General mtg notes Aug 29.2010

STANNARD BEACH ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING 08/29/10 Meeting called to order at 9:00AM by President George Dallas Minutes were read by the secretary Marie Garabedian, a motion from Dennis Hersh to accept the minutes was seconded by Marty Webber Treasurers Report: Treasurer John Kava reported that 71% of taxes due were collected. The remaining 29% are due by 09/01/2010. If the tax bills remain unpaid a bill will go out on 09/30/2010 with interest added. The budget set for this upcoming year is basically a break even budget. Dennis Hersh made a motion to accept the budget and it was seconded by Jeff Morris. Old Business: Cedar Lane paving is completed from Route 1 to Second Ave. The parking lot was graded and a compressed material added. The Speed gates have been put into place. Barbara Mason commented how nice they look and how well they are slowing the traffic on Cedar Lane, and the majority agreed. George Palmer reported that the Tennis Courts are all done and the latches and doors were also taken care of at no additional cost. The Lock combination for the Tennis courts is 4212, if anyone needs to use them. It was brought up again that the Playground area is in need of a trash can. With regards to the Security guard, most agreed that Brian did a great job for us this year. Barbara Mason shared her and others concerned for our guard being armed. She feels it gives the perception that this is a dangerous area or that a weapon is needed to settle disputes. Some also expressed a fear of accidents that are possible with the weapon and some questioned who or what we are guarding against? When Brian was off one weekend, his replacement had worn a bright cover over his shirt and it appeared to be better message being sent, one of Security officer is more visible and less threatening. Barbara took the time to ask professionals their opinion regarding this topic. She called upon Sane Geary, CT Operations Manager of Integrated Security Systems. He felt it was a low risk area and there is no need for an armed guard, he stated there were not written reports this year or any other year that he could remember. Then Barbara called Vinnie Durso, the manager of the security company that we contract. He feels it is good to have the guard being armed and there were a few incident regarding parking and beach rights. Barbara also called the Westbrook Police who referred her to our resident State Trooper, Officer Robert Hart. Trooper Hart has been our Resident State trooper for 13 years, and he feels we are a very low risk area so there should be no need for an armed guard. He also said most of our crime has been in the form of off season burglaries. He said the State Police have the job of protecting us and typically it is only 2 -3 minutes response for a call. Barbara Mason then made a motion to no longer have our hired security carry a weapon in the future. Lynne Nathan seconded her motion. The discussion started with a question from Merle Katzman if anyone would oppose and armed guard with an unloaded weapon? The question arose whether or not the gun carried a live clip or not. Dennis Hersh stated that he has had two breaks ins, one in season and one out of season and is missing a Kayak as well. He also feels that Brian carries a presence of authority and since Brian has been here there have been no issues. It was also brought up about the concern of the liability issue. The Guard Company is bonded and they carry a $5,000,000.00 Insurance policy to protect against an event of the discharge from security personnel’s fire arm. Dave Chozik stated that it is understandable that not everyone is comfortable with the fire arm; there is still a sense of respect that comes for seeing a guard wearing the gun. Seeing a fire arm as part of his uniform adds to his respect. There were further questions regarding a security officer’s judgment and who is he really policing? Brian, our current guard is licensed by the State of Connecticut to do his job as protector of the residents of Stannard Beach, for which we hired him to do. There was a motion on the floor to clarify whether future guards should be armed or not. The vote was taken and there were 16 in favor of unarmed guards and 31 in favor of armed guards. NEW BUSINESS Nominating committee: Sandy Sidman first extended Thanks to Marie Garabedian for filling in as secretary, and to George Dallas for a great 2 year term, so much was accomplished by George during his term. The Slate of officers was presented as follows: George Dallas President John Abella 1st Vice President Steve Powers 2nd Vice President 3 year members, Linda Pinn, Mike Guinan, Al Berkon 2 years members, Jason Garner, Mark Grennan and Mark Miller 1 year members, Mark Madnick, Marty Webber, and Steve Powers George Plamer made a motion to accept the slate as presented it was seconded by Merle Katzman, The majority voted in favor of accepting the slate as proposed. OTHER OLD BUSINESS: At the previous Board of Director meeting it was discussed about the wording in our Bylaws to protect us against a Developer or Real Estate investor to come in and purchase a property for the use of a rooming house. Dennis Hersh read the proposed by law change and it went as follows: No residence may be occupied by more than two unrelated people with the following exception: A resident owner may have two unrelated guests providing they reside ar said residence for less than seven days and during said period the owner must also reside at said residence continually during their stay. Any violations of this regulation will result in a fine of $250.00 per day. George Dallas went on to say what we are trying to avoid is “Hampton Style living” Where vacationers come and go either on a frequent or less frequent basis, but there are numerous unrelated resident in one property. There was a motion brought to the floor to veto this Bylaw change as written. A vote was taken, there were 4 votes in favor a veto of this Bylaw change all other votes were in favor of the Bylaw change. The Bylaw change was passed. Other Business was addresses regarding passage on the rights of way. George Dallas made the following statement regarding our rights to passages: “What you can do and where you can go are all in our deeds” Then he proceeded to read the following eloquent message from an e-mail sent to him by Mike Grennan: We have all chosen to spend our summers here, enjoying the pleasures of the sea and sand. While everyone has acquired properties affording certain legal rights, I think we have also have made the decision to be a neighbor in a community. Yes, there have been disagreements in the past, and there will be in the future. We cannot prevent all discord. However, as a community, we do have the power to control how we handle disputes when they occur. Historically, litigation has too often been the response. It hasn’t stopped the discord – perhaps it has created more. We have passed rules to control behavior . . . . but these rules haven’t always worked. The reality is that we each need to honestly critique our own attitudes and behaviors. We need to ask ourselves if we are respecting our neighbor’s rights, or if (perhaps) we are too eager to defend our own “legal” rights. Are we extending the proper courtesies that show respect for others? In short, we need to evaluate if we are being a good neighbor and whether we are adding or subtracting from that neighbor’s enjoyment of this wonderful area. Not all people know how to be a good neighbor . . . or maybe they don’t even have the desire. This is an unfortunate reality. Even so, we have to believe that the overwhelming majority will choose otherwise. This is where the joy of our community resides - if each of us is strong enough to move in this direction. There was further discussion on what our deeds state and the bottom line on the point George was making quite simply, ask your neighbor, talk to your neighbor and be a good neighbor! We are all here for the same reason, our Love for Our Beach. Ron Lyman wanted a clarification on rights of way and personal property on these rights of way. There was also a point brought up about chairs and their placement. It was decided that the chair questions will be brought up next year. In closing of the Meeting, The community presented Brian, our Security guard, with a gift certificate as a token of our sincere Thanks for a job well done. Dennis Hersh made a motion to adjourn the meeting it was seconded by Sandy Sidman. The Meeting was adjourned at 10:05 AM