Amston Lake District
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
January 7th, 2009 7:00 P.M.
ALA Clubhouse, Wood Acres Rd., Amston, Ct.
A. Roll Call of Officers and Directors
Present:
Dave O’Brien, President
Dave Martin, Clerk
Dave Arnold, Director
Lynn Mika, Director
Mark Paul, Vice President
Absent:
Drew Gibson, Director
John Connor, Director
Sherri-Ann Martin, Director
Ray DeCormier, Treasurer
Also Present:
Carl Wool, Off-Season Caretaker
Joanne Wool, Recording Secretary
B. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:13 p.m. by Dave O’Brien, President
C. Recognition of Guests
None present
D. Approval of Minutes
Mark Paul moved to approve the minutes as written and Dave Arnold seconded. Dave Arnold and Mark Paul approved. Dave Martin and Lynn Mika abstained. Minutes accepted.
E. Receive Clerk’s Report
Dave Martin has requested to step down from the Clerk position stating he has no time to do a proper job. Dave Arnold will consider applying for this position. Board will discuss with full Board at next meeting.
F. Presentation of Correspondence and Communication
12/4 Sherri-Ann Martin: regarding Charles Arnold Property
12/5 Dave O’Brien: regarding State Police coverage on July 4th
12/7 John Connor: regarding Charles Arnold Property
12/9 Dave O’Brien: regarding firework rules and draft fireworks notice
12/10 Dave O’Brien: status on Northeast Cove
12/10 Dave Arnold: call from Reggie Miles
12/10 Dave O’Brien: regarding State Police feedback
12/11 Dave Arnold: Dam monitoring
12/11 Dave O’Brien: Dam monitoring
12/11 Jo Wool: December minutes & 2009 ALIA meeting dates
12/11 Carl Wool: Dam monitoring, rogue floats
12/12 Dave O’Brien: Northeast Cove notes
12/13 Ray DeCormier to Mark Paul: regarding Manion Lane Project
12/14 Carl Wool: Manion Lane Project
12 15 CIMRA insurance claim reports
12/15 Dave O’Brien to Drew Gibson: regarding professional fireworks display
12/15 Dave O’Brien to Ray DeCormier: regarding Manion Lane Project
12/15 Sherri-Ann Martin: regarding Lebanon special meeting
12/16 Ray DeCormier to Jan Wislocki
12/16 Dave Arnold: call from Reggie Miles
12/17 Dave Arnold : Karl Acimovic letter
12/17 Dave O’Brien: regarding road repair
12/17 Dave Arnold: dam application for repair
12/17 Mike Smith: web site additions
12/17 Sherri-Ann Martin: Town of Lebanon & Sewers on Amston Lake info
12/29 Dave Arnold: info on dam repair meeting
12/30 Sherri-Ann Martin: Lebanon Taxes info
12/30 Dave O’Brien: add Lebanon Taxes info to agenda
1/5/09 Dave O’Brien: regarding letter to Dino Pezzimenti, Storm water Specialist Engineer
12/5 Dave O’Brien to Carl Wool: requesting Manion Lane project added to Caretaker Report
12/7 Dave Arnold: regarding motion for meeting
12/7 Sherri-Ann Martin: WPCA notification
12/7 Mike Smith: web site updates
12/7 Dave O’Brien to Dino Pezzimenti
G. Receive President’s Report
Dave O’Brien stated application and fee for DEP dredging permit has been mailed. Dave discussed Dr. Knoecklein’s correspondence with the Board. Lebanon is looking for applicants for WPCA committee. Dave is hopeful someone from the Lake will volunteer so we can be represented on this committee and he will speak with Mike Smith regarding sending out an announce group message on this issue. The Board is looking into setting up a data base system for Board and resident information. Dave issued a big thank you to Larry Zimmerman and Mike Smith for their time in assisting the Board.
H. Receive and Act on Treasurer’s Report
Dave Arnold made a motion to postpone discussion and review of the Treasurers Report due to Ray DeCormier’s absence until the February meeting. Seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor. (Exhibit H)
I. Tax Collectors Report
Tax Collector’s report was read by Dave Martin due to Eileen Curtin’s absence. (Exhibit I).
J. Receive Standing and Special Committee’s Reports
1. Dam – Dave Arnold discussed Emergency Dam Coverage document and providing adequate coverage. Carl Wool will read document and consider taking on this task. Task will be defined at February meeting. Certificate of Notice was sent to DEP, and the towns of Lebanon and Hebron. Permit was acquired for the dam repair. The Permit Application booklet was given to Carl Wool to review and take notes on and then will be passed around to all Board members for review. Dave Arnold noted stones have fallen off arch at duck pond due to heavy rains, and arch is degrading. Dave gave a presentation to the Board, with maps and diagrams, regarding suggestions for the duck pond dam and main dam repair. Leaks have been treated with sawdust at the main dam and this procedure has seemed to cut the flow. The Board will consider and research putting in French drains and on the duck pond they will check with the state to see if the spillway can be eliminated. The Board also discussed doing the work over a period of time and suggestions for preventive maintenance.
2. Storm Drains – Dave O’Brien sent a letter and background information to an engineer and will provide feedback when engineer evaluates the information sent.
3. Lebanon Wastewater Study – Dave Martin stated the town of Lebanon approved an ordinance to establish a WPCA committee within the town. They will be looking at zoning regulations. Dave Martin will draw up a draft article to place on the web site for the residents’ review.
4. Drinking Water – No report. Mark Paul mentioned that the other well was approved by the Town of Hebron. There are now three wells available in Hebron.
5. Boats and Rafts – Lynn Mika stated applications for boat slips for summer,2009, are five at Main Beach and six at Lollipop. Since Carl Wool has salvaged two floats so far this year that were drifting in the lake, owners unknown, Dave Arnold suggested placing stickers on all floats for ID purposes. After some discussion Dave Arnold made a motion to require annual stickers are given to residents who own rafts for ID purposes. Mark Paul seconded. Dave Arnold and Mark Paul were in favor. Dave Martin and Lynn Mika opposed. Dave O’Brien abstained. Motion did not pass, but Dave O’Brien requested this issue be put on the agenda for next month to discuss.
6. Weeds – No Report. Mark Paul indicated the Board will need to estimate the amount of weed treatment, if any, (will do evaluation first), for the budget figures for 2009/10.
7. Communications- No Report
8. Ordinances – Mark Paul made a motion to accept the Homeowners’ Manual with ordinances as written in the final draft. Dave Arnold seconded. Mark Paul then read a list of suggested changes provided by residents and Board members. Each was discussed by the Board and alterations were made. Dave Arnold then made a motion to adopt all proposed changes to the ordinances as discussed tonight. Dave Martin seconded. A vote to accept/reject both motions was made by Dave Martin and seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor.
9. Security – No Report
K. Lake Management
Carl Wool gave his report including the tasks that were accomplished during the month. (Exhibit K). Security signs purchased and being used on vehicles. Quote for Begin Landscaping was submitted and approved to remove several trees and brush from the main dam area. Vandex construction has re-graded and spread process on Manion Lane in Hebron. Repair due to severe rain wash-out. Tree growing on duck pond dam was removed according to DEP guidelines. The Board requested Carl complete a security outline for the summer months which includes resident participation. He suggested pre-assembly of boat racks during the slow winter months to be installed in the spring at designated locations. This is a pre-existing budget expense. The Board requested cost figures for material and will discuss at the next meeting. He is also to provide cost for anchors, which were purchased two years ago, and anything else needed to install the swimming buoys this year for summer use.
L. Act on Remaining Items of Agenda….Old Business
1. Lake Goals Built into a Work Plan: Mark Paul indicated more Board input is needed before a decision can be made. Ray DeCormier would like to tie the work plan into budget. This issue will be discussed at the next Board meeting.
2. Purchase option for Chuck Arnold lot on Deepwood Drive in Lebanon: Resident is asking
$18,500 for this lot. The Board discussed the pros and cons of this issue. The Board decided
against purchase. Dave O’Brien will send a letter to the resident informing his of their
decision.
3. Vote on ALD Homeowner’s Manual (which includes ordinances): Already done under
Committee Reports number 8, ordinances. Mark Paul showed the board a Homeowners
Booklet used at Lake Warmaug. The Board will use this as a guide for their own. Lynn
Mika agreed to set up the lay-out and Mark Paul will provide the text.
M. New Business
1. Budget Preparation: Dave O’Brien asked all board members to bring numbers to the table
for the February meeting. They will work on budget expenses next month.
2. Lebanon Tax Re-Assessments: Dave Martin stated Sherri met with town assessors. Appeal
was made on their property. Board will provide a list of district property owned on the
Lebanon side and determine if any or all need to be re-evaluated.
N. Prepare Agenda for Next Meeting
1. Treasurer to draft Budget
2. Lake Goals Built into a Work Plan
3. Define assets for budget
4. Emergency Dam Plan
O. Adjournment
Dave Martin moved for adjournment and Mark Paul seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:37 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Joanne Wool, Recording Secretary