Stannard Beach Association General Meeting, June 29, 2014
Association President George Dallas called the meeting to
order at 9:05 a.m. in the Connell Pavilion.
Special thanks to Vy Kava and Ali Schlein for arranging for
the picnic and pizza truck and for the breakfast today. The pizza truck is booked for next year!
A moment of silence was observed in memory of those who have
passed since we last met: Raelea Bobrow, Bea Case, Shirley Hoberman and Dick
Shea
Minutes of the Annual meeting dated August 25, 2013 were read.
Motion to accept the minutes by Merle Katzman, seconded by
John Abella, all voted to accept as presented.
Treasurer’s report: Laura Petchler was introduced as the new
Association Treasurer
Looking
at 2013-14: SBA income primarily from home assessments was $78,364.61.
Our revenue slightly exceeded our budget for the year. The
Maintenance category was $22,271.52, which exceeded our budgeted amount by more
than $13,000.
Major
Projects line item, substantially below budget. The largest item here was
the beach engineering erosion study. George Dallas reported that the $15,000
engineering report to the DEEP regarding erosion has been submitted and we are waiting
for a response.
The
remaining expenses were less than budget in aggregate.
Total
expenses for 2013-14 were $73,833.47 and less than the total budget of 76,800.
As of
6/22/14 SBA had $72,685 in checking, $6030 in savings.
Proposed
budget for 2014-2015: See attached
The
projected Westbrook Grand List of our Assn values is at $46m
The
BOD recommended no increase in the mill rate; it will stay at 1.67. With
the same mill rate the projected revenue for the Assn is expected to be
$77,610.
This
year the BOD recommends a Maintenance category budget of $11,500.
Last
year for major projects the Assn budgeted $25,000. For this fiscal year
the Board recommends a Capital Reserve of $25,000 for major projects.
The
remaining expenditures are largely projected to be consistent with the prior
year with the exception of professional fees, which has been budgeted at less
than 1/2 last year’s amount.
In
aggregate our expenses are budgeted not to exceed our income and the result
will mean no deficit budgeted.
Is there
enough money allocated to security? Yes, as we have hard costs to plan for.
The
jetty maintenance line from last year’s budget has been incorporated into
grounds maintenance.
Security
hours have been revised.
Stranger’s
cars are left in guest parking lot. Several cars have been vandalized - 2 signs
are going up to say that the lot is under surveillance, and nonfunctioning
cameras will be installed as well. It was noted that Fred, our security guard,
stops many folks who have no connection to Stannard Beach.
Association
members would like a more detailed budget.
$3500
engineering expense re Lyman/Brown right-of-way
$2200 additional
engineering expense
$7900
repair right of way
$14,000
total
Cost of
submitting paperwork to DEEP is $10,000 to $12,000 to DOCKO
Motion
by Merle Katzman, seconded by Jeff Morris to accept the budget.
All
approved.
Peter
Black said the creek end of the beach has further erosion with no remediation
plan. Stannard Beach Assn. members at that part of the beach need help. George
Dallas explained that the engineering plans have gone to the DEEP and we are
waiting for a response from them. The
surveyor was working on the beach in April.
Process
for cleaning the beach: no sticks or twigs are removed. Large pieces will be
taken away by a contractor hired by the Assn. Discussion followed regarding the
possibility of hiring someone to drag/clean the beach. We would need permission
from the Fishmans as access is across their property/right of way.
Jeff
Morris asked why we are spending 3% of our budget on beach maintenance and 97%
on other things? Can we spend more on beach maintenance?
There is
a fellow at Chapman Beach who charges $1500/time to drag/clean the beach.
Steve
Ruttstein will investigate prices and the process to rake/clean the beach. It
was suggested that we buy a few pizzas and have folks get together with rakes
and clean the beaches together.
Steven
Greenspan asked if the BOD can investigate overnight security for next year’s
budget.
CT
Alert: folks were reminded that they can sign up for weather and emergency
alerts by contacting the State of CT
Golf carts and go-carts: State of Ct law is that you must
have a valid driver’s license to operate a cart. A learner’s permit is not allowable unless
there is an adult on board. Too many teens are speeding around on carts causing
unsafe conditions.
Maggie Walden said the skate boarders need to be careful as
well, since cars coming out of driveways cannot see them, and neither party can
stop easily or in time.
Directory: Thank you to Steve Mason for keeping the
directory updated. Send edits to Steve as needed, at email shm992000@yahoo.com A copy of our directory goes to the Fire
Dept, EMS, Police Dept and CT state troopers.
Parking: There is no parking on the road on 2nd
Avenue, or blocking any of the streets, as emergency vehicles must be able to
get through at all times. Please park
safely and with consideration for your neighbors. In the Beach Court area
please keep the right-of-way clear for pedestrians. Speak with Fred Camarra,
our security guard, with any parking or driving concerns and he will assist
you. Joyce Bisberg asked how you
differentiate parking on the street vs. on private property? All the wheels of
a vehicle need to be on private property and the street must be clear and
passable.
A stop sign is needed at the corner of Beach Court. Ok –
will get one installed.
Noise policy: There is to be quiet after 10 p.m. according
to the Town of Westbrook and the Stannard Beach Assn by-laws. Report problems to Fred the security guard at
(860) 833-3169 and if that does not work call the State Troopers. On the weekends folks need to remember to
please be considerate of your neighbors.
New Business:
There are 5 new families at Stannard Beach
34 Stannard Drive (was Chozick): Mary and Peter Bransfield
24 Ripley Hill Rd (was the Perle cottage – Water’s Edge):
Laurie and Jamie Henderson
12 Stannard Drive (was Case): Alyssa and Ken Rozich
54 Ripley Hill Rd (was Harris): Maggie and
Charlie Walden
44 Ripley Hill Rd (was Dunn): Lori and
David Wetsman
The property across the street
at the top of Cedar Ln is to be torn down in August, according to the Town of
Westbrook.
The By-Laws are being retyped to
incorporate all the voted in changes over the past years that Sharon Bender and
Laura Petchler collected, by making a historical review of all the meeting
notes over the years. Once there is a new, clean workable document,
any proposed by-laws changes will be presented at the end of August and voted
on next spring.
Mark Apter asked if we can
address questions by making a website? Costs $1000 to be bought, set up and
maintained. The blogspot needs to be kept updated, but it is passive, so we
need a website. Lincoln Tedeschi is part of an Association website for his non-beach
residence, through Shutterfly.com. We will look into whether that may work for
the Stannard Beach Assn. No directory will be posted or accessible unless it is
with the use of a password. Lincoln will send George the information and
offered to be a website representative.
No wake zone: The no wake zone is 200 feet off shore and
within 100-200 feet of any moored vessel. Please be considerate of all boaters
and swimmers.
Fireworks: Please do not set off
fireworks – fireworks can injure you, others and damage property and cause
fires!
Bonfires: not allowed on the
beach, but below the mean high tide line is state of CT property. So do not have a huge fire and leave a mess
for others. Be conscientious! Bury the
remnants, fill in the hole and be considerate!
Motion to adjourn by Merle Katzman,
seconded by Jeff Morris. All approved. Adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon Bender, Secretary
