On Saturday, May 26th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their first meeting of the 2018 season.

The Trustees gave their reports on many topics - Click here to see the full meeting agenda. Meeting minutes compiled by Kemi Mcshane.

May 26th 2018 Meeting of the Lake St. Catherine Board of Trustees

Lake St. Catherine Country Club, 8:30 AM

1. Meeting called to order, 8:34 AM by President Jim Canders
2. Presentation by, Bill Alexander for the Slate Valley Trails; Biking & Hiking Trails in Southern VT educated the board on the mission, goals, history and future projects of this chapter of the Vermont Mountain Biking Assoc.(VMBA). Hike,Bike Explore with SVT activities and events as all are open to the public. Visit the website, www.slatevalleytrails.org for trail maps, current projects and upcoming group bike rides, hikes, and trail work days.
3. Minutes of the August 26,2017 meeting was approved.
4. Treasure's report was proved by Elaine Bagley. Discussion followed: Workman's Comp Insurance costs. Membership dues: mailings, responses from notices and the adjustments of received memberships is ongoing. End of year account balance; primary principle, cash issues and the concern for the need of an outside audit. Membership dues, the lag time between receiving monies from the local municipalities, contributions made to the Association from outside parties and in memoriam of others. Concern was expressed that budgets were not established for the different projects the Association funds. Forum was called to establish a budget committee, and was second to form such a committee. Mail is received at two locations and requires regular monitoring during the winter season.
5. Introductions of Martha Pofit, newly elected trustee and Kemi McShane, secretary.
6. Annual Meeting and dinner at LSCA July 21,2018. Suggested invite BIll Alexander to present to the membership regarding the SVT.
7. Milfoil management report - Jeffrey Crandall. Herbicide treatment scheduled for June 18-19,2018. Notification signs and public postings are scheduled prior to the treatment dates.The LSCA wants to increase public education to ensure the community is knowledgable of the techniques and the types of milfoil treatment programs that are being used in Lake St. Catherine. The LSCA has been diligent in its approach to managing the milfoil and other invasive species that threaten the quality of the lake. Suction harvesting, herbicide treatment, and the use of boat launch greeters are the present techniques being utilized in the management programs. A new product is on the market and the LSCA will review the test results and state regulation regarding the use of this new product. The harvesting program being used in the Little Lake is concerning to the negative impact the harvesting will have on the great strides the other treatment programs are having on the Lake. Documentation, and maps provide the areas of the Lake requiring treatment. Historical information will be collected and presented to educate the public with the positive results the herbicide, suction harvesting and boat greeters are having on the milfoil control of Lake St. Catherine. The LSCA has many challenges as it proceeds with the application for new permits. The LSCA moved to hire a graduate student to perform a literature review of the research regarding the best practices milfoil control. The LSCA will provide the community with up to date, unbiased information as a result of this literature review. A historical review of the weed harvesting procedures will be presented to the Association to demonstrate the significant changes in the aquatic weeds that have impacted the Lake and the efforts made to control the invasive species and their impact on the Lake. The LSCA has tracked the use of "Hungry Harvey" to the present day uses of weed control. A brochure will be published to educate the public.
8. Water quality report - Mary Jo Teetor. Lily Pond project has been successful. Boats are able to pass through. Beavers attempted to build a damn. the A posting of the contribution made by the LSCA will be placed in the area to notify the community to another project the LSCA is dedicated to regarding the improvements and care of the LAKe for all to use. Water quality kits are available for use and results are received in February and March.
9. Publicity report - Jeremy Jones. The current newsletter is published and will be circulated and posted on the website.
10. Lake Safety- Frank Callahan. Placement of markers and buoys are in progress. Boaters Safety course dates are: June 28 and 29 in Poultney, July 2 and 3 in Wells. All insurance coverage is in place for the usage of theses locations.
11. Nominating Committee - Bob Williams. Nominations are in order to fill open positions that will be available this year.
12. Membership - Rob Goldman (not in attendance). The February letter had an impressive response, as non-members have been contributing to the LSCA. Many donations have been received in memoriam. Another mailing will go out as a reminder to join the LSCA as it is the Association"s hope to surpass last years membership.
13. Government relations - Phil Pope (not in attendance). June 1, a FOVLAP meeting is being held. It is important to attend this meeting as it deals with the State Lakes. It was stated the importance of reviewing the correspondences that are sent to the state as to the accuracy of the contents to assure the issues are being addressed in a time and efficient manner.
14. Old Business - Boat Parade - Rand Burgner. Flyers for the boat parade( July 4,2018) will be sent out. It is Lila's last year as she has organized this event for the past six years. It has been well received and a success under her guidance. Wells Variety Day - Frank Callahan. July 21,2018. this is also the Board Mtg and the Annual Membership Mtg. Poultney Day - Rob Goldman. August 11,2018. Insurance and Legal guidance - Ed Laird. Insurance is in place to cover the LSCA to use buildings for meetings and education purposes. Ed requested the 501C designation that was received from the IRS to supply the necessary information to the insurance company. Private sponsored fireworks - Rick Roberts. Jack Williams is not participating in the firework display this year. Any donations will be appreciated by Rick. Send the donation to : Rick Roberts 6 Broadview Terrace Granville, NY 12832. The date for the firework display will be July 7,2018.
15. New Business - Rand Burner proposed a plaque be placed on the Welcome to Lake St. Catherine sign in honor of Martin Greenberg. A motion to accept the purchasing and placement of a slate plaque to be displayed on the welcome sign was second.

June 23, 2018- Board meeting

July 21, 2018- Board meeting and Membership meeting

New Boating rules and greeters are in place at the State boat launch in Wells, VT.

Motion to adjourn the meeting was seconded at 11:04.

The next meeting of the LSCA Board Of Trustees will take place on June 23rd at 8:30 AM at the Lake St. Catherine Country Club.