OXFORD – The Rock-O-Dundee Riders Snowmobile Club is in high gear, anticipating a “banner year” in snowfall.

The directors met in early August with the building committee and it was agreed that the club is not ready for the addition to the building, well and septic system at this time. Members agreed to make the clubhouse safer by cutting through the rear cement wall and putting in a second exit and changing the existing doors to open out.

On eight put in the rear door and step and a “doghouse” entry will be built over the stairs soon. The two other doors were changed to make a safer building.

Trailmaster Todd Schmeiks has some planning and work already with help from his assistant, Dan Dubois. The trail crossing on Route 26 near Oxford Homes will be moved north a few hundred feet and cross into the woods north of Schiavi Homes.

The club has scheduled a landowners’ appreciation dinner for Sunday, Oct. 22, and will send invitations out in the Oxford area. There will be guests from the Maine Snowmobile Association and the state Department of Conservation and some form of entertainment.

Members met Sept. 6 for a potluck supper. During the business meeting, they discussed building safety, the MSA survey, landowner relations, public suppers and scholarships. Club members favor increased registration cost for snowmobiles, with a discount for club members.

One trail area in East Oxford has been used as a dump this summer. Members will contact the landowner, clean up the area and discuss closing access from the road. They will also contact the town in order to get the dumping fees waived to clean up the items.

Due to poor snow conditions and low sled registrations last season, finances were down. However, the club spent as much money as usual preparing trails and bridges and will go through similar expenses again this fall. They will hold three or four public suppers and possibly a Valentine’s dance to raise money to help offset the lack of grant dollars.

The first public supper, roast beef with the fixings, will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Cost for adults will be $6 and children under 12, $3.

The club awarded two $500 scholarships. Membership was down to 53 last season, and they will make an effort to get back to at least 80 this season. There are approximately 400 sleds registered in Oxford. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month on Paine Road, East Oxford.