Minutes: Webster Lake Association Meeting
At Point Breeze
Tuesday, April 13th at 7:00 P.M.

v     President's Report

Ø      Update on docks – as there has been very little happening on this front, we are not anticipating dock fees for this summer.

Ø      Webster Symposium

§         We had a good turnout and the WLA put together an outstanding table display on the old postcards, the watershed environment and smart land use.

§         Minutes will be published as to the details of this symposium

§         We had a lot of student interest in the WLA

·        Dick put forth a motion to have high school and college student membership fees dropped to $2 to encourage the younger folks to join us. The motion passed. Please contact all the students in your life and urge them to get involved!

Ø      Lunch w/Congressman Neal – Dick went to a Luncheon with Congressman Neal, Paul Kujawski, Robin Leal and others. They were very interested in discussing the projects we are currently working on.

Ø      Hayden Pond Update – this is a private pond in Dudley that was so inspired by the success of the Webster Lake Association that they formed an organization and recently acquired $3000 from the Town of Dudley to put toward environmental issues on their pond. They send along their thanks.

Ø      LKQ contribution – they received a $4,000 fine for a stormwater issue. With the help of Paul Kujawski and Bob Miller, they arranged to have 75% of this fine donated to the WLA. We will use this $3,000 to buy water quality testing equipment.

Ø      Ken Parker and the French River clean up – Ken Parker was one of the participants in the symposium session that Dick chaired. He is interested in getting a group together to clean up the Webster side of the French River. (Thompson has already cleaned up their side). With our support he’d like to start a committee to tackle this project. Anyone interested can contact him at ken.parker@charter.net

v     Secretary's Report

Ø      Upcoming Elections – We have openings for the following positions:

§         North Pond Board of Director

§         Middle Pond Board of Director

§         South Pond Board of Director

§         Vice President

§         Secretary

§         Treasurer.

§         We will elect these positions at our June meeting. We urge you to get involved. Anyone interested – please email me at jmhill@charter.net

Ø      Meet the BOS Candidates Night – April 25^th

§         We are hosting a Meet the BOS Candidates Night at the Colonial from 4-7:00 on Sunday April 25^th.

§         We have contact those running for this office and the majority has agreed to come and speak to us.

§         This is a members-only event for 3 reasons: 1 – to keep the focus on the watershed; 2 – to give our members some value for their money; 3 – to increase membership.

§         We think this should be fun and informative and we hope to see you there.

Ø      Last Month’s Minutes

§         Flags are still available. The cost is $45. Contact email me at jmhill@charter.net

§         The May newsletter is in the works. Please contribute anything of interest.

·        A sponsor is needed. It is $350 for a ½ page ad.

§         Motion passed to accept the February minutes.

Ø      Membership Update

§         North Pond - 64

§         Middle Pond - 167

§         South Pond - 103

§         Off Lake – 30

·        Total – 364

§         62 People who were members last year did not pay their dues for this year. Assuming that this is an oversight, Judy Morrison agreed to contact them.

v     Treasurer's Report

Ø      Motion passed to accept the Financial Report.

General Meeting Financial Report
BEGINNING BALANCE 2/10/04	$     27,821
INCOME
2004 Raffle	$      3,400
Bank Interest	$             2
Calendar Income	$         265
Membership Fees	$         185
Newsletter Donation	$         250
TOTAL INCOME	$      4,102
EXPENSES
Calendar Expenses	$           80
Junque Trunk	$           52
Lake Management	$           26
Mail & Stamps	$           10
Newsletter	$         339
Raffle 2004	$         398
Supplies	$           37
TOTAL EXPENSES	$         942
Ending Balance 4/13/04	$     30,980

v     FUN-draisers Committee Report

Ø       Pontoon Raffle – 45 tickets have been sold to date. Contact Judy Morrison at jadaggett@aol.com to get yours. Please help to support this important fund raising event!

Ø      Summer Party – This may be at Memorial Beach this summer. We are looking to team up with other civic groups such as Webster Pride. The Social Committee is talking with caterers as to how to plan a great party

Ø      Our 2005 Calendar will feature antique lake postcards. Between Dick Cazeault and the Reichenberg family – there are about 450 to choose from. The ad prices have been lowered to encourage more financial support.

Ø      The next Social Committee meeting is at Point Breeze on May 3^rd. Please volunteer some of your time to help out with these great events.

v     Environmental Committee Report

Ø       Weed Treatment Plans

§         We selected Aquatic Controls Technology as our partner for weed treatment for this year.

§         We’re working with the Conservation Committee on permitting and the reaction has been positive

§         We’re hoping for a Notice of Intent on April 26^th. This is usually good for 2 years and we’re asking for that plus a 2 year extension.

Ø      Hydro-Raking – the lake’s hydro-raker still has a 3 year contract. We’re asking lake residents to check with us first before hiring this service to ensure that this method of weed treatment is safe for the area that you live near. And if it is not a good idea, we can perhaps provide alternative solutions. 

Ø      Water Quality Testing

§         Congrats to our second round of Water Quality Testing Graduates – Linda Littleton, Bobbie & Yale Hirshberg, Gary Williams, Pat Riley, Paula Chauvin and Bob & Judy Morrison. Well done folks!

§         We’re putting together 2 sets of plans to submit to the State called QAPPs. This will detail exactly our methods to manage water quality testing and sediment control. Writing these has been a tedious and slow process. But a success here could mean money from the State in the future. They could use some volunteers to help with this process. Contact Tom Pezzella at tpezz@naisp.net if interested.

Ø      Stormwater Management – it has begun!

§         The town signed a contract last week to begin work on Snug Harbor and Action Marine. The focus will be to revitalize the design for better sediment control.

§         This was part of a partnership with the Town & State where the State contribute $10K, the Town $6.5K and the WLA $3.5K

§         There are 35 – 40 stormwater drains around the lake. As each of these comes up for review, we do not want it to be assumed that the WLA will pay these costs. Stormwater Management is a State mandated program that the town is obligated to fulfill. We contributed on these first 2 to get the program off the ground and show our commitment to this important cause.

§         Dick is working with the Town Finance Committee to arrange to have money in an account for this type of work in the future.

§         It was pointed out that stormwater management was mentioned as part of the settlement of the Fairfield easement problem. The builder who was fined suggested that $10K of his fine go toward stormwater management. Dick will follow up on this issue.

§         A discussion of storm drains began. Folks from Union Point stated that their storm drains had been cleaned recently. Mitch Pizzetti from Kenneth Ave stated that he didn’t think his had ever been done. Dick agreed to follow up with the Town Administrator.

§         It was estimated that this Stormwater Project may take up to 10 years.

Ø      Signs – The BOD approved the cost of printing 6 copies of 2 different signs – one deals with boating safety and the other with invasive weed prevention. The posts for these signs are being donated and the town has agreed to erect the signs. (Nice job Paula Chauvin!)

Ø      Earth Day – May 1^st

§         Ernie Benoit stated that the plan is to clean up anything and everything

§         The town will pick up what you collect. Just bag it and put it on the side of the road. Or you can bring it directly to the town hall itself where a dumpster will be provided.

§         They are asking you to get your neighbors together to help with this important clean up day.

v     Old Business

Ø      We are still working on a Waterfront Landscaping seminar. Info to follow as it becomes available.

v     New Business (Q & A)

Ø      We will focus the next newsletter on Waterfront Landscaping.

Ø      Dick emphasized that we are getting a lot of support and compliments from the entire town

Ø      If anyone is interested in WLA embroidered clothing (via Lands End) contact Jane Hill at jmhill@charter.net

v     Announcements

Ø       Next WLA Meeting – June 8^th

Ø      Congrats to Mitch Pizzetti – Winner of our 50/50 Raffle

Ø      Meet the BOS Candidates Night – April 25th

Ø      Marion Zimmerman and the Hubbard Hospital Guild are looking for volunteers to work at the gift shop at the hospital. Those interested can contact Marion at (508) 949-8870.