Webster Lake Association Meeting
 Point Breeze on June 13th, 2006

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

• Member & Supporter Decals Decals will be mailed out to every member upon renewal. Extra ones will be for sale later. Reminder will be sent out to pay dues

• Report on state funds for storm water Paul Kujawski and Richard Moore have been working very hard for us. Webster has received $336 K already to put towards storm water drainage and will receive an additional $168,000 for next year as well. There will be an additional $20,000 towards weed treatment from funds in this year’s sediment control project and this will help to keep us to control the invasive species. Gary Williams and Pam Landry have volunteered to serve as our rep to the Storm Water Committee when formed.

• Corporate memberships now available Corporate memberships are now available for $50.00 and the interest has been positive

• Insurance Renewal for liability is $1200 this year, down $200. Moved to approve payment by Ernie Benoit and seconded by Judy Keegan.

• Remind all to thank AJ for all his hospitality for the WLA, goodies, and setting up for us is greatly appreciated

• WLA Website has been updated with many new items – take a look, as there is the GeoSyntech survey, WQT results etc.- thanks Jane for doing such a wonderful job

• French River – Allan reported that their memberships are available as well ($20) and we are working in close partnership on the water testing and sediment control with the French River, sharing equipment, resources and mutual interests. Allan Dabrowski has provide information on the UNH Center for Storm Water Studies; there are openings for the fall seminars if anyone is interested. Contact Dick Cazeault if interested.

VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT

• Membership drive Brian Houlihan from Middle Pond (BOD) initiated a call for new membership. We need volunteers, members to contact neighbors and hand them our new membership form with some information on what we do. If we all got two new members we could all benefit. What we do is for all on the lake, directly benefits the town of Webster and of course anyone who supports lakes and ponds. Please help out here.

• Newsletter updates Jane reminded people to send in newsworthy items for the next newsletter. This is a huge task as well and your ideas and newsletter items really are important to us.

• Elections for August Our annual elections as well as the raffle will be held at our August 8th meeting. Up for election are the VP, Treasurer, and one rep each to the BOD from North, Middle and South pond. If interested, contact any of the current BOD members. 

SECRETARY'S REPORT

• Membership update We are still steady at 502 but are looking for more. Goal for the year is 650. We do have over 800 homes on the lake and would like to see everyone be a member so let’s all work on this.

• Approval of last meeting minutes Approved last month’s meeting notes Moved Gloria Ricker and Second Don Malo. Need to send thank you as well to Bob Craver for generous donation

TREASURER'S REPORT

• Financial Report Joan explained the CD interest and budget was approved; Moved Jane Hill and Second Paul Turner

• Joan also explained that we hold funds for the French River in our organization as a cooperative venture.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE REPORT

• Weed update - Paul explained what are going to happen, circulated maps and entertained questions about this spring. Many members are going to either rake or treat through us and this is a courtesy afforded only to members so another reason for your neighbors to become WLA supporters.

• Anne Cazeault put together a list of 57 requests for treatment. THANK YOU

• Milfoil areas to be treated will be Memorial Beach, Nipmuc Cove, Beacon Park, Treasure Island, Action Marine, and Cove from R. Fields to Wilson’s and S. Point Cove. Combination treatment for Milfoil and Fanwort to be done at Colonial Park. Fairfield Rd area will be treated for Fanwort and Milfoil so look for signs regarding lake use (should stay out for 48 hours) when this occurs @ June 28th. Beach area will be closed for these two days as well.

• There will be some experiments with Pondweed that we can treat as a nuisance weed and ACT will advise us Budget will be presented at the next BOD but we will actually spend less this year – state funding is assisting us greatly and individuals who are treating as well.

• ACT will be out this week to assess raking verses chemicals for those who signed up to treat. If interested call Paul LaFramboise.

• Sediment project will begin at Union Point around July 2nd and should be completed by November. This is the first step towards a much cleaner lake. Controlling the run off into the lake, which the WQT is testing through monitoring of tributaries, is an essential step for lake management and we are getting support from the town and the state with the documentation that our members have been working on so diligently over the past three years. We owe the people involved in the Environmental Committee and WQT team a hearty thank you for all you are doing.

• WQT update from Ernie Ernie spoke about the monitoring, the acquisition of free anchors from J.B. Concrete Products in Putnam to be used at the 3 waypoints in the lake. The sailing association will help us install the anchors using their expertise and equipment. We will install a test anchor to be sure it works before installing all 3 sites. If the anchor test is a failure we will obtain an anchor and line like the one we borrow from Alan Dabrowski.

• The French River Connection is monitoring the 3 major streams (Browns Brook, Sucker Brook & Mine Brook) entering the lake for us. We plan to continue to partner with them keeping the lake clean and getting the French river cleaner.

• We are using new equipment this year, a troll 9500 instead of the troll 9000. The troll 9500 is a great improvement over the 9000 and is working very well for us.

• We are looking at 2 new methods to monitor the lake. Use of a colorimeter like the French River Connection is using and or adding a probe to the troll 9500 to test for nitrate. We will be looking at he 2 methodologies over the summer and determine which would be best to incorporate or stay as we are.

• Thompson Ct is now working with us to monitor the French River in Connecticut. The Quinebaug Shetucket Heritage Corridor Inc has included monies in their budget for water quality testing in 2007. This money is for the French River and Webster Lake. We will be getting help from QSHC to continue water monitoring because of our generosity in lending tools to the French River Connection and the Thompson Group this year and last. It turns out it sometimes pays to be a good neighbor. Thank You

• Town appropriations, grants, projects Discussion was held on the monitoring of the shallow spots on the lake, which marks these, liability and mapping. It is believed that the police have an updated map but we all know that the lake changes every year. Dick will find out if the town/state marks or maps as well as how does one (who does) close the lake as in the recent high waters. Who then monitors the ramps and controls the speeds of the boats that are on the lake?

FUN-DRAISERS COMMITTEE REPORT

• Mediterranean Raffle- Judy and Linda reminded members to send in tickets and money ASAP as remaining tickets will be sold the general public after July 14th

• October Golf Tournament Plans are going well and this is certain to be a great event. Even if you do not golf, there are multiple opportunities to volunteer or participate in many other areas. If you would like more information, contact Mitch Pizzetti or Janet Anderson. Coast for golfing will be $100 per person and includes fees, cart, lunch, dinner and a shirt. Point Breeze donated the money for the dinner – thank you. Robin and Bob Craver have recruited incredible business support – thank you. There are many opportunities for businesses or corporations to help sponsor a hole etc. Date is Oct.1st at Thompson Country Club

OLD BUSINESS

• Insurance issue: Need to find out if our insurance covers the liability regarding the sunken markers for the WQT team and Dick will inquire

NEW BUSINESS

• Killdeer Island Club is again sponsoring their 5k Road Race and Peter Luchina (President of the club) shared information with us. We will pass on all the particulars in the next newsletter but this event, held the second weekend in September has grown in status and stature. If you like to run or walk or just socialize, this is a great day.

• The BOD will also consider whether other lake groups such as Killdeer need to be Corporate memberships as opposed to individually as they are now

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Next WLA Meeting – August 8 2006

• Next Board meeting – June 27, 2006