Annual Meeting Minutes
August 26, 2005
Opening:
The annual meeting of the Oquaga Lake
Improvement Association was called to order at 7:52 pm on August 26,
2005 at Scotts Family Resort by President Jim Bennett. This, after the
two groups who had gathered in different meeting places on the Scotts
property consolidated in the meeting room beneath the dining hall.
Koen, who was prepared to chair one of the meetings, gratefully handed
over the invisible 'gavel’ to Jim B.
Present:
Thirty-four of 95 paid association member
properties being represented, constituting 36% of the Association
membership; therefore, a quorum was present. (By-Laws require twenty
percent as a quorum.)
A. Opening Comments
President B welcomed everyone and
promised to keep the meeting as informative, and at the same time, as
brief as possible. He commented that it had been a nice summer with
good weather and that we are all sorry to see the summer end.
B. Approval of Minutes and Treasurer's
Report
The minutes of the August 27, 2004 meeting
were read by secretary Barbara Marko. With no corrections, Dave
M moved that the minutes be approved as read; second by Mort
L.
Marie D presented the Treasurer’s
report, noting that expenditures are within budget so far this 2005
year. Copies of the income statement and expense statement, summary of
funds, and paid/unpaid members were distributed.
President B noted that it was the
fifth year that income exceeded expenses. Mort L commented that letters should be
“dispatched forthwith” to those who have not yet paid dues.
The flare report was that 200 had been
sold this year and there are 78 left. Motion by Mort L to accept
the Treasurer’s report; second by Ferris A.
Jim added that our funds are now large
enough that, while we need maintain a reserve, we need to look at
investing some of it into long term investment. The Board will address
this.
C. Committee Reports
Fish Committee: Once again,
stocking was done on Mother’s Day and Koen G reported that we
stocked only about 850 trout, as $1500 doesn’t buy as many fish as it
did in the past. He also noted that fishing has not been as good as
other years, because it had been so hot and the fish have probably
gone deeper, and some smaller fish may have become food for the lake
trout.
Regarding the J Elmer Crowley Fishing
Derby, Koen commented that there were about 15 fishermen, and once
again Skip K won the competition with the biggest.
Sewer: President Jim noted that the
operation of the sewer district was turned over on July 1 to the
Village of Deposit and asked for a report from the Sewer Committee,
which was appointed as a result of the 2004 meeting.
Sewer Committee Chairperson Dick M
reported on the recent tour of the plant, done on August 22, with 11
Lake residents in attendance, Three Town or Village officials (two of whom
are OLIA members), and the Administrator and two operators of OLIA
WWTP . He noted that the facility was clean, new looking, and that the
staff was enthusiastic and on-board. Most especially, the sewer beds
which had been over-grown with weeds, are now weed-free. He added that
the bonding would go out for bid in November or April, based on a
conversation with Dewey Decker just the day of the meeting.
Barbara added that at the tour, she
requested on behalf of the OLIA, that we get a regular report of any
activity done on our behalf: at the plant or on our properties. She
commented she had just received the first one (July) report this week.
Dick summarized that those who attended seemed to feel good about what
they saw.
Questions included:
-
Is there a plan for pumping out
individual tanks? The answer: not yet.
-
When is the previous bond debt paid up?
The answer: it was paid last off year, and any budgeted funds for
this year are in a reserve with the Town.
-
Who do we call now if the Red Light is
Flashing? The OLIA Secretary will send out a new Town of Sanford
contact card [Secretary’s Note: ORANGE} with next year’s opening
mailing, which includes all Town of Sanford contacts, such as the
OLIA Board has in their yearly directory. In the meantime, call any
Board member.
Zoning Report: Jim Bennett noted
the new Local Law has been enacted, and asked Mark M for a
report, as he has been our ad hoc committee member. Mark stated that
the new law was adopted late last year, after a one year moratorium.
The new law includes an Overlay District, which has special
regulations specific for the lake. The overlay is to protect
development within 35 feet of the lake. He explained that the Town
Attorney had compiled regulations from a number of model codes.
Basically, boathouses, bulkheads, docks, cabanas, etc., would require
a site plan and a zoning variance. Mark noted that a more restrictive
zoning is a price that a community pays to protect the interests of
the entire community, but also includes the need for plans and the
involvement of affected neighbors, which is a good thing.
The question was asked about docks, and
Mark replied that existing docks would be grandfathered, so long as
reconstruction was done within 12 months. A question was asked about
maintenance and repair: normal maintenance of existing docks in
allowed within the law; only new construction will require a variance
or permit.
In a related topic, the question was asked
about the lowering of the lake, as this is the year. Lake lowering is
scheduled to occur after October 10. Doris responded that Gary is
still planning on doing it, and gave an update on his status, after
his recent accident. Gary had a collapsed lung, she said, but he is
back at work, playing 45 minutes a night for dancing.
D. New Business:
Boating Stickers: New, orange boat
stickers are available this year. They are larger and a different
color, with the intention of being more visible. Jim reminded everyone
that the purpose was to identify those people who do NOT belong on the
lake. We also have lanyards that can be worn be those you invite to
access the lake through your property. [Secretary’s note: Stickers
were handed out to those who wanted them, to those in attendance at
the end of the meeting.]
Boater Safety and Swimmers: It was
commented, and affirmed by others, that boating and swimming is an
accident waiting to happen. Examples:
-
Water skiing or tubing without a spotter
-
Purposely skiing close to docks
-
Life jackets
-
Swimming in the boating lane
-
Skiing after sundown
Perhaps it’s time to a) republish the
Boating Rules (not sent in a couple years since we thought they were
posted in most cottages), and 2) re-institute the boater safety
classes. However, it was commented that the
violators may very well be renters, and a copy of the boating rules
might not do much good unless they are posted and the landlord makes
renters aware of the rules.
Also, it was suggested a survey should be
done to determine the possible candidates for a boating safety class
(grandchildren). Barbara volunteered to train to do boater safety
courses.
Wedding Etiquette: As Mort used to
say so eloquently in his opening letters, he repeated “If there’s a
wedding at the Chestnut and you’re boating or water skiing, you
weren’t invited.” People don’t know that the flag with wedding bells
means that there’s a wedding going on. Please do not come close to the
Chestnut when the wedding flag is out.
Family Day: Thanks to Barbara Simon
for running the Family Day Games, only a just week before the Simon’s
wedding. Jim commented that the picnic went very well, although
attendance was a bit down because of the change of date.
Welcome to the New Neighbors:
Schroeders, Powells, and the new Innkeepers Michael Daniels and
Jonathan Hall were welcomed to the Lake.
Open Discussion:
John S said Hanafins has let people go
and he has the name of someone else who will provide the service. Mort
suggested that we should start an Association list of people who do
good work. (Contact Barbara M, and we’ll publish at the beginning
of next season.)
Sy K suggested that with interest
rates the way they are or may be, any investment we do with our funds
should be long term with least amount of penalty.
Nominating Committee: The following
terms expire this year: Jim B, John S, Richard S, Herb S (filled in for
Ed W resignation prior to the end of Ed’s
term two years ago). All existing Board Members volunteered to remain
except John S, who unnecessarily apologized for spending more time
in Florida than at Oquaga these days. He recommended Bill B as a
replacement. Nominations were solicited from the floor and none were
offered. By a voice vote, the new proposed slate-of-officers were
elected.
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 several people (but officially noted as
Mort L) and seconded unanimously (but officially noted as Ferris A). Accepted unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 by Jim
B, who noted it was once again a timely and efficient meeting.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Barbara Marko
August 26, 2005
Board of Directors Meeting to Appoint
Officers
Attending: Ferris A, Jim B, Bill B, Marie D, Koen G, Dick H, Brenda L,
Barbara M, Doris S, Richard S, Herb S.
As required for the By-Laws, the meeting
of the newly appointed and existing Board members convened at 8:51 pm
on August 26 to elect Officers. A motion was made by Koen G that the
current slate of officers as last year, remain in office this year.
After a comment from President Jim B that perhaps … (he was cut
off when someone called the question), Koen restated the motion, and
several (officially Brenda) seconded. The vote was unanimous, except
for Jim who was uncharacteristically silent and shaking his head.
Motion officially passed by 11 to one (Jim, still shaking his head and
wondering how this continues to happen to him) apparent abstention.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm, perhaps the shortest meeting of the
OLIA Board of Directors, and in keeping with Jim B’s “as short a
meeting as possible” philosophy.
Minutes respectfully submitted:
Barbara Marko
August 26, 2005
Annual Meeting Attendees (34
Properties Represented)
Last modified:
05/27/12
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