Minutes Executive Meeting ESSLA – June 24, 2010

Executive members present – Bill McGhie, Jane Smith, Peter Oberdorf, Steve Fahey, Vince Blando, Anne Pieper, Kim Fraiser and Joanne McGhie

Absent – Jerry DiGiovanni and Chrys Matterson

Guests – Bob Colegrove, Sally Paland and Mike Purdy

Bill reported the Watershed Management Plan is basically completed and will be put on our website when finished.  The $1000 we initially donated to be used for this plan will be reimbursed because our volunteer hours more than covered the donation.  After the plan is completed we must be active in filing for grants.  Suggestions were ‘septic checks and pump outs if necessary’ and support for the Lake Steward program.

We submitted our application for 501c3 designation for the ESSLA Inc.  It was received by the IRS on June 14.

Meetings with town Supervisors:

Jane, Kim and Bill met with Ralph Bentley, supervisor of the town of Horicon, about setting up a lake stewardship program.  This program would involve hiring one or two people to be at the boat launch to monitor boats for invasives and to educate the boaters about them.  Ralph was receptive and will add to his 2011 budget.

They also met with Fred Monroe, Chestertown supervisor, and spoke with him about the lake stewardship program and the need for buoys in the river.  He was also supportive and Kim will talk to him more about it.

Doug Paton of the Brant Lake association suggested members of our two groups meet occasionally to discuss matters involving both lakes.  Motion made by Joanne and seconded by Jane and passed.

Anne reported on the fundraisers.  The pasta dinner raised $749.37 with 133 attendees.  The event was well received and she was asked to have it again next year.  The calendar is coming along.  Pushing for a 2011 calendar.  There are 110 people in the pictures and presently have $850 in advertizing so far.

Bob Colegrove has offered to take over the CSLAP testing with Mike Purdy and Steve Fahey offering to help.

Jane reported an excellent article on the LGA ‘education’ program in their boat on the lake.

Vince reported there was one call about milfoil.  Ken Nitz reported what he thought was milfoil in the bay south of Sand Point.  Vince went down, it was not milfoil but broad leaf mill weed.  Ken has volunteered to be a scout and to search the bay and the river.

Vince said he had problems with Goal #9, which states

“While we are open to membership from the whole lake and river region, and our focus is on that entire area, our principle membership and focus has historically been, and is now, on issues affecting the river and the south basin of the lake, and on issues affecting the Towns of Horicon and Chester.”

His objections are with concentration on the south basin whereas the scouts involve the whole lake.  Vince moved we drop #9 and modify # 5 to read “To stay actively engaged with proceedings that occur within the three local town governments (Chestertown, Schroon and Horicon) with special emphasis on issues affecting the towns of Horicon and Chester and special state agencies such as the APIPP, APA, DEC, WCSWCD and NYSFOLA, as these proceedings may have an impact on the Schroon Lake and River Region”.  Modifications are in red.  Seconded by Anne.  Discussion followed and Peter suggested Vince table it until the next meeting when the new board members are elected and have time to review it.  Vince tabled his motion until the next board meeting.

Peter agreed to stay on with the group looking into regulations on speed and noise on the lake.

Meeting adjourned 11:00 am

Respectfully submitted

Joanne McGhie, Secretary