09/06/09 Stannard Beach Board Meeting Minutes

STANNARD BEACH
BOARD MEETING 09/06/09
MINUTES

The Meeting was called to order by George Dallas at 9:01AM
First item of business to define the Building Commission, the vote to rescind the commission was defeated at the General Meeting 08/30/09. The Commission is made up of the following members:
Sandy Seidman, Past President of the Stannard Beach Association, Jason Garner, Builder and Carmela Dallas, Real Estate business with a area of expertise in Building and remodeling.
The purpose of the Building Commission is to be aware of all construction that takes place in our community, and to protect Stannard Beach residents from unsightly obstructions. The commission will take a look at all permits to see if there is a need to protect or notify the residents of changes, especially over the winter months when so few resident are here.
A question was raised about the consequences for a violation, it was stated there is a fine of $250.00 for violators who fail to comply. George Dallas stated that the Intent of this committee is very good however can be seen as a bit murky. Harvey Robbin suggested a to form a mission statement or a charter so to speak for the new building Commission. John Abella stated that the Bylaws already clearly state there is to be no Obstructions on 1st & 2nd Avenues. Sandy Seidman reiterates that this commission is advisory in nature and will take a look at all construction to be certain that no rules or bylaws are broken. Again, George Dallas stated that the commission is solely the eyes and ears of the neighborhood.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. COUNCIL OF BEACHES:
George Dallas asked for a volunteer go to the Council of Beaches meetings when held. Sandy Seidman agreed to go to the Towns meetings on the council of Beaches as time permits .
2. TRASH:
George Palmer said the October 1, 2009 the trash will be collected on Thursdays with the recycling staying the same on Wednesdays.
3. DIRECTORY:
Many Thanks were given to Steve & Barbara Mason for a job well done on updating our directory. They put in lots of time and effort and the result is an excellent and helpful document.

4. JETTY REPAIR AND BEACH MAINTENANCE
Jetty # 1 has been repaired and the gaping holes that were evident after the initial repair have been fixed as well. The #2 & 3 Jetties need further repair as George Dallas id waiting on a cost estimate on those repairs. George Dallas and Jim Kiley will be looking further at a document from the DEP regarding the moving of sand. Jim Kiley said the document require us to move sand as needed or build a passage over the jetties. George Dallas said he would like to get to a point where sand will not need to be moved. The suggestion of a onetime expense of stairs over the jetties will eliminate the need to move the sand. It was said that the moving of sand is very temporary, Jim Kiley made notice that after the sand was pushed up about 10 feet the next tide removed about 2 feet, but the remaining 8 or so feet seemed to stay. It was somewhat helpful in maintaining the beach front.
George Dallas said he sent a letter to the owner of the set of stairs on the Beach Court end of the beach to either repair or replace their stairs. The Insurance Company was notified that the association has contacted the owners of these stairs condition and these stairs needing repairs or replacement. George Dallas will write another letter to the Tosco’s to ask her once again to repair or remove her stairs.
The Southern Connecticut Gas Company has three applications for new Gas service to our residents. The Gas Company laid the gas lines along Second Ave. which is private property. The returned to patch the road as it should have been done. Marty Webber stated he is investigating whether or not the Gas Company had the right to do their work. He also said the Gas Company is at a point where we have leverage over them to demand that if there want the three new gas customers, they must repair our roads back to the condition they found them if we allow their service to be installed. Harvey Robbin made a motion to the board to authorize the president to sign an easement to allow the Gas company to continue to provide services as needed to our residents, but also make it mandatory that they return the property back to the condition they found it prior to gas pining installation. All but 2 voted in favor of passing the motion, the motion passed. George Dallas will make sure the easement is properly written.
George Palmer stated that all estimates are not in on the Tennis courts but was expecting them to be around $4,000.00. Jeff Morris made a motion to authorize George Palmer up to $5,000.00 for Tennis court maintenance so he can move forward. Motion passed.
5. Capital Budget
Flood mediation on Cedar Lane. Catch water at Cedar Lane and Stannard Court to alleviate some more of the issue. George Dallas is talking with John Riggio from the Town of Westbrook for a new process which is 1” layer put to cover cracks and holes. Initial estimate was approximately $18,000.00 but should be more because of potholes. If we move forward with road repairs, notices should be sent out to all residents prior to construction start so everyone is aware of the construction, Also it should not commence prior to the Gas companies installations, It should begin when they are done. A Motion was made to allow George Dallas to get estimates on road repairs to seek approval at the General meeting.

6. Nominating
Jeff Morris noted that at the General Meeting, George Dallas did not properly appoint a nominating committee. The Committee consists of two Board members, Stephen Powers and Michael Guinan, and two non board members, Michael Rottblatt and Linda Pinn. The Committee selected, Jason Garner, Michael Grennan and Mark Miller. All 3 are new residents to our association. There were questions on how their lack of knowledge may be a hindrance as new board members. The new members present stated that it would be their position to bring fresh new ideas to the board while they still have a great respect for the more experienced members. Lew Brown said that the nominating committee should have proposed a slate. There was a technicality where the President is a 2 year term, but it must be voted on yearly. Steve Mason said he’d check the Bylaws for and issues on the quantity of men vs. women, or old residents vs. new residents and any other criteria for future nominating. Sandy Seidman stated he felt a past president should be on the nominating committee. Dennis Hersh kindly offered to amend all the bylaws form 2004 to present to add clarity to what should and should not be done.

7. Treasurers Report
John Kava reported our income is $64,088.88. He also said he found a Bank that would be willing to allow us to have a Money Market account. We should be able to move about $40,000.00 and that will earn approximately $400.00 annually. A motion was approved for John to move forward to open the Money Market account.

The Meeting was adjourned at 10:16AM
Respectfully Submitted
Marie Gallo Garabedian