ROCKLAND COUNTY RADIO CONTROL CLUB
Minutes of the May 8, 2007 Meeting

Meeting commenced at 8:00 pm at the Zukor Administration Building

Jeff Solomon, President presided

GUESTS
There were two guests:
Mat Lydon
Anthony Spinella

Mike Maresca will sign them up as Provisional Members


MINUTES
Stephen Carrozza read the minutes from the 4-10-07 meeting into the record. The minutes were accepted as presented.

PRESIDENT’S OPENING REMARKS
Jeff Solomon stated that a great deal of work had been done at the field this past weekend. Al Betancourt and Jim McLean made a new stand for the frequency board, and Steve Carrozza & Bob White worked on the tent anchors. The progress is encouraging.

Jeff stated that more effort should be made to train flyers on advanced aircraft.

Jeff stated that things were going well at the heli flight area. He is encouraging members to use it. We are waiting for our last green light from the town.

The date of the proposed Electric Fun Fly is to be coordinated with the AMA sanctioned events calendar and with the Town.

Patron membership – Karen is working on it. Upcoming events at the Clarkstown filed should be opportunities to gain more interest.


VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Al Betancourt invited the Assistant Director of the Clarkstown environmental commission, Mr. Ralph Loria to address the membership.

Mr. Loria stated that he is the “Operator” of the landfill facility. “We are on a capped, inactive hazardous waste site which has twenty seven more years before it (the testing and monitoring) is complete.” The first and only permit which he and the Town issued was for one area of use only. He stated that he must consult with two outside consulting engineering firms in order to make any changes to the original permit. The DEC would stop all activity immediately if there were any problems.

Mr. Loria further stated that he has two principal issue which he will enforce with vigor. These are smoking and roaming around without notifying the office. He stated that he will not tolerate smoking anywhere on the site, including in automobiles due to the presence of methane. And, for security reasons, the office must be notified if a member needs to find a downed aircraft. There will be no exceptions to these two rules.

Al stated that Mr. Loria has been instrumental in advancing our cause and helping us out with the facility and in lending his support.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Oliver Fuchs read the current Club assets into the record.

SAFETY OFFICER’S REPORT - None
Bob Greenberg was not present for medical reasons.


FLIGHT LEADER REPORT
Jim Nelson stated that we have done a lot of hard work and the field is beginning to look terrific.
For the balance of May, and the first week of June we will be able to use Congers for float flys between 10:00 and 3:00. There will be a Float Fun-Fly on June 2. Jim mentioned that Carmine finally got his Seawind off the water.

Harvey mentioned that members must not fly by themselves. He also reminded Jim that we must tip the Park attendants $10 each time for moving the boat.


COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Membership - None
RFI Committee - None
Web page - Joe Guzzo stated that he has added the Congers announcements, plus a few articles.
Pilot Qualifications - None
Good and Welfare - None
By-Laws - (no committee yet)


OLD BUSINESS
Jeff Solomon announced that he wished to read the content of his By-laws proposal. He reiterated that the amendment will provide for four (4) new Board positions. These are to be the following:
1. Operations Field Manager
2. Helicopter Flight Leader
3. Helicopter Safety Officer
4. Public Relations Liaison to Clarkstown

Steve Carrozza stated that the Board of Directors did not concur with this proposal for numerous reasons, and that they recommended it not be presented at this time. He stated that the amendments are designed around a specific field arrangement which is not approved or permanent. He also stated that, despite Jeff’s statements the proposal is not necessary for safety. The AMA is very specific as to the duties of the Safety Coordinator, and “Field Police” is specifically excluded. The Safety Coordinator’s duty is the immediate dissemination of important AMA safety information, and to act as a role model. To achieve and police field safety, the Safety Coordinator should appoint field deputies. Carrozza stated that the proposal is little more than a specious and unnecessary effort to gain helicopter specific officers on the board. The result could be a bifurcated organization. All other Board members present concurred.

Jeff read the three page document anyway. The reading lasted for approximately 10 minutes.

There was a floor discussion with a great deal of dissention about the proposed amendments.

Jeff stated that the exact wording will be published on the website.




NEW BUSINESS
A suggestion was made by a member that we begin each meeting with a pledge to the flag. There was some discussion, and a voice vote was taken. The motion passed, but not unanimously.


A Motion was made at 9:07 pm to adjourn, it was seconded, all agreed.



Prepared by SVCarrozza