First Association Meeting of 2023
Kasoag Lake Tavern
May 13, 2023
10:00 AM
Meeting called to order at 10:09 AM by Mary Augustus
Lynne Belokopitsky summarized the minutes from the last meeting. Reminded all that the full meeting minutes are available on the website. Motion to accept minutes was made by Kelly Merrill and seconded by Pam King.
Linda Barzee presented the treasurer’s report. Accepted by Ed Googin and seconded by Toni Norton.
The lake treatment is scheduled for some time between June 22-25. Green Pond will be treated, too. Green pond paid 100% of the postage for the first round of notification letters for the treatment. However, A-Tip neglected to include some required information and a second letter had to be mailed, at the Associations expense. DEC allowed us to email the second letter to members, which reduced the cost of the second mailing. Nick will hand deliver the required letters to Oneida Lake. Once that’s documented to DEC, the permit should be issued.
Bob Thompson will identify areas on the lake that need special attention by A-Tip and will accompany Luke for the treatment to make sure everything is hit by the treatment.
A-Tip is using a generic version of Clipper this year. It’s a liquid, like last year, which seemed to work well. The $15,000 charge for the treatment is the same as last year.
We will email members when the date of the treatment is finalized.
Tad Krawiec asked if we’ll benefit more from the treatment this year because it was so effective last year. Probably not because of the way the herbicide works and the PPB limitation imposed by DEC. Other members observed that they thought the fanwort “bloom” was worse this year.
Nick secured a $500 grant from Walmart. Jay and Jill had a number of events at the Tavern this winter and generously donated $1500 from those events. We requested raffle basket donations for one of the events. Thanks to the generous basket donations received and a 50/50 raffle, we make about $600. The Rusty Roof also donated $200 from one of the winter events.
The quilt will be raffled off at the June meeting.
Jay and Jill are donating the use of the barn for this year’s meetings, saving us $250
After we pay for this year’s treatment, there won’t be a lot of money left in the bank. We’re not sure if there’ll be enough money for next year’s treatment. It’ll be close.
This is an election year. All of the offices are up for election in August. Nominations will be in July. Please consider running for an office.
Andy Armstrong led a discussion on the Golf Tournament. We can continue to use the same Greenview golf course for the same price in October, or move to the course across the street and play in August. The course across the street isn’t as nice, but it’s less money to use it and many people have requested that the tournament be held in the summer rather than the fall. Andy checked out other golf courses, but they cost more. Terry Krawiec reminded everyone that the October weekend conflicts with the Trail Blazer’s annual Steak Bake. By a show of hands, people indicated that they still want to have a golf tournament and they prefer the August date. Andy will proceed.
The Fishing Derby will be held on Sunday, August 20th. Denise asked if we should make it a fundraiser. Members indicated agreement, since we need the money for next year’s treatment. Denise, Jay and Jill will work together to see how we can turn this into a successful fundraiser.
Mary asked if there was interest in a community garage sale. People would set up at their camps/homes. Mary would place an advertisement in the local paper. Jill would plan a craft fair for the same date to bring in more people. Jill and Mary will work out a date.
The next agenda item was the stumps in the lake. Some are marked with rebar or other posts, some are not. Some of the rebar/pipes are no longer breaking the surface of the lake, but linger just under the surface. At this point, the posts are more of a danger to boats and people than the stumps are. While these posts and stumps are not the responsibility of the association, a work party will be organized to get rid of as many as possible.
The final agenda item was the Lake District. A fact sheet and five-year plan was distributed. There are 143 waterfront properties. The flat tax would be a maximum of $139.86 per property. Association dues will be reduced to $20. There are many steps in this process and the timing is dependent on the Town of Williamstown. The first step is to collect signatures and we hoped to collect as many as possible at this meeting.
A concern was raised about the Town of Williamstown mis-managing the funds. Several people in attendance indicated that they had experience with similar districts, and there are internal controls in place to prevent that, including civil and criminal penalties.
What is the process to increase the amount collected beyond $20,000 if necessary? We have to go through the petition/town board/public hearing and voting process again to change that amount.
We will still pursue grants to offset the cost of the treatment and minimize that amount collected by Lake District property owners.
Attendees were encouraged to sign the petition after the meeting. We’ll also set up at the Tavern for a few hours on Memorial Day so people can stop by and sign. After that, we’ll be knocking on doors.
Jay Grasso indicated that the DEC might announce a new grant program for aquatic invasive species. He’ll let Mary know, and volunteered to submit it on behalf of the Association.
The meeting was adjourned.
Motion to accept these minutes made by Denise Hartman on June 10, 2023. Seconded by Cindy Hyatt.