Amston
Lake District
Annual Meeting
Minutes
May 16th,
2009 7:00 P.M.
ALA Clubhouse, Wood
Acres Rd., Amston, Ct.
www.amstonlake.org
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
