Amston Lake District
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 3rd, 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 (arrived at 8:35pm)
Mark Paul, Vice President
Ray DeCormier, Treasurer
Absent:
Drew Gibson, Director
Dave Martin, Clerk
Sherri-Ann Martin, 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 7:23 p.m. by Dave O’Brien, President
C. Recognition of Guests
Chuck Arnold, Vacant Lot on Deepwood Drive, Lebanon
Mr. Arnold contacted Dave O’Brien regarding the possibility that the lake community might be interested in purchasing his lot. His suggested amount was $18,500. The Board will take this under consideration and obtain the property value of the lot, zoning, and other information. It will be discussed further at the next meeting when all Board members will be present.
D. Approval of Minutes
Ray DeCormier moved to approve the minutes as written and Mark Paul seconded. All voted in favor. Minutes accepted.
E. Receive Clerk’s Report
No Report.
F. Presentation of Correspondence and Communication
October Correspondence list attached (Exhibit F1)
November Correspondence list attached (Exhibit F2)
G. Receive President’s Report
Dave O’Brien spoke regarding letter sent to Dave Kaufman who wants to check run-off on farm. Dave O’Brien will obtain information for him. Dave stressed the need to get Dr. Powitz, Director of Health, involved.
H. Receive and Act on Treasurer’s Report
Ray DeCormier went over the attached (exhibit H) report. A motion to accept the Treasurers Report was made by John Connor and seconded by Mark Paul. All were in favor.
I. Tax Collectors Report
Tax Collectors report was read by Eileen Curtin, (exhibit I). Atty. Adam Cohn is ready to start another listing of tax sales. Dave O’Brien requested documents that need to be added to the district computer be added. This would apply to all Board members.
J. Receive Standing and Special Committee’s Reports
1. Dam – Dave Arnold suggested an additional dam committee member be added to supervise the Emergency Action Plan now in force for dam emergencies. Dave Arnold made a motion to add the Lake Manager as a member of the dock committee to have responsibility for the EPA Plan. Ray DeCormier seconded the motion. All were in favor. They will also seek an additional member of the dam committee as a back-up. No changes in the EPA Plan are to be made at this time. Dave met with Karl Acimovic regarding the duck pond repair and discussed. Dave O’Brien stated for on-going purposes, there is a need to estimate costs before they are approved to keep tract of costs. Dave Arnold suggested in order to comply with DEP regulations, we are required to clear for a minimum of 25 feet from the dam all brush and especially trees that could uproot in a storm and weaken the dam. The Board requested Carl Wool have a tree removed at the duck pond and obtain an estimate for the cost to remove brush.
2. Storm Drains – No report.
3. Lebanon Wastewater Study – Dave O’Brien stated the need for Lebanon to a WPCA committee within the town.
4. Drinking Water – No report.
5. Boats and Rafts – Lynn Mika time frame for taking boats out of the water. Lottery for boat slips will be done April 1st. Committee to explore the demand for more slip space.
6. Weeds – No Report. Mark Paul indicated the Board will need to estimate the amount of weed treatment, if any, (will do evaluation first), for the budget figures for 2009/10.
7. Communications- No Report
8. Ordinances – Mark Paul stated one change needs to be determined during the month, and then a vote will be taken on the ordinances during the January Board meeting.
9. Security – John Connor did an evaluation between the cost of professional security, for the summer, and having paid residents and /or volunteers complete this task. It was found that it would be substantially less expensive to have this done in-house. John, with the suggestions of Board members, will set up a proposal to have this task done by residents for 2009. It was voted at a previous meeting to have the State Police patrol at both beaches on the July 4th 2009 evening. The Board decided to send out a communication on this to the residents in the near future.
K. Lake Management
Carl Wool gave his report and including the tasks that were accomplished during the month. He suggested magnetic security signs be purchased for two vehicles (4 signs). Dave Arnold made a motion to purchase four magnetic security signs for a purchase price of up to $250.00. John Connor seconded the motion. All were in favor. Carl also asked to do one e-coli test at North Cove for comparison purposes. This was approved. The Board will consider placing test results on the web site.
L. Act on Remaining Items of Agenda….Old Business
1. Update on Ryan Terrace Issue: Board will wait until spring to make any decisions on any further repairs.
2. Explore Steps in Making House in Colchester Part of the District: A map of the area was provided by Carl Wool and it was determined, by the Board, that the home is within the district.
3. Lake Goals Built into a Work Plan: Mark Paul discussed the work plan for 2009. He stated there is a need to prioritize the list of tasks provided. He asked Board members to e-mail him on this during the month on a format he will provide for them. Then a calendar needs to be set up including the tasks, to be accomplished, and the board members who volunteer for the 2009 period. This item was put on the agenda for next month.
M. New Business
1. Vote on ALD Homeowners’ Manual (which includes ordinances): Deferred to next month’s meeting.
2. Procedures for Recording and Distributing Boat Passes: Dave O’Brien questions Board as to a better way of storing this information. Dave will research the cost elements of putting this information on our computer and/or placing this information on the web site. The Board agreed to this suggestion.
N. Prepare Agenda for Next Meeting
1. Lake Goals Built into a Work Plan
2. Purchase Option for Chuck Arnold Lot on Deepwood Dr. in Lebanon
3. Vote on ALD Homeowner’s Manual (which includes ordinances)
4. Budget Preparation
O. Adjournment
Mark Paul moved for adjournment and Lynn Mika seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:24 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Joanne Wool, Recording Secretary