Amston Lake District
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
June 3rd, 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
Dave Martin, Director
Lynn Mika, Director ( 7:20pm. Arrival)
Joanne Wool, Clerk
Absent:
Also Present:
Eileen Curtin, Tax Collector
Carl Wool, Caretaker
Reggie Miles, Lake Health Coordinator
Laurel Hennebury, Resident
B. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Dave O’Brien, President
C. Recognition of Guests
None
D. Approval of Minutes
A motion was made by Dave Arnold to approve the May minutes as written. Dave Martin seconded. All voted in favor. Minutes accepted.
E. Receive Clerk’s Report
Joanne Wool received a request to add an item to the already produced agenda from Sherri-Ann Martin. A motion was made by Sherri-Ann Martin to add “review and discussion of the Lebanon tax assessment for ALD properties” to tonight’s’ agenda under New Business. Seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor. Joanne asked if the tax exemption form used for Suburban Sanitation & Ct. Valley Fencing could be used for purchases by the Caretaker and Lake Health Coordinator. It was discussed and agreed it could. We will now ask for tax exemptions on other lake purchases.
F. Presentation of Correspondence and Communication
May Correspondence list attached (Exhibit F)
G. Receive President’s Report
Dave O’Brien offered a thank you to Lynn Mika who is leaving the Board. A general thank you was given to the Board Members for all their help at the Annual Meeting.
H. Receive and Act on Treasurer’s Report
Ray DeCormier went over the attached (Exhibit H) report. Dave Arnold indicated that he would like to have the report sent by e-mail before the meetings to review. Ray indicated that our meeting are so early in the month that he has difficulty sometimes getting the report out before all his reconciliations are completed. A suggestion was made to change the meeting date of the Board meetings to make this easier. A motion to accept the Treasurers Report for May was made by Mark Paul and seconded by John Connor. All were in favor.
I. Tax Collectors Report
Tax Collectors report was read by Eileen Curtin, (Exhibit I). May deposits totaled $14,237.35. Lebanon does not have the new mil rate yet. Eileen reported a good response to the delinquent notices sent, several residents will soon be paying.
J. Receive Standing and Special Committee’s Reports
1. Dam – Dave Arnold stated fencing at Main Dam is to be installed Friday morning. The leakage flow has doubled in size to about 10/12 gallons per minute. Copies of the Duck Pond updates have been e-mailed to the Directors for review. We need to start the process of interviewing contractors for work at the Main Dam.
2. Storm Drains – Per Dave O’Brien, the permit needs to be completed and forwarded to the state. He will e-mail all Board members on the progress of this issue.
3. Lebanon Wastewater Study – Paul Oliver and Dave Martin are now on the WPCA Committee in Lebanon. Dave Martin will keep the Board informed of their progress.
4. Drinking Water – No report.
5. Boats and Rafts – Lynn Mika reported all dock slips rented have been paid for. The Board again thanked her for her past service in this and other issues. She has agreed to still handle dock rentals next year.
6. Weeds – No Report.
7. Communications- No Report
8. Ordinances – Mark Paul checked with our Attorney to the wording of our ordinance prohibiting hunting on district lands. Following a discussion a motion was made by Mark Paul to correct the wording prohibiting hunting per Exhibit J8 attached. Seconded by Sherri-Ann Martin. All were in favor. It was suggested by Dave Arnold to interject a new item (2008.15) into the Ordinances regarding the use of Lawn Fertilizers. A discussion followed. A motion was made by Dave Arnold to add item 2008.15 (see Exhibit J8.a) to the ordinance in the handbook. This was seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor. This will be placed in legal publications before becoming effective.
9. Security – John Connor discussed a loose dog complaint with an unruly resident. We will need to review the guidelines and procedures for carry out enforcement of the ordinances soon. Per the State Police recommendation, signs should be put at the beaches and all ROW’s stating the rules and ordinances so if an incident occurs, the police will have reason to address whatever the issue is. Laminating was discussed as an option and will be discussed further at the meeting with the State Police before July 4th.
K. Lake Management
Caretaker Report: Carl Wool gave his report (Exhibit K1) including the tasks that were accomplished during the month. A resident, Bernie Begin, cleared the brush at the Duck Pond Dam for the cost of gas and replacement of a broken cutter blade. The removal was requested by the DEP representative when he was here meeting with Dave Arnold and Carl Wool. Dave Arnold made a motion to reimburse Mr. Begin up to $100.00 for brush removal at the Duck Pond Dam. Mark Paul seconded. All were in favor. The DEP representative also recommended the removal of two trees near power lines. A motion was made by Mark Paul to have Carl Wool obtain three bids for tree removal to be presented at the next Board meeting. This was seconded by Dave Arnold. All were in favor. Carl also noted the increased algae problem on the lake this year as well as other lakes in the area. This will be discussed in further detail at the next Board meeting. Carl also noted the mess the ducks have made at the dam. Lynn Mika suggested a product she has at home or putting up sticks with string to deter the ducks from landing there. Carl asked to mulch the Main and Lollipop Beaches. A motion was made by Dave Arnold to allow up to $300.00 for mulch for Main Beach and Lollipop. This was seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor. Carl had groomed both beaches and saw a need for sand at Lollipop Beach this year. Dave Arnold made a motion to spend up to $1,000 for sand and spreading at Lollipop Beach. This was seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor. The final item discussed and requested by Carl Wool was a credit card in a fixed amount to make purchases without having to have a check issued by the Treasurer or using his own money. A motion was made by Dave Martin to obtain a charge card with a limit of $1.000 to be used for lake related items. All were in favor except Joanne Wool who abstained.
Lake Health Coordinator Report: Reggie explained the differences in algae. A resident, Barbara Lott has complained regarding the volume this year and Reggie will respond to her e-mail. Reggie would like to set up a seminar on rain gardens as suggested by Dr. Knoecklein. The cost for the speaker would be $150.00, with slide show, names of contractors who install and a list of garden centers who provide the plant material. Dave Martin made a motion to spend up to $350.00 for the seminar, having a contest with prizes for the best gardens. (One suggestion for prizes was tickets to the ALIA Lobster Fest). This was seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor. The Board requested Reggie test the new catch basin installed at the end of Deepwood on the Lebanon side. Reggie reviewed his Northeast Cove Recommendations Report (Exhibit K2). Reggie was asked by Dave O’Brien the status of the retaining wall project he was asked to supervise and outline procedures. He stated he took pictures of where Laurel Hennebury’s wall will be and gave her some documents and books to read. Laurel then explained what she was thinking of installing for a retaining wall, noting that the Town of Lebanon was not very helpful. Reggie was asked by the Board to place water testing sites on line for the residents to review and to provide the Board with a map and standardized list of testing sites currently being done.
L. Act on Remaining Items of Agenda….Old Business
1. Northeast Cove Status: The tests results from the sanitation company have been received. Also the DEP testing results have been sent to the Board from the Town Sanitarian of Lebanon. The Board will review these reports and discuss with Dr. Knoecklein as to what they mean in relation to our high bacteria counts.
2. Lake Goals Built into a Work Plan: Mark Paul will have a copy at the next meeting.
3. North End…Possible Lake Development: Mark Paul and John Connor will meet during the month and present their recommendations to the Board at the next meeting.
4. Discussion and act on possible prohibition of Phosphate Fertilizers: Mark Paul made a motion to approve up to $250.00 to publicize legal notice for Phosphate ordinance voted in by the Board. Dave Arnold seconded. All were in favor.
M. New Business
1. ALIA request to use Berglund Property: Bluegrass Festival approved.
2. Lebanon Tax Assessment for ALD Properties: (Exhibit M2). Sherri-Ann Martin had all the Lebanon ALD properties re-assessed from the original total of $385,530 to $182,160. She deserved and received a round of applause for her time and effort.
Since no vote was made at the Annual Meeting to fill the Director vacancy created by Lynn Mika, Sherri Ann Martin made a motion to add to the agenda, under new business, the discussion to approve Laurel Hennebury as a Director to the ALD Board. This was seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor. Sherri Ann Martin made a motion to appoint Laurel Hennebury to the ALD Board as a Director effective July 1st, 2009. Mark Paul seconded. All were in favor.
N. Prepare Agenda for Next Meeting
1. Lake Goals Built into a Work Plan
2. Northeast Cove Status
3. North End…Possible Land Development
4. Guidelines and Procedures for Ordinance Enforcement
Include 6/11/09 Draft
5. ALIA Request for Additional Security Passes
6. Discuss and act on possible change of Board Meeting Dates
O. Adjournment
Sherri Ann Martin moved for adjournment and Dave Arnold seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Joanne Wool, Clerk