Rust Pond Association Annual Meeting
August 8, 2015
Held at the Wolfeboro Town Library
10:07 am - President Rich Coan called the meeting to order.
A Quorum was in existence with 33 RPA members in attendance.
Secretary Kristin Bowman read the 2014 RPA Annual Meeting Minutes.
Bunny Kendrick mentioned that in the minutes it states Loon Preservation Association and it should be Loon Preservation Committee. There were no other corrections. Rich Coan asks for a motion of the 2014 Annual Minutes, Terry Bowman motions to accept the report, Bill Tappan 2nd's.
Treasurer Clay Clatur gave his report. Please see attached. Pete Colbath asked if an audit had been done from Clay's request of last year. Clay responded no. Pete acknowledged that he is a CPA and he feels that asking a certified accountant could present a legal "nightmare". He suggests asking for a financial review would allow anyone with a numbers background to look over the RPA financials. Rich Coan mentioned again that Karen Coan could look them over. She is a controller. Pete Colbath asked if there have been any invoices for the North End work. Clay has not received any thus far.
Rich Coan asks for a motion to accept the Treasurer report. Keith Simpson motions to accept the report, Bill Tappan 2nd's
Rich Coan introduces two new members to the RPA. Jean Hebert who lives on Axford Way and Lauren Eveland who lives at 26 Middletown Rd.
Rich Coan asks if any member has passed away this past year. A member responded that Rip Lincoln's wife Remy passed away. They live on Camp School Road.
Rich Coan gives an update on the 2015 Watershed Assistance Grant. This is a $25,000 grant for the completion of the areas identified by Geosyntech Consultants that were not completed in the previous 319 Grant. The three areas identified are along route 28. They are the Rust Pond Boat Launch, Abenaukee Drive at Rt 28 and North side of Rt28 and Cross Road. The RPA is committed to $15,000 for this second phase. Rich mentions that he feels that the RPA is in good financial shape to take care of these areas. Clay Clatur asked about the Boat Launch ownership and was wondering if the Town of Wolfeboro would do work on the launch without knowing ownership. Rich responded that he does not know how the town feels about the ownership issue because it has never come up in any discussions. Rich says Ron Housman from the Town of Wolfeboro will work with Geosyntech to reconstruct the boat launch for hand carried crafts only. Bob Demaree asks how this will be enforced. Rich Coan feels owners will need to help in enforcing hand carried craft only. Ed Webb mentions that he does not think there are any laws or requirements for public access to watercrafts on Rust Pond. He thinks we should look into this to verify its validity. Lauren Eveland asked about liability on the launching of boats at the Rt 28 boat launch. Rich Coan does not think there is any liability because we have no ownership. Ed Webb states the less attachment the better.
Bill Tappan presented The Committee Dam Report. The water level state requirement is between 7"- 15"of the spillway. Bill kept the level at 9" below most of the summer and it is at 12" below now. The biggest issue right now is the tree removal. There are four very mature trees, three oaks and one maple. One oak is to the west and two oaks to the east on Lauren Eveland's property. Bill asked to speak with her after the meeting today. Bill spoke with DES this week and they are aware that the RPA will be in compliance and therefore will allow the RPA flexibility with the time frame so he can get estimates on the tree removal. Bill will be meeting with several companies this week.
Bill mentioned there was a complaint from an RPA owner that the water level was too high. Bill stated again that the levels are within state requirements. Bill mentioned that the beaver is back! He was gone for nine months. He continues to "dam the dam". He did it three times last week. Bill asked for the owners to help if they are at the dam and see this. Please remove the debris. Rich Coan mentioned he had the same issue in the North End. He hired someone to trap them. This could be a possibility.
Keith Simpson presented The Water Quality Report. (You can view this in the "Water Quality" section of this web site).
Keith mentions that there are some owners that are concerned with the algae bloom in the North End of the lake. It was tested and it is not the toxic variety. Attached is the NH DES fact sheet on algae blooms and it mentions several possible causes. Bill Tappan feels a lot of the algae bloom is from the construction from the past few years and this year on Middleton Road. Keith Simpson agrees. Rich Coan mentioned that he and Clay Clatur took a walk along the North End to look at lawns. Some lawns were lush and the concern is the use of fertilizers. Rich suggests putting out a survey on lawn care to homeowners. Clay suggested this should be done through email. Also, homeowners should be asking their landscapers about what products they use in order to avoid phosphorous.
Marrietta Hedges asked about the suds seen on Rust Pond. Keith Simpson says this is a natural foaming occurrence.
Loon Preservation Committee:
Bunny Kendrick gave an update on the loon activity on Rust Pond. There is a loon family. Bunny says we haven't seen this in years. This is very exciting news! Libby Peard asked where the loons are nesting. Bunny says the North End area is where they have been seen. Rich Coan says he saw a baby on the back of its parent. It was a great sight to see. Bunny asks the members to report any new and/or unusual loon activity to the Preservation Committee. Bunny mentions that the Loon Preservation committee is having a Golf Tournament and a potluck supper on August 18th. She left the information in the back by the door.
Election of Officers and Board of Directors:
Rich Coan asks Clay Clatur to facilitate the elections of officers.
Clay expresses to Rich on behalf of the RPA members our deep appreciation for an exceptional job during these last fours. We are very grateful for your commitment and time you have given to the RPA.
Election of Officers (2 Year Term); President, VP, Treasurer
The nomination Committee proposed Terry Bowman for President, Bob Leavy for VP and Clay Clatur for Treasurer. There being no nominations from the floor, Clay motions for a vote on the approval of the nominations and the motion was approved.
BOD Nominations (3 Year Term)
We must have five BOD and can have up to nine. Three of these are automatically filled with the new President, Secretary and outgoing President.
The nominating Committee proposed Bunny Kendrick, Bob Leavy, Keith Simpson and Bill Tappan.
Clay asks if there're any other members interested in being nominated on the BOD. Bob Piekarz and Lauren Eveland both agreed to be nominated. Clay motions for a vote on the approval of the six nominations and the motion was approved.
Old Business;
Septic Systems /Water supply Inventory; Bob Leavy mentions the importance of septic systems and the effect they can have on lakes. He handed out a survey last year. He does not believe there was much of a response. Rich Coan asked Secretary Kristin Bowman to put it on the website for members to access. Bob Leavy also spoke on the 2015 Lakes Congress. He attended in late April. It was extremely informational.
Clay mentioned the three charities that the RPA gives to, NH Lakes Association, Lakes Region Conservation Trust and The Loon Preservation Committee. Clay motions for a vote on the donation of $60.00 to each charity. All Approved.
New Business;
Ed Webb asks if the RPA would consider donating a Chair ($200 value) for the new town hall. Ed felt this would be a good "Good Will" gesture. Rich motions for a vote on the RPA donating a chair for the new town hall. The motion was approved.
David Robins asks if there are owners that need a launch for their boats if there are any provisions. The collective response was no. Suggestions were to find a neighbor.
Lauren Eveland asks if there are any right-of-ways near the dam. Laurens explains that she came across people fishing at the dam. She asked if they were property owners and they responded no but that they had permission. Rich Coan says there are no grandfather right-of-ways and that it is a liability to be there. No one should be there.
Beth Robins asked if there is an ordinance for bright lights on Rust Pond. One of the new homes has a very bright light on there dock. Rich says there is no ordinance.
Bob Demaree read two of his Poems; Ladders to the Attic and Ladders to the Roof.
Rich Coan gives a gracious farewell. He would like to continue working with new President Terry Bowman and the BOD to see the North End projects to its completion.
Keith Simpson motions to adjourn the meeting. Kristin Bowman 2nd's.
Meeting is adjourned at 12:05p.m.