b'VAST NewsCOUNTY CLUB: WINDSOR COUNTYBy Patty Companik Windsor County at the VAST level and What is a county club? What type ofif they are unable to attend a meeting, support does it provide clubs withinthe alternate director will represent the the county? county. The county trails coordinator VAST is made up of 14 counties inrepresents Windsor County at the Vermont. Each county has its ownVAST trails committee meetings and board. How they are structured andworks very closely with the clubs in the type of support they provide thethe county to ensure grooming occurs, clubs within their county is differentconstruction grant policy requirements for each county. This is a summary ofare met, and just about anything else how Windsor County has structuredto do with trails with the clubs of the the type of support we provide to ourcounty. The assistant trails coordinator clubs. also works closely with the clubs for the same requirements and will attend The Windsor County Club consiststhe VAST trails committee meetings of 18 clubs which representsas the Windsor County representativeWindsor County Clubsapproximately 2500 members. We arewhen the county trails coordinator is the second largest membership countyunable to.Andover Mountaineer Snow Ridersin Vermont and are responsible forThe size of clubs membership versusBarnard Mountain Viewers80 secondary miles and 441 corridorthe clubs mileage responsibility has noBridgewater Sno-Zippersmiles.alignment. There are clubs with 40 to The Windsor County Club is made up50 trail miles they are responsible for,Cavendish GM Snow Fleasrepresentatives of the individual clubsbut they have less than 60 members.Chester Snowmobile Clubin the county. Officers of the countyThere are other clubs with 15 to 20 trailHurricane Ridersare voted on by the clubs in the county.miles they are responsible for, but they We have our own policy and bylawshave over 150 members. Clubs relyHartland Hill Hoppersbut also follow the VAST bylaws andon their membership numbers to helpHawks Mountain Ridge Climberspolicies. The director, one memberwith expenses. of the county officers, represents andIn Windsor county, the history andLittle Ascutney Snowmobile Clubvotes on behalf of Windsor County atfoundation of the County Club is toLong Hill Snowmobile Clubthe VAST board of director meetings. support the entire trail system of theLudlow Side Hill CronchersA county meeting is held once a monthcounty. None of us want to ride the from September through April. Insame 40-50 miles all the time. When wePlymouth Snow SneakersWindsor county, we rotate meetingride, we may be on the trails of severalRidge Climberslocations. A club in the county willdifferent clubs during the course ofSkitchewaug Trail Riderssign up to host a meeting for a specificour adventure that day. It is about the month and that is where we will traveltrail system in our countynot aboutWeathersfield Pathfindersto for the meeting. We are proud to sayone or two clubs. The county worksWest Windsor Moonlightersthat we have a high percentage of theto ensure we can provide support to county clubs engaged and attendingall clubs, no matter their membershipWhite River Valley Ramblersthe monthly meetings. size so you, as the rider, can have anWindsor Sno-TravelersWindsor county held their officerawesome experience.elections for the 2023/2024 Season.Windsor Countys first priority is toshortfalls for the corridor trails in the The officers voted in by the countysupport the secondary trails of thecounty. The VAST grooming contract clubs are: Patty Companik, president;county. There are 80 miles of secondarychanged this year for the corridor Lee Whiting, vice president; Jasontrails in our county. VAST does nottrails, but if a club has met the VAST Phelps, treasurer; Yvonne Rice,provide grooming or constructiongrooming cap and grooming is still secretary; Doug Jacobs, director, Stanfunds for these trails, as their priorityneeded, the clubs work with the Choiniere, alternate director; Barryis the main corridor trails. This iscounty for extra grooming funding.Messer, county trails coordinator; Gregwhere Windsor County steps in.VAST provides clubs a startup Fullerton, assistant trails coordinator;Windsor County provides funding forpayment (percentage of a clubs Mark Walker, board member; and Greggrooming, construction, debrushinggrooming contract) for corridor miles. Riveiro, board member. and signage for the secondary trails inWindsor County has two clubs who The president, vice president, treasurerthe county.only have secondary miles, so they do and secretary at the county levelWhen there are additional fundsnot receive a startup payment from have the same basic roles as do theavailable, the county also providesVAST. Startup payments help with the club officers. The director representssupport on VAST construction grantinitial grooming expenses and these 8 | Snowmobile VERMONT'