On Saturday, May 29th, the Lake St. Catherine Association held their first meeting of the 2021 season. Meeting minutes compiled by Kemi McShane Bostock.
Call to Order: President Jim Canders called to order the 2021 Board of Trustees of the Lake St. Catherine Association at 8:08 AM on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at the Lake St. Catherine Country Club. Some attended on-line or by phone due to the pandemic. Roll call was made, and present were Officers- President- Jim Canders, Vice President- Martha H. Poffit, Treasurer- Elaine Bagley (online), Secretary- Kemi McShane Bostock ( By phone call), Milfoil Management- Jeff Crandall, Water Quality – Mary Jo Teetor, Publicity – Jerremy Jones, Lake Safety- Frank Callahan, Trustee- Nancy Liberatore, Trustee- Ken Abt (online), Greeter Program Management- John Belnavis, Trustee- Ed Laird. Absent: Nominating Committee – Bob Williams, Trustee Rob Nesbit.
Introduction statement – President, Jim Canders welcomed the Board of Trustees to the May 29th, 2021 meeting of the LSCA. The meeting was held in person since the COVID pandemic requirements had been lifted and the State of VT was permitting large group gatherings to take place.
Approval of Meeting Minutes- A motion was made to accept the minutes of the last Board Meeting of the LSCA on August, 2020 as written. Jeff second and all VOTED in favor.
Treasurer’s Report – Elaine budget summary, Year-end reporting for 2020. The Solitude budgets. Motion made to accept the two budgets and second and all VOTED in favor. Presentation of current chart/Budget Assumptions vs. Actual. Filing of 990EZ. Martha presented the 2021 current budget and included the grants received, which included the Little Lake. Income received from 317 members. Increased membership from the property owners on the Little Lake. Motion made and seconded to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented. All voted in favor.
Annual Meeting- John will contact the LSCCC to arrange for the Annual Meeting on Saturday July 24, 2021.This meeting will be “In Person”.
Legal discussion lead by Ed Laird on the Conflict-of-Interest policy, let the minutes reflect “any relationship that would be considered in conflict with the work of the Association,” there are rules and regulations and the LSCA is in conformity with the IRS. filing of the I-90, government mandatory 501C for grants. Also let the minutes reflect that due to possible cybersecurity threats, two LSCA accounts transferred, closed, and new accounts were created (Checking and Savings). The accounts were not impacted, but out of an abundance of caution, these steps were taken. Ed made a motion to approve, John second, all voted in favor. We are looking into cybersecurity insurance. It was noted that the LSCA website does not store any credit card data.
Milfoil Management- Jeff Crandall, the Herbicide treatment is June 22, 2021. The sites for the Little Lake are established for treatment. Identified 14 sites for the DASH program. Posting of the notification signs was completed by May 21, 2021. Mary Jo Water testing after treatment locations designated in instructions from Kara Silwoski, from Solitude Lake Management. Prepared for the June 22, 2021, treatment, Spring plant survey from May 19, 2021. Involved were Jim, Jerremy and Kara. Boat launching monitoring John Belnavis- the Greeter training program is virtual, the locations of the Greeter program is at the Boat launch in Wells, and at the State Park boat launch.
Water Quality- Mary Jo – the 2021 season water monitoring, recreational water, and location site. Continue to educate the public to follow rules for the preservation of the Lake but can see inconsistent practices.
Publicity- Jerremy updates of the website, Facebook, and Newsletter. Discussed the watershed action plan reporting in the Rutland Herald. Just keep getting the word out.
Lake Safety- Frank- Placement of the Markers. Two boating courses scheduled for June and July.
Nominating Committee- Bob- in his absence Jim reports the LSCA is in need of multiple trustees, Possible nominees? There are 4 openings.
Membership Committee- Need a chairperson.
Grants- Martha updated the Board regarding the partnership between the LSCA and the PMNRCD. Lake St. Catherine is recognized for implementing best management practices and is seen as a model to follow. Lake Wise has 21 sites in 2021 and 14 are on the Channel in the Little Lake. Received a grant for the Watershed Action Plan. Funding opportunities with the Lake Champlain Basin Program. LSCA is proactive and works collaboratively with the State and the Governor’s long-term goals.
New Business- Mary Jo handed out timesheets to track work hours for the grants related to AIS that started in January 1, 2021.
Old Business- Boat Parade- Kemi- Saturday July 3, 2021 at 1:00. Virtual judging/voting, no prizes, same route, and same 4 categories for judgement.
Next meeting June 26, 2021 at 8:30 AM LSCCC.
