Lake Wononscopomuc Association
Annual Meeting
October 22, 2011
The meeting was called to order at 1:35PM, at Town Hall, Salisbury, by President Bill Littauer.
Directors in attendance were: Bill Littauer, James Marshall, Edward Erbacher, Martha Baer, Margaret Douglas-Hamilton, Cathy Shyer, Patricia Ranson, Ben Zalman, Louise Hannegan, and Dean Haubrich.
On a motion by Weezie Hannegan and seconded by James Marshall the members voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous annual meeting and accept them as distributed last year.
Cathy Shyer reported that 107 members of the lake association have made contributions so far this year compared to 127 last year. There was some discussion about sending membership letters to people who use the Town Grove with a reference to the boat watch, the benthic barriers, the Lake Keeper Program, the harvesting and other activities the association undertakes for the benefit of all lake users. Cathy said a contribution reminder letter would go out this week.
James Marshall reported that membership contributions so far this year total $18,500.89. That is 1.5% more than last year. Our expenses for the year so far are $20,837.42. Major expenses were:
Weed barriers at the Grove
$1,900.00
$1,900.00 Weed cutting $1,439.50
$1,439.50Boat watch $4,185.00
$4,185.00Lake Keeper Program$5,000.00
$5,000.00Legal Services $7,362.92
$7,362.92Administration $ 728.97
$ 728.97During the year we transferred $6,000 from the Berkshire Taconic Fund to our checking account. Total assets are $64,000 compared to $75,000 in 2010.
The legal expenses were incurred largely in 2010 in connection with the issue of zoning special permits, but were paid early this year. For archival purposes members agreed such expenses should not be listed under the “Lake Program,” but should be listed in a separate category.
There was also discussion about the cost of harvesting after Labor Day when few people are swimming or boating. Lorna Brodtkorb mentioned that she had guests who were swimming in Mid-September. Mary Silks said that removal of additional tons of bio-mass is helpful. It was agreed that harvesting should be ending after Labor Day and certainly by September 15th.
Don Mayland submitted a summary of the third year of the Lake Keeper Program so far. He noted that each year has shown very different weather conditions, but the readings for chemical composition and oxygen levels did not vary very much. What he said has changed is the resurgence of milfoil. He did not see a large caddisfly population which he believes allows the milfoil to increase its growth.
Don will put together a user friendly report over the winter, a three year compilation and an inventory of invertebrates (Mussels, snails and crayfish) and zooplankton and phytoplankton.
He recommended that we continue monitoring the lake by taking samples and analyzing the data three times each year in the spring, summer and autumn. He estimated the cost of such a program at $2,000 as opposed to the $15,000 annual cost of the past three years.
On a motion by Dean Haubrich seconded by Margaret Monaco the members voted to continue the program as Don recommends.
There was some discussion about whether a new attempt should be made to employ a chemical treatment to eradicate the milfoil, but no decision was reached. Some members said they would investigate various possibilities and report back. Mary Silks raised the issue of town ordinances on fertilizer use, septic tank pumping and penalties for zoning code violations.
Mary reported that a contractor doing a basement excavation near the lake had been pumping water and silt out of the excavation directly into the lake. He was reportedly stopped after a complaint was made. That led to a discussion over the need for residents to take the initiative for enforcement in a town as small as Salisbury with its very limited staff and resources.
On a motion by Margaret Douglas-Hamilton seconded by Cathy Shyer the members voted to set the Board of Directors at 15 members.
On a motion by Patricia Ranson seconded by Martha Baer the members voted to elect the following directors for the next year: James Marshall, Edward Erbacher Mark Hochberg, Martha Baer, David Sims, Margaret Douglas-Hamilton, Charles Cook, Cathy Shyer, Irwin Ackerman, Patricia Ranson, Bill Littauer, Keith Ellis, Louise Hannegan, Dean Haubrich and Dennis Card.
The general meeting was adjourned at 2:45PM and the board of directors then convened. On a motion by Patricia Ranson seconded by Margaret Douglas-Hamilton the members voted to re-elect the following officers for the next year: President Bill Littauer, Vice President-Secretary Cathy Shyer and Treasurer James Marshall.
The board of directors meeting was adjourned at 2:47PM.
Lorna Brodtkorb said a green aluminum canoe has drifted over to her beach. If anyone has lost such a canoe, please contact Lorna at lbrodtk@gmail.com.
We want to welcome Rosemary and Gerry Reidy to the Lake Wononscopomuc Association. They bought the property at 150 Millerton Road. Gerry also told us that the copper down spouts on his house have been stolen. The police told him that such copper theft has become a problem in this area and residents should be alerted to the problem.
