Delaware SeaSide Railroad Club, Inc.
Monthly Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2016
South Coastal Library, Bethany Beach, DE
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by John Hodges, Engineer. Board members present included John Hodges, Engineer; Joe “Doc” Dougherty, Fireman; John Martin, Ticket Master; Frank Mack, Conductor and John Weisel, Dispatcher. John Martin was excused after his report.
23 members were in attendance.
Monthly Officers Reports
o Engineer
John asked for a moment of silence to remember Ralph Umsted, who passed away February 22nd. Discussed and agreed to return Ralph’s dues as a donation to his church as noted in his obituary. He asked Bill Mixon for a report on Bob Hodges, who said that Bob had been at the club last Wednesday and on Friday, was back in Beebe Hospital. He had not done dialysis for several days and now has fluid on the lungs. He also has poor circulation in his legs and may need further surgery. He asked for visitors or phone calls (302-645-3300). Bill mentioned that Lynne Hooker is in Temple University hospital in Philadelphia, and is having surgery on Thursday, for removal of a tumor on her kidney.
o Fireman
Doc mentioned he has received a lot of HO donations.
o Ticket Master
John Martin reviewed the February 2016 financials. Checking balance $7,082 & savings $11,786.
o Conductor
Frank reported membership renewals at 44 prior to the meeting. A Get Well card for Lynne is going around for signing and will send Bob Hodges a card next week.
o Dispatcher
John indicated he has sent club visiting information to all 9 Cheer’s centers in Sussex County, and will be sending letters to the local nursing homes to set up a visit. Has also posted information on the Bethany Beach web site, and is looking into other community sites. With the help of his wife, is working on accessing Facebook thru community web sites. Bill Mixon said the club has a Facebook page, DSRC, and member needs to “like” it then “share” it. David Lawrence mentioned to check with Elaine at Georgetown Public Library for information on the handicap groups that visit the Christmas train display.
Train Committee Report:
G – Nelson Davison: Progress. Have the switches for the upper yard and are starting wiring.
O – Bill Ziegler: Will be cutting cork roadbed into 3” wide strips. Have done a rough track plan and will start putting roadbed down. Tom Bradley suggested contacting Trains & Lanes in Easton, Pa. for O54 gauge track.
S – John Hodges: Holding off on track changes at this time with work in process on both the G & O gauge layouts.
HO – Tom Bradley: Spent time cleaning track from dust generated by sanding on the G & O gauge layout. Will be adding a “kill” switch to one siding.
N – Bill Gluth: Working on the layout at home. Adding homosote and track (3 lines), and should be back at the club in 2 weeks. Currently using his own track and was asked to keep track of expenses, as there was no budget set up.
Note – Doc Dougherty asked that while working on the layouts, to be mindful of dust being generated and someone should be vacuuming especially when sanding.
‘CLUBHOUSE’ Committee – David Lawrence:
o February activity report is attached
o David mentioned that he is stepping down as chairperson and looking for someone to take over.
o March signup sheet is on the table.
o Doc Dougherty mentioned again that it is the gauge chairman’s responsibility to have coverage for their layout. Tom Bradley stated he would not be calling anyone as it goes against how he feels. John Hodges stated that he is not going to mandate to any chairman about providing staffing for the club, and ultimately it is his responsibility.
o Jim O’Brien asked about a sponsor envelope he had placed in the mail slot at the club. Doc Dougherty indicated that one of the locked lockers has had a slot installed to deposit sealed and identified envelopes, and that the Treasurer has a key to pick up the deposits. To date, nothing has been picked up, and John Hodges asked Frank Mack to check out what is in there for processing.
o Doc Dougherty indicated he would utilize the “loaned” case we have to display train items that would be For Sale at the club. It needs some repairs and casters added for accessibility. Also, club members will be able to sell their own stuff, but will need to go thru Doc. Bill Ziegler raised the issue of people thinking that train items in the other cases thru out the club were also for sale, although they aren’t. Doc indicated he would label all other cases with “Not For Sale” signs.
Fundraising Committee Report – Bill Mixon:.
o Bill indicated that 47 renewal letters had been sent out to last year’s sponsors, and are seeing a good return. Currently have 19 sponsors, of which about 6 are new for this year.
Old Business:
o Outreach – Scouts:
· David Lawrence indicated that club members met with John Moore, Scout Master of Troop 89 from Millsboro on March 2nd to discuss a merit badge program for general railroading. All 6 scouts in the troop want to participate in the program, and we as a club need to come up with what we would do to help with the program.
o Seaford Museum Display – wrap-up
· Bill Ziegler indicated we had 9 volunteers for set-up on Friday, 4-5 operating the layout on Saturday and 8 for take-down. Everything is packed back in the van, all went well and we received a $150 donation from the fire company.
o Investigation of ‘Sale of Items’ from club premises:
· John Hodges indicated that the Town of Dagsboro has no business license fee for Non-Profit Corporations like us. Only remaining question is…Do we still need to submit an application for a license? Also, as a Non-Profit Corporation, we are exempt from obtaining a Delaware business license and paying the accompanying gross receipts tax on the sale of goods.
o Birthday Party @ the Club:
· John Hodges checked with our insurance carrier and we are good to go on hosting a child’s birthday party on Saturday, April 9th from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm, and will ask for a $100 donation.
New Business:
o DSRC Roxana Spring Show – Sign-Up:
· Bill Ziegler indicated signup sheets will be at the next meeting, April 12th.
· 74 tables are sold, so we are sold out.
· Plan to put the 2 “For Sale” layouts in the same room as the O-gauge display.
o Hartley Show – Saturday, April 16th
· Set-up/Operate/Take-down all on the same day…leave around 6:30 AM.
Our next meeting is April 12th, at the South Coastal Library, 7 PM.
Adjourn to Post business activities @ 8:10 PM
David Lawrence Monthly Activities Review
Respectfully submitted: Frank Mack, Conductor (Secretary)