Association Annual Meeting
Friday, August 29, 2003
Opening:
The annual meeting of
the Oquaga Lake Improvement Association was called to order at 7:35 pm
on August 29, 2003 at Scotts Family Resort by President Jim B.
Present:
Thirty-three of 90 paid association
members present, constituting more than 37% of the Association
membership; therefore, a quorum was present.
A. Opening
Comments
President B
commented that it had been a good summer and he hoped all the
Association members had enjoyed and taken full advantage of it.
B. Approval of
Minutes and Treasurer's Report
Marie D
presented the Treasurer’s report, noting that expenditures are within
budget so far this year 2003. Copies of the income statement and
expense statement, summary of funds, and paid/unpaid members were
distributed.
Motion to accept the
Treasurer’s report by Mort Levy, second by Ferris. Passed
unanimously.
Secretary’s Report:
Barbara M read the minutes of last year’s meeting.
Motion to accept as
read by Steve S, second by Mort. Passed unanimously.
C. Committee Reports
Membership
Report: President Bennett announced the new members of
our Association:
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Dave &
Jeanne Sr and family, who arrived late last year, at the former
Levene/Zuckerman place.
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Bill and Kathy K and their two
children, in the former Krach/Moses cottage.
-
Hans and Leonie and their three
children, at the former Williams place.
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Madison Marie Dawson, newborn daughter
of Ladd and Jestine, granddaughter of Norm and Sandy D.
Passages: While we welcome
out new neighbors, we are sorry to say good-by to other Association
members:
-
Bill P, who passed away since last
summer. The Association expresses its condolences to the Paulsen
and Carey families.
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Mary Ann and Allen Williams, who are
relocating to Virginia. The Association wishes them well.
Fish
Committee:
Koen G reported that we stocked only 850 rainbows (instead of
900) and 100 browns. We have seen a lot of nice fish again this
year. We stocked (as usual) on Mother’s Day, and we paid no tax on
the fish, as we are classified as a Fish Stocking Fund. We pay no tax
on fish, as fish are categorized as food. Stocking is going well, and
we propose to do the same next year.
Bill Paulsen Fish Stocking Donation:
Barbara reported about the generous and wonderful donation made by the
Paulsen Family to the Fish Stocking Fund. Every year, for many years,
the Paulsen Family has had a family reunion at Bill’s hunting lodge.
There, the family auctions off heirlooms, and arts and crafts to each
other, and then donates the funds to a worthy cause, including
American Cancer Society; Children’s Burn Hospital; a home for abused
women; Sky Lake Building Fund. This
year, the Family voted to donate the funds to the Oquaga Lake Fish
Stocking Fund. We thank the Paulsen Family for their generosity.
Boat Stickers: As
discussed last year, a boat decal committee was established and all
Lake residents received a letter regarding our decal program. The
attendees were reminded that every resident watercraft should be
identified. Guest lanyards are also available for your visitors to
wear when they use their watercraft to the lake. You can get decals
and guest badges from the Association Secretary.
Questions:
Where should the sticker should be placed:
this is explained in the letter accompanying your sticker, and is on
the side of the boat that is visible from shore when moving
counter-clockwise or proper boating on the Lake.
Scott’s asked that
the Association issue membership cards to residents, to help them
identify residents from others. The Board agreed we would do this.
D. New Business:
Sewer Report:
President Jim
reported that many of the Board members have attended the three Town
of Sanford Board Meetings regarding the Oquaga Lake Sewer District
Meetings.
He thanked Dewey
Decker, Town Supervisor, for inviting us to participate in this
issue. While it is our problem as owners of the sewer district, the
Town has an obligation to assist us with its resolution.
Particulars are as follows:
-
The DEC studied reports from 1998 to
2003.
-
There are serious violations.
-
If remedies are not proposed within the
90 day deadline, the State can fine us $25K per day
-
We, as an Association, can be held
individually liable for these fees.
-
The Town, on our behalf, was able to
solicit an abeyance of the fines from $3,000 to $1,000 and $350,000
to $50,000.
-
The Town, on our behalf, hired a
consulting engineering firm to research and submit a report, and
provide a proposed plan to bring us into compliance.
-
Work sessions between the Association
Board, Town Board, and consulting firm were held in June, July, and
August.
-
The State required a plan for
improvements be submitted by August 28 and the Board approved the
joint Association and Town of Sanford plan, and met that date.
As a result of this, the Board’s estimate
as to the impact of this issue is:
-
All lake residents are members of the
sewer district.
-
There are 193 unit, including 47 at
Scotts, 13 at the Chestnut.
-
Currently, per unit, we are paying $250
per year tax against capital coat, and $180 per year annually for
operating cost, or about $437 per unit manager (including tax and
maintenance).
-
We are fortunate the amortization of the
original project expires in 2003.
-
We need to develop a system that meets
state standards.
-
Total obligation will be about $744K, to
meet State standards and the Boards additional recommendations
-
Funding will be under a public bond, and
could potentially be under the $744K amount.
-
The Board has reviewed all the
components of the consultant’s plan.
-
The State has the opportunity to make
the loan.
-
The term rate may be 2%, and could be
subsidized by the State.
-
The Board anticipates, but cannot
promise, and increase from $437 per unit to somewhere between $457
and as much as $537 per unit
-
The Board believes that, with the
Board’s oversight, we can come in under estimate. However, there is
no guarantee.
Jim said that the
good new is that this is the worst story we have to report. The bad
news is that we hope this is the worst case scenario.
Questions:
Why didn’t we know we
were ultimately responsible for the Sewer District? Jim responded
that we know now and must move forward from here. The Board is and
will continue addressing this.
Why are we not
compliant now? Jim responded that there are constant changes in
regulations. No one is to blame.
Who will oversee the
project? Jim responded that the Board will, in conjunction with the
Town of Sanford.
What is the
schedule? Jim explained that the proposal was sent to the State on
time, and that the start of the next phase will be next year, going to
bid next May/June. The new system should be in place in 2005.
Why do we still have Bob Mills? He knows our district.
He may not always have had equipment he needed, but getting him that
equipment is part of our new plan.
Have we checked the
original contract? Original contracts don’t exist or can’t be found.
Improved
Communications:
Newsletter:
Wendy Paulsen-Carey is restarting the newsletter. She has been taking
pictures, and is accepting news items. A mailing announcing the
newsletter was done earlier in August; mailbox flyers also went out.
Deadline for news is September 10, with a publishing date of September
15.
Website:
www.oquaga.com will be maintained by Secretary Barbara Marko.
Activities:
First Annual J Elmer Crowley Fishing
Tournament: only six people participated. Hopefully more people will
participate next year.
Ring of Fire: Herb and Alice S were
thanked for their help with the Ring of Fire, which was again, very
nice this year.
Cocktail Party: ninety-five adults
attended.
July Progressive Dinner: twenty-six
attended.
Field and Water Sports Day: about 35
children participated in the Family Day events.
Family Picnic: again as in the year
before, about one hundred fifty attended.
August Progressive Dinner: twenty-two
attended.
Annual Meeting: as noted above, 33
of 90 paid member properties attended the annual meeting.
The same events are
planned for next year; any additional suggestions are welcome.
Care and Feeding
of the Lake:
A copy of the State
water quality report is available. Contact Mark M or Barbara
M.
Also, see the Latest
Newsletter page (link pending) for Koen's summary, after having read
the NYSFOLA report in detail!
Barbara M
reported that the Association has joined and will send representatives
to attend next year’s meeting. She and her husband have volunteered
to attend the conference next May.
Nominating
Committee:
Steve reported that
there are four expiring terms (Marie Dt, Koen G, Dick
H, and Mort L) and there is one un-expired term with the
resignation of Ed W.
Mort and Ed were
thanked for their many years of service to the Association.
The following names
were proposed for the term expiring 2006: Marie D, Koen
G, Dick H, Brenda L. Herb S was proposed to fill
the un-expired term which ends in 2005. There were no nominations from
the floor. Jim accepted a motion from Gail S that the
Secretary enter one vote on behalf of the Association; second by Dave M.
The President thanks
Ed W for his many years of supporting the Association and being
our year round representative. He also thanked Dr L , adding that
his service would continue, as when we now have Brenda on the board,
we get the package.
E. Open
Discussion
There were many
groans and “oh no’s” when it was stated that there has been a beaver
sighting: the first one reported this year. We will look into getting
the trapper right away.
Ski boats close to
the floats and platforms and docks are against New York State law (100
feet from a floating object).
The distance of
floating dock from shore was questioned: we know of no regulation, but
75 feet was suggested.
Water skiing before
10 am is against Association rules but continues to be a practice of
some of our neighbors. We should encourage our neighbors to be
considerate.
In line with water
skiing noise, there is work going on around the lake early in the
morning. Can we regulate the start of work time? The Board believes
this is difficult to regulate.
With the Elmer
Crowley cottage being for sale, the question was asked as to what
would happen to the History Book. Dave M, whose wife Virginia
participated in the original project, and Barbara M will contact
Bob Crowley to see what can be worked out.
How are we going
after unpaid dues: the Board has taken the position that it will take
remedies against those who do not pay.
Adjournment:
With thanks to Doris
Scott for the use of their facility and for the refreshments, Jim
asked for a motion to adjourn, which was offered by Steve S
and seconded by Dave M.
The meeting was
adjourned at 8:45 by Jim B.
Minutes Respectfully
Submitted
Barbara Marko
Board of Directors
Meeting to Appoint Officers
Attending: Ferris
A, Jim B, Marie D, Koen G, Dick H, Brenda
L, Barbara M, Doris S, Steve S, John S, Richard
S, Herb S.
As required for the
By-Laws, the meeting of the newly appointed and existing Board members
convened at 8:52 pm on August 29 to elect Officers. A motion was made
by Steve S that the current slate of officers remain in office this
year. After a comment from President Jim Bt that perhaps the
responsibility of President should perhaps be should be shared or
passed around, the motion was called and simultaneously seconded by
Dick H and Herb S and others. Passed unanimously. Meeting was
adjourned at 8:54 pm.
Last modified:
05/27/12
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