Amston Lake District
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
April 2, 2008 7:00 P.M.
ALA Clubhouse, Wood Acres Rd., Amston, Ct.
A. Roll Call of Officers and Directors
Present:
Dave O’Brien, President
Mark Paul, Vice President
Bill Witt, Director (8:40 pm)
Dave Arnold, Treasurer
Dave Martin, Clerk
Sherri-Ann Martin, Director
Ray DeCormier, Director
Margaret Roohr Rosati, Director
Lynn Mika, Director
B. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by Dave O’Brien
C. Recognition of Guests
Proposed to repeat the use of tarps in Francis Cove to control nuisance weed growth. Dave O’Brien suggested we read the Hebron Stormwater Report for their suggestions too.
Per Bylaws, Annual Meeting must be held on May 17, 2008 as determined in the 2007 Annual Meeting. Dave O’Brien to find an alternate site – the clubhouse is rented.
Consider adding sand to beaches and ROWs and determine who should rake the beaches.
Thought that the bridge across the dam was voted down last year at the Annual Meeting. Wants to know why in budget again. Lynn Mika stated that the decision was to put off a decision last year so that additional research could be done.
Concerned that beach raking is in the budget twice.
Built (2) ALA signs to be installed at Spafford Road and Deepwood entrances to lake. The cost for both is $120, Carl asked for $60 from the Board. Would like to put plaques out in front of homes on Francis Road that were moved from the Turner properties for the Hebron Tricentennial. Presented his proposal for Lake Manager replacement. Dave O’Brien asked that the Board develop questions to discuss the proposal in the future.
Was on the Docks Committee but no one has contacted him. Dave Arnold is still working on info for shared docks and district needs to vote on installation locations.
Put Reggie’s line item definitions in to the budget – his method of listing the tasks is much more descriptive. Residents need more information regarding the Lake Manager option to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
D. Approval of Minutes
Sherri-Ann Martin made a motion to approve the March minutes. Ray DeCormier seconded.
Dave Arnold requested that under Section H. Receive and act on Treasurer’s Report, that the sentence “Dave Arnold is placing this amount under the contingency fund.” be changed to read “The audit lists this amount under other income.”
Margaret Roohr-Rosati requested that her vote be corrected under Section J. Receive Standing and Special Committee’s Reports, Weeds, to show that she approved. Margaret also noted that Item M7 should be separated after the first sentence. The first sentence stays item M7 and the rest of the paragraph becomes item M8.
Sherri-Ann Martin amended the motion to approve the March minutes with amendments. Seconded by Mark Paul. No discussion. Approved by majority, None Opposed, Abstaining: Lynn Mika
E. Receive Clerk’s Report
Dave Martin passed out updated version of Lake Action Plan.
Dave also requested input on which Director slots are up for vote at the Annual meeting.
F. Presentation of Correspondence and Communication
Report from CIRMA
Email:
3-6 Weed Management letter – Dave Arnold
3-6 Hebron Storm Drain Study – Dave O’Brien
3-6 Telecon with Reggie – Dave Arnold
3-7 Lake Manager position/Pullman & Comley – Dave O’Brien
3-7 Dock & Raft Guidelines – O’Brien, Arnold, S. Martin
3-7 Carl Wool’s notes to Board
3-8 Telecon with Reggie – Dave Arnold
3-9 Dam Bridge Idea – Lynn Mika
3-10 Lebanon Roads – Arnold, O’Brien, Baier, Miles
3-10 Agenda timing – Arnold, S. Martin
3-11 Lynn Nauss, FOI Request – Lebanon Septic
3-11 Dam Bridge – R. Miles
3-11 Northeast Utilities tree cutting
3-12 Lebanon tax sale properties on Lake – S. Martin
3-12 Lake Manager Budget – R. Miles
3-12 Proposed By-Law changes – Arnold, Paul
3-12 Draft 2008-9 Budget –Dave Arnold
3-13 Annual meeting attendance – R. Blackmore
3-15 CHRO Meeting request – Dave O’Brien
3-17 Pullman & Comley on employment contract – Dave O’Brien
3-19 Weed Management Newsletter compliment from Joe and Rudy (residents)
3-19 Next meeting to focus on Annual Meeting – Dave O’Brien
3-20 Draft Agenda for April Meeting – Jo Wool
3-20 Berglund lot parking – Dave O’Brien
3-21 Dam Repairs – Dave Arnold
3-22 Meeting with Karl Acimovic, Dam engineer – Dave Arnold
3-22 Goose Repellant – Lynn Mika
3-22 Bridge – Mika, Arnold
3-25 Lebanon Road Work
3-25 MIS reports no electronic – Dave Arnold
3-27 Hebron Storm Drain Study – Dave O’Brien
3-28 Docks and Rafts – Sherri Martin
3-28 Lake Manager insurance – Dave O’Brien
3-28 Amston Lake job proposal – Carl Wool
3-28 Grandfather clause for Docks and Rafts – S. Martin, O’Brien
3-28 Problems with the Lake meeting date in May – D. O’Brien
3-29 Lake manager insurance – D. Arnold
3-29 Lake Manager Report – R. Miles
3-30 Dam sink holes – R. Miles
3-31 Draft 2008-9 Budget – D. Arnold
4-1 Treasurer’s Report – D. Arnold
4-1 Draft 2008-9 Budget – D. Arnold
4-2 Agenda Format for Meetings – D. O’Brien
G. Receive President’s Report
1. Welcomed Reggie Miles as an employee of the District.
2. Berglund Property Parking Issue – D. O’Brien met with the Hebron Police and no parking signs have been installed. Police were concerned that emergency vehicles would have issues accessing Highland and that vehicles parked on the Main Beach side of the property could pose a danger to residents and children crossing the property to get to the beach.
3. Police suggested we look into contracting with a reputable towing company that will tow at our request and report to the State Police so that the owner is contacted.
4. CHRO Meeting – D. O’Brien summarized his meeting in Hartford with CHRO rep and Mr. and Mrs. Nastasia. D. O’Brien requested that they put a request in writing to provide a boat inspector for 5:00 am/early morning fishing access. The Board will then address costs and availability of boat inspection volunteers. ADA and CHRO are separate organizations.
H. Receive and act on Treasurer’s Report
Dave Arnold read the report. Motion was made to accept by Dave Martin and seconded by Margaret Roohr Rosati. Motion unanimously passed.
Dave Arnold made a motion to reimburse Reggie Miles $791.80 for the Workers’ Compensation Insurance the Board required him to hold for himself as this was not in our contract requirements. Sherri-Ann Martin seconded. Motion approved by majority. None Opposed. Abstained: Lynn Mika.
I. Tax Collectors Report
Attached.
J. Receive Standing and Special Committee’s Reports
1. Dam – Leak in top of dam on side closest to beach; has caused a sink hole about 1 ½ ft deep that has been filled with stones and cordoned off for safety purposes. Current verbal quote from Karl Acimovic is $20,000 to $30,000. D. O’Brien has requested that for significant expenditures we get professional opinions in writing to share with the residents. Also, want second opinion from State of CT Dam Commission/Wes Marsh. Get estimates for the Duck Pond repairs and Main Dam repairs.
Fence/Bridge: Lynn Mika stated that drop behind the dam in about 10 feet. We should consider installing a safety fence – estimated at $3-4,000.
2. Storm Drains – D. O’Brien passed out summary of final report from Town of Hebron; he will scan and share with the Board.
3. Lebanon Wastewater Study - D. Martin: DEP decision is due in July 2008 regarding Lebanon Sewer installation plan for Amston Lake/Lebanon. WPCA to be established this summer.
4. Drinking Water - Matt Stosse and Cindy Gaurin from CT Water have agreed to attend our May 3, 2008 Weed Management Meeting
5. Boats and Rafts – Put Dock and Raft Guidelines with Lake Use Rules out to the public for review. Dave Arnold moved to add Consider and Act on Proposed Dock and Rafts Guidelines to New Business. Mark Paul seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Weeds – Working on newsletter articles. Dave Martin suggested the “No P” campaign to alert residents to the problems of Phosphorus to the lake.
7. Communications - about 135 people are registered on the website for email communications; suggestion was made that email addresses be collected at the door to the Annual Meeting when people are being checked in.
K. Lake Management
Dave O’Brien said that the new employee contract with Reggie Miles says he cannot work 7 days a week. There is a maximum of 24 hours per week at $20 per hour. Reggie must submit his time worked to Dave O’Brien and Mark Paul.
Lake Manager’s Report Attached.
L. Act on Remaining Items of Agenda.
1. Handicapped Parking – Discussion and Possible Action.
Dave Arnold moved to approve up to $300 for two handicapped parking spots with signs, one for Main Beach and one for Lollipop Beach parking lots. Bill Witt seconded the motion. The motion was approved by majority, with None Opposed and Ray DeCormier abstaining.
1. Tasks & Projects defined for next year – This is part of the next item.
2. Work Plan – Mark Paul said that the work plan, the action plan and the budget are all tied together. The work plan will cross reference committees.
3. Ordinances – Mark Paul is working with the attorneys to develop an ALD homeowners manual. This would be like one that was designed for Lake Waubeeka. Mark will distribute when ready.
4. Budget for 2008-09 - discuss & review. This was gone over in detail by the Board. Dave Arnold will redistribute the results.
5. ALIA request to discuss placement of two lake signs, ALIA budget, & update on Tri-Centennial plans . Carl Wool previously said the new signs would replace the Sandwich Boards and would have chains with hanging signs that would show current events. Ray DeCormier moved to allocate $60.00 for the signs that Carl is making. Bill Witt seconded. The majority were in favor, with none opposed and Lynn Mika Abstaining.
6. Docks, newsletter/lottery. Dave Arnold will do a newsletter article about this,.
7. Policies & Procedures Manual – The clerk will redistribute.
8. Receive & act on the Amston Lake Annual District Meeting Agenda, May 17th, 2008, 7:00pm. The Board discussed item I, Consider and Act upon Lake Management Position. The pros and cons need to be presented to the public and the expectations need to be set accordingly. The Board discussed Item J, Information Update regarding ordinances. Just information will be presented. Discussed that new item should be added before Item K, that is, Dock Locations. At the December 1, 2007 Special District Meeting, the vote was to decide locations at the Annual Meeting. ON Item D, Boar Report of activities for the year, Dave O’Brien asked Board members to tell him if they wish to speak and for how long. Dave Arnold asked to have added: Consider and Act on Lake Use Rule change on Boat Launching and approval of location for the new docks.
9. Proposed Bylaws change – Tabled.
10. Consider and act on new funding for Lake Signs. Dave Arnold moved to fund repairs of the Lake signs using contingency funds. Bill Witt seconded. Motion passed by majority, none opposed and Margaret Roohr Rosati abstaining.
11. Goose Repellent Lynn Mika has found organic goose repellant. Lynn moved to approve $103.16 for all natural goose repellant. Bill Witt seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
12. Consider and Act upon proposed Dock and Raft Guidelines. (Added per J5 vote above.) Dave Arnold moved to approve the Dock and Raft Guidelines submitted by Sherri-Ann Martin. Ray DeCormier seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
N. Prepare Agenda for Next Meeting
President Dave O’Brien asked for the agenda to be styled as noted in past.
O. Adjournment
Dave Arnold moved for adjournment and Mark Paul seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:45 pm.