The Minutes of Meetings
To view the minutes from another meeting, click on a date on the left.
Minutes, August 21, 2010
Joe's Pond Association Annual Meeting
The meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m. The secretary's report was read and accepted. George Anderson handed out his treasurer's report and answered questions regarding boat inspection costs, explaining that both Danville and Cabot do not contribute until late in the year so the figures shown do not include those monies and the bill is sometimes received and paid in the year follow the inspections. He explained we are spending more on the inspection program because we are doing much more than we did even last year. Tom said Green Mountain Power Settlement contributes $3000.00 through year 2011 to the program.
Don Sherwood asked for a vote on a fireworks date for 2011, offering July 3rd or July 2nd; he noted the cost of fireworks will be going up 10% next year but the company has offered to give us $500 worth of extra fireworks if we have our display on July 2nd. A motion was made and seconded to accept that date and passed unanimously.
The rail trail is being mowed by Ted Chase and a basket was passed for donations to help pay for the gas to do this.
Dave Parker gave a list of dates for events in the coming year and said we already have three rentals scheduled. The Spring Meeting will be May 28th; the Annual Meeting will be on July 2 and the time will be 9:30 a.m. to allow for Kids' Day and Fireworks will be that evening; baked bean supper July 9th; Italian dinner July 23rd; Cocktail Party Aug. 7th; Pig Roast Aug. 13th; final meeting, tba.
The Ice-Out tickets have been distributed to members and are available at local store outlets. New buoys have been purchased and one will be in place at the boat launch area; the new ball markers are on Smith's Point. The Silent Auction, organized by Andre LaPrade, did very well, thanks to him and all the enthusiastic bidders and great donations; and special thanks were given to Ned and Carolyn Hamilton for their donations. $1,000 will be given to Rob and Florence Denny's son who was seriously injured in an accident this summer.
Sam Lewis reported good progress is being made on two trouble spots identified through the Better Backroads Project. It has been discovered that land owners above Route 2 have contributed to the runoff problem at the Barre Avenue site and they have agreed to make adjustments to help alleviate that situation. On Sandy Beach Road, the Town of Cabot is agreeable to correcting a culvert problem and will check for possible contributing factors at culvert sites above on West Shore Road. Sam said work would be done this fall; good cooperation from all.
The question of water level being lowered in the fall was addressed and Tom said there is only an approximate six inch range, mandated by the State, and the power company must adhere to that. The brook below the dam must be sufficiently watered in order that no damage is done. Likewise, the water in the pond cannot be lowered as that will destroy wetlands. Tom said he has asked that in the fall the water be let down as low as possible within the six inch range, to allow for fall and spring rains and winter icing. He is waiting for a response to that request.
Ginger and Lee Erdmann addressed the membership requesting permission to install a 48 ft. privacy hedge on the JPA property between the pavilion and their home to help deaden noise from the pavilion and afford some privacy. They presently have a right-of-way over the north edge of JPA property to get to their property and would pay for and maintain the hedge in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in a document called "Agreement Between Virginia and Lee Erdmann and Joe's Pond Association Regarding Sound and Visual Buffer". It was pointed out to the members that because of the way the JPA property was originally deeded, it is impossible to sell any portion of the JPA land. Judy Lewis volunteered to draw up a proper document stating certain standards and reflecting the exact intention of this agreement between JPA and the Erdmanns, i.e. , that JPA is not giving away this property, only allowing permission for the hedge and this is not a boundary line. Homer Fitts made a motion that JPA let the Erdmanns install a cedar hedge, with documentation as needed to clarify. Motion was seconded; unanimously passed.
Larry Rossi reported everything has been completed this year as intended - lights in the BBQ area, painting, new floors in the kitchen and bathroom - for a total expenditure of $4,678.00. This includes a new refrigerator which had to be purchased when the old one died unexpectedly just before the Italian dinner.
In other business: Tom mentioned the cell tower at the Sousa farm on Cabot Plain should be operating by the end of August. Gina Kurrle and Marty Talbot will take over lay monitoring duties from Jamie Dimick. There was a question about the status of the rail trail - still in court system. Kids from Barre caught on Last Road in Cabot recently may be responsible for the recent thefts in area. Tom mentioned the new milfoil page on the Joe's Pond web site and thanked the Browns for their work with Pam.
Tom adjourned meeting at 11:10 a.m., and asked for (and got) assistance putting furniture away.
Jane Brown, Secretary