Amston Lake District
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
July 2nd, 2008 7:00 P.M.
ALA Clubhouse, Woodacres Rd., Amston, Ct.
A. Roll Call of Officers and Directors
Present:
Dave O’Brien, President
John Connor, Director
Dave Arnold, Director
Dave Martin, Clerk
Sherri-Ann Martin, Director
Ray DeCormier, Treasurer
Drew Gibson, Director
Mark Paul, Vice President
Lynn Mika, Director
Also Present:
Reggie Miles, Lake Manager
Eileen Curtin, Tax Collector
Joanne Wool, Recording Secretary
B. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m by Dave O’Brien, President
C. Recognition Of Guests
Arthur Grogan, 58 Ames Rd.
ALD Board asked town to inspect compost pile to make sure it was not contaminating the lake water. It was inspected and pile was found to be properly maintained. Inspector apologized for any inconvenience caused. Mr. Grogan was given details of complaint by the Board..
Cindy Matejek, Cove Rd.
Upset by no trespassing signs on docks and wanted to know the reason they were put there. Residents had used the docks at Lollipop for several years and had paid for the new ones. Board members had mixed views on this issue. One felt since they were rented this year, they should only be used by renters, another expressed the liability issues involved, and several felt that there should be some warning like “use at your own risk” .A discussion will be held under the dock committee report.
Sean Hunter, 42 Bass Lake Rd.
Due to high cost of having a security company patrol on weekends ($8,000) he suggested having residents take over the job for a decreased amount of money. He now works for Ace Security and is licensed, and would consider doing this on an independent basis. He will do up a proposal and present to board at another board meeting.
Scott Forgue, 277 Deepwood
139 Deepwood continuance by town. Due to wetlands issue the residents of Francis Rd. were disappointed the Board did not represent them. Scott requested board take a stand on this issue and send letter to developer requesting not to build. Board asked Reggie Miles to contact George Knoecklien and request he send a letter to the town PZC commission.
D. Approval of Minutes
Mark Paul requested a change under C. Recognition of Guests paragraph 3, to “we can suggest changes made to the town zoning regulations and work with the towns in this matter.” Also the correction of several typo’s in the minutes. Mark Paul made a motion to accept the minutes with changes and John Connor seconded. All in favor. Minutes were approved.
E. Receive Clerk’s Report
No Report.
F. Presentation of Correspondence and Communication
Lebanon: Amston Lake Sewer Mtg.
Dave Arnold: Confirmation of one million dollar liability insurance
Dave Arnold: Agenda procedures
Dave Arnold: Dam leakage
Kevin Grady: Dumping at Ellsmere and algae at Dick Begins house
Mark Paul: Homeowners Manual, May draft
Mark Paul: Weed committee recommendations
Lynn Mika: Illegal paddleboat parking
Scott Forgue: Fishing
John Nastasia: Thank you to board. Fishing information
Town of Hebron: Compost pile is properly maintained.
Lynn Mika: Dam painted due to vandalism
Dave O’Brien: Storm drain action items in Hebron
Ray DeCormier: Communications from his home
Dave Arnold: Dock configuration
Jo Wool: Web site recommendations
Mike Smith: Web site recommendations
Reggie Miles: Posting of handicapped signs
Michael Boyle: Complaint regarding neighbor
Dave O’Brien: Fireworks control letters to towns
Dave Arnold: Dock installation
Dave Arnold: Notices to dock slip renters
Dave O’Brien: Wendell’s building moratorium letter
CIRMA: Reports as of 5-31-08
Dave Arnold: Possible fireworks damage to docks
Dave O’Brien: Last month’s President’s report
Dave O’Brien: Copy of Kevin Grady letter
Dave O’Brien: Copy of Mary Lou & Michael Misiewicz letter
G. Receive President’s Report
Dave O’Brien received e-mail from John Nastasia thanking the board for their help in allocating a dock slip so he will be able to fish in the early morning hours. Dave expressed the boards’ gratitude to the dock committee for all their hard work in getting the docks up and running. He also had the names changed on all the district accounts.
H. Receive and act on Treasurer’s Report
Ray DeCormier thanked Dave Arnold for his outstanding work as past Treasurer. Ray has looked into various accounting packages and has purchased MS Office Accounting package and is in the process of setting it up. He expects to be operational in September. In the meantime, he will continue to use MS Excel. Ray discussed Treasurers report. $6,000 needs to be moved over to Lebanon Roads Fund as that is specifically taxed. A motion was made by Dave Arnold to approve the Treasurers Report and seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor. Report accepted.
Per Dave Arnold, we now have an extra one million of liability insurance for about $1,000.00. The board feels this is a very prudent move. Also per Dave Arnold, Bonnie Geysen has sent a questionnaire which is new to the audit. Some questions need to the reviewed by the new Treasurer and the President because it may change some procedures now being used.
I. Tax Collectors Report
Eileen Curtin presented her report. June deposit was $4,727.21, which represented $2,966.16 for the current tax year. 92 liens were filed in June.
Tax records need to be kept 15 years. Backup is at QDS. She described her process and the verification steps. Eileen also suggested we check with the state to see if we are eligible to receive reimbursement for statutory exemptions listed on tax bills. The towns now get reimbursed but the district does not.
J. Receive Standing and Special Committee’s Reports
1. Dam – Dave Arnold stated there is a leak on the beach side of the dam. Reggie Miles stated there is a depression on the top of dam which also indicates a leak. Leaks erode soil which causes a depression. Reggie suggested a procedure very similar to what was done on other side of dam. Excavate with a small machine, find leak, install trap rock to create a trench dam, and then install a pipe. This will reduce the chance of more material being washed away. Recommendation has been submitted to dam engineer. Reggie has contacted Mike Ray Excavations for an estimate. Ball park estimate was $5,000.00 from Reggie.
2. Storm Drains – Dave O’Brien met with Andy Terney on June 12th. Received recommendations from engineering study. Board now looking into action items from the study. Exploring option to work with town and Dr. Knoecklein in a lab type situation. Research what goes into lake and compared it to what happens. Also discussing sediment removal at H6. Board is asking for town assistance from town budget. Andy will investigate and get back to Dave O’Brien. ALD would assist in obtaining the permits for this work. Mark Paul assumes we will get George Knoecklein’s input. Lynn Mike asked what the goal is. Dave O’Brien stated to remove sedimentation, then test and check results. Reggie Miles stated he does not feel dredging is the best solution for this problem. He stated there is little to no algae there, and dredging would kill the all the plant life on the bottom. He recommended the board consider hydro raking. Dave Martin made a motion to approve $1,000.00 for dredging permit at H6 contingent on town of Hebron providing the materials. Mark Paul seconded. All in favor except Lynn Mike who abstained. Motion passed.
Board looking at Vortex System for H11 and H13. Reggie Miles described methods of creating retention ponds to trap sediments. Dave O’Brien asked Reggie to work with George Knoecklein to provide a plan of action for these areas.
3. Lebanon Wastewater Study - Dave Martin states this is in implementation stage now. No further action at this time. There is a special meeting on July 8, at 9:00.
4. Drinking Water - No report from Sherry Martin. Mark Paul brought up a Journal Inquirer article from 7/1/08 regarding questions on contamination at the possible sites for new wells. He suggests we work with the town on this. The water company has obtained permits to draw water from three wells surrounding the Lake District. The town feels that there could be possible contaminations of some or all of the wells and has requested a hearing. Sherry Martin will contact the water company to additional details. Sherri will distribute information to board. Since the board feels this is an important issue, Ray DeCormier will distribute information via the Announce Group to residents.
5. Boats and Rafts – Lynn Mike stated Mike Smith, Carl Wool, Dave Arnold, and herself rearranged the docks. They are all rented and paid for except one.
Issue for closing off the docks was discussed. Lynn Mika for, Dave Martin stated, district residents paid for the docks and they should be open to the public. Mark Paul and Drew Gibson agreed. John Connor asked if we need some kind of sign. No final decision was made. Slip contract has size limit on boats due to the limited space. Max. 141/2 feet long and six feet wide. There is now a waiting list for slips. If you wish to be put on this list you must state so in writing and send to the ALD post office box. A lottery application for slip rental will be put in the October newsletter for next years drawing.
There was some interest from residents to purchase the old docks located at Lollipop parking lot. Dave Arnold recommended an auction. Reggie Miles has started taking them apart and cautions that they were hand made out of makeshift materials and anyone who purchases them should do so at their own risk. Lynn Mika made a motion to auction off the old docks. Drew Gibson seconded the motion. All board members voted in favor. Motion passed. No date was set for auction.
6. Weeds – Mark Paul discussed finalized recommendations on herbicides application for this year. Recommended are Lollipop, Lollipop Cove, and H-6. Application of sites to be done in the fall. Monitoring sites will be done during the summer before treatment to make sure no changes have occurred. Also to make sure no other sites might need to be considered. Hand pulling was again brought up by Mark Paul. If done, there would have to be careful planning since anything you pull up now will not be able to be treated in the fall. Dave Martin suggested leaving weeds to grow fully to be treated in the fall.
7. Communications – Ray DeCormier stated Dave O’Brien will still be approving all information placed on the web site. Also stated that the Announce Group has been a success.
K. Lake management
Reggie Miles read his Lake Manager’s Report to the Board. The barley straw is working well. Board will have other areas checked out this summer for consideration for barley treatment next year. Ecoli testing will be done on Lebanon side at next big rain event. Testing on beaches has been good. Herbicide permit has not come in yet but should be in soon. Secchi depth is 18 feet. This is an improvement from last year.
L. Act on Remaining Items of Agenda….
Old Business
1. Handicapped Parking Status:
Reggie Miles needs appropriate poles. Will obtain and have signs installed by next meeting.
M. New Business
1. Administrative start up costs for Treasurer:
Ray DeCormier expressed need for additional costs to connect, for internet access, his secondary home. After Board discussion, it was agreed that this is to be taken out of the increase in Treasurers fee already approved by the board.
2. Permit for H6 work: Already discussed.
3. Procedures for Management of Employees: Tabled. Reggie Miles brought up possible alternatives to security guard payments. This will be put on next meeting’s agenda.
4. Bylaws Change/Recording Secretary definition: This will be incorporated into the Amston Lake District Manual, under Bylaws which is now being updated and will be voted on by the residents at a special meeting.
5. Herbicide Use Recommendations: Already discussed.
6. Process to review and adopt ALD Ordinances: Mark Paul needs to verify latest version of Bylaws. Are their other items to be addressed, i.e. zoning, water shed? A small non-quorum group is to meet this month to discuss and make additions and corrections. Goal is to create a Board consensus draft. Then have our attorney review. Then present to the residents for comment. Finally, have a district vote.
7. Procedures to amend the Agenda between Meetings: Dave Arnold presented the draft. Dave Arnold made a motion to accept draft as written. Mark Paul seconded. All in favor. Not voting, Sherri Ann Martin who was not seated at the time. Motion passes.
8. Changing ALD Boundaries to include Colchester: Letter from Bush Rock Rd. resident received. Colchester resident has lake rights grandfathered. The resident would like to know if the grandfathered clause would apply to someone purchasing home if sold. Dave O’Brien will check with Larry Zimmerman and Wendell Snell on background to this situation. There is another developed Colchester lot on lake but it has no lake rights at present. Need to look into a plan to talk to Colchester. Board would need district approval to expand boundaries. Board will check with the Colchester planner to get map of area. Scott Forgue stated this should have a broader approach and we should consider the north side of the lake as well. Motion made by Sherry Martin to have executive session regarding Arthur Grogan request. Seconded by Mark Paul.
Executive session begins at 10:30
Executive session ends at 10:45
Drew Gibson requested permission to have a fire pit on Main Beach for the ALIA Clambake and the firing of pottery a week or two later. Board gave permission as long as pit is filled in between the two events to avoid any liability exposure.
N. Prepare Agenda for Next Meeting
1. Misiewicz Letter
2. Security by residents
3. Fireworks hazard on ALD property
O. Adjournment
Mark Paul moved for adjournment and Ray DeCormier seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 pm.
Respectfully Submitted, Joanne Wool, Recording Secretary