President Joe Hebert called the meeting to order at 10:04 am. There were over 100 people attending. Joe pointed out that on the tables were the 2023 Directories, Ice-Out tickets, Italian Dinner tickets, and Sunfish Sailing T-Shirts. Joe asked if there were any new members in the audience and Louis Monaghan introduced himself (44 Clubhouse Circle).
Board Action/Announcements: 1. Joe reminded people that the band playing on Larry Rossi’s lawn is to be enjoyed by people on their boats. 2. Water Level - a year ago the water was very low, today the level is very high due to the rain. WEC is lowering the water level as quickly and legally as they can. 3. The request for parking signs at the Boat Launch has had no response from the State. 4. The Congregational Church in Danville hosts community dinners and looks for organizations to buy the food, prepare the food, serve it, and clean-up. Usually around 25 to 30 people show up. They approached the JPA if they would sponsor a dinner. There are openings in August and September. Joe asked the members if this was something we wanted to do. Various members commented on the pros and cons. Larry Rossi asked if the JPA could just donate money to the group, but Kitty Toll said the goal is to get the community together; not just for the money. Brad Towne asked why we should donate to this effort when we cannot afford the Fireworks. Brad made a motion to decline to deal with this unless clear costs are given. Motion was seconded. The motion failed by voice vote. Thierry Guerlain asked for this agenda item to be tabled until the end of the meeting. A motion was made and seconded. This motion passed by voice vote.
Remembrances: Richard Gagne memorialized the names of JPA members and family members who have died this past year. Richard read an appropriate poem.
Secretary’s Report: Jamie Stewart gave a condensed version of the May 27, 2023 meeting. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to accept the report. For the full minutes of the 5/27 meeting, please go to the JPA website.
Treasurer’s Report: Jack LaGue gave his financial report. We are in good shape. Donations are OK, Dues are OK, and we have around $60K in the bank. Motion was made and seconded and passed to accept the report.
Nominating Committee: Michael Rubalcaba represented the committee and stated that the existing slate of officers has agreed to stay on, and no one approached the committee to be considered as an officer. There were no nominations from the floor. A motion was made, seconded and, by voice vote, passed to re-elect the existing officers: Joe Hebert - President, Richard Gagne - VP, Jack LaGue - Treas. Jamie Stewart - Sec., Nicole Begin, Larry Rossi, Peter Crosby, and Sue Bouchard as Directors.
Water Quality: Nicole Begin said the Boat Greeter program is going well. The greeters report the boaters are friendly and cooperative. There is a Porta-Potty on site. A question was asked about a wash station and Nicole stated that there is no power available at the boat launch. Ann Muse asked if any boats were turned away. Nicole reminded members that the greeters have no authority to deny entry into Joe’s Pond.
Cyanobacteria: Dorothea Penar gave her report on cyanobacteria. This week is the official start of blue/green algae reporting. She will be monitoring the Hackett/Penar Cove off Narrows Drive and the Splain/Monaghan/Erdman cove on Clubhouse Circle. She had concerns with the recent rain and its run-off may trigger some blooms. Dorothea also put in a plug for the Lake Wise Program.
Chinese Mystery Snails: Nicole introduced Jim Bernotas (Laperle Drive) to talk about the Chinese mystery snails which have appeared on his shore. (Jim’s information occurred at the end of the meeting but I am placing the information within the Water Quality section of the Minutes.) A jar of the snails was shown to the members and the only way to eradicate them is to pull them out of the water and freeze them. He has a lot in his waterfront and asked members to look for them in their shoreline. Jim also expressed concern about the increase in the number of weeds in the middle pond. He asked the members for input and felt that something had to be done.
JPA Events: Sue Bouchard gave a run-down of events. The Ham Dinner was a success and many thanks to Peter/Paige Crosby, Wendi Larrabee, Marian Carnes and her Creamery Staff. Jeremy Grenier is selling the tickets for the July 8th Italian dinner. On July 15 the JPA will sponsor a band playing in the second. On July 29 is the Pig Roast coordinated by MaryAnn Cassani and Bo Keach. It will be the same vendor as last year and get your tickets while they last. The pickleball tournament is August 12 and see Tom Segale for any information. The summer ending cocktail party is August 19 and get your $5 ticket from Nancy Buttura or Sue Yesalonia. Bring an hors D'oeuvre to share. Other activities are the weekly mahjongg games, Yoga, and pitch games. Please check the newsletter and/or website for details. There has been some interest in resurrecting the Boat Parade. Sue requested someone to take charge of this and form a group. She will assist as much as she can. The first Sunfish race was held on 6/25 with 7 boats and there are 2 more scheduled for the summer. In honor of Dr. Fred Silloway there will be a plaque given to the sailor who shows the most improvement. This is in response to the Silloway/Weber donation of $1000 to promote sailing. Sue also showed the T-shirts now available for sale as a promotion for sailing. See Sue to order one. Sailors and race coordinators will be given the T-shirts.
Memberships: Peter Crosby reported there was little to report. If any sign changes are needed to see him.
Danville Train Station: Peter Crosby introduced Michael Hogue to discuss the restoration of the Danville Train Station. Michael gave a lengthy report on the history of the station, the desire to restore it, the value the station gives to the town of Danville, and the positive economic impact the station will have. The restoration will include a recycling center, ice cream parlor, bike repair station, and picnic tables in a new park on the other side of the road. The committee needs $215K to raise, of which grants will cover some of it. A fundraising goal of $150K is being established. Anyone interested in learning more can see Peter or Michael Hogue. It was also mentioned that Governor Phil Scott will ride the full length of the LVRT on July 15 to show his support for the trail.
Maintenance: Larry Rossi reported not much new. See him for any maintenance suggestions. Someone asked if he could fix the bad roads. Larry suggests that everyone call the Danville Town office to express their complaints about the lack of road repair. The roads are class 4 and by state statute the towns are not required to maintain these roads.
Member Questions: Don Sherwood asked to speak about fireworks. He stated that the cost of financing was a shock. He gave a history of the financing of the fireworks; 1961 financing was by donations only. In 1990 Ice-Out tickets started to pay for fireworks along with donations and a bottle drive. In 1993 the same. In 1998, when Don took over the fireworks coordination as VP of the JPA, fireworks were paid for by donations, Ice-out profits, bottle drive, and a pickle jar at Hastings Store. Obviously, expenses for NorthStar have gone up. History of costs were from $3k to $5k to$7K to$10K and then for 2023 it would be $12.5K. The increase in costs jumped from $5K to $12.5K in 4 years. The cost for 2022 was $10K learned in the late fall/early winter. A 2021 email poll to ask members whether to pay this $10K was conducted and the members agreed. Increased donations were received. In late fall 2022 NorthStar informed JPA the costs for 2023 would be $12.5K. Another email poll was sent out late 2022 and the members chose to not pay this amount hence no fireworks for 2023. Don stated that the increase for 2023 over 2022 was only $1800 if one assumed the high donations received for 2022 continued for 2023. In 2022 the Ice-Out profit was $6171; donations were $4530 hence the $1800 difference for 2023 costs. Don stated that in the JPA records during either the Laprade era or Dente era there was a motion made and seconded and passed that stated how to pay for Fireworks: Ice-out proceeds and donations.
Brad Towne made a motion to have the Ice-out money & donations pay for Fireworks for 2024. This motion was seconded. Considerable discussion occurred. Cyndy Rouleau said as a past president of the JPA that JPA money was to be used for water quality and not for fireworks. Joe Hebert reminded folks that the members voted to not have fireworks for 2023. Sharon Dewitt commented that the question is not how to pay for the fireworks but whether there are to be fireworks or not. Jenny Rafuse said town people will help pay for the fireworks. Lindsey Kurrle said that people are now confused with the information on the motion. There is a lack of information before the polling, and we need clarity. Dave Kidney said that the whole lake enjoys the fireworks versus the few who play pickleball, tennis, mahjongg. Dave said the wording for the polling last fall regarding the $12.5K costs of fireworks was not neutral and the outcome was predetermined. He asked to amend the motion to state that any excess of money from the donations and Ice-out be dedicated to the Fireworks. Larry Rossi made a motion to table the vote until the September fall meeting when the vote can be well advertised and prepared. Mark Nicholson made a motion to ‘call the question’ which means to end the debate.
Then the fun began! Confusion reigned as to which motion, amended motion, motion to table, or motion to call the question was to be voted on first. Steve Dudley came to the rescue and was knowledgeable on Robert’s Rule of order. The “end the debate” vote came first - it passed by a voice vote. The vote to table the question until September was next to be voted on. As emotional and contentious as this vote could be, the rule of ‘one property equals one vote’ per the by-laws was used. Members who would represent the one vote per property were asked to stand up. Other family members were to stay seated. The motion to table the vote until the September meeting was won by 39 members in favor of tabling versus 25 members opposed. Since the motion to table the discussion until September passed then the original motion to vote on how to pay for the fireworks was moot.
Jenny Rafuse mentioned a request from the Danville Fire Chief who wants donations for a boat to help camps with issues. As members were tired and worn out with the meeting no conclusion was discussed.
Mike & Norma Segale are hosting a band (Three String Circus) from 2 to 5 at their North Shore Road on July 8th. Come by boat and/or car and donations gladly accepted.
Julie Hendrickson commented that getting back to the Community Dinner means the JPA needs a policy on how to deal with these requests. This was accepted by all, and the policy will be presented at the September meeting.
Members also requested more information about fireworks be sent out via email before the September meeting. The ability for the fireworks to be set off on the Rail Trail must be researched due to the trail being now open all the way and the State requires a permit with conditions.
Elizabeth Hudson told us about the charity walk on July 8 from the West Danville Church to the trestle and back. There is a $10 entry fee, and it is free for kids under 10. Many door prizes and gifts will be given.
A motion was made, seconded, and passed by a relieved voice vote to adjourn the meeting at 11:46 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jamie Stewart Secretary