LLHA
General Membership Meeting Sunday
7/3/08
LLJC
Meeting called to order by acting
President Vince
Pagano at 12:15 PM.
Vince stated that we do have a
quorum.
Peter
Lax moved to accept the minutes of the last
general membership meeting of July, 2007. Seconded by
Joe
LeMay.
Passed.
Vince acknowledges thanks to
Loon Lake Jewish Center for the generous use of their
facility.
Vince acknowledges thanks
to all who have worked and volunteered for all the activities of LLHA for this
past year.
President’s Report attached as
follows:
Loon
Lake
Homeowners’ Association (LLHOA) at 12:00
Noon on
Sunday July 13. 2008 at The Jewish Center
President’s
Report (Vince
Pagano)
LLHOA services are related to the preservation and
maintenance our Lake water quality and
quality of the surrounding environment; and the enhancement of enjoyment of lake
living.
To this end
the Loon
Lake volunteers (LLHOA Board of
Directors, cleanup crews, picnic workers, picnic food providers, maintenance
workers, etc)
have accomplished the following in the past, including
2007-2008
Water Quality
Monitoring.
·
Conducted yearly by the Adirondack
Watershed Institute at Paul Smith’s College with the help of volunteers,
including our own (George and Shirley Bayliss, Stuart
Lucks, and others), testing for pH, alkalinity, calcium, phosphorus, nitrates,
chlorophyll-a, transparency, chloride,
conductivity, color, aluminum,
and oxygen. Over the past 10 years the quality has improved significantly. The
results of the 2007 tests indicate that our lake is classified as an
oligotrophic lake; i.e., a lake that has “low levels of phosphorus, and as a
consequence, low levels of chlorophyll-a and high transparencies.” pH (acidity)
is satisfactory. Alkalinity values indicate that
Loon
Lake has a low sensitivity to
acidification. Calcium values suggest that
Loon
Lake may not be at all sensitive to
acidification. Conductivity tests
indicated that dissolved minerals were in the normal range. Color tests indicate
that the content of metallic ions and organic acids are in the satisfactory
range. Dissolved oxygen levels for the 2000-2004 period was found to be
sufficient for survival for both cold and warm water fish.
·
Volunteers (
Stan Unger et
al) helped in the conduction E Coli and Coliform
tests that have been performed in the past. These tests will be again
performed later this summer.
Attendance
at Water Testing Conferences.
- Moira Lemay
attended a Water
Testing Conference at Paul Smiths last August.
Monitoring
for Presence of Invasive Species.
- Moira Lemay has
been conducting an annual survey of invasive species in
Loon
Lake.
Preparation
and Submission of a Grant
Proposal for Boat Launch Attendees.
·
Proposal prepared and submitted by
Keith
Silliman. It was not funded; however we are
actively seeking funding for this purpose.
Monitoring
Loon Golf Loon Lake-related Activities.
- Potential
Golf Course Property Development may have an impact on the
Lake water quality, Lake access,
Lake traffic, etc. There have been indications that
Loon
Gulf may have plans to develop the
Golf Course property. Recently a
Loon
Gulf representative (other than lawyers)
had come to inspect the Irish house and posted
Loon
Gulf property in selected locations
to control illegal hunting. What is interesting is that this Albany-based
individual apparently has a background in planning and hotel/marina
development.
- LLHOA
Reaches out to Loon Gulf. LLHOA’s then President Keith Sillliman contacted
Loon Gulf representative who revealed that “Loon Gulf is undergoing studies to
determine what may be appropriate, feasible in the best interest from an
environmental standpoint, as well as from a financial feasibility standpoint;”
and “as we progress toward a better understanding and define a concept plan
for the area, we will reach out to the association, as we also want to do what
is best from a community standpoint, as well.”
- Freedom
of Information (FOI) Request Submitted.
Keith
Silliman submitted a Freedom of Information
request to the Adirondack Park Agency (APA)
to keep LLHOA informed regarding proposed development for
Loon
Gulf properties and to provide
copies of any related meetings, correspondence, and conversations. This
information is to be retroactive to 2000.
- LLHOA
Board of Directors Take Positive Stance. Attitude toward
Loon
Gulf should be one that encourages
cooperation to achieve mutual goals; e.g., maintenance of heretofore good
water quality and environmental integrity, as well as appropriate aesthetics
and serenity and to avoid unnecessary adversarial confrontation.
Lake
access/Deeded Rights.
·
Lake Access at the Boat
Launch on Blue Spruce Drive and on
Garden Road is allowed only to homeowners with deeded lake
rights. It is not available to the
general public. Therefore, for the protection of
Loon
Lake’s waters and to minimize boat
traffic, it behooves LLHOA to
control Lake
Entry.
In this connection in the past, LLHOA had locked the gate at the boat launch and
issued keys to selected individuals; however, the mechanism in place failed to
provide immediate access to those who had rightful access. Consequently, the
practice was discontinued.
·
LLHOA Board Elected to
Revisit the Issue of Restricted Access. At a recent Board meeting,
the Directors voted to take another look at locking the gate, but have yet not
taken any action.
·
Disappointed Homeowners
Circulate Petition.
In an attempt to expedite The Board’s action to control
access via locking the gate and issuing keys, Bob
and Sam
Mensink are circulating a petition requesting
that the Board lock the gate and issue keys to homeowners with deeded rights.
Monitoring
Activities of Local Government.
·
Periodic Checking of
Town of Franklin
Website and attendance at Town
Board Meetings.
Participation
in Town of Franklin
Activities Beneficial to Loon
Lake.
- Board
member Keith Silliman is assisting the Town
in the development of a land use plan, which would empower the Town
to control the property subdivision of 5 or more lots and is a member of a
Town Committee devoted to that effort.. This proposed legislation, if adopted,
will help keep in check the potential overdevelopment of the Golf Course
property. Presently, the Town has no control over the development of property
in hamlets such as Loon
Lake.
Loon
Lake
Mountain
Fire Tower Restoration.
- A LLHOA Committee was formed to consider
how best to involve the Association in this effort. Committee members are,
Siggi
Maurice,
Patty Cogswell,
Bob Weigold, Maura LeMay and
Tom Bartiss. Some members have inspected the trail
and visited the site. Plans to do some work are being
formulated.
Communication
with Members.
- Association
Newsletter
- Association
Website: www.loonlakehoa.org . LLHOA
member Scott Muller
has voluntarily constructed the site and is the Webmaster. See handout for
details on how to have input. He is anxiously waiting for your input with
information on LL history, stories, rentals, fishing, photos, etc.
Hosting
of Loon
Lake
Social, Entertainment, Informational, and Fun
Activities.
- Annual
Picnic
- Kayak
Races and Fishing Derbies
- Loon
Lake Live
- History
Night
- Guest
Speakers at Annual Meetings, Picnic, and Special
Meetings
Dissemination
of Beneficial Educational Information.
- Emergency
preparedness. LLHOA provides information about First Aid.
CPR.
- LLHOA
member JoAnn Dean, who is an EMT and CPR Instructor
has volunteered her services to teach a CPR Course. Those who are
interested in taking a CPR course may sign a roster indicating interest to
take a CPR Course at Loon
Lake in the near future.
- Boat
and Watercraft Safety. LLHOA encourages awareness of the
hazards of irresponsible operation of water craft and swimming activities.
Wear a bright colored swim cap and /or be accompanied by a flag marker when
swimming in the lake. See Website for information about boat and other
watercraft safety and regulations promoting the protection of the environment;
e.g., speeding close to shore, keeping your distance for loons and loon
nesting areas.
- Avoiding
Lake
Contamination. LLHOA
encourages awareness of the environmental hazards of
Lake
Contamination with invasive
species; e.g., Eurasian Milfoil,
Water chestnut, Zebra mussels, lead sinkers, lost fishing lines, soaping,
shampooing, etc. (See website for
further information)
- Information
on How to Help Loons and Their Habitats. The
Adirondack Cooperative Loon
Program www.adkscience.org/loons
invites Adirondack residents and visitors to
learn first-hand about loons and conservation through their website, public
presentations, and Newsletter. See
handout brochure.
- Participation
in Annual Loon Census at Loon
Lake.
This year’s census will be conducted between 8 and 9 am on Saturday July 19.
Vince
Pagano,
Ryon
Duquette and others will be participating.
Any other parties who
may be interested in participating contact Vince at
891-4095 or vincepagano@hughes.net
ASAP.
·
Strongly
Emphasizing that Homeowners and Homeowners who rent out their camps make sure that boats that have been out
of the lake be disinfected and washed prior to
launching!
LLHOA
Board of Directors Meetings.
- The
Board has been meeting about 4 times a year to conduct
Association business, usually at 8am
on a Sunday morning at a Board member’s camp and rewarded with coffee and.
Loon
Lake
T-Shirts.
- LLHOA
is taking orders for Loon
Lake T-Shirts.
If you want
T-Shirts, please signup for them, indicating quantity and size; i.e.,
small, medium, large, x-tra large, xx-tra large.
What’s
next? LLHOA Board
Members plan to continue the above captioned activities with a strong emphasis
on pursuing issues concerned about
Lake
Contamination via formation of
appropriate committees. LLHOA is you, the homeowner, who has a vested interest
in maintaining the quality of life at the Lake. Please be receptive to
continuing your cooperation with the Board’s tireless efforts by doing your part
in some small way. Thank you for all you have done so
far!
Vince
read the petition presented by Bob and
Sam
Mensink to lock the boat launch gate, for the
protection of the waters of Loon
Lake from invasive plant species as
follows:
PETITION
WHEREAS, the
undersigned are holders of deeded access to the waters of
Loon
Lake,
Franklin
County;
New
York; and
WHEREAS, the
undersigned wish to ensure, to the extent feasible, the high quality of the
waters of
Loon
Lake; and
WHEREAS, the
undersigned believe that among other possible measures to achieve the objective
of maintaining high water quality, is to prevent the introduction of
contaminants, including, but not limited
to, milfoil, from entering Loon Lake, via waterborne vessels, which vessels have
also been used in other water bodies where such contaminants may be present;
NOW THERFORE, the
undersigned request that the Loon Lake Homeowners Association as the governing
body controlling waterborne vessel access to
Loon
Lake take the
following measures at the earliest possible time, but no later than
July 30,
2008:
1. Install a
padlock, having a non reproducible key at the gate to the boat launch site at
Blue Spruce
Drive, and at such
other locations, as may be mutually agreed, so as
to prevent the unauthorized
launching of waterborne vessels in
Loon
Lake.
2. Provide a key
to such padlock to each holder of deeded water access at a cost of $5.00 each,
or such other cost as may be mutually agreed.
3.
Make all reasonable efforts to
ensure that such padlock is continually secured during
the boating season, which efforts shall be overseen by three or four designated
individuals as appointed by the Loon Lake Homeowners Association. The
undersigned acknowledge that the cooperation of the key holders will be
essential to ensure that the objectives of this initiative are successfully
implemented, as well.
4. As a further
consideration, the Association is requested to consider the installation of a
boat washing station near the Boat launch, the location to be chose so as not to
allow the spent wash water from directly entering the
Lake. The
implementation of such boat wash station to be implemented by a method agreed by
the Association.
HAVING READ
AND UNDERSTOOD THE
CONTENTS HEREOF, AND IN SUPPORT OF
SAME, we affix our signatures as of the date noted below:
SIGNJ\TURE
DATE
The petition was voted
and strongly passed. Vince called for volunteers
to form a committee to implement the locking of the boat launch gate, and to
implement a method of distributing keys to those with lake rights. The following
members offered to volunteer: Tom
Bartiss,
Charlie
Dalch,
Dan
Martino,
Bob
Weigold,
Bob
Mensink,
Neil
Miller,
Jerry
Bowers, and
Jeff
Richardson.
With concern for the
speed of large boats on the lake, it was reported that the speed
limit buoy has disappeared from the channel in the lake
narrows. Bob
Weigold reported that he has recovered the
buoy, and it is in need of repair, including a chain and anchor. It was agreed
that the LLHA will fund the repair and re-installation of the buoy for the
narrows.
Treasurer’s Report – presented by
Vince in Diane’s
absence. Savings as of 6/19/08, $4132.60 and checking as of 6/9/08, $1756.53. The expenses of the
past year were itemized as follows:
.
Loon
Lake
Homeowners
Association
July
13,
2008
Treasurers
Report
Diane
Castrovinci
891-2625,
891-7200
Savings:
$4,132.60 -
June 19,
2008
Checking:
$1,756.53
-
July 9,
2008
Over
80
members
in 2007
20
paid
members as of
7/09/08
Expenses
2007
Since 2007
Annual
Meeting:
2007
picnic
$381.80
2007
postage
$41.00
2007
new
checks $55.10
2007
Moira
LeMay
attended
Paul
Smiths Water
Conference
$90.00
Expenses
2008:
July
2008 Postmaster
for
mail
box
$54
July
2008
Printing
for Water
Quality
Report and
Dues
Sheets
$50.09
July
2008
for
2007
Water
Testing $130
July
2008
Harleysville
Insurance
$400
Donations
2008:
Bloomingdale Fire
Department
$100
Loon
Lake
Live
$80
St.
Paul's
Food
Pantry
$80
Loon
Program $75.00
Vince reported the
upcoming Town of Franklin,
Town wide property assessment.
Bob
Weigold is a data collector for the Town of
Harrietstown, and is expected to be
a data collector for the Town of
Franklin. Bob explained this will
entail an updating of the ‘data card’ on each property in the Town; specifically
the size of the lot, and size of any buildings on the lot, # of bedrooms, # of
fireplaces, and # of bathrooms.
Attachment of Town
Minutes:
Assessor
Tichenor
reviewed
his
plans
for the 2009
assessment update and the terms
of
the
proposed
contract
with
Briggs
Appraisal
Service:
1.
PLAN
FOR DATA
COLLECTION.
a.
Briggs
Appraisal
Service.
Mr.
Tichenor
distributed
copies
of
the
contract
with
Briggs
for data
collection
in
the
Town of
Franklin.
(1). Data collection will be take place during the summer
of 2008. Mr.
Tichenor is the
sole assessor for the
Town of Harrietstown
which also has
already signed the
contract with
Briggs. From the pool of
trained data collectors, one will
visit
properties
in the Town of
Franklin. The data
collectors
will
be
contracted
labor of the
Briggs,
and
the Town will pay
Briggs from the
$15,000 budgeted
amount for data collection.
2).
Site
visit defined.
The data
collector will
visit the
1,000
residential
properties
in the
Town.
Mr.
Tichenor
will
visit
the vacant
parcels.
The data collector
will actually
walk the property,
knock on the door of
the
residence, and
if no one
is at
home,
will leave a tag on
the
door
handle with
contact
information. The
collector
will
perform outdoor
measurements and if
not
invited
inside,
will
estimate
indoor
measurements.
The
property
owner
should
contact
the
Assessor
for
follow-up.
Mr.
Tichenor
emphasized that he
will be
spot-checking
the data
collector(s).
The
object
of the data
collection
is to
verify
that
the
Town's current
property
data
is
correct. If a property
is posted
"no
trespassing",
the
data
collector will
not
enter
the property and
will
estimate
measurements.
Assessor
Tichenor
wants to
gather
all
information on
properties that
might affect the
property's
value.
2.
VALUATION
OF COLLECTED DATA.
Once the data
is
collected he will send
taxpayers a request
for
data
verification and then
perform valuation
work.
Mr.
Tichenor
will
be
receiving
instruction
and assistance
from
Briggs
in
the
valuation
portion of
the assessment update
using the
NYS RPS assessment
software.
Another
public information
mailing will be sent
with proposed assessment values and an invitation
to
discuss same
with
Mr.
Tichenor.
3.
OPPORTUNITIES
FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
Following
public
information
sessions and
information
mailings,
the
tentative
assessment
roll
will
be
published on
May
1,
2009
and then
Grievance Day
will
be the
1st
Tuesday
in
June.
Mr.
Tichenor
emphasized there will be
many opportunities for
taxpayers to
discuss
their
assessments with
him
prior to Grievance
Day.
o
Coun.
Berg asked
what
specifics affect
the
value of
the
property.
·
Mr.
Tichenor said he looks
at
the style of
the
house,
whether
it is
in
prime
or
poor
condition,
and
physical
characteristics a€"
whether it
has a
cellar
or
finished
basement,
as well as
the
grade of
construction
materials.
He added sometimes
he values out buildings,
but
not always.
Assessors
value properties at
"current
use"
a€"
appraisers
value
properties
at "highest and
best
use".
o
Coun.
Kretser
questioned
whether
a
single data
collector
could
gather
information on 1,000
residential properties
in
the time
allotted.
He said his
biggest
concern
was
that
the
data
collection would
incomplete and
the
Town
would
not
get
its
money's
worth.
He also
expressed
concern
that
the
Town of
Franklin's
assessments
would be
raised
in
order to
"balance
out"
rates
in
Harrietstown,
Brighton
and
Santa
Clara
a€"
other
towns
in
the
Saranac
Lake
Central
School
District.
·
Mr.
Tichenor
replied it
was
important to start
gathering
information
as soon as
possible.
Time
is of
the
essence, as
training
for data
collectors
takes about
1
week. He
emphasized he would be
spot-checking the data
collector's
results.
o
Coun.
Berg
inquired
whether
the
Board
would be
introduced
to
the
data
collector.
•
Yes,
Mr.
Tichenor
answered, at a
public
information
session.
o
Coun. Kretser asked
whether aerial
photography would be
used.
·
Mr.
Tichenor said
yes,
he
uses a
website
with
aerial
photography,
but
not
Briggs.
o
Supv.
Keith
asked
if
photographs
would be
taken.
• Yes, and a
digital
camera has been
ordered for
that
purpose.
o
How
will
subdivisions be
valued?
·
If
a
subdivision
application has been
filed
with
APA,
then the
property can
be
valued at
"highest
and best
use";
however,
if a property owner
has not filed a
subdivision
application on a large
number of
acres,
then
it
would be
valued
as
"current
use"
.
• 0
Coun.
Smalley
commented that property
owners are
concerned
that the assessment
on their properties
will
be increased.
o
Coun. Ordway noted
the importance of taxpayers
communicating
with
the Assessor to
discuss
their
assessments.
Mr.
Tichenor
then
distributed
copies
of
the
contract
with
Briggs
Appraisal
Service
and requested
the Board approve
it.
Motion
for
resolution
approving
terms of contract
with
Briggs
Appraisal
(M.Keith-J:Ordway
m/s/p)
ALL
AYE
RESOLUTION NO.
22:
ACCEPT TERMS
AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT
FOR DATA
COLLECTION
WITH BRIGGS APPRAISAL
NOT TO EXCEED $15,000
AND AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO
SIGN WHEREAS, an assessment update
will be performed in
2009; and WHEREAS, the Town's
assessment data must also be reviewed and revised;
and WHERAS, upon the recommendation
of the Assessor for the Town a
contract for data
collection
has been negotiated
with Briggs Appraisal
Service
not to exceed
$15,000;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE
IT RESOLVED,
that the
terms and conditions of
the contract
with Briggs
Appraisal
Service is hereby accepted and the
Supervisor
is authorized to execute same.
THOSE VOTING
AYE:
Supervisor
Mary
Ellen
Keith
Councilperson
Janet
Ordway
Councilman
Allen
Berg
Councilman
Clifford
Smalley
Councilman
Walter
Kretser
THOSE VOTING NAY:
None
Vince described the
strongest defense in a grievance proceeding of an increased assessment is a
certified appraisal of your property.
Sam
Gewurz questioned if a number of home owners
wanted, as a group, to hire a real estate appraiser for a certified appraisal of
properties, considering the impending Town wide assessment of
properties.
Vince asked
Jenifer
Dalch to discuss the Annual Picnic. The picnic
will be Sunday, July 27,
2008, at ‘The Beach’. There is a sign up sheet at this meeting, for
each member to identify how many people they will have attend the picnic, and
what prepared dishes they will bring for the meal.
Vince moved, per the LLHA By-Laws,
to increase the size of the Board from nine to ten members. Second by
Barb
Miller; All approved.
Election of
Board Members to fill expiring terms. The proposed slate is
Jenifer
Dalch,
Joe
LeMay, Stuart Lucks, and
Vince
Pagano.
Bob
Mensink moved to accept the proposed
slate. Approved by show of hands.
There was a request from the
membership, for future meetings, to announce the proposed slate of Board
Members, in a newsletter, well prior to the General Membership
Meeting.
To communicate with the Board directly:
Mailing
address;
LLHA
PO Box 219
Vermontville, NY 12989
Vince’s
email: vincepagano@hughes.net
The
LLHA web site is www.LoonLakeHOA.org created
by Scott Muller
Vince explained the ADK Cooperative Loon
Program
A member announced that bushes were cut at the water’s edge
of ‘The Beach’. She questioned if this should have been done. It was questioned
whether this had been done on the LLHA ‘clean up
day’.
Vince introduced the Guest
Speaker – member George
Waddy to discuss the lake bottom and
interesting finds from the lake bottom.
Clyde Yarnell announced
today’s first annual kid’s kayak race with four
contestants.
Barb
Miller moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded
by Bob
Weigold. Meeting adjourned at 2:05 PM.
Respectfully
submitted,
Neil
Miler, Secretary.
Neil
Miller
Saranac Lake, NY
Saranac Lake -
-Norm Crampton's "100 Best
Small Towns in America" selection as 11th best small town in America, and best
small town in New York State
-Selected as an All America City in the 1998
National Competition
-Selected by Men's Journal '99 as among "America's 25
Coolest Mountain Towns"
-Selected by Men's Journal 3/02 as among "America's
50 Best Places to Live"