Amston Lake District
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
October 1st, 2008 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
Lynn Mika, Director
Mark Paul, Vice President
Drew Gibson, Director
Dave Martin, Clerk
Sherri-Ann Martin, Director
Ray DeCormier, Treasurer
Also Present:
Eileen Curtin, Tax Collector
Joanne Wool, Recording Secretary
B. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Dave O’Brien, President
C. Recognition of Guests
Kelly Kraynak, Resident State Trooper
She answered questions asked by various Board members regarding, liability issues, trespassing, and procedures involved in enforcement, if ordinances are approved by the Board.
D. Approval of Minutes
Mark Paul moved to approve the minutes as written and Sherri-Ann Martin seconded. All voted in favor. Minutes accepted.
E. Receive Clerk’s Report
No Report.
F. Presentation of Correspondence and Communication
Correspondence list attached (Exhibit F1)
G. Receive President’s Report
No Report. Dave O’Brien asked that due to Reggie Miles recent surgery, any inquiries be made to the Board.
H. Receive and Act on Treasurer’s Report
Ray DeCormier went over the attached (Exhibit H) report. With the new accounting system in place, items are much easier to track. Ray suggested placing security and lawn mowing into separate categories to be non-lake items. He also suggested a projects category be added. A motion to accept the Treasurers Report was made by Dave Martin and seconded by John Connor. All were in favor.
I. Tax Collectors Report
Tax Collectors report was read by Eileen Curtin, (Exhibit I). Quality Data has posted rate book.
J. Receive Standing and Special Committee’s Reports
1. Dam - D. Arnold stated due to various delays, Karl Acimovic and he have agreed to postpone dam work until after Labor Day, 2009. Brought up by a question from Mark Paul, Dave Arnold will question Karl regarding any further preventive measures which can be performed at the dams, and get back to the Board. A motion was made by Ray DeCormier to accept the Dam Report and seconded by John Connor. All were in favor.
2. Storm Drains - Dave O’Brien stated that several board members met with Knight Construction Company last week regarding the dredging of H-6 and H-11. Dredging costs would be high and this issue needs to be revisited next year before a new budget is considered. (Exhibit J2). George Knocklein will be asked his opinion on this issue. Dave O’Brien will be looking into the costs for vortex filters. Dave Martin suggested doing flow testing. A motion was made by Dave Martin to accept the Storm Drains Report and seconded by Sherri-Ann Martin. All were in favor.
3. Lebanon Wastewater Study – Dave Martin stated he will continue to check with the Town Planner. Issue has not been brought to a town meeting as yet. A motion was made to accept the Wastewater Study by Sherri-Ann Martin and seconded by John Connor. All were in favor.
4. Drinking Water – Sherri-Ann Martin summarized the informational meeting she attended. Ct. Water has applied for a permit to use the well and is waiting for approval from the DEP. A motion was made by Drew Gibson to accept the Drinking Water Report and seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor.
5. Boats and Rafts – Lynn Mika reported that the new lottery application for boat rentals will be in the fall newsletter. Docks need to be winterized after the October 31st boat removal date. She read a letter from a resident regarding dock safety. Dave Arnold recommended and the board concurred, that next year, the lock rental agreement should be changed to require boat removal by October 1st due to the difficulty in moving the docks for winter storage when the water is cold. A motion was made by Dave Arnold to accept the Boats and Rafts Report and was seconded by Sherri-Ann Martin. All were in favor.
6. Weeds - Mark Paul indicated the herbicide treatment was done on September 17th. An additional re-spray of Lollipop, and touch-up, where needed, will be done on October 6th. Posting will be done as with the first treatment. A motion was made to approve the Weeds Report by Sherri-Ann Martin and seconded by John Connor. All were in favor.
7. Communications- No Report
8. Ordinances – Mark Paul’s ordinance committee will hold another public meeting on Friday, November 14th, at 7-8:30pm. The Board will send an announce group notification out to residents as well as placing notification in the newsletter. A motion was made to accept the Ordinances Report by Dave Arnold and seconded by Drew Gibson. All were in favor.
9. Security – John Connor stated he inspected the budget and found the cost of security to be excessive. He recommended that no new contract be signed with Ace Security. He also recommends having local residents provide this service. John also spoke to Kelly Kraynak regarding a block watch and what the procedure would be to start. John recommends residents be part-time employees for liability purposes. Columbia Lake is starting a security program and the Board will be keeping track of their progress. Notes from Security Committee Meeting are attached. (Exhibit J9) A motion was made to accept the Security Report by Ray DeCormier and seconded by Sherri-Ann Martin. All were in favor.
K. Lake Management
No Report
1. Off Season Coverage for Lake Management Functions:
Dave O’Brien asked all Board members to examine what tasks are needed to be done from November to March. From Board member comments, a need was indicated to establish a position for this period of time.
L. Act on Remaining Items of Agenda….Old Business
1. Update on Ryan Terrace Issue: Dave & Sherri-Ann Martin inspected the area. Dave Martin suggested a clean up of the area. Dave will re-check the area and relay to the Board any suggestions as to exactly what to clean up and/or repair.
2. Explore Steps in making House in Colchester part of the District: Requested this be deferred to next month’s agenda.
3.
Northeast Cove Problem Update:
There will be a Board walk thru on October 4th. Board will
discuss results at the next meeting.
4. Cost and Decision on Obtaining a PC and Software for Treasurer: A cost estimate, in the amount of $687.00, was provided by Dave O’Brien. After some discussion, Dave Martin made a motion to call the question. Seconded by Sherri-Ann Martin. The vote for included Dave Arnold, Sherri-Ann Martin, and Dave Martin. Against included Lynn Mika, Ray DeCormier, Mark Paul, Drew Gibson, and John Connor. Motion did not pass. More discussion followed. A motion was made by Mark Paul and seconded by Sherri-Ann Martin to approve funds to purchase a PC and software owned by the ALD Board for the Treasurers’ use. Voting for were Lynn Mika, Mark Paul, John Connor, Drew Gibson and Sherri-Ann Martin. Voting against were Dave Martin, and Dave Arnold. Abstained: Ray DeCormier. Motion passed.
5. ALD Ordinances for Contractors and Property Owners: Dave O’Brien and Kevin Grady put together a section on Best Practices for construction and Property owners. (Exhibit L5). A copy will be sent to Board members for review and modification.
M. New Business
1. Memorial Tree to Plant on Berglund Property: Joanne Wool requested permission to plant a tree on Berglund property to commemorate the volunteerism of residents of Amston Lake over the years to help make our community what it is today. A motion was made by Sherri-Ann Martin to approve planting of the tree and seconded by Mark Paul. All in favor except Ray DeCormier who abstained. Motion passed.
2. Web Site Issues Page Replaced by Lake Management Action Plan: To be deferred to next months meeting.
3. Minutes Revision: The minute’s format was discussed by the Board and it was decided to reduce the length. A motion was made to take the (middle ground) moderate
Approach to minute taking by Dave Arnold, and seconded by ray DeCormier. All were in favor.
4. Lake Goals built into Work Plan: Board requested this item be placed on next month’s agenda.
N. Prepare Agenda for Next Meeting
1. Update on Ryan Terrace Issue
2. Tax status of Colchester house on Deepwood
3. Lake Goals Built into a Work Plan
4. Web Site Issues page Replaced by Lake Management Action Plan
5. Off Season Coverage for Lake Management Functions
6. Dam and emergency Plan Coverage
7. Northeast Cove Problem
O. Adjournment
Mark Paul moved for adjournment and Sherri-Ann Martin seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:56 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Joanne Wool, Recording Secretary