A Board Meeting of the Raritan Yacht Club was called to order at 19:56 on June 14, 2005.

1. Roll Call

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

Commodore Len Keating

n

x

x

x

x

x

x

o

VC Dave Frizell

o

x

o

x

x

x

x

x

RC Vicky Jo Neiner

x

x

x

x

o

x

x

PC William B. Adams

m

x

x

o

x

x

x

o

Jim Bauer

e

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Richard Codd

e

x

o

x

o

x

x

x

James Mackevich

t

x

x

x

x

o

o

x

Ann Myer

i

x

x

x

x

x

x

o

Skippy Paul

n

x

x

x

o

x

x

x

PC Raoul Rabiner

g

x

x

x

x

o

x

x

Tony O’Reilly

o

o

x

x

x

x

x

Peter Rebovich, Jr.

x

x

o

x

x

o

x

Barry Rosengarten

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Jerry Solas

x

o

x

o

x

x

x

Roger Young

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x = present, o = absent

2. The May minutes were accepted.

3. Shep King presented the Financial Report for the five months ended May 31, 2005. The cash balance at May 31 was $99,854. Excess revenues over expenses YTD were $70,842 vs. $48,693 budgeted. Although expenses were over budget, revenues exceeded budget by about $38,000. Barry asked about the insurance policies, specifically, as to liabilities of contractors and RYC. Dave will refer the question to the Commodore.

4. Dave Frizell presented the Commodore’s Report in Len Keating’s absence.

a. A motion was made that the Board approve the Nominating Committee of 2005 as follows:

PC Bill Adams (ordinarily it would have been Mike Byrne, but he is no longer here)

Nancy Brannegan

Cos Ferretti

Lillian Handerhan

PC Nelson Macan

The motion passed.

5. Dave Frizell presented the Vice Commodore’s Report.

a. Dave distributed the Bar Report as a handout and noted that the Bar is not as profitable as it was at this time last year. Ginger is looking into the difference, as there could be several reasons.

b. Dave Kempf asked that a diagram of the plans approved by the DEP be posted. The system could be purchased in sections. The wave attenuation system could be converted into regular floating docks. It was not known when the Club will here back from the DEP. The current plans include an inside marina area that could accommodate up to ten power boats. This is all within the Club’s riparian grant. Dredging is not included. Vicky questioned whether permits were needed for dredging a few years ago and whether it had been a major problem.

6. Vicky Jo Neiner presented the Rear Commodore’s Report.

a. The original person in charge of launch operations resigned, and Barry volunteered to serve in his place. Launch operator, Paul, suffered a cancer relapse. Mark Rebovich accepted the lead launch operator position. There is an active search for additional launch operators.

b. There is a sister ship letter for Great Beds, which is identical to several other launches, including West Bank at Richmond County YC. The reason to activate the sister ship clause is to permit 26 passengers instead of only 6. There is a problem with finding launch operators to fill all the planned running hours. Member Ray Schmidt volunteered, but he is not qualified to take out passengers. He could be hired for the 11 pm to 7 am shift for security reasons. He could bring people to the dock, but not take them out to boats. It may be necessary to make shift changes. The Sea Scouts had an outboard engine professionally stolen. Tony noted that the primary purpose of the midnight shift is to prevent theft. Barry stated that some members have volunteered. Steve Gillooly will give an 8 hour course for volunteer launch operators.

c. Pilings and bulkhead were completed under budget. Some dry rot is being replaced, including that in the railings.

d. Several groups, including the police, insurance agents, and the US Coast Guard, have asked that the boat involved in the barge accident not be moved from its site in the yard. Barry offered to donate to RYC any proceeds he receives from the salvage of the boat. There may be proceeds from the insurance company equal to the value of the boat. Dave stated that the Club should not accept anything resulting from the incident, as it would be against the RYC Credo. Instead, the boat should go back to the original owner.

e. Jim asked when we would get the launch recalibrated for 22-26 passengers. Vicky noted that it may take three months for the Karl Gilman. The Club has a temporary COI for this launch. Vicky also stated that any potential for a used or new launch for this season was gone as of Memorial Day. Only about ten launches are built each year by a total of three companies. Regarding new launches, Crosby offered to deliver a new one by sixty days, but the other two companies would not have one until the spring of 2006. Another problem is that the current Yanmar 76 engine is no longer acceptable to the EPA because of emission standards. Great Beds was built by Fortier. The older Fortier launches had a capacity of 26 persons, but the newer ones have a capacity of 22 persons.

7. Old Business.

At a special meeting of the RYC Board of Governors on May 26, 2005, the following three-part resolution was passed: (1) Acquire a new, heavy launch for up to $85,000 from the Sinking Fund. (2) Authorize the acquisition of a used, Coast Guard-certified launch. Fund this purchase from the Sinking Fund, and return these monies to the Sinking Fund in 2005 or 2006 upon the sale of this launch or, if decided, one of the other launches. (2) Assure that the Club's launch operation complies with all US Coast Guard regulations. Limit the capacity of Great Beds to six passengers, until it is certified.

8. New Business.

a. Jack Buzzi spoke about the Juvenile Diabetes Fund Raiser. So far, a major sponsor has not been acquired. There will be an auction Friday night.

b. Tony made a motion that if you sign in a guest you are responsible for the guest’s bill. A discussion ensued and several comments were made, including, that Slavko needed to do more to collect the bill, that not many people eat on Wednesday evenings, that the problem is with the service, and that cash should not be accepted. Upon request, the motion was tabled.

c. Dave made a motion to make known to the owner of Never Say Never (the vessel involved in the barge accident) that RYC is not in the salvage business and to return the boat to the owner unless he does not want it. There was a discussion that involved who owned the boat, and it was pointed out that Barry had a salvage claim on the boat, but was not the owner. It was also noted that Barry had complied with RYC rules involving this emergency situation and had used Club facilities at the request of the police and Coast Guard. Several Board members stated that, in the past, in situations where boats have been rescued from bridges, rocks, etc. or in Scott Wolfersberger’s case, the boats have been returned to the owners. Barry described the recovery of the upside down boat from the water and commented that it is clear there is ample reason to store the boat in the yard. He added that he had given notification that this was a salvage operation, and the insurance company recognized him as the lead salvager.

d. Barry made a motion regarding insurance issues. Since Commodore Len Keating, who has responsibility for insurance matters, was not present, Barry tabled the motion until the next meeting.

e. Tony reminded everyone that there was a need for launch operators.

f. Jim Mackevich questioned whether RYC should plan on a steel bulkhead, since there is worm damage to wooden bulkheads. Jack Buzzi noted that the Club is allowed 18” in front of the current bulkhead, but the next time a replacement will have to go behind, which will be very difficult.

g. A suggestion was made to modify the launch hours: eliminate the 11 pm to 7 am shift for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. It was noted that people sometimes return late on Sunday. Another suggestion was to install a white board at the cupola.

h. Pete reminded that Board that several meetings ago there was a discussion involving obtaining criminal background checks on RYC employees. Dave offered to find out what could be done, how much it would cost, and what information could be obtained.

9. Roger discussed the coming issue of TellTales.

10. The meeting was adjourned at 22:10.

Respectfully Submitted,

Fred Hartner

Secretary

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