Friday, July 11, 2008

Minutes of 6/29/08 General Meeting

Minutes of the Stannard Beach Association General Meeting
6/29/08

President Brown called a General Meeting at the Joan Connell Community Center. The meeting was called order at approximately 9:04 am.

The minutes of the 8/26/07 General Meeting and 6/14/08 Board meeting were read and accepted.

President’s Report:

New members Jeff and Mary Jean Takahashi of 6 Stannard Drive were introduced.

There is currently no chair for the beach picnic. Anyone who is willing to chair should contact President Lou Brown.

Rules Committee will be Ralph Smalley, John Abella, and Marty Webber.

Proposed noise ordinance concerning amplified sound and light was raised. Discussion.

Motion passed to amend bylaws to include that the following be added to “declared acts of nuisance” (n) A homeowner’s use of bright light and amplified sounds may not affect the peace and tranquility of neighboring property owners.

Berkon email concerning parking on Stannard Drive was raised – parking on that street is only for residents and their guests.

Motion passed: Parking on Stannard Drive is only for residents of Stannard Drive. Guests must park in the lot or the residents’ driveway.

Dumping of grass clipping on ball field and other common areas – this is a problem and a violation of the Rules. President Brown asked anyone doing this to stop immediately.

Problem with the jetty bolt on the West End jetty will be fixed.

Jim Kiely has requested use of the Community Center from 12-5 pm on July 4.

Old Business:

Building Commission: Stannard Beach was incorporated in 1947. Authorization includes authority for the building commission.

Motion to establish building commission.

Discussion.

Amendment: Set up committee of Ralph Smalley, Sandy Seidman, and Vivian Kava to looking establishing a building commission.

Motion passed.

Work on Caslin property: Pres. Brown received notice that it will be completed in the next couple days.

Treasurer’s report (John Kava):

Checking account: $46,343
Reserve: $ 5,391

Total: $51,734

Bills for dues will be mailed in July. Mill rate is going up slightly.

Opening safety deposit box and PO Box for treasurer. There will also be a new email for the treasurer.

Budget was accepted.

Discussion as to whether we should establish a larger reserve designated to deal with upcoming major projects. Consensus is that we should not do so at this time.

Roads (George Dallas):

George proposes redoing Cedar Lane in the fall and reconditioning drain in front of Rothblatt house. Estimated to cost about $35,000.

Still trying to get town to contribute to costs.

Motion to allocate not to exceed $40,000 for road maintenance on Cedar Lane and drain on Cedar Lane, and for professional engineering services.

Discussion.

Motion passed 25-2.

Beach Erosion (Sharon Bender):

Reviewed history re erosion and engineering. Have contracted with Gary Sharpe and jetty on Beach Court. Study may recommend removal of groins. Discussion.

New business:

Discussion of parking on Stannard Drive.

Gravel will be put in parking lot in next few days – will need assistance spreading.

Unlawfully parked vehicles in parking lot. All individuals are requested to move them.

Les Nathan is looking into lightening rods. Anyone interested should contact him. Cost is around $2,000. He also has an old high tide chart. Suggests we look into something like this again.

Meeting adjourned at 10:25 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Elin Katz
Secretary

Minutes of 6/14/08 Board Meeting

Minutes of the Stannard Beach Association Board
6/14/08

A Board Meeting was held on 6/14/08 at the home of President Brown. The meeting was called to order at 9:10 am.

The Secretary’s minutes from the 8/26/07 General Meeting were read and accepted.

Report on Beach Erosion:

Sharon Bender reported on beach erosion. Met with three different engineering firms over the winter: Rob Sonnichsen from Waldo and Associates, LLC, Guilford, CT; John Roberge from Roberge Associates Coastal Engineers, LLC, Stratford, CT; and
Gary Sharpe from Angus McDonald/Gary Sharpe and Associates, Old Saybrook, CT.

All looked at old study we had done. Three proposals were received: (1) move existing sand; (2) yearly maintenance contract; (3) studies to determine other options. Rights of way access was a big issue for all three firms.

Sharon recommended preventative maintenance. Gary Sharpe has a maintenance contract at Chalker Beach. Sharon will see how that is working. Lou Florio discussed issue with major beach erosion at east end of beach (the end farthest from Water’s Edge). Last did that in 1998. President Brown was contacted by DEP about these issues. DEP has determined that we are obligated to maintain sand level around groins or remove groins at that end of beach. Consensus that we should use Gary Sharpe, who has the most experience.

Motion passed to engage Gary Sharpe to proceed with actions to address beach erosion and past engineering study, with expenditures of up to $5000, in addition to $5000 already authorized.

Treasurer’s Report: John Kava

Checking account: $32,851.41
Reserve: $13,570.00
CD: $ 5,391.01
_________

Total: $51,813.01

Mill rate is 1.07

Report was accepted.

President’s Report:

a. There were four deaths over the winter: Tom Greenwood, Connie Colangelo, Bunny Stannard, and Bob Nathan.

b. Discussion of Common Area adjacent to Fishman property. Pres. Brown summarized what has transpired during his presidency. Atty. Glenn Terk read correspondence between his office and the Fishmans.

Discussion of issues, given that Fishmans have not signed an agreement acknowledging that they do not claim any rights of adverse possession in that Common Area.

Motion passed: Owners of Fishman property shall execute and return the agreement sent by the Board concerning the Fishman Common Area on or before September 1, 2008. Failure to do so will result in the Board assessing a penalty of $1000/month until said document is returned to the Board.

Old Business:

a. George Palmer reported that garbage pick-up is Monday and recycling is Wednesday.

b. Security guard starts on June 27. Same hours as last year.

c. Steve Mason reports that buoys will be in by July 4.

d. George Dallas reported on drainage issues. He proposes repaving, regarding of Cedar Lane, and maintaining drains. There was concern about the damage to the roads caused by the installation of gas lines.

Motion passed: Glenn Terk will contact Southern Gas and notify them that they have damaged the roads during installation of gas lines at Stannard Beach and need to repair roads immediately.

d. The Board is looking for a chair for the beach picnic.

f. Marty Webber is replacing Lorraine Cafero on the Rules Committee.

g. The Nominating Committee will be Dennis Hersh, Sandy Seidman, Robin Schwartz, Bill Wrang and George Palmer.

h. Myra Fishman will not sell Stannard Beach t-shirts any more. Vy Kava will sell existing t-shirts.

i. Building Commission is a good idea and should be raised at General Meeting.

j. The insurance company is concerned about lack of lifeguard on beach. Signs will be posted.

k. There were two break-ins reported over the winter.

l. Lynn Nathan requested repairs to the playground. $500 was authorized to address dangerous conditions.

m. A letter was read from the Berkons on Stannard Drive concerning parking on Stannard Drive. Will be raised at General Meeting.

n. Light/noise ordinance proposal will come up at General Meeting.

New Business:

a. Gravel is needed in the parking lot. Also, unlawful parking of boat trailer and camper.

b. Someone has been dumping grass clippings around the backstop on the ball field. George Palmer will have them removed, and also have a garbage can put over by the basketball hoop.

c. George Dallas agreed to scan in the Rules and Regulations, so they could be posted on the website.

Meeting adjourned at 11:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Elin Katz
Secretary