On Saturday, June 24th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their first meeting of the 2025 season.

Attendance: Jim Canders, Jerremy Jones, Mary Jo Teetor, Ed Laird, Nancy Liberatore, Mike Gay, Jeff Crandall, Sue Williams (online), Lisa Micich (online), Mark Shea. Absent: Kemi McShane, Bob Williams

Guests: John Belnavis, Beck Sinclair, Gloria Weber

Call to Order: President Jim Canders called the meeting to order at 8:30.

Public Comment: An introduction of Gloria to the group, she's interested in participating with the board, and is attending to observe.

Approval of Meeting Minutes: This item was missed on the agenda as the meeting began, we will need to approve the minutes of the August 24, 2024 meeting at the next scheduled board meeting in June.

Milfoil Management: Jeff Crandall, Jeff discussed the approval of our new 5 year permit which was approved on April 21. The May 12th & 17th spring surveys were completed and found very low levels of milfoil, so the decision was made to only use hand-pulling and DASH for milfoil control in 2025, meaning no spot treatments in 2 of the past 3 seasons, an excellent result! A DASH map & other required documentation will be sent to Olin at the DEC for approval. A discussion was held about trying hand-pulling efforts for the 2 small spots in Lily Pond, and the very dense area on the western shore of Little Lake. Beck and crew will investigate the possibility / feasibility. Beck has purchased a new motor and muffler for the DASH boat, and will be getting it ready next week. He will also spend some time around the boat launch diving to check for any trace of zebra mussels based on the half shell being found in the late fall. Jim then passed along a quick report from John Belnavis who has volunteered to oversee the Greeter Program for us this year. Greeters are on duty with returning staff, and interested new Greeters are scheduled to attend upcoming trainings. As of the meeting, 8 fishing tournaments have been scheduled.

Treasurer’s Report: Mary Jo Teetor, MJ provided a copy of the filed 990, and a statement of activity. MJ also described the recent bank issue, and its resolution. Mark made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Mike, all in favor, so moved. Jim announced a thank you to the Lake St. Catherine Country Club for allowing us to have our board meetings, and the Annual Meeting at the club. Mark made a motion to provide a $275 ‘facility fee’ to the club, seconded by Nancy, all in favor, so moved.

Water Testing: Mary Jo Teetor, there was a brief discussion of the ongoing septic issue on Channel Drive. MJ will start Lay Monitor water testing. Brief discussion about a posting by the DEC looking for cyanobacteria monitors on lakes, and LSC was included. MJ mentioned that the State Park already monitors for cyano at the beach. Jerremy will reach out to Lizzy at the DEC to see where on the lake they want to be monitored, and we’ll find a volunteer.

Annual Meeting / Use of LSC CC: John Belnavis has reserved the LSC Country Club for our Annual Meeting: July 27th, 2023 at 6 PM. John is working with the LSC CC on arrangements and dinner for the meeting. Details will be presented at the June Meeting. Discussion of potential speaker(s).

Publicity: Jerremy Jones, Spring newsletter available, emailed to members, posted on website, printed copies available at Wellsmere Farm & Cones Point General Store. Frequent postings on our website, Facebook, email blasts to keep the lake community infomed. Jerremy also gave a FOVLAP update, discussing the apparent removal of the ‘home lake’ rule of the new wakesport regulations, which is concerning because of the potential transport of aquatic invasive species, and the Chloride Contamination Reduction Program, H.86.

Lake Safety: Mike Gay, Mike and Buoy Buddies getting buoys and markers in. Multiple buoys are in need of repair or replacement, and it looks like the ice has taken some of our anchors. Mike is working on replairs, and will be installing solar lights on the hazard markers. Ed made a motion to allocate up to $1,200 for buoy and marker replacement and repair, seconded by Jim, all in favor, so moved. There was a discussion about the lake safety classes. Jerremy will reach out to Warden Jenna Reed to see if we could hire an instructor to teach a class for the lake community this year, and also see if there is a training for new instructors. Gloria may be interested in becoming an instructor. Jim then called for a moment of silence for Frank Callahan, who passed in January. Frank’s celebration of life was also noted as being at his camp from 1-5 on June 7th.

Nominating Committee: Jim Canders spoke. We did not hear from Bob last year. Jim will reach out. We currently have 3 openings on the board. As President, Jim can appoint members to open positions. Guest Gloria Weber joined the meeting, and is considering joining the board.

Membership: Jerremy Jones, slightly ahead at this time last year, 337 current members, working to get to the goal of 400. Drive kicked off in early January. Showed the membership stats posted on the website. Average contribution is over $200. Membership patches have been very popular.

Grants / Government Relations: Discussion about current and potential grants. LWAP grant ending at the end of June - final draft to be completed (meeting June 4th) [LCBP], Stormwater Master Plan grant provided funding for stormwater projects that have been designed (meeting June 25th) [LCBP], we did not apply for a grant for Lake Wise for 2025, using the remainder of the 2024 grant [LCBP], we earned a grant for AIS prevention & control from the State and LCBP for 2025, and we are awaiting word on a water testing equipment grant from LCBP. For government relations, we have very interested and supportive State representatives and senators, and support from our towns. All have been invited to the LWAP meeting in June.

Old Business: Discussion about the Welcome to Lake St. Catherine sign. Sheldon Slate can’t use the donated slate we have. Idea discussed to make the sign and get it into place with the 3 pieces of slate and have someone carve the slate. Jerremy will reach out to Kerry F from Poultney to see if she may be interested. Discussion about the eagles’ 3 new eaglets, the nesting loon pair is sitting on their nest (meaning they have eggs), and the beaver activity around the lake.

New Business: Signed up for East Poultney Day booth, Aug 9th. A new person is taking over the fireworks display from Rick Roberts and asked that we promote the GoFundMe campaign he has created. After a discussion with Ed, he suggested wording that would be acceptable to use. We will add this to our website calendar, and mention the event and the GoFundMe as we promote the Boat Parade, which will be the next day on July 5th.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 10:25, seconded and all in favor, so moved.

President’s Note: Gloria Weber who has some very good credentials and has participated in several LSCA events, is interested in serving on the Board. She lives full time on the Little Lake with her husband Bob. She attended the May 24 Trustee Meeting where she was introduced to the Board and experienced first hand the inner workings of the Board meetings. Gloria blended very well with the Board members and the members with Gloria. It was pointed out that there are several vacancies on the Board and the President has the discretion to appoint a person to fill the vacancy of an unexpired trustee term. This process can be completed during the next Trustees meeting, June 24, 2025, at which time the President can exercise his discretion concerning one of the unexpired terms.

Next meeting: June 28, 2025 at 8:30 AM LSC CC.

Meeting minutes compiled by Jerremy Jones.