On Saturday, May 23rd, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their first meeting of the 2026 season.

Attendance: Jim Canders, Jeff Crandall, Jerremy Jones, Ed Laird, Mary Jo Teetor, Tim Mante, Mike Gay, Mark Shea, Sue Williams, Lisa Micich, Nancy Liberatore, Kemi McShane, Dan O’Connell. Absent: Steve Mattison, Bob Williams. Guest: Missy Hardesty

Meeting called to order at 8:33 AM.

Opening Comment Period: New Greeter Coordinator Missy Hardesty reported that she has Greeters 11 Greeters and Subs as needed. The program has started, and she will monitor and schedule shifts for the greeters. The plan is to have the launch staffed every day until Labor Day.

Recording Secretary’s Report: Minutes of August 23, 2025 meeting accepted as presented. Approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Mary Jo presented her report, mentioning some outstanding receipts for things to be paid. Other discussion included researching another bank account that will have a better return on the monies of the LSCA, wrapping up 2025 Lake Wise billing with PMNRCD, and Jeff spoke about upcoming bills for our milfoil control efforts. Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, all in favor, so moved.

Membership: Jerremy showed statistics, (330 members) and stated that 400 members is our goal. The was a discussion about members unknowingly joining another organization last year, but we have not seen that happen this year. A reminder post card will go out soon to folks who have not renewed their membership yet. The Annual Membership Meeting will be August 8th, 2026 at the LSC Country Club.

Milfoil Control Program: Jeff reported that the Spring survey was May 11, 2026. Beck will do a followup dive survey at the spot treatment areas the 2nd week of June. There will only be 9 acres to treat, with Atwater Bay being the largest area. Signs will go up 30 days in advance. The signs are larger as required, and the signs must remain up for 30 days after the treatment. Confirmation that DASH will start July 1, 2026, and hand pulling will begin as soon as the water temperature is comfortable. Discussions included current overall lake conditions, conditions in LL, the expired LL dredging permit, and the condition of the dam (which is currently owned by F&W

Water Quality and Testing: MJ stated that she will start taking samples soon. Discussion about the large amounts of filamentous algae seen in the bays so far this year.

Publicity: Jerremy spoke about working with the new website company Morweb. Andrew G. is designing our new logo. Once options are available, Jerremy will share for a vote. The logo will be designed to be versatile so it can be used horizontally and vertically. Andrew has worked for free and Jerremy is asking for a gift card to give to Andrew in appreciation of his work. A motion was made to provide a $100 gift card to Andrew. Other discussion included bills that FOVLAP was involved with, including the vetoed chloride reduction bill, and a bill that would have made the Greeter Program an authorized use of the F&W public access areas.

Lake Safety: Mike spoke about many of the markers and buoys needing repair. New buoys are very expensive and Mike needs supplies for repairs. Other discussion included the passage on Thursday, by LCAR, of the revised Use of Water Rules which updated rules governing wake boat use.

Nominating Committee: Jim mentioned that we are always looking for good candidates to join the board.

Grants: Jerremy spoke about the $50k earned in total from the State and the LCBP for the Greeter and Milfoil Control Programs, and $15k for assessments and $20k for project implementation for the Lake Wise Program. Hilary from PMNRCD also helped us with a grant to implement projects from the Stormwater Master Plan and the Watershed Action Plan on Lochlea Lane on Little Lake.

Old Business: Our limnologist Emily Porter-Goff will come to LSC to help us calibrate the in-lake loggers for water testing. One logger will be placed in each basin, and there was a discussion about placement and safety & security. Emily will bill us for her hours. There was also a discussion about the welcome sign, and finding an engraver, and looking for volunteers for East Poultney Day, August 8, 2026.

New Business: Jeff stated that there was the destruction of mailboxes on WLR (due to plowing) and Jerremy mentioned the same on Cones Point. Jerremy alerted the group to a Rusty Crayfish discovered in the lake. They were used as bait and now are established in the lake. They are very aggressive, mate with the natural crayfish, destroy native plants, and eat fish eggs. Jerremy also mentioned setting up a meet and greet brunch at the Tasteful Station for a lake community social.

Jim called for the meeting adjournment, all in favor. Meeting adjourned at 10:09 AM.

Respectfully submitted,
Kemi McShane
Recording Secretary