Stannard Beach Assn BOD mtg August 3. 2014 corrected

Stannard Beach Assn BOD mtg August 3, 2014

9 am Connell Pavilion

The meeting was called to order by Association President, George Dallas.

Motion by Harvey Robbins, 2^nd by Steve Mason, to accept the minutes of the board meeting dated June 22, 2014. All voted in favor.

Assn tax bills have been mailed out and 50% have been paid so far.

Nominating Committee (Sandy Seidman) : 3 positions are coming up on the Board:

Marty Webber, Mike Rottblatt and Lincoln Tedeschi

Need to determine if they wish to stay on the board for another term. Additionally, the Nominating Committee needs to present a proposed slate at the Annual Meeting on August 31, 2014.

Groin #2 – DEEP says we must do something now. We are removing some length but leaving the uprights in place so that if shortening the groin does no good (sand disappears) we can put the horizontal parts back. We have permission in writing to put the horizontal portions back if sand disappears. Why are we not adding vs removing length?  The Kollmeyer report recommended extending groin #1 and #3, with “Ts” or “Ls” on the ends. There is no mention of groin #2 other than to say we will make some modification off the end of groin #2. 
DEEP and our Assn have a trade off: In exchange for nullifying the 1992 agreement that said we must keep sand against and in front of groin #2, DEEP says modify groin #2 instead.The final section of groin #2, roughly 2 feet, will be removed. George Dallas will obtain a cost estimate.

Beach nourishment: George Dallas opened the discussion by noting that there are issues and questions that have been raised regarding beach nourishment that are important and require attention. The sand flat has gotten much bigger this year. This is nice at low tide but it is actually beachfront sand moving out and the ditch and berm are getting bigger.

Several residents are not in favor of extending groins and adding “T”s and “L”s to the ends of them, as they feel it may be unsightly, so how about filling in the ditch with sand, below the high tide line, so it is on State of CT property. George will ask the State of CT to add some money to pay for it and bring in the Army Corps of Engineers to help design a plan. The larger gravelly portion to be added is not expensive, and this part holds the finer sand in place. The cost is in getting the materials on to our site. Where can we get it in to our beach? George asked Mike and Tina Datillo at Water’s Edge, and the folks from the Pointina Beach Assn, if they are interested in participating, and both are considering it.  The challenge is to get the material delivered.  If we cannot bring the material in by truck then it needs to come by barge, with a machine on the barge to dump and spread the material to the right spots. Does this get done in the Fall or the Spring? Mike Rottblatt and George Dallas  will talk about pricing options. Mike had a barge here last year.

We also need a grain size analysis to proceed.

Old Saybrook nourishes annually, but it is all stone, no sand. They have a grandfathered in permit.

This will cost approximately $100,000 but we will be getting hard costs.

 There are rocks at Money Point that moved in the last storm, along with a broken breakwater belonging to the State of CT. The State will not pay to have it repaired. Will they allow us to move the stones? Will we have to pay for a study? But it is on state property. More information to follow.

Right of way: Mike Guinan set out a good history in writing. Now we need to add Lou Brown’s signing of a release.  And Ron Lyman is to sign a release before the work is started. The proposal is to put in tanks and a drainage system in the right of way, then fill it back in. We have already removed the construction material from the middle of the right of way, that was non porous, and filled it in again with more porous material, and resodded, and replaced portions of the sidewalk. But the regrading is still angled towards Lyman so needs to be fixed.

The BOD needs to vote on the net cost. The starting point will be $10,000 to $15,000, minus Lou Brown’s $9,000. The net amount to the Assn should not exceed $5,000, capped at $9,500.

Motion made by Dave Caslin, 2^nd by Jeff Morris:

The Lymans will execute a general release, releasing the Browns and the Stannard  Beach  Association, from any and all liability concerning the right of way.

The release is to be held in escrow by Michael Cronin, SBA attoney.

The Browns will execute a release  releasing the Lymans and the Stannard Beach Association, and it will also be held in escrow by Attorney Cronin.

The Browns will put $9000 in escrow to be held by Attorney Cronin

These three items will be released upon the certification by Ziaks that the work contracted for has been completed. No work will commence until all items are placed in escrow with Attorney Cronin.

All approved of the motion with one abstention by Harvey Robbins.

Unfortunately this sets a precedence that if you have water in your basement you can ask the Assn to correct it.  We need to say that if anybody does construction by any right of way they must post a large bond to cover putting the right of way back the way it was.

The tennis courts are to be repaired by M&M. Should not be expensive as it is a small fix.

By laws are being retyped and will be distributed for further discussion when they are completed and returned to us in a new word document with consistent formatting.

Jerry Skolnick, the Hendersons and Mike Guinan have all looked at the dead tree on Avenue C. It is on Assn property so Dan Medieros Jr. will give us a price to take it down.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Bender, Secretary

Stannard Beach Assn General Mtg June 29. 2014

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 2^nd 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

Stannard Beach Assn Board of Directors Mtg June 22, 2014

Stannard Beach Association Board of Directors Mtg June 22, 2014

Several cars were broken into, on Friday, June 21, by breaking windows, in the guest parking lot. Signs will be put up indicating the area is under surveillance. There was one break in last year and one the year before. Folks will be reminded not to leave valuables in cars. Are used car dealers parking cars in the guest lot?

Budget: Laura Petchler is the new Association Treasurer. We have  $80,463.09, comprised of one CD for $6030.77 and $72,685.53 in savings and checking.

Treasurer’s report attached.

Outstanding dues: 2 families Diana Colangelo (Tom) and Richard Rosenblatt and Evelyn Podnetsky. There is nothing in the by laws to address non-payment.

There are no fireworks at Water’s Edge this year, so we will save almost $1000 in security costs. Dan Medeiros was paid $950 to clean the beach and prepare the gates.

CL&P took down 12 trees and took away most of the debris.

Do we establish a capital funds savings acct? Need a slush fund.

Capital projects=major projects in the current budget. The Board may spend up to  $10,000 at a board level, and above that amount must get full Association approval. Any money that is not spent should be set-aside in a reserve fund.

Sharon Bender and Laura Petchler will look at the old notes to clarify the budget requirements for next weekend’s meeting.

Mil rate: Last year’s grand list was $45,423,310 x mil rate of 1.67 = $75,800

Projected revenue:

This year’s grand list is $46,473,600 x mil rate of 1.67= $77,610.91

The mil rate will remain the same for the upcoming year.

Motion to accept the Treasurer’s report by Steve Mason, seconded by Merle Katzman. All approved.

Suggestion that all new and current property owners receive a set of the Association by laws and sign off as having received same.

Sharon Bender and Laura Petchler have reviewed the history of our by laws. Need a new typed Word document to work with.

Motion made by Harvey Robbins, seconded by Merle Katzman, to give permission to hire someone to type a new set of the by laws, as the sets now are not easy to work with as are all formatted differently. All approved. The new document will be shared with the board, then requests for suggested revisions will be gathered and an attorney will review all and help formulate revisions to be voted on, to bring us up to date and modern.

Anchors, jetties, and boats: Steve Mason will put up the “no wake” buoys.

“No Wake” is a State of CT law as well as an Association rule.

Security: Will cost less money this year, as there are no Water’s Edge fireworks.

Fred Camarra starts Friday eve 6-10 pm, Sat 10-10, Sun 10-6. Fred is a past state trooper.

Are these the best hours for our beach community? Sometimes activity is just getting started at 10 pm when Fred is finishing. It was decided to change Fred’s Saturday hours to 11-11 and Sunday 11-6. Friday remains 6-10. Fred needs to be careful to monitor incoming non-residents.

Poop bag stations being reinstalled.

Golf carts – kids are driving them! Fred is to stop all kids and ask for licenses. If the person has a learner’s permit there must be an adult in the golf cart. If you see a person driving a golf cart who appears too young to be doing so, or going too fast, you can take a picture and send it to George.

Beach party scheduled for June 27, 2014 is overbooked – this is great news!

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

Motion to adjourn made by Mart Webber, seconded by Merle Katzman, all approved, at 10:20 am.

Stannard Beach Assn Board of Directors mtg September 8, 2013

Stannard Beach Assn Board of Directors meeting September 8, 2013

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 a.m.

Motion to go into executive session made by Marty Webber, 2^nd by Sandy Seidman, all voted in favor.

Treasurer’s Report by John Kava: $89,000 in checking, $12,000 in receivables.

Motion to accept treasurer’s report made by George Palmer, 2^nd by Paul Shlein, all voted in favor.

At the Annual Meeting dated August 25, 2013, permission was received by vote to expend up to $15,000 to continue the investigation of erosion control measures, possibly taking action a step at a time and seeing if each thing we try works. If it works then we consider taking additional steps.  Concern was raised about the effectiveness of a partial program that does not fulfill the recommendation of the experts. The greater issue is the need for a committee to make a plan to move forward as a community.  We need a bill of rights so everyone understands each other’s rights.  

Start with a bill of rights and how to get to the beach.

There are several rights of way/easements with different legal privileges/rights/restraints on each:

1.     Sandy Seidman

2.     Side walk that was 1^st Avenue – is a right of passage

3.     Webber – folks on Ripley Hill cannot use

4.     Lyman-Brown  Sidewalk to wall owned by Bill Wrang

5.     Katz/Cedar Lane

6.     Rottblatt/Madnick

7.     Powers – owned by Schwartz

8.     Tosto –private right of way

9.     Rosenblatt – far side of property by Water’s Edge. Ownership is unclear

10.  2^nd Ave from the bottom of Ripley Hill Rd going West is privately owned by Water’s Edge

Bill of rights committee to include Sandy Seidman as Chair, Susan Miller, John Abella, Merle Katzman, and Mike Grennan, initially. Start with a clear map of all the rights of ways and which you should use. There are 101 parcels in the beach association. Different deeds are worded differently regarding access to the beach.  i.e. the Cedar Lane right of way states it is for everyone but it is not listed on each person’s deed.

The Assn has put ordinances in place regarding use of the beach and rights of way. But the BOD cannot tell private owners what the limits on private rights are. Cannot legislate private owners’ rights. Also it is awkward to have to ask permission to use a beach every time you wish to go there. Conflict arises when all Assn members are asked to write a check and pay into beach nourishment projects, but what do they get for it regarding use of the beach?  It was suggested, by way of example, that in Florida public money is spent on public land, and private money is used on private owners’ properties. So can use Assn money to build a breakwater on public land/water off shore, not on private waterfront owner’s beach space. There is sentiment that folks should not have to ask permission to sit on the beach.

If Assn members all pay into beach nourishment investments, then maybe the deeds should be changed to make the entire beach for everyone.  All the deeds are different – Beach Court deeds say they own to the wall, J Kiely says his deed states he owns seaward from the wall 16’. Any beach that is created from Steve Powers’ property to end of Beach Court will be public land.

A By-laws committee is needed to assemble a clear set of existing by-laws and identify all the changes that have been voted on over time.  The list of amendments/edits/changes will be presented to the board and then incorporated in to the full document. This will be presented to the board for further action. Then the by laws need to be made contemporary, and, when all of the updates/changes are complete, each Assn member given a copy with a sign off that they have received them.

How will our Assn enforce our rules and rights?  We need to modernize the by laws so they work in the modern world with enforceable policies.

Currently there is a Rules committee, as stated in the by laws. If any Assn member brings a complaint to the Rules committee then the Rules committee looks at it, but there is no real vehicle for enforcement.

By laws committee to include: Sharon Bender as Chair, Laura Petchler and Sandy Seidman, initially.

Ground rules for committees: committees are not creating rules or changes to deeds/rights, only gathering information and sharing it with the BOD.

Lyman/Brown right of way: Trying to get Spazzarini and Sykes to agree as to where to put in a drain and regrade to remove any low point. The Assn needs to pay for it, as we want to fix the problem and avoid further more expensive legal involvement.  Will cost about $8000: $4700 for the drain and regrading, additional dollars for lifting out shrubbery, moving and resodding as needed.

Lyman’s basement is wet so since the Assn graded the right of way and paid for the regrading, we have to fix it.  Assn is adding a drain.  The berm on the waterside of 2^nd Ave has been taken off the table. There will not be a berm on the Lyman/Brown right of way sending water down 2^nd Ave., per Mike Guinan who is on the committee working on resolving this issue.

If Sykes agrees to the plan we want a release from any further action, to go into effect after 3 storms, if there is no water in Lyman’s basement. We can go to court eventually, but now we need to spend this $8000 to show we tried to fix this problem.  

We need a release, in advance, before spending any money. We have no proof the water in the Lyman’s basement is due to Assn action or from any other reason or action. We live at the beach and water is a constant issue for all waterfront owners.  But since we hired and paid contractors to change the right of way, we are liable for now.  The plan did not work (maybe the water would have been there regardless, due to water table levels at the beach) and the contractors have been paid and Lou Brown was given a signed agreement.

George Dallas has hired an attorney to be ready to defend the Assn, should we need it.

Water to the area comes from a variety of sources onto the properties including:

1. Water comes down Ripley Hill Rd and turns left

2. The water on the 1^st Ave sidewalk runs east.

3. Rainfall

4. Lyman’s most recent construction includes a very large unguttered roof. It was constructed in separate portions so did not require a floodwater plan by the town

Motion to approve up to $8500 to have work done including installing a drain, regrading, moving shrubbery and resodding as needed. Must include a release after 3 rainstorms of an average amount of water, once the work is done, if there is no water in the basement. Motion made by Sandy Seidman and 2^nd by Steve Mason.  The motion is contingent upon obtaining the release.

Costs include $4700 to install a drain and regrade, and the remainder of the money needed is for lifting out shrubs, moving them, and resodding as needed, as reported by Mike Guinan, who has been working to resolve this issue. Allocation increased by $500.

Vote is 14 for, 0 against, 3 abstained. Motion passed.

Lou brown stated that he videotaped the last storm and it shows no water in the right of way. Water pools on the east end of the Lyman driveway. Mike Guinan has a video that shows other directions of water flow.  

Lou Brown has had his fencing ripped out just past where his surveillance cameras can see.

Most Board members were sad to be spending Assn dollars of $8500, but given the situation agreed to put it to a vote and end the issue. An additional amendment was proposed by John Kava that this would be the last tie the Assn would be paying Assn money on this issue.

Meeting adjourned.

Submitted by S Bender, Secretary