Webster Lake Association Meeting February 11th, 2003

"Webster Lake Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing, preserving and protecting the quality of the lake and its watershed through the promotion of responsible, effective environmental & educational policies. We shall strive to strengthen and unite the Webster Lake Community through recreational, social and civic activities. Our mission is to preserve this regionally unique resource as a pristine legacy for future generations."

©2002
All rights reserved.
Webster Lake Association, Inc.

Click here to email us

WLA
P.O. Box 156
Webster, MA 01570-0156

 

 

 

WLA MEETING AGENDA
February 11th, 2003 

  • PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Dick Cazeault 

    • Publicity 

      • A WLA Cable program is now running on one of the local Webster Cable stations. Dick Cazeault, Randy Wade, Paul LaFramboise, Jeanne Rossetti and Jane Hill recorded it on February 5th to get the word out on the great things being done by the WLA. Jane has been talking to Indigraphix about converting this videotape to a digital format for use on our website.

      • Dick has been in touch with Readers Digest and we have an article about the lake featured in the April Issue.

    • Membership & Corporate Sponsorships – Dick is leading this effort. He will be exploring relationships with businesses in town to begin creating partnerships for the purpose of raising money for the environmental projects. He needs volunteers as he intends to do a really good job with this and grow the membership dramatically this year.

    • BOS Meeting - Dick and Paul LaFramboise spoke at the BOS meeting on February 10th regarding our relationships with the BOS and other town groups. They discussed the WLA goals, and the meeting ended up on a good note as it was felt that there was a consensus between the two groups. In an effort to work in close unison with the BOS, Dick is assigning one member of our board to one member of theirs. Dick is looking forward to working closely with Mrs. Irene Martel. The purpose of this “Mentoring Program” is to update the BOS as things occur, and to let them know exactly what we’re working towards. We will also copy them on minutes and newsletters.

     

  • SECRETARY’S REPORT – Jane Hill

    • Review of Last Month’s Minutes. 

      • We are now officially “Non Profit Status Pending”.

      • The WLA Logo is approved.

      • Out meetings are now the second Tuesday of every other month. The reason for this change is to make the meetings more of an “event” to encourage people to attend.

      • We have a new Historian, JP Stevens. We are looking forward to sharing the results of his research on Webster Lake with our members, as well as the general public.

    • Newsletters

      • The February Newsletter went out on 2nd of this month.

      • We had an outstanding response to our request for Newsletter Sponsorship.

      • Atech Pest Elimination Services will sponsor the May Newsletter. Any one interested in sponsoring future issues should email Jane Hill. First come – first serve.

      • We welcome participation for the May Newsletter – articles, recipes, environmental tips, letters to the editor, etc.

    • Website Additions – Please contact Jane Hill if you’d like to contribute: 

      • Email addresses – to list yours on the “ponds” pages.

      • Member’s Businesses – to advertise your business please arrange for either ad copy or a link to your web page.

      • Lastly we have begun to expand the Environmental & Safety Information on the website – all contributions welcome!  

    • A question was raised regarding communicating with people who don’t have computers. The following avenues are offered: 

      • The quarterly newsletter.

      • The bi-monthly WLA meetings.

      • Ginger Costen’s articles in the Webster Times.

      • Using a library computer to access the website.

      • A “buddy system” where a neighbor prints out and passes along meeting minutes.

      • As a last resort, we will mail the meeting minutes to people for whom the above options will not work.

       

  • TREASURERS REPORT – Robin Wade

    • Current financial status:

Beginning balance        $6,377.41
Total income                1,926.90
Total expenses             3,157.86
Ending balance            $5,146.45

  • MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE – Jane Hill

    • Current Status

      • 21 North Pond

      • 78 Middle Pond

      • 57 South Pond

      • 15 Associate Members

    • Adopt a Street Program - This month’s letters will go out to:

      • Wawela

      • Bay View

      • Killdeer

      • Laurelwood

    • We encourage members to join the membership committee!

     

  • FUN-DRAISERS COMMITTEE – Jeanne Rossetti

    • New Year’s Eve Beach Party – great fun! Only cost us $300.

    • Casino & Kentucky Derby Night will be held on May 3rd from 4 – 8:00 PM.

    • Photo Contest & 2004 Calendar – Rebecca Leonard is coordinating this event. Photo submissions can be of anything as long as it is lake related.

    • The photos will be displayed at Point Breeze and we will select at the August WLA meeting. Contact Rebecca for the contest rules & release forms. These will soon be posted on the web.

    • July Boat Parade will be held on July 6th. We will meet in front of Point Breeze at 1:00 PM. This is a family event purely intended for fun. We will have trophies for the best decorated boats. We are going to invite the BOS to be our judges.

    • WLA Summer Birthday Party – We are 1 year old this July! A big family summer event is being planned. The date has not yet been set.  

    • Waterfront Landscaping Seminar will be held on Saturday, April 19th.  We have GeoSyntec Consultants, Sunset Nurseries and several talented WLA members planning this informative event. Any one else interesting in getting involved, please contact Jane Hill.

     

  • ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE – Paul LaFramboise 

    • Paul acknowledged the success of the BOS meeting and feels that the relationship will develop positively.

    • WLA Member, Pam Landry, was recently nominated to be President of the board for the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES) 

    • Paula Chauvin attended a COLAP Seminar in February. She was inspired by the enthusiasm and motivation of members of other lake associations, The specific sessions she attended involved “loons”, “lake management plans” and “lakes vs.. ponds”. She encouraged fishermen to not use lead sinkers as they are killing loons.

    • Environmental Bond Bill – The status is still pending. The balance may be held up temporarily or permanently. We look forward to working with the town to prioritize projects that can be accomplished with the $600K thathas been allocated. 

    • Weed Management Activities - GeoSyntec Consultants met with us in January and others will be coming in soon.

    • Karen Christie will provide links to environmental information for our website. 

    • Ernie Benoit feels that we should come up with a plan for the WLA to participate in Earth Day.

    • Hats off to Tom Pezzella as there will now be no more hydro raking at the Sailing Association to restrict the spread of invasive weeds.

    • At the BOS meeting it was stated that the entire Waterways Fund was used for police patrols. The WLA requested more information and Ray Regis offered to help.

    • Fishing Signs preventing the spread of Aquatic Weeds – we have approved the content and they just need to be approved by the town.

 

  • SAFETY COMMITTEE – Randy Wade

    • Ice Safety Tips are being published in the newspapers, on our website and  on Cable TV. Randy Wade conducted an interview on Radio station 13.10 AM this past Wednesday on the same topic.

    • Boating Safety Signs will be posted at 9 different areas around the lake.

    • The safety committee is soon meeting with Officer Bagley to discuss safety ideas with him.

    • We are looking into the possibility of having a speaker come to a General Meeting and discuss boating safety and equipment.

    • The Safety Committee is also looking into a Crime Watch Program for lakefront property owners.  This will be discussed with the Board of Directors. Having a speaker come to a General Meeting to discuss this Crime Watch Program will also be discussed.

 

  • NEW BUSINESS

    • Howard Raphaelson encouraged the WLA to participate in the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor Walking Weekends which will be held Oct 10th – 13th and 17th – 19th. He thinks we should consider the types of environmental talks, walks, experiences that we can sponsor. Click here for details on the 2002 event.

    • A question was asked regarding whether our excise taxes go into waterways fund. Additionally, we discussed the fact that our dock fees currently go into the general fund. However, pending the article at the town meeting, this may change. Folks wanted to know more about how to vote money into the waterways account for lake improvement.  It was questioned as to whether the Mass Environmental Police paid us a stipend. Bob Miller and Ray Regis to investigate.

    • Frank Hvizdos wants to know how to handle the junk left on the ice by ice fishermen. He was especially concerned regarding logs from campfires left behind, as it is dangerous for snowmobilers. He stated that based on lake currents, much of it washes up at his house for him to cart away. He wanted to know where the harbormaster is in the wintertime? Randy Wade offered to check with the fire department regarding campfires on the ice. 

      • Please note that we checked with the fire department and fires on the ice are legal.

    • Nancy LaFramboise wants to know what to do about ice fisherman coming though private properties to access the lake. 

    • Mike Wrabel inquired about the identification of shallow points in the lake. Dick Cazeault explained that for us to provide these markers would become a liability as kids have been known to move them around as pranks. Randy Wade stated that handouts from the safety committee will have a map marking low areas. These will be available at convenience stores. Mike wanted to know why the town would not take responsibility for this project. He feels it’s as important to the safety on the lake as a red light is to people driving down the street. 

    • Howard Raphaelson stated that noise issues should be reported to the police. He feels that if enough people call they will address the situation.

    • Robin Wade wants to know why the town approves ice fishing tournaments that involve the use of ice augers prior to 5:30 AM. 

    • Gloria Ricker suggested that we get some people on the by-law committee. 

    • Paula Chauvin mentioned 2-3 boats sunk on the lake currently. She’s contacting the Conservation Commission to see what can be done about this. She needs to know specifically where they are. If you have info regarding situations such as these, please email Paula at: Kenchauvin@aol.com

    • Paula Chauvin emphasized that the committees are working hard and that the public needs to have patience in allowing us time to collect the required information and work towards accomplishing the goals we have set.

    • Scott Goulet emphasized that people are working very hard and we could use more volunteers in the Membership, Environmental and Safety Committees. Please email Dick Cazeault for Membership, Paul LaFramboise for Environmental and Randy Wade for Safety.

     

  • ANNOUNCEMENTS

    • Next WLA Meeting - April, 8th, 2003

    • WLA Annual Meeting – August 11th, 2003

    • Winner of the 50/50 Raffle - Lauren Kearns $50 and Pat Riley $25 Point Breeze Gift Certificate

PLEASE NOTE: Paula Chauvin lost a manila folder full of environmental information last night. We think that someone may have picked it up accidentally. If anyone does have this folder, please email Paula.

     
 
 

"It is as useless to argue with those who have renounced the use and authority of reason as to administer medication to the dead."

Thomas Jefferson