Amston Lake District
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
February 4th, 2009 7:00 P.M.
ALA Clubhouse, Wood Acres Rd., Amston, Ct.
A. Roll Call of Officers and Directors
Present:
Dave O’Brien, President
John Connor, Director
Dave Arnold, Director
Mark Paul, Vice President
Ray DeCormier, Treasurer
Sherri Ann Martin, Director
Absent:
Drew Gibson, Director
Dave Martin, Clerk
Lynn Mika, Director
Also Present:
Eileen Curtin, Tax Collector
Carl Wool, Off-Season Caretaker
Joanne Wool, Recording Secretary
B. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Dave O’Brien, President
C. Recognition of Guests
Bob Blackmore, 5 Rondaly Rd. Hebron
Resident stated that there is a major problem on the Hebron side regarding deer roaming into yards and eating any vegetation available. Mr. Blackmore gave the Board a file on different methods of removal and deterrents. The Board will take under advisement.
D. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Dave Arnold to approve the January minutes with a correction under Lake Management “ Manion Lane Hebron to Manion Lane Lebanon”. Mark Paul seconded. All voted in favor. Minutes accepted.
E. Receive Clerk’s Report
No Report.
F. Presentation of Correspondence and Communication
January Correspondence list attached (Exhibit F1)
G. Receive President’s Report
Dave O’Brien stated the State of Connecticut received permit application and will be reviewing.
H. Receive and Act on Treasurer’s Report
Ray DeCormier went over the attached (Exhibit H) report. He discussed the auditing procedure and explained that there will be a new chart of accounts. A motion to accept the Treasurers Report for December and January was made by Mark Paul and seconded by Sherri Ann Martin. All were in favor.
I. Tax Collectors Report
Tax Collectors report was read by Eileen Curtin, (Exhibit I). January deposits totaled $33,467.95. On 2/2 an additional deposit of $7,718.24 was made. Eileen reported a good response to the delinquent notices sent. With the Boards approval, Eileen will proceed with tax auction proceedings on several accounts.
J. Receive Standing and Special Committee’s Reports
1. Dam – Dave Arnold stated the permit for the Main Dam repair has been received by the DEP and will take several months for approval. A French drain system may be used at Main Dam. The DEP has requested an impact study of endangered species be undertaken at the Duck Pond. There will be a dam meeting on 2/10 with Karl Acimovic. Plans are being drawn up for repairs at the duck pond. A meeting will have to be set up with the DEP to get permission to drop the water level in the Duck Pond to take pressure off the side walls during construction.
2. Storm Drains – Per Dave O’Brien, many e-mails have been going back and forth with the professionals involved. Plans are being reviewed.
3. Lebanon Wastewater Study – Sherri Ann Martin stated the Town of Lebanon has a listing of openings for the WPCA committee they are trying to form. Any resident of Lebanon who may be interested in participating can contact the town or a Board member for more information.
4. Drinking Water – No report.
5. Boats and Rafts – No Report.
6. Weeds – Mark Paul suggested an evaluation be done this year to determine if additional treatment will be needed next year. Budget figures will be needed for the 2009/10 budget.
7. Communications- No Report
8. Ordinances – No Report
9. Security – John Connor presented a year round security plan having paid residents and /or volunteers complete this task along with the paid employees. It was found that it would be substantially less expensive to have this done in-house. This should produce a savings of several thousand dollars.
K. Lake Management
Carl Wool gave his report (Exhibit L) including the tasks that were accomplished during the month. Budget concerns were discussed.
L. Act on Remaining Items of Agenda….Old Business
1. Northeast Cove: George Knoecklein is putting together all the information obtained including samples taken of water counts. He will be discussing with Dave O’Brien the next steps to be taken. John Connor felt that this issue should be addressed now and additional action should be taken. He made a motion to pursue the possibility of legal action with our law firm on this matter. Mark Paul seconded. Vote; Sherri Ann Martin, Ray DeCormier, Mark Paul, and Dave Arnold opposed. John Connor, for. Motion failed. This will be re-addressed at the next meeting if things have not progressed on this issue.
M. New Business
1. Lake Goals: Mark Paul requested more responses from the Board members. This will discuss at next meeting.
2. Treasurer to draft budget: Ray DeCormier went through all line items in the budget and estimates were put in for next years’ budget. Research will be conducted during the month to verify and/or revise the amounts listed and provide savings anywhere possible within the new Budget.
3. Define assets for budget: This subject is postponed until the next meeting. Ray DeCormier will be working with resident auditor and this should be resolved for the next meeting.
4. Dam and Emergency Plan coverage: Carl Wool has agreed to provide coverage on an as needed basis.
Drew Gibson has tendered his resignation as a Board member. It was accepted with regret by the Board. Last month Dave Martin resigned his position as Clerk. Ray DeCormier made a motion to accept Joanne Wool as a Board member, for the remainder of Drew Gibson’s term, and clerk replacing Dave Martin. All were in favor.
N. Prepare Agenda for Next Meeting
1. Lake Goals Built into a Work Plan
2. Northeast Cove Status
3. Define Assets for Budget
4. Continued Budget Preparation
O. Adjournment
Ray DeCormier moved for adjournment and John Connor seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:32 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Joanne Wool, Clerk