Beddington Lake East Homeowner’s Association Annual Meeting
Minutes
Saturday, August 2, 10:00a.m.
Beddington Fire Dept., Rt. 193
Board in Attendance: Peter Aten, President, Marlene Sullivan, Vice President, Brian Govang Treasurer, Martha LaMarche, Interim Recording Secretary.
Meeting called to order by Peter Aten, President
(All comments Peter Aten unless otherwise indicated.) Introductions, welcome, explains parameters of meeting.
1. Acceptance of the minutes from last year’s meeting Motion to accept:
Dave Hazard, #36; Second: Bob Lewis, #31; All in favor.
2. Review of completed and pending road maintenance.
Completed projects include brush cutting on Eagle’s Cove, road grading, placement of road signs and replacing one vandalized sign. Brush cutting on main road will be done at the end of summer. Priorities for the next 12 months include grading, culverts and continued maintenance.
Any comments from members? (None)
We will continue to do maintenance, the same as we have done in the past.
3. Review of the Treasurer’s Report
Brian Govang
There has been one change since the letter was mailed. A $310 check paid to Peter Aten to cover the cost of mailing the annual meeting materials. $4-5,000 remains to be spent on brush cutting and culvert projects. (Treasurer’s report attached.) $8,900 is projected to be in the account at the end of the season.
Peter Aten: Any questions? (None)
Motion to accept, Dave Hazard, #36; Second: Brian Govang; All in favor.
4. Voting on the annual assessment amount.
The board recommends that the annual assessment remain at $125.
Motion to accept: Peter Aten; Second: Marlene Sullivan; All in favor.
5. Voting to amend the Bylaws, Covenants and Articles of Incorporation
(Counting of proxies)
There are 42-45 potential or actual affirmative votes per amendment between received ballots, proxies and those in attendance; three ballots included negative votes on one or more amendments. 46 affirmative votes are required to pass any amendment. Several more proxies are expected via mail and as board members have been at camp for some time before meeting. We suggest leaving the option open to count these in-process proxies.
First Item (Ballot Item#1): Bylaws - Title & Section 1.1, Covenants – Title & Title Para, Articles of Incorporation - Main Title & Attachment Title: Change the name of the Association from ‘Beddington Lake East Homeowners Association’ to ‘Beddington Lake East Road Maintenance Association’.
Motion to accept: Brian Govang, #40; Second: David Hazard, #36; All present in favor. Adding Proxies and Ballots received: 45 for, 0 against.
Second Item (Ballot Item #2): Update Covenants Para 9, By-laws Sec 2.6, Articles of Incorporation (attachment): Limit the number of votes a single, multiple lot, landowner may cast as follows: “The owner of more than one lot shall have one vote for each lot up to a maximum of 5 votes.”
Discussion?
Jim Crowley, #25. Asks for clarification regarding effect on purchaser of a subdivided lot. (Answer: yes new owner would have a vote.)
Deb Messer, #64: Q re: how the figure of 5 was determined.
Peter Aten: The largest # is now 4, so 5 seemed a reasonable number.
Motion to accept: Peter Aten, #13; Second: Brian Govang, #40. All present in favor. Adding Proxies and Ballots received: 43 for, 2 against
Third Item (Ballot Item #3) Add the following language to Covenants paragraph 7: “After the 5 year moratorium on lot division any subdivision must be reported to the Association Board of Directors at the time a plan is proposed to the town of Beddington.”
Motion: Marlene Sullivan, #33; Second: Brian Govang, #40. All present in favor. Adding Proxies and Ballots received: 42 for, 3 against.
Deb Messer: How will members know if the above is passed.
Peter Aten: Updated covenants will be mailed.
6. Vote to allow in-process proxies and ballots, allowing for delivery time.
Motion to accept: Peter Aten, #13; Second; Kevin Peary, #49, All in favor.
Deb Messer suggests cut off date of August 15 for in-process proxies and ballots.
Motion to accept: Dave Hazard, #36; Second Deb Messer, #64. All in favor.
Request from floor to send email notice with result.
Peter Aten: Board will send email as well, after results tallied.
* * *
Brian Govang: Recognizes Carol Aten for doing an outstanding job on the website with the posting of minutes and information.
Carol Aten: Be sure we have your e-mail addresses.
Peter Aten: That’s all on the agenda, anything else?
Brian Govang: Recommends a $100 donation to the Beddington Fire Dept.
Motion to accept: Brian Govang, #40; Second: John Grionda, #22. All in favor.
Peter Aten: Future issue that has been discussed is Spruce Mountain subdivision.
Randy Mace: Who have we discussed it with.
Peter: Only the board.
Randy: Any word from town on zoning?
Peter solicits information from members.
Carol Aten: Two Narraguagas plans can be posted to our website.
Peter Aten: Future board members are needed and urged to volunteer. Explanation of time commitments and function.
Brian Govang: Commends Herb Jordan for $ savings on road and value-added to the projects he has worked on.
Marlene Sullivan: Commends Herb’s honesty and notes his preference for autonomy in his work.
Peter Aten: Any questions?
Brian Govang: Would anyone like the Treasurer’s job?
Jean Heath, Lot 38, maybe next year, will talk to Brian.
Martha LaMarche: offers to fill recording secretary position as Bob can no longer commit the time.
Motion to accept: Peter Aten, #13; Seconds: Multiple members; All in favor.
Betsy: How is board organized.
Peter explains.
First Selectman Phil White arrives. Information below is in response to questions from members: Comprehensive zoning plan which is 85% complete. Cell phone towers are the remaining issue. Expect town to vote in late October or at the same time as the national election. Proposed minimum lot size is 21 acres in Spruce subdivision. There is a moratorium to prevent nonresidential development until November 5. The number of camps per lot is regulated by the state. Beddington is the last town to do this comprehensive plan and so have learned from others mistakes and what works. Judy East from Washington County government works with the town. Open area on Rt. 193 is zoned agricultural/residential. Cell tower which was denied was 190 ft tall and 14 ft wide self supporting, a microwave receiving station with cell phone capability to be added. Moratorium is to give time to set up ordinance to avoid a future burden on the community if the tower is abandoned. Towers generate some tax revenue for town, owner of lot leases to the company. We will eventually have a cell tower. If doesn’t pass in Oct/Nov the moratorium can be reinstated. The comprehensive plan will be available on CD. To stay informed on Spruce Mountain talk to Debbie Borgourne at Sustainable Forest Products. Dump permits are available for Cherryfield at no charge, pick them up in town hall. A new permit will be issued in January. Computer waste goes to Pleasant River. See Mike Laughlin for burning permits. Town does not have a website but will, maybe this winter. For information call the town hall and leave a message or call me at home, number is listed.
Dave Hazard, #36: Need new stop sign at Route 9, sign is now white. Volunteers to pick up sign.
Jim Crowley, #25. Has a stop sign in brush in front of his house, may be usable.
Motion to adjourn meeting: Peter Aten, #13; Second: Bob Lewis, #31.
Respectfully submitted.
Martha LaMarche
Recording Secretary
