Amston Lake District
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 16th, 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 Arnold, Director
Joanne Wool, Clerk
Dave Martin, Director
Sherri-Ann Martin, Director
Ray DeCormier, Treasurer
Mark Paul, Vice President
Lynn Mika, Director
Absent:
John Connor, Director
Also Present:
Reggie Miles, Lake Health Coordinator
Eileen Curtin, Tax Collector
Carl Wool, Caretaker
B. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Dave O’Brien, President
C. Approve 5/17/08 Annual Meeting Minutes
The one correction needed to be made is the location of the meeting which was held at Gilead Hill School, Activity Room, 580 Gilead Street, Hebron, Ct. 06248. A motion was made by Dave Martin to approve the minutes as corrected. Seconded by Ray DeCormier. All were in favor.
D. Board of Directors Report of Activities for the 2008-2009 Year
Dave O’Brien awarded thank you plaques to Larry Zimmerman, Mike Smith, and Anita Connor for their volunteerism and dedication to the Board and the residents of Amston Lake. Overview of weed control program was stated. Results of last years’ treatment are showing results. No treatment this year. Committee will tour lake in July/August to review to make judgments for next year. Improved communications…..Newsletter sent out in May, website has a wealth of information for residents to utilize and several announce group special notices have been sent. The Board welcomes all resident input. Ordinances…..Mark Paul chaired this committee which wrote the ordinances, had informational meetings with residents, and, as a Board, voted to approve the ordinances. A resident handbook was then put together including Best Lake Practices, Ordinances, Bylaws, and Special Act. These will be available soon for public distribution. New Financial Reporting System….with the help of the Treasurer, Ray DeCormier, a new accounting system has been installed and will give residents a better idea of how their money is being spent. We also now have a Financial Report, compiled by Anita Connor and Ray DeCormier. Northeast Cove issue…..the April 2nd Special Meeting resulted in residents giving advice and guidance….residents voted to have 8 septic inspections done on properties near the steep site. A letter was also sent to the Atty. General’s Office regarding this issue with attachments and has been logged into the office. Dave O’Brien will be following up on their response. Lake Health…..Per Dave O’Brien, the Board has placed in this years budget a line item for Lake Health. The Board feels not enough time has been spent on this issue in the past and has assigned the title of Lake Health Coordinator to Reggie Miles. Reggie will monitor the Lake testing and inspections, report on results, discussing problem issues with Dr. Knoecklein, recommend and follow thru on any projects the Board approves. A Lake Action Plan is now being proposed by Reggie for review by the Board.
E. Treasurers Report
Ray DeCormier passed out copies of the proposed budget for 2009-10. Last year’s bottom line figure was approx. $206,000. The Board has kept the budget at the same figure this year. There were savings in several areas and money was applied to Lake Health. Ray will be focused this year on determining task vs. cost estimates to make our system even more efficient.
F. Tax Collector’s Report
Dave O’Brien thanked Eileen Curtin for her continued help and dedication to this position. Eileen stated that our current collections are $187,146.81, a 90% collection rate. Delinquent notices will be sent out in May. She reported that most towns give tax discounts to veterans, elderly, etc. and the State of Connecticut returns this money to the towns. Eileen will be applying to the State for this return. She also stated that Atty. Cohn has been a “wonderful find”. He has worked well and not charged the District for everything he has done.
G. Lake Management
Dave O’Brien stated that lake maintenance has been divided into two new roles. As stated above, Reggie Miles is the Lake Health Coordinator with tasks as stated under Item D. Carl Wool is the Caretaker, with all land based tasks (construction/vendors, repetitive lake tasks such as dock/swim buoy instillation/removal, barley straw instillation/removal, resident personal passes, repairs, etc.) Carl will also, with the help of Andy Kozlak, maintain year round security at the lake. This includes beach and ROW spot checks, drive-bys, gatekeeper’s duties, and resident complaints and issues. This has given the residents year round security at a cost far less that was paid to a vendor to supply us with weekend coverage from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
H. Elect Directors for the ALD Board of DirectorS
A request for nominations to replace Director Lynn Mika who is not seeking re-election this year was made. None were stated. Laurel Hennebury stated if no one else could be found, she is willing to come onto the Board. This issue will be addressed at the next Board meeting.
Directors with expiring terms were: Dave O’Brien, Dave Arnold, and Mark Paul. A motion was made by Ray DeCormier to re-elect the three Directors stated above and was seconded by Carl Wool. A public vote was taken. All in favor. All were re-elected.
I. Election officers for the ALD Board of Directors
Election of Officers: Nomination for Officers for the Amston Lake District Board of Directors was: Dave O’Brien, President, Mark Paul, Vice President, Ray DeCormier, Treasurer, and Joanne Wool, Clerk. An individual vote was taken for each position by the residents and Board members. All were in favor for each of the four votes.
J. Phosphates in lawn fertilizer prohibition- consider and act on
Dave Arnold gave a presentation on the hazards of phosphates to the lake environment. A straw poll was taken of the residents present to determine how many residents would be in favor of an ordinance that would ban phosphates in lawn fertilizers with the exception of new lawn one time usage. All residents were in favor.
K. Consider and act upon the proposed budget and establish mill rate for FY 2009-10
Dave O’Brien discussed the careful preparation of this years’ budget and the savings that were derived from changes in security, audits, etc. The Board is recommending a flat budget. Savings in the amount of $18,992.00 were made in this year’s budget which the Board recommends be transferred into a Lake Health line item to be used for lake health projects such as the current Northeast Cove issue. Also discussed was the Fireworks/State Police issue and the issue was opened up for resident discussion. Several valid questions were asked and answered.
Dave Arnold made a motion to strike the word “emergency” from the new budget line items 8301-00 and 8313-01. Dave Martin seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Leo Foxwell made a motion stating the District approve the amended draft budget of $$206,240.00 with a mil rate of 1.60 mils for Hebron, and the Lebanon mil rate will be determined when their finalized grand list is received. (The budget and mil rates will be placed on the District website). The motion was seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor.
Hans Kilmer made a motion to approve the Lebanon portion of the budget which includes Lebanon Roads costs. Sherri Ann Martin seconded. All were in favor.
L. Establish date for the 2010 District Annual Meeting
Laurel Hennebury made a motion to hold the 2010 Annual District Meeting on Saturday, May 15th, 2010 at 7:00pm. at the ALIA Clubhouse located on Wood Acres Road, Amston, Ct. 06231. Seconded by Ray DeCormier. All were in favor except one resident, Karen Wax who abstained.
M. Consider and act upon any business that may come before the District
Mr. Foxwell asked about the Lebanon Sewers issue. Dave Martin responded. A unit system is being discussed. Planning will take place over the next few months. As to when project is to begin, Dave’s estimate was next year or the year after. Another resident asked about how the ordinances will be enforced. Mark Paul addressed this issue. He stated the Board will be setting up guidelines for enforcement over the next several months. This will involve our security, town and state police, and a fine system.
N. Adjournment
Laurel Hennebury moved for adjournment and Leo Foxwell seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully Submitted by Joanne Wool, Clerk