b'TRAILS REPORTBy Matt Tetreault, VAST Trails AdministratorI am not so certain that this articleprioritize who receives a grant and will expose any literary prowess Iwho does not. VAST typically funds may or may not have as I am deeply12-25 of the grant applications, and rooted into other VAST projects rightthere are always more requests than now. Surprising to many, VAST doesthere is funding. This spring there provide full time work for its 6 fullwere a total of 28 Equipment Grant time employees, and we are busierin Aid Applications submitted with than ever. We are not grooming snowrequests totaling $364,523.00. With a or fielding calls about open trails orbudget of $224,250 VAST was able to TMAs. Although the calls about theapprove 21 of the 28 grants submitted TMAs will probably begin in just aat a reduced amount. This meant few short weeks. What I am statingmore clubs were able to receive aid, very deviously is the fact that I ambut less aid was available for each not going to put a lot of research orcommittee and other meetings, payingclub. The peanut butter was spread time into writing this article for theinvoices and reconciling the books,thinner on the bread to make more summer issue. For those who arepreparing for Annual Meeting. Thesandwiches. This is typical and as a used to reading thousands of wordslist goes on and on but there are tasksresult, a great amount of effort and beneath my picture in this magazine,I have seen in the works the past fewof course adherence to VAST policies I have spared you the expense thisweeks here at VAST. There are manygoes into each decision. There is month, so you can go and partake inmoving parts that keep the lights andalways the follow up paperwork and summertime activities like gardening,air conditioner running in the officeconversations to follow with each swimming, boating, grilling, orall week long. Summer is short andgrant.mowing the lawn.winter will be here again soon.TheseAs soon as the Equipment Grants Some may wonder what is keepingare the things that keep us up at nighthave been reviewed and decisions me so occupied in the 80-degreeif you will and consumes our summermade, the Construction Grant in Aid months of July? Others probablyat VAST.Programs begin so rise to the surface. already know. Most are not thinkingBack to the items consuming my timeThe funding for this program is about hand and toe warmers andcurrently. There are three competitivederived from the sale of each TMA. snowmobiles. The clubs and thegrant programs offered to all VASTThis funding, which ranges from employees in the VAST office are!clubs. Equipment, Construction and$300,000 to $600,000 annually is used We are all working diligently toDebrushing. The names pretty muchto aid clubs in the maintenance and ensure that the TMA funds are beingtell the tale of what each programconstruction of their trail system.Like put back into the trails through therepresents, but here is just a little morethe Equipment Grants there are VAST various grant in aid programs weinformation about each. policies that provide a prioritization offer to the clubs. This is what keepsto the plethora of projects submitted. me occupied during the hot JulyThe VAST Equipment Grant inThere are generally not as many months.Aid Program is funded throughformulas used to determine grant Snowmobile Registrations and Gasamounts for construction as there All of the employees are busy, helpingTax Funds which are funneled (forare for equipment. We generally try to review projects, managing grantslack of a better term) through theto fund the construction requests at from the USDA Forest Service,State of Vermont Department of100% (unless there is some known or managing the LVRT in cooperationForest Parks and Recreation. Thisobvious reason to reduce the funding with VTrans, summarizing TMA salesfunding, which ranges from $148,000amount). VAST typically funds and statistics from the 2021 season,to $300,000 annually is used to aid130-225 Construction Grant in Aid working on grant applications for ourclubs in the purchase of new and/orapplications annually, and there are funding sources (RTP), adding newused grooming equipment, includingalways more requests than there is features to our database, replenishingpower units and drags or to enablefunding available. Are you noticing a the sign inventory at the office,them to make costly repairs to theirtrend here? making updates to the maps thatexisting equipment. Power unitsThis spring there were a total of will print again this fall, solicitingrange from $30,000 for a class 3 piece167 Construction Grant in Aid advertisers for Snowmobile Vermontto $300,000 for a class 1. Drags rangeapplications submitted with requests Magazine, working with accountantsfrom $9,000 for used to $30,000 newtotaling $740,000. With a budget on the comprehensive single federaland repairs are, well, all over theof $460,000 there are some tough audit we undergo annually, workingplace. You can imagine a machine thatdecisions that are ahead. This is on the FY 22 budget, working withcosts $300,000 new requires more thanwhere most of my time will go; our insurance company to obtaina few nickels and dimes to repair.reviewing (sometimes in person), trails liability insurance for theThere are multiple formulas used toand prioritizing these Construction coming season, attending multiple 12 | Snowmobile VERMONT'