Woodbridge Township Senior Billiards Club
February 14, 2024, Meeting Minutes
PRESIDENT – Steve Sharkey, (1st VICE PRESIDENT – Joseph Keber, excused),
2nd VICE PRESIDENT– Pat Trombetta, TREASURER – Joseph Cafaro, SECRETARY – Joseph Onuska
Steve Sharkey called the general meeting of the WTSBC to order at the Woodbridge Community Center at 1:35 PM, with an attendance of fifty active members which is a quorum. Steve thanked the members present for attending the meeting and wished them a Happy Valentine Day. Attendance sheet attached.
Pledge of Allegiance: - Lou Algaze Led the pledge to the flag.
A moment of silence in remembrance of Jerry Granato Ernie Balestracci, and all our deceased members .
Officer Roll Call: Joseph Onuska - Joseph Keber excused all Officers are present.
Secretary’s Report: Joe O.: Steve Sharkey made a request for a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes. A motion made by Ron Blackwell, seconded by Bill Vaughn, and approved unanimously.
Treasurer's Report/Dues: - Joe Cafaro reported there is $10,941.60 in the account. Report Attached. Joe C. also reported that everybody paid their dues for 2024.
President's Report: Steve welcomed the members and announced the Birthday and Anniversary lists for February. We currently have ninety active members. Room attendance for January averaged 25-30 on weekdays and 10-12 on weekends. Steve talked about the club accomplishments for 2023 and mentioned that they have circulated in the town and that the mayor is appreciative of what we have done. The club, founded 20 years ago, is well recognized, and has grown from its original thirty-three members. Steve read from the club’s room protocols.
Pin presentation: On Feb 1st PC Deb had his third 8-on-the -break against Joe Porrello.
Have-A-Heart: Wayne Collins thanked the membership that donated for their contributions. He reported that we have collected $1,290.00 so far for the fundraiser and we are extending the collection until February 24th. Wayne asked that any member that can contribute during this extended period would do so.
CPR-AED Training: Wayne reported that eleven members completed the training on February 7th. and other members will be taking the course soon.
St Patrick’s Day Parade: Harry Witt reported that the parade will be on March 10th. Harry bought candy at a cost of $600.00. Our members will throw candy to the children along the parade route. The town will supply a bus exclusively for our members to return them to the high school after the parade. Our placement in the parade route is yet to be determined. Harry has hats but asked anyone who has a hat from last year to please bring it with you. The float, decorated to celebrate our past members, the twentieth anniversary of our club, and the fiftieth anniversary of the parade will hold twenty members. Members should wear their club apparel and Isish Bling. There will also be a leprechaun in our midst.
Committee Updates:
Membership/Orientation - Steve Sharkey stated that there are five applicants on the waiting list, two of which we will interview later this month.
Fellowship – John Borkowski read from a list of members that the committee has sent cards to or spoken to and those that are in the hospital. Report Attached. Jerry Granato jr. and Diane Walker talked about how Jerry Granato sr. and Ernie Balestracci loved the club and thanked the membership for being there when they passed.
Maintenance/Supplies – Steve Jimenez & Lou Algaze: Thanked the members for their cooperation in helping keep the room clean. No Report.
9-Ball: Steve: Starts on March 26, and runs till June 12th.
Triple Play sheets: Wayne will collect the sign-up sheets today, and the games will be on February twenty-first.
Nolan tournament: signup sheets are upstairs on the signup table and the games will be starting March eleventh.
Ed Hodan day: will be on March 23. Ed will spend a couple of hours with us and play against our members. There is a signup sheet in the room for anyone that wants to play.
Family Relative: We are holding off on the date until we hear from the Police and fire to see when they can play so we can set up a date for that tournament.
Perth Amboy Match: Pat has been in contact with Perth Amboy, they have formed a team and would like to have a series of club games with our club.
League matches. Lou Algaze / Ron Blackwell: League games continue and will end in April.
Water/Soda - Angel Rodriguez No Report.
Tournaments/Fundraisers: Wayne reported a change in the tournament requirements. The committee divided tier one into two tiers, tiers 1-A and 1-B. There is a minimum number of four entrants in each tier to participate in a major tournament and a minimum of six entrants needed in a tier to participate in the movement between tiers or to receive a trophy. You must also participate in a minimum of three major tournaments over a two-year period to qualify for movement in tier. There will also be a change in the rating system by the end of the year.
Steve S. reported that John DiNapoli and Tom Tsirikos stepped down as temporary chairs of the tournament committee and Wayne Collins has taken over as chair of the committee. Thanks to John and Tom for their time and talent during their tenure.
20th. Anniversary Party - Pat: To celebrate the club, we will be having a 20th anniversary party on Thursday April 18th, 2024, at the Acacia Youth Center from 1:00pm till 5:00pm. The affair catered by “A Touch of Italy,” and for your dancing and listening pleasure we will have D.J. Mell. This is a BYO event and the cost to members and one guest is FREE and a second guest will cost $25.00. We have eighty-two members and guests signed up so far and we expect the number to climb. Pat talked about how he feels about Frank St. Marie and Chester Kinal and how they started the club together twenty years ago. Pat said that coming to the club makes him feel young and keeps him going. The dress code for the party is casual.
Hospitality - Carol DiPietro/Evelyn Mercado: Thanks to Carol for setting up the coffee and desserts and thanks to John Borkowski’s wife for making a crumb cake and Jerry Granato for bringing in doughnuts.
Audit – Ellen Wortman: No Report.
Bylaws – Wayne Collins: No Report.
Ethics – Wayne Collins: No Report.
Captains – Ron Blackwell: No Report.
Website – Ron Blackwell: Working like hell to get it done.
Club Apparel – Johanna Calamusa and Pat Murphy: No Report. A catalog is upstairs if anyone needs to order any clothing.
Table Maintenance: Pat reported that Steve Jimenez has repaired the pockets on table four and we will not need to purchase new pockets.
Thanks to Pat Murphy for assisting at the meeting today.
Motion to Adjourn made by Manny Valles and seconded by Ken Yaremko at 2:33p.m. and approved unanimously.
Next meeting: March 13, 2023.
Respectfully submitted, Joseph Onuska, Secretary of
"THE BEST CLUB IN TOWN"
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