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Amston Lake District
Board of
Directors Meeting Minutes
March 5th,
2008 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
Bill Witt, Director
Dave Arnold, Treasurer
Dave Martin, Clerk
Sherri-Ann Martin,
Director
Ray DeCormier, Director
Margaret Roohr Rosati,
Director
Mark Paul, Director
Absent:
Lynn Mika, Director
Greg Baier, Acting Lake
Manager
Also Present:
Eileen Curtin, Tax
Collector
Joanne Wool, Secretary
B. Call to Order
The meeting was called
to order at 7:10 p.m by Dave O’Brien
C. Recognition Of Guests
Jerry Horan, 7 Rondaly
Rd., Hebron
Suggested abolishment of
Lake Manager position completely and the hiring of a professional lake
manager for the lake. Dave O’Brien requested this be discussed under
Presidents Report since he had additional information on this. Mr. Horan
agreed.
Brett Harlow, 403
Deepwood Dr., Lebanon
Reviewed with Board
escalating costs to repair and maintain Lebanon Roads. Also stated there is
a problem with sump pumps directing water into roads and causing further
erosion. Dave O’Brien suggested he meet with Greg Baier, visit roads, and
provide information to the Board on their present condition. Also requested
he provide BOD with proposal on current costs and BOD will review for
possible further action.
Bob Blackmore, 5 Rondaly
Rd. Hebron
Had questions on Lake
Manager system. He feels Treasurers report is vague. Had concerns on the way
we vote on budget. Suggested ballot system sent to residents. Wendell Snell
and Dave O’Brien indicated to Mr. Blackmore that rules state budget must be
voted on in person. Mr. Blackmore also suggested post card mailing to notify
residents before budget vote.
Wendell Snell, 243
Deepwood Dr., Hebron
Stated that if the BOD
wishes to vote on items listed in agenda, the agenda should show not just
discussion and/or changes, but discussion, and/or changes and possible
action to allow the residents to know that a vote might be taken. Also, he
suggested the addition to the Agenda of a line item stating “Other Pertinent
Business That May Come Before The Board.” The Board thanked Wendell for his
input and will discuss at the next BOD meeting.
D. Approval of Minutes
Dave Arnold made a
motion to approve the February minutes with the elimination of the sentence
“This was voted upon and approved at a previous meeting.” under item K. Lake
Manager. This was seconded by Ray DeCormier. No discussion. Approved by
Mark Paul, Dave Arnold, Bill Witt, Sherri-Ann Martin, Ray DeCormier.
Abstaining: Margaret Roohr Rosati, Dave Martin. Minutes approved.
E. Receive Clerk’s Report
Dave Martin stated he
has information on an e-coli report from Greg Baier and will discuss with
him and bring to BOD attention at next meeting.
F. Presentation of Correspondence and Communication
Dave O’Brien: CHARAO
info to Elanah Sherman/Office of Protection & Advocacy Re: Nastasia
D. Arnold: Phosphorous
e-mail from Maine State Government
D. Arnold: signage
issue- cost exceeds budget – need district approval
Barley straw flyer from
Reggie Miles
D. Arnold: Hebron sent
correct assessment for beaches, higher for 2008
S. Martin: Rodeo info
and internet herbicide info for BOD to review
J. Wool: e-mail re: LLC
Concept to general public
L. Mika: Cl&P consent to
cut trees
D. Arnold: Weed Control
documents
M. Paul: committee
mapping document
L. Mika: coupons for “O”
phosphorous fertilizer
D. Arnold: Telecom
w/Reggie Miles
D. O’Brien: Storm Drain
Status w/ Hebron
Reggie Miles: producing
fertilizer based on soil samples
O’Brien: Seeking Larry
Zimmerman’s approval for us to use his policies and procedures manual for
lake
B. Lederer & L.
Hennebury opinion re: LLC Concept
D.OBrien: ALD legal
conversation w/Pullman & Comley
D. Arnold: Telecom
w/Reggie Miles
D.O’Brien:
Insurance/Lake Mgr. Employee or Contractor
D. O’Brien: Ct. Dept. of
Labor ABC Test for employee vs. contractor status, yes/no test
R. Decormier: Post card
labeling & stamping/volunteers requested
E. Curtin: forwarded
e-mail from new Hebron property owner, Peter Schmidt/Ames Rd.
D. O’Brien: State of
Ct./ALD handicapped parking info
Bob Blackmore: Lake
Manager position opinion, re: position and contract info
D. Arnold: budget e-mail
to Karl Acimovic re: Duck Pond Dam Repairs
D. Arnold: quality Date
estimate for 2008
M. Smith: Web update &
costs
D. Arnold: Draft of
Budget for 2008
D. Arnold: Name &
Address List updated for Board
D. Arnold: board
approval process
Report from CIRMA
G. Receive President’s Report
Dave O’Brien had several
conversations with Attys. Pullman & Comley, regarding how the Lake Manager’s
position is set up. It is their combined opinions that Reggie Miles does not
qualify for contractor status and should be treated as an employee, with
insurance and logging of hours being provided by the district. Dave O’Brien
suggested a copy of the contract be sent to the Attys. and the contract be
adjusted now to avoid any legal and/or monetary repercussions from the
state. This was discussed. In order to vote on approval of funds to attys.
to proceed with this, Margaret Roohr Rosati made a motion to place Lake
Manager employment discussion & possible action under New Business. Ray
DeCormier seconded. All in favor.
Dave O’Brien also
suggested that since we are now making a change, we consider splitting the
Lake Managers position between two people along with the present salary.
H. Receive and act on Treasurer’s Report
Dave Arnold read the
report. Motion was made to accept by Sherri-Ann Martin and seconded by Mark
Paul. Motion unanimously passed.
Dave Arnold stated audit
completed. There is unexplainable $2,000 additional money, which cannot be
traced by audit, in our account. Dave Arnold is placing this amount under
other income.
Dave Arnold present
draft of 2008-09 budget items. Input from Lake Manager has not been received
yet. Mike Smith has requested $330.00 be placed in budget for hosting fees.
It was suggested we might want to out source employee payroll rather than
have done by Treasurer.
I. Tax Collectors Report
Eileen Curtin presented
her report. Deposit in February was $8,385.18. Total collected as of
February 29, 2008 $150,001.86, which is 86.472% of the current budget.
Notice to intent to lien will go out in April.
J. Receive Standing and Special Committee’s Reports
1. Dam – Dave Arnold
e-mailed Karl Acimovic engineers report regarding leaks to dam. May have to
go the DEP. Dave A. spoke to Greg Baier requesting removal of covers from
spillway so engineers can gain access.
2. Storm Drains – Dave
O’Brien spoke with Tom Fenton. Tom met with town on 2/27 to finalize
recommendations and will get back to us as soon as they are available.
3. Lebanon Wastewater
Study - No Report.
4. Drinking Water - No
report.
5. Boats and Rafts -
Dave Arnold stated still no response from Dennis Griswold regarding purchase
of the dock.
Dave A. discussed
Proposed Change for Lake Use Rules document. Dave Arnold moved to vote on
proposed modifications for B6 and B7 under New Business. Dave Martin
seconded. All in Favor.
6. Weeds – Mark Paul
discussed plan to manage aquatic plants on lake using communication
campaign, plus an informational meeting, with experts, scheduled for May 3rd.
Information will include native plants deemed to be a problem. Newsletter is
being sent to residents soon. Dave Arnold made a motion to approve
newsletter as now written. Sherri-Ann Martin seconded. In favor: Mark Paul,
Ray DeCormier, Bill Witt, Sherri-Ann Martin, Dave Martin, Dave Arnold.
Opposed: Margaret Roohr Rosati.
7. Communications –
Ray DeCormier stated post cards had been sent to residents requesting they
sign up on our web site. He thanked all who helped with the labeling and
stamping of the post cards. Ray also discussed ALD BOD Approval Process
document. The BOD will check document already written by previous committee
and discuss at later date.
K. Lake Management
Dave Arnold stated a
bill for $1400.00 has been submitted for barley straw. Sherri-Ann Martin
made a motion to approve the Barley Straw Flyer with the following
corrections:
Remove “Draft” from top
of page, and remove “I will need volunteers from the Board of Directors.—To
Make This Happen” from the bottom of the page. Dave Arnold seconded. All in
favor.
L. Act on Remaining Items of Agenda….
Old Business
Ordnances - Mark Paul
states Adam Cohn was sent information on ordnances, no response as yet. This
step is to implement putting ordnances in place. He says he should have more
information from Atty. Cohn for the next board meeting. Suggested next step
after ordnance phase could be putting together a booklet providing all lake
information to be given to new and current residents.
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M. New Business
1. Handicap access for
parking lots and docks – Mark Paul discussed possibility for having
handicapped parking spaces at parking lots. Review and vote on at next
meeting. Also research requirements for providing handicap slips at docks.
2. Amston Lake Signs –
Dave Arnold stated our line item for sign has been depleted. We have two
lake signs at sign shop now for repair. He suggested we use some money from
contingency line in budget. This will be reviewed and discussed with
possible action at next meeting.
3. Already discussed
4. ALIA Requests: Tri
Centennial & Sign Boards has been moved to April BOD agenda
5. Start tax district
budget discussion for May annual district meeting – Place in newspaper
request for bids for gate keeper’s position. Per his request, send
notification to Scott Forgue that bids are now being accepted. Dave O’Brien
will do a resume for this position.
6. Added Lake Management
discussion from item G, Presidents Report – Dave Martin made a motion to
have Dave O’Brien move forward to bring tax district in compliance with Lake
Managers status which should be employee not contractor. Send present
contract to Attys. Pullman & Comley for review and correction and to allow
up to $1,000 for their fee. Seconded by Mark Paul. All in favor.
7. Roberts Rules
informational document handed out to Board Members by Dave Arnold. Dave
Arnold made a motion to present to the district at the annual meeting
proposed changes B-6 and B-7 pertaining to docks. Mark Paul seconded. No
discussion. In favor: Margaret Roohr Rosati, Ray DeCormier, Sherri-Ann
Martin, Mark Paul, Dave Arnold, Dave Martin. Abstaining: Bill Witt.
8. Item J Number 6
Weeds – Dave Martin made a motion to approve the newsletter as written.
Sherri-Ann Martin seconded. All in favor.
N. Prepare Agenda for Next Meeting
1. Tasks & Projects
defined for next year – discussion and possible action
2. Work Plan –
discussion and possible action
3. Ordnances –
discussion and possible action
4. Budget for 2008-09
– discussion & possible action
5. ALIA request to
discuss with possible action Lake Signs and present an update on
Tri-Centennial
plans
6. Docks –
newsletter/lottery – review and possible action
O. Adjournment
Ray DeCormier moved for
adjournment and Bill Witt seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The
meeting adjourned at 10:05 pm.
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