A.
Roll Call of Officers and Directors
Present:
Dave Arnold, Dave O’Brien, President Dave Martin,
Joanne Wool, Clerk Mark Paul, Vice President, Ray
DeCormier, Treasurer John Connor
Absent:
Sherri-Ann Martin, Laurel Hennebury
B.
Call to Order
Meeting was called to order by Dave O’Brien at
7:17pm.
Dave O’Brien gave a brief statement, giving his
opinion of the dam situations and then indicated the
procedures for running this meeting.
C. Discuss Dam Repair Plans:
Dave Arnold was then introduced as Dam Committee
Chairman, and instructed to give his presentation on
the damage and repair recommendations to the Main
Dam and the Duck Pond Dam. The results after the
presentation, it was hoped, would be first, to make
resident aware of the damage at both dams, and then
to procure a vote from the residents to approve
money for the Main Dam repair only. Residents were
encouraged to ask questions during the presentation.
There were dozens of questions asked.
Larry Zimmerman, Deepwood Drive, asked several
questions regarding the structure of the dam, size
and rate of the leaks. Also the possibility of
plugging up the valve hole. He also suggested that
when repairs were made, each resident be assessed
the same amount rather than have it based on the tax
base.
Christine Ratti, Deepwood Drive, asked many
questions and gave many statements of her opinion at
the meeting. The highlights she stated were the Dam
was at the same level as 3 years ago. She does not
wish to pay any more money, why are we fixing the
dam again? She became disruptive after a while and,
after several warnings, was asked to leave by the
residents and the Board. She complied.
Kevin Grady, Deepwood Drive, asked how many bids
were received. (Dave Arnold stated we asked three
contractors for bids and only one submitted) Kevin
then stated, as he had done at past meetings, that
we should, as a municipality, obtain at least three
bids and place an ad, with proper specifications, in
the newspaper in order to encourage more contractors
to bid. Dave Arnold stated his request has been
duly noted.
Bob Mckay, Deepwood Drive, stated this (procuring
more bids) was a good idea. Bringing only one bid to
the residents is presumptuous. Bob also stated that
the specifications should have been brought to the
meeting for resident review along with a pass-out of
the break-down of what the costs would be and how
they would be distributed. Bob also asked what money
was now in the budget for these repairs and could
they be done over a three years period. Bob asked if
the leaks could just be filled. (Dave Arnold
answered no. Due to the pressure of the water
against the dam the filled holes could act as corks
and pop out in time or the water will go around the
filled holes). Bob also made the motion that ended
the meeting as stated below.
Rick Sicottie, 14 Woodside Rd., agrees with Kevin on
obtaining more bids. Would like to see in those bids
a cost for both options….repair and full replacement
of Main Dam.
Rick White, 223 Deepwood, asked if the State has a
list of contractors the Board could use? (Dave
Arnold will look into this).
Major & Janet Atkins, 7 Francis Road, Major…agrees
to obtaining more bids and pre-qualified
contractors. Janet Atkins stated she is very upset;
Board applied for a permit six months ago and sent
no notice to residents until now…she would like to
see more bids also. Major also asked if any borings
were made. (Dave Arnold stated there were not. Major
asked how can we determine what repairs are needed
if we do not know what is inside the dam? (Dave
Arnold replied that we have gotten advice from our
engineer, Karl Acimovic, the DEP agent, who gave a
verbal request to have the dams (both Main Dam and
Duck Pond Dam) repaired, and the recommendations of
the contractor). Major also felt that one section of
the repair could act as a wick and draw more water
into it.
Lorraine Long, 15 Meadowbrook Road, stated we should
consider replacing the entire Main Dam on a one time
basis rather than making constant repairs to
sections of it. Now we are just throwing good money
after bad. She asked what the entire repair would
cost and was told by Dave Arnold approx. $500,000.
The rest of the presentation was given on the Main
Dam with cost figures and a motion was made by Leo
Foxwell and seconded by Dave Martin which stated: It
is moved that the Amston Lake District approve
borrowing up to $95,000 for the repair and financing
of the Main Dam. Discussion followed
Rick Cupik, stated we are being too hasty to move on
this motion at this time. Need to have more
information provided to the residents. Dave Martin
and Ray DeCormier encouraged a positive vote. Mark
Paul stated the motion made him nervous. Lorraine
Long asked if we can draw down the lake to ease the
pressure on the dam. Reggie Miles suggested a 12
inch draw down. Dave Arnold stated we could draw
down the dam, although not 12 inches, but this would
present problems as well. A vote was taken. 10 for
and 18 against. The motion failed.
After more discussion, a motion was made by Bob
McKay and seconded by Mark Paul which reads as
follows: “I move that the ALD Board leverage $23,000
in existing funds from the current budget to abate
the Main Dam problems. In addition, the ALD Board
needs to research and leverage information that was
discussed at the Special District Meeting on July
24, 2009. The ALD Board will then discuss and
consider this new information and make the
appropriate incremental repairs to the Main Dam.”
This was put to a vote with 14 residents for, 8
against, and one abstained. Motion passed.
Dave Arnold then went on with his presentation on
the present damage to the Duck Pond Dam. He
explained the deterioration problems which have
escalated over the last six months, probably due the
heavy rains we have had and are still receiving.
Dave presented a plan from the engineer for repairs
to the Duck Pond. Dave Arnold was asked the reason
for this presentation if no vote from the residents
was being requested at this time. Dave replied that
the Board wishes to advise the residents of the
damage and the liability exposure which could occur.
D.
Adjournment
A
motion to adjourn is made by Leo Foxwell and
seconded by Mark Paul. The meeting was adjourned by
Dave O’Brien at 9:35pm.
Respectfully submitted by, Joanne
Wool, Clerk
