno Sled Club - $200,000 Turin Ridge Riders - $200,000 Redfield Snowmobile Assoc. - $200,000 Square Valley Trail Blazers - $185,000

TOTAL RTP GRANTS TO NEW YORK CLUBS - $1,119,240 Congratulations to all of the clubs on their hard work!

(Continued on page 9)

Thanks for making flat trails! ~ Photo by Rosanne Warner






RTP Club Support Every year there are outdoor recreationalists who fight to keep the RTP program in place and I am asking every club and county association to complete the sign on form for the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT). The CRT is made up of recreational users from all over the country who are diligent in making sure that the federal government does not eliminate the program. Since it was first created, New York clubs have been awarded over $12 million towards the purchase of grooming equipment. Please help to keep the program going.

Non-Member Registration This year the committees were busy at work on multiple issues that face the sport. Last year during the Annual Meet-ing there was New Business brought from the floor regarding the fee that non-club members pay to register their sleds. The issue was referred to NYSSA’s Government Affairs Committee for review. Surveys were distributed to club members who responded that if raised – the fee should be $125/ sled. The NYSSA Board sent a request to the NYS Legislature to increase of the fee for non-members. It was reported back to NYSSA in March that the Legislative Direc-tor does not believe that this is a good year to introduce the legislation citing limited snow.

Vintage Snowmobile Legislation After several years of trying to get legislation passed to make snowmobiles older than 1980 exempt from regis-tration fees, we are asking vintage sled enthusiasts to write to their legislators to support the bill. This bill has passed the NYS Senate on two separate occasions but continues to gain no traction in the Assembly. We will continue to work on getting this bill passed but we need your help. Please pass on the word for letters of support – it will never move without the voice of the snowmo-bile community backing it.

Landowner Tax Credit A landowner tax credit was proposed by NYSSA in an effort to bring some benefit to landowners who allow recreational snowmobile trails on their property. The Tax Credit Bill was not taken up in the Legislature this year due to a two billion dollar deficit in the State Budget

Minimum Maintenance Roads Minimum maintenance roads are a large concern for NYSSA because there are a lot of them used in the creation of the statewide snowmobile trail system. There is legislation proposed to designate certain town roads as low-volume roads with minimum maintenance which would require less plowing and grading than other roads. This law would save the towns money while protecting the trail system. This law passed in the State Senate but continues to be held up in the State Assembly.

Youth Special Events Several years ago legislation was proposed by NYSSA to allow youth riders under the age of eighteen to participate in certain organized racing and competitive snowmobile events without completing the youth snowmobile safety course. This bill is presently on its third reading on the Senate calendar awaiting a vote. In the Assembly, the bill is be-ing held up in the Tourism Committee.

Scholarship Applications This year was by far, one of the best years for scholarship applications that we have seen to date. There were 24 appli-







cations and it was a very hard decision. Both winners have had their names submitted to the Northeast Chapter for consideration in their scholarship program. Congratulations to both of the recipients of the Joan and Digger Vriesin Scholarship and the Norris Brusoe Memorial Scholarship.

Statewide Trail Grant Once again this year, NYSSA’s Phase III Committee met to review and discuss parts of the 2016 - 2017 Phase III process. Many of the common mistakes that the committee saw last year we saw again this year. The committee has put to-gether a list of the most common mistakes clubs continue to make in their submissions. The Statewide breakdown for the 2016 – 2017 Grant is depicted in this chart. The two largest factors in the program are grooming expenses that make up 63% of the grant reimbursements and labor came in at 25%. Other expenses tracked in the program are stan-dard groomer payments for clubs who still qualify, insurance payments, equipment storage, volunteer insurance cover-age, bridge materials, equipment rentals/leases and labor hours. Volunteer Insurance Coverage With that said, while reviewing the program for the past 2 years there has been one concern with the program that has bothered me and that is the number of clubs who have Volunteer Accident Insurance Coverage. Clubs submitted $5,837,734.32 in expenses into the grant program in 2017. Only $1,812.00 was for coverage for the volunteers in case they are injured while doing trail work. I urge clubs to take this back home and discuss it. Look into it and see if it is something your club could do to protect the volunteers. The cost of the policy is relatively inexpensive and of the 80 clubs that we reviewed in depth, only 4 clubs carried the policy. Coverage for those 4 clubs ranged between $150 - $275 per year.

NYSSA PR NYSSA/SLEDNY constructed a snowmobile display in the concourse of the legislative buildings in Albany. The display promoted safe snowmobiling in New York State and thousands of people passed by it. This was done in conjunction with the promotion of our Take a Friend Snowmobiling campaign which is sponsored in part by the International Snow-mobile Manufacturer’s Association.

2019 SLEDNY Educational Forum & NYSSA Annual Meeting Next year, NYSSA will hold the Annual meeting and SLEDNY will host the educational classes that are open to atten-dees on April 26, 27 & 28, 2019. Classes are focused on snowmobile safety, trail funding and snowmobile club opera-tions. The 2019 event will be held at in Niagara Falls, NY at the Niagara Convention Center. 612 attendees registered for the 2018 event.

2019 International Trails Symposium The 2019 American Trails International Trail Symposium will be held in Syracuse, NY April 28 – May 1, 2019. The bi-annual event began in 1998 and was previously hosted in places like Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, Quad Cities, Arkansas, Tennessee, Oregon and Ohio. The event is intended for all trail user groups to work together towards devel-oping and maintaining sustainable recreational trails. NYS Unit Management Plans “UMP” NYSSA along with our lobbyist Capitol Group, continue to monitor and issue calls to action to our members on State UMP reviews, proposed changes and court decisions. Some of the major UMP issues being monitored include the Rem-sen-Lake Placid travel corridor issue where the state has proposed to remove thirty-four miles of railroad track in the Adirondack Park to establish a multi-use trail from Lake Placid, NY to Tupper Lake, NY. The Adirondack Park Agency “APA” as well as NYSSA, local townships, ARTA and several other users groups are in favor of the removal but lawsuits were filed by groups to stop the action and at this time the definition of a travel corridor has come into question. The







APA is currently discussing updating the definition of a travel corridor before moving forward on the issue after a judge ruled that the state must go back to the drawing board with all proposals. With regards to another UMP being moni-tored, the Boreas Pond tract, the APA has reached a final decision on the classification of the Boreas Pond tract and snowmobile trail use will be allowed in the Wild Forest section around Gulf Brook Road. Many public discussion sessions were attended and snowmobilers from all over New York wrote letters of support for the removal of the rails. NYSSA is participating in the UMP planning process.

Iowa Pacific Railroad Stored oil tankers came into question over the winter in Warren County, New York. The Forest Preserve Committee met February 16, 2018 regarding the Iowa Pacific Railroad and the storage of seventy-five unused oil tankers owned by a subsidiary of the Berkshire Hathaway Corporation headed by billionaire Warren Buffet. On March 29, 2018 Iowa Pacific Holding President, Ed Ellis told the county they would sell the rail line to the county for five million dollars. The offer was rejected by the county. This rail line was previously used as a snowmobile trail until several years ago when it was shut down for a winter tourism train excursion to the Adirondacks. Diminishing ticket sales as use for a winter tourism train caused is to be closed with no plans to reopen.

In closing, I want to thank all of the club volunteers who dedicate their time, day in and day out to the sport and in mak-ing our trails safe. We can all agree that the landowners are what make this sport possible but without the volunteers who are the real backbones of the sport there would be no need for landowners. Improvements have been seen year after year to our world class trail system and I wanted to take a minute to remind all of you hardworking club members that even through all of the trials and tribulations of being an active club member (trail closures, landowner issues, pa-perwork, signing, bridge work, grooming, snowmobile politicking, GPS-ing, fundraising…….) without you, there would be no trail system for any of us to enjoy. From everyone at NYSSA, we thank the clubs for all of their hard work in bringing us all a little enjoyment through the crazy winter weather that we endure every year.

I hope that everyone enjoys the off season and go make some memories with your families but remember, Phase I is right around the corner and your Sponsor will be calling!

I hope everyone travels home safely and see you on the trails!

Rosanne


Photo by Rosanne Warner





From the Desk of the Executive Director By Dominic Jacangelo, Executive Director [email protected] 888-624-3849 x104

Late April and the Beginning of May tend to be a depressing time for me. I am faced with putting the two sleds away for the season. The grass is starting to turn green and the weather continues to tease us with snow that is good for nothing including making snowballs. I am forced to lament what could have been a great season if not for the mid-season rains. If you were not paying attention you would have missed some great late season riding in April in the Adirondacks but I could not get there!

This is also the season of writing many comments on different state trail plans. Over the past month, I provided NYSSA’s position on how the Boreas Ponds tract should be treated now that classification of the land has been de-cided. That was a decision that would allow the Gulf Brook Road which runs the length of the property from east to west to be used as a snowmobile trail. Many groups want to make the same arguments as the made prior to classifica-tion. They want all the land to be wilderness. When the draft UMP comes out we need to ensure that the position of the snowmobile community is well stated and reinforced by many voices.

Also on behalf of the Association, we submitted comments on the final amendment to the Black River UMP which have been sent to the Adirondack Park Agency for consistency review. The amendment failed to address in a meaning-ful way the need for a north south alternative to using the rails. Using the Old Forge system cannot be considered an alternative since that system requires a local permit and it is not available to the general public.

The most notable plan is the effort of the Adirondack Park Agency to amend the State Land Master Plan (SLMP) in rela-tion to the definition of a Travel Corridor. The catalyst for the effort was an adverse Supreme Court ruling which stated in part that the current definition of a Travel Corridor did not include a rail trail; a trail built on a former railroad bed where the rails had been removed. The court ruling negated the 2016 UMP for the Remsen to Lake Placid railroad “Travel Corridor” which proposed to remove the rail from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid.

The court ruling while extremely disappointing, also created a new opportunity. While providing testimony at the APA hearing in Albany on April 25th I heard one of the railroad advocates state that despite the amendment to the SLMP, they will be bringing another lawsuit to stop the state as soon as they attempt to go forward with a new UMP amend-ment. It made me think that if that is their approach to compromise, why compromise. I think we should all give con-sideration to upping our demand that the rails be removed from Big Moose to Lake Placid when the state starts to dis-cuss a new UMP Amendment for the Railroad Travel Corridor. What do you think?

During the next couple of month please check the NYSSA website and Facebook page for updates on the many plans being advanced by the state. Remember, your comments no matter how brief can help provide access to state lands.






Trail Coordinator Report by Jim Rolf, NYSSA Trail Coordinator 888-624-3849 x 102 [email protected]

As passed on to me as well as the other staff, the 2018 SLEDNY Educational Forum and NYSSA Annual Meeting weekend went over very well during the April 21st weekend in Niagara Falls. Another year ends and a new season begins for the snowmobile club volunteers all across NYS. This was a very well-attended Forum, I heard it was the 3rd largest ever! Although we still had a little over 100 clubs not repre-sented at all, I hope that can somehow change over the coming years, so that more clubs get to take part in these sessions that are a definite benefit to the attendees to see firsthand.

I am excited to work with any new Directors that have stepped up this year as well as with the return-ing Directors that may have different Committee assignments this year, while we say goodbye to a few Direc-tors that have stepped away for personal reasons. I’m hopeful and optimistic at the same time that the snow season will start earlier next winter, and that the registration and club numbers will continue to go up.

2018 Adirondack Snowmobile Trail Conference

In addition to my 2018 Season Report being re-printed in this month’s online magazine, I will also give a brief overview of the Adirondack Snowmobile Trails Conference that we just held on April 28th, in Long Lake.

This event has been hosted by NYSSA for 10 of the past 11 years now, with only a hiatus last year due to the lawsuit brought about against the APA and DEC over the claim of too many trees being removed for to develop safe snowmobile community connector trails. The State has won that case, which was ap-pealed. As soon as the appeal decision is made, we will give a heads-up on that.

60 club or town officials responsible for trail development and maintenance of their respective snow-mobile trails attended and interacted with representatives from DEC, APA, and Parks. Items gone over in-cluded bridges that were installed on state-land snowmobile trails and future bridge plans; Unit Management Plans currently underway as well as expected relatively soon; specific issues regarding permits/agreements timelines and what equipment can be used on these state lands; and many other pertinent questions regard-ing the partnership that has been forged and is ongoing in the Adirondack Park for the benefit of snowmobile use. As has been the case, this year’s meeting went very well and was very informative. A lot of information was discussed, even with that many people in the dining room of the Adirondack Hotel. I want to thank every attendee for coming and hope that all of the future conferences are just as successful.

Photo by Dom Jacangelo






Allowed clubs to save SIGNIFICANT amounts of money on trail signs over the years, with free delivery

by NYSSA Directors. Bulk Sign Order process (2005)

Enacted “2-tier registration” which increased paid club memberships threefold; and

Increased the Trail Fund significantly from those riders who choose not to join and support a club through

their $100/sled registration fees. SRRA Snowmobile Rights and Responsibilities Act (2006)

Championed legislative efforts to allow snowmobiles to cross limited-access State roadways. The first leg-

islation was for the Route 104 crossing in Northern Oswego County. Limited-Access Highway Road

Crossing Legislations (First in 2008, ongoing)

Initiated a standardized testing procedure that was developed by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engi-

neers) and successfully used in other States since 2004. Loud Exhaust Legislation (2013) was enacted.

New Safety and Trails Committee policy (2014) on Deficient Trail Signage cooperative efforts putting

TEETH into correcting signing inconsistencies on New York’s Trails. New policy has severe ramifica-

tions for clubs that are NOT signing their trails properly according to the NYS OPRHP Trail Signage

Handbook.

Formed SLEDNY (2015), the charitable, 501c(3) tax-exempt arm of NYSSA. This allows for tax-

deductible donations to clubs and the state association, reduced our sales taxes paid on assets and expenses,

and saves thousands of dollars. It also allowed us to significantly reduce the cost of registration fees for

club members who are sending delegates to the annual Educational Forum, saving money for the clubs.

Worked cooperatively with NYS Parks snowmobile unit to create 5 classes of grooming machines based

upon horsepower and “draw-bar towing capacity” for each class. Helped Parks set the hourly grooming

rates for each of those 5 classes based upon other States’ grooming rates and proportional to the previous

NY rates. Grooming Unit Re-classification (2016)

Initiated the “Online Membership Charge” of $1.00/each transaction, shifting the cost of credit card proc-

essing from NYSSA and the clubs to the online user. Credit card fee passthrough (2016)

Increased Unregistered Snowmobile Fines Penalty (2017) from “up to $200 per infraction” to

“Minimum of $200 and max of $500 per infraction, with half of the fine disposition going directly into the

NYS Parks Snowmobile Trail Fund.

Successfully lobbied to change the definition of a snowmobile with ALL State agencies to eliminate

tracked ATV/UTVs, motorcycles, and other motor vehicles from registration as a snowmobile (NYS Law

Chapter 341, Section 1).

Successfully lobbied to increase Law Enforcement funding . (Subdivision 2 of section 27.15 of the

parks, recreation and historic preservation law)

This list does not include ALL of the NYSSA initiatives that help clubs, the snowmobile Trail Fund, and the sport in NYS. Efforts like

the Take a Friend Snowmobiling NY events are some of those not listed, but are such positive efforts from YOUR State Association

Other ongoing legislative efforts and positive public relations products are other examples not specified here.







http://agency.nationwide.com/grant-l-getzoni-in-williamsville-ny?utm_medium=cpm&utm_campaign=affinity&utm_source=na&utm_content=auto:na:na:na:na:na:-1-na-2-3539-3-nysnowmobilersassn-4-web_banner-5-0817:&utm_term=na



Special Forum Section! Another Forum is in the books, and it was a very successful event. 612 members registered for the event, with 92 of

them registering just for the Educational Classes (and not staying to vote on Sunday). Our program covered topics of

interest to clubs and were geared to assist clubs in operating correctly, efficiently and profitably. There was an emphasis

on attracting more youth members. Our speakers were a mix of professionals and volunteers, and very knowledgeable.

Usually the Forum Books are only available to those who pay to attend. This year, we’re providing a link to these docu-

ments so that you can read the reports of the Directors who served on the Board for 2017-18, as well as the officers’ re-

ports that were given orally at the Annual Meeting.

Saturday Forum Book - Club stats, Director Reports

Sunday Forum Book - Formal reports given at the NYSSA Annual Meeting

Sunday’s Annual meeting had 479 delegates registered; but 396 actually seated. This happens each year, maybe they

overslept. Perhaps next year the meeting could start later - 10 am instead of 9 am!

It’s a lot of work to put on this event. The Events & Promotions committee worked hard to make this event successful.

Thank you to Committee Members: Laurie DeSourdy (Washington) and Jay Zintel (Genesee), Co-Chairs; Erin Pittsley

(Secretary, Chenango), Ed Zalar (Allegany), Bob Bach (Cattaraugus), Hal Fleischman (Erie), Jim Teator (Erie), Charles

Hull (Schuyler/Tompkins); Tim Taylor/John Russell (Onondaga); Volunteers: Christine Gross (Scribe), Kelly Jerome,

Lisa Burnett, George Couell, Wendy Russell; and Advisory Staff: Dom Jacangelo, Anne O'Dell.

But most of all, thank you to our sponsors, without whom we could not provide the great meals and other

benefits to our attendees, at such a low registration fee.



https://nysnowmobiler.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-Forum-Book-Saturday-FINAL.pdf

https://nysnowmobiler.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2018-Forum-Book-Sunday-FINAL.pdf



FRIDAY SOCIAL AND COSTUME PARTY

What a great time with DJ Matt Terrill of Digital

eXtravaganza. The music kept the crowd dancing,

and there were some games that kept everyone

laughing.

The big winner of the evening was Glenn Hayton

of Sharon Springs (right), who dressed in a bar-

rel, ready to go over the falls.

Friday’s 50-50 was won by

VP Craig LaPlante, who promptly returned

part of his winnings to further the NYS

Political Action Committee’s cause.





Saturday Educational Classes

The Conference Center at Niagara Falls enabled us to hold many more educational classes than at previous venues since it has more classroom space. Seven classes were held on Friday and a whopping 26 on Saturday! Everyone appreciated the room to spread out. Even with so much space, “Building a Youth Program”. Led by Stephanie Larson, above, was standing room only - proving that our focus on bringing youth members into our Clubs is important to all. Hands-on topics like the GPS course, Groomer Operator Course, Chainsaw Safety Course and First Aid/Bloodborne Pathogens course always fill up fast, but there was active partici-pation in many of the sessions that were designed to help clubs with their day-to-day operations.

NYS OPRHP presented their annual report, with new Director Nicole Unser, at right with Bennett Campbell, graciously giving a meet-and-greet session and spending much time speaking with individual attendees about their concerns.

Thank you to all of our speakers who donated their time and expertise to our event.





Saturday Award Luncheon - NYSSA Award Winners

Club of the Year: Adirondack Snowdrifters, Franklin County Dealer of the Year: Pioneer Motorsport, Chaffee, NY Family of the Year: the Stevens Family, Shawnee Sno Chiefs Groomer of the Year: Dan Noeth, Penn Mountain Snow Riders Youth of the Year: Ben Arzie, Pulaski Boylston Snowmobile Club President’s Award: WoodWise Land Company, LLC

Saturday’s highlight was the presentation of annual awards to deserving winners. Our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s group!

Snowmobiler of the Year: Gail Bartas, Cuba Driftbusters





Saturday Award Luncheon - NYSSA Award Winners

Family of the Year, the Stevens Family of Niagara Falls, members of the Shawnee Sno Chiefs.

Club of the Year Trail Coordinator Terry Bellinger and President Ray Breault came all the way from Mountain View, Franklin County, at the top of New York State to accept the award on behalf of their club.

Accepting the award for Dealer of the Year are Michelle and Ken Armsrong from Pioneer Motorsport, Chaffee, NY.





What would an Educational conference be without other events to enjoy between the classes?

The Charity Auction raised $4,000 for NYSSA’s three Charities of Choice: Easter Seals, Golisano Childrens’ Hospital, and the USO.

Jen Zucarelli of the Marilla Sno-Mob club won the hel-met donated by Jan-Cen Motorsports. Youth Vendor Bingo was won by Cameron Capolupo of the

Shawnee Sno-Chiefs, who won prizes donated by Snowmobaby and Sled-Freak.

Lisa Krug of Snowmobaby and Deb Johnson of SledFreak sponsored the “Raising Riders Family Zone”, a place where the youngest snowmobil-ers could have some fun coloring, play-ing games, and having their picture taken on the Arctic Cat ZR 200 donated to the 2018 Super Raffle by Sun and Snow Recreation in New York Mills, NY.

Sunday, a conference survey was dis-tributed and a winner was drawn from those who responded. Pete Hopkins of the Fillmore Winter Warriors was the lucky guy who won the $100 gift card.

The Charity Auction had some interesting donations!

The Raising Riders Family Zone.

Each year, our friend JT Tasker from the National Income Life Insurance Company (NILICO), one of NYSSA’s major sponsors, holds a drawing at his table in the Vendor Expo. This year’s lucky winner took home a TV! Here JT is assisted by his beautiful daughter, Holli.

Charity Auction, Vendor Bingo, and the Raising Riders Family Zone





People's Choice Winner

Kevin Hatchkiss

1969 Bolens Diablo Rouge

Webster, NY

Vintage Show Highlights

Best in Show Winner

Thomas Dickerson

(Scorpion Sled Display)

Lockport, NY

Stabb selected the Scorpion display for

best in show, and the Forum Attendees’

“People’s Choice” was the unique Bolens

Diablo Rouge. This was one of the most

successful of the 9 NYSSA Vintage

Shows held so far!

14 Entrants brought 54 Vintage

Snowmobiles for our attendees to ad-

mire. Judges Jeff Mower and Ed





9 T H A N N U A L N Y S S A V I N T A G E S H O W R E S U L T S

Vintage Sled Corner

1 Antique 1968 and Older (Original)

1st – Dave Minton – 1966 Arctic Cat 141

2nd – Ed Stabb – 1964 Scorpion

2 Antique 1968 and Older (Restored)

1st – Tom Dickerson – 1969 Scorpion Mark I

2nd – Ed Stabb – 1966 Sno Roe Sport

3 Trail Sled 1969-1975 (Original)

1st – David Minton – 1973 Scorpion Stingerette

2nd – Steve Beach – 1971 Arctic Cat Puma

4 Trail Sled 1969-1975 (Restored)

1st – Tom Dickerson – 1971 Scorpion Mark II

2nd – Tim Welsh – 1971 Ski Doo 292 TNT

5 Trail Sled 1976-1985 (Original)

1st – David Donley – 1978 Polaris TX 340

2nd – Tom Dickenson – 1980 Scorpion TK

6 Trail Sled 1976-1985 (Restored)

1st – Ray Rose – 1977 Ski Doo 340 RV

2nd – Kevin Schmitz – 1984 Moto Ski Sonic LC

7 Trail Muscle – All Years (Original)

1st – Mark Mesi – 1991 Ski Doo Mach Ix

2nd – David Donley – 2002 Polaris Pro X 440

8 Trail Muscle – All Years (Restored)

1st – Mark Mesi – 1975 Ski Doo RV

2nd – David Donley – 1977 Polaris TXL 340

9 Factory Race Sled 1983 & Older

1st – Jeff Weber – 1982 Sno Pro

2nd – David Ambrose – 1970 Ski-Roule RTX 800

10 Active Race Sled 1986 & Older

1st – Jeff Weber – 1976 Ski Doo RV

2nd – Ray Roes – 1975 Moto Ski TS

11 Custom Class – Any Year

1st – Ray Rose – 1978 Ski Doo Sno Pro

2nd – David Donley – 1980 Polaris TX 440

12 Most Unique

1st – Kevin Hutchkiss – 1969 Bolens Diablo Rouge

2nd – Tim Welsh – 1971 Rupp 440

13 Cutter Combo Class

1st – Ken Radley – 1973 Arctic Cat Puma 440

2nd – David Ambrose – 1970 Ski Roule

14 Mini Sled Class

1st – David Donley – 1972 Kitty Cat

2nd – Steve Beach – 1973 Kitty Cat

15 Forgotten Wonders

1st – Ed Stabb – 1968 Sno Roe

2nd – Keith Schmitz – 1973 – Brut LC

16 Delegates Class

1st – Ken Radley – 1973 Arctic Cat Puma 440

17 Farthest Traveled

Ray Roes – 270 miles (Cobleskill, New York)

18 Best of Show

Tom Dickerson – Scorpion Snow Sled display

19 People’s Choice

Kevin Hutchkiss – 1969 Bolens Diablo Rouge

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS, WHO MADE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE!

* Oneida County Area Snowmobile Association *Madison County Snowmobile Association * Snowmobile Clubs of Chautauqua County *

* Oatka Snowmobile Association * Tri-Valley Trail Riders Snowmobile Club * Childwold Snopackers Snowmobile Club *

* Cranberry Lake Mountaineers Snowmobile Club * Taberg Trailblazers Snowmobile Club *Stabb Construction *



http://www.supertraxmag.com/index.asp



The event attracted an impressive list of exhibitors this year, with some new faces putting their products in front of our attendees. Our major sponsor, Allstate was on hand with agents to answer all kinds of insur-ance questions.

Boondocker Equipment

Marlo Enterprises - AMSOIL

Mountain Grooming Equip.

MTN Equipment

NILICO Insurance

Sledfreak

Sno-Equipment, Inc.

Snowmobaby

TEKRIDER

The Shop Industrial

Thirty-One Gifts

Track Inc./Getsno LLC.

Trak Maps

Voss Signs, LLC

White Imprints

Special Thanks to:

Voss Signs – for the Vintage Sled Dash Plaques and the Cover of this publication!

Photos throughout this event, by Jane Chaddock!

Thanks to Batavia Legal Printing for their excellent work!

The Vendor Expo and the Super Raffle

Allstate has sponsored two sleds to be used in the Take a Friend Snowmobiling program, as well as

one of our trailers which is used to store and transport the sleds. Allstate has been a major sponsor

of the Educational Forum for many years, and we are grateful for that!

See YOU next year! SLEDNY Educational Forum & Annual Meeting

April 26 - 27 - 28, 2019 Niagara Falls Conference Center

Sheraton at the Falls - Hotel Reservations may be made now!






# Donated By Prize Winner First Winner Last Winner City Selling Club

1 NYSSA $5,000 Cash ANN STEDMAN POLAND NY PENN MTN

2 NYS Polaris Dealers 2018 Polaris Indy 600 GARY STAHLI WESTFIELD PA TEN TOWNS

3 NYS Skidoo Dealers 2018 Skidoo MXZ Sport 600 JIM RANSVILLE Limestone NY Enchanted Mountains

4 Sun and Snow Arctic Cat 2018 Arctic Cat ZR 200 STEVE DRUMMOND W MONROE NY PULASKI

5 Village Motorsports $1350 2-day Snowmobile Rental for 2 & 2 nights @ Lk Pleasant Lodge JOSH WHARAM BUFFALO NY GRAND ISLAND

6 Chautauqua Cty Snowmobile Clubs $1300 Cash MICHAEL MILLER TIVOLI NY SNOWRATS

7 Fisk Dist. $1000 Cash JEFF ZIER PATTERSONVILLE NY SHARON PATHFINDERS

8 Columbia Cty Snowdrifters $1000 Cash RYAN ASHMAN MAINE NY Tioga Ridge Runners

9 Woody's Complete Traction Pkg & $100 of Woody's Wear-$650 Value BILL HUERING JASPER NY TEN TOWNS

10 OCSA $500 Cash LISA BURNETT HAMBURG NY GRAND ISLAND

11 Seven Valley Snow Goers $500 Cash CINDY MACDONALD GALWAY NY HARTFORD RIDGERUN

12 Wayne County Snow Club $500 Cash JONATHON CLIFTON N SYRACUSE NY FAST

13 Old Schoolhouse Inn 2 night stay & dinner for two EMMA WITTENZELLNER BUFFALO NY EDEN TRAILBLAZERS

14 Edge Hotel 2 Night stay in a Jacuzzi Ste, off Peak RICHARD RIEL BRADFORD PA Enchanted Mountains

15 Greenwood Lake Snowballers $300 Cash DAVID WAVER Rochester NY CALEDONIA

16 Snowrats $300 Cash BOB MOODY Walton NY HAMDEN HILL

17 Quad Cty Snow Club The Ride Lite Classic Combo - 2 pack ERIC DIEROFF TULLY NY TRUXTON

18 Arctic Adventures $250 Gift Certificate KEITH MCCORMICK Saratoga Springs NY MULLEYVVILLE

19 Delaware Valley Ridge Riders $250 Cash JOHN CRESCENT MARCY NY ORISKA SD

20 Marilla Sno Mob Club $250 Cash JAY WINGARD CHITTENANGO NY CHITT POLAR

21 OCSA $250 Cash DAVID MORSE MARATHON NY SEVEN VALLEY

22 Rock Tavern Sno Riders $250 Cash HENRY & DIANE ENSER BOSTON NY WNY BOSTON

23 Shawangunk Snowmobile & Rescue $250 Cash RICK LATTIN BROOKTONDALE NY DRYDEN

24 Shawnee Snow Chiefs $250 Cash RANDY LOVISKI TULLY NY TULLY

25 Divas Snow Gear Arctic Appeal Jacket in Berry or Blue RICK PORO W RUTLAND VT NWCTB

26 Unstuckables Safety Equipment Package incl Sno-bunje CHARLIE DUFFY SPENCER NY TEN TOWNS

27 Caledonia Trailblazers $200 Cash DEB HETHERINGTON LEE CENTER NY TRAILBUSTERS

28 Cattaraugus County Federation $200 Cash BUD & MILLE CARABEAU GRANVILLE NY Hartford Ridge Riders

29 Childwold Snow Packers $200 Cash BOB NICHOLS MAYFIELD NY MULLEYVVILLE

30 Cranberry Lake Mountaineers $200 Cash ERIK KRATZ JEFFERSONVILLE NY DELAWARE VALLEY

31 DDS Motorsports $200 Gift Certificate RICK NOREN POULTNEY VT ADK TRAILRIDERS

32 Dougs Powersports $200 Gift Certificate DOUG ADAMS MARATHON NY TRUXTON

33 Edelmann Sales $200 Gift Certificate toward Polaris Helmet JOHN EISMAN LANCASTER NY ASHFORD W VALLEY

34 Enchanted Mountain Border Riders $200 Cash WENDY FAIRBROTHER ATLANTA NY QUAD COUNTY

35 Hilton Sno Flyers $200 Cash DWWIGHT YOUNG TROY NY RCSR

36 Jan Can Motorsports $200 Gift Certificate FRANK USCHOLD SPRINGVILLE NY WNY CLUB OF BOSTON

37 Lehigh Valley Snow Riders $200 Cash AVERY KOCH Auburn NY WEEDSPORT

38 Madison County Assoc $200 Cash THOMAS LENNON BARNEVELD NY DEERFIELD

39 Niagara Cty Federation $200 Cash KEVIN SLAYTON Auburn NY CATO TRAILBLAZERS

40 Nothern Warren Trailblazers $200 Cash MELANIE COLE MINE HILL NJ SNOWRATS

41 Oneida Cty Association $200 Cash JOHN MUSGROVE MOIRA NY MOIRA TRAILBREAKERS

42 O-T-Go SnoGoers $200 Cash BRIAN KALINOWSKI Lancaster NY ?

43 Penn Mountain Snow Club $200 Cash GAIL KROTT SALISBURY CTR NY SALS RIDGE RUNNERS

44 Royal Motor Company $200 Cash JR LINCOLN Clifton Springs NY LVSR

45 Salisbury Ridgerunners $200 Cash BRAD RASHA Rome NY WEST ROME RIDERS

46 Seneca Sledders $200 Cash BILL ROHRER BERKSHIRE NY GROTON RIDGE RUN

47 Washington Cty Assn. $200 Cash LEXI BOROWSKI CALLICOON CTR NY DELAWARE VALLEY

48 Wyoming Cty Federation $200 Cash GEORGE SPARKS Holly NY GEN SNO-PACKERS

49 Cayuga Cty Snow Assoc $150 Cash MARIO DABBRACCIO MAHOPAC NY HAGUE SNOGOERS

50 Tailwater Lodge 1 nights lodging & hot breakfast BETH LEWIS RICHMONDVILLE NY Sharon Pathfinders

51 Tioga Ridge Runners Snow Club $100 Cash SHAUNA ALKINBURGH TICONDEROGA NY Adirondack Trailriders

WINNERS! WINNERS!



As the unified voice for NY Snowmobiling, NYSSA works year-round to promote

the sport and protect the trails needed for winter enjoyment. NYSSA is recognized

and accepted in Albany, across the state, and nationally as the organization that

represents the rights and needs of New York’s snowmobilers.

PO Box 1040, Pine Bush, NY 12566-1040

888-624-3849 / Fax 888-317-2441

E-mail: [email protected]

www.nysnowmobiler.com

NYSSA VI NT AGE SHOW

Club Events are listed on our website: www.nysnowmobiler.com/events

Safety Courses are listed at

http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles/safety-courses.aspx

NYSSA Calendar of Events

May 19 , 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting begins earlier, see agenda

Rusty Rail, 3231 Seneca Turnpike, Canastota, NY

July 14, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.


Aug 25, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.


Sept 29, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.

OnCenter, Big East weekend

Nov 3, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.


Dec 1, 2018 NYSSA Board of Directors Meeting Board meeting at 1 pm.


(11 days after each BOD Meeting).

May 2, 2018

May 30, 2018

July 25, 2018

Sept 6, 2018

Oct 11, 2018

Nov 15, 2018

Dec 12, 2018

NY Snowmobiler Publication Dates:

Save the Date! SLEDNY Educational Forum & Annual Meeting

April 26 - 27 - 28, 2019 Niagara Falls Conference Center

Sheraton at the Falls - Hotel Reservations may be made now!


https://nysnowmobiler.com/events/

http://www.nysparks.com/recreation/snowmobiles/safety-courses.aspx

http://www.facebook.com/#!/NewYorkStateSnowmobileAssociation

http://www.youtube.com/user/NYSSnowmobiler


ride ny trails about safety membership events faq...

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