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September 2015 Newsletter

Agenda

  • Prior Meetings Minutes
  • Solicit items for new business
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Assessment Collector’s Report
  • President’s Report
  • Current Business
  • New Business
  • Election of Officers 2015-2016
  • Adjournment

 

President’s Remarks:

Hello everyone. As our election meeting approaches, I’m reminded to reflect on what kind of job your Board of Directors did over the past year. This is kind of hard for me, because I’m always thinking about what needs to be done and what I have failed to do and where I fell short of my own and others’ expectations.

That having been said, the current Board, both officers and directors, is the most collaborative, productive and effective one in my 8 or 9 years of experience.

Our vice-president, Lee Gezelman has led the outstanding effort to maintain and enhance our beaches, open spaces and the dam, with his amazing helpers, Kai and Devin Valliere.

Our tax collector, Halaree Monnerat has improved our tax collection process and has delivered dramatic results both in annual collection and delinquency reduction.

Our treasurer, AJ Singh has exercised both competence and conscientiousness in his oversight and our new secretary-designate, Olivia Lawrence brings a wealth of experience both as a news editor and as an Association secretary.

Carol Scully and Paul Garside are in the process of delivering a new website, Lakegardaimprovementassociation.com, which we hope will be live by the time you get this letter.

Steven Miller, our engineering liaison, and John Cragin and Stephen Fields, both past presidents, continue to provide historical perspective and vision from their decades of service to the LGIA.

Rob St. Pierre, who has taken on the mantle of lake treatment liaison, has done an exceptional job and continues to offer a broad and informed perspective; and Mark Andrewsikas, our newest member, and himself a civil engineer, has agreed to head up the committee to evaluate a long term plan to survey all properties owned by the LGIA. We all look forward to meeting you on October 13.

We appreciate your support. Please feel free to contact us by email at lakegardamail@lake garda news. We welcome your suggestions, criticisms and contributions.

Brian Chapman
President

Slate of Offices

Our slate of officers is as follows: For President, Brian Chapman; for Vice-President, Lee Gezelman; for Treasurer, AJ Singh; for Tax Collector, Halaree Monnerat; for Secretary, Olivia Lawrence. For Directors: Carol Scully, Paul Garside, Mark Andrewsikas.

Walking Trails

Click here to view the Walking Trail map. Fall is a great time to get out to explore and enjoy LGIA community property.

 

Winter Lake Lowering

As in previous years, and with consideration for weather conditions, the lake will be lowered for weed control this winter and re-lowered in spring for beach clean-up.

 

Message from the LGIA Tax Collector

Hello Members of LGIA.

I am happy to report to you that we have had some great success with the collection of back taxes. We have collected over $25,000! However, with more than 15% of members still delinquent, we still have a lot of work ahead of us. I thank those members that are current with their account, and those that have made a big effort in honoring their payment agreement and the communication you have made with me.

For those members that still have an outstanding balance on their account, I encourage you to reach out to me in order to make a payment or payment arrangement. LGIA is working with Attorney Melissa Simonik in Bristol to file tax foreclosures suits on delinquent accounts, beginning with the highest balance. Once the suit is filed, LGIA can no longer accept a payment arrangement. All legal fees (anything between $2,000-$4,000) will be added to your balance.

Just a reminder that your LGIA taxes are due the 15th of every May, with a 30 day grace period. Once we reach the 30 days, we follow the state statue that interest is accrued at 1.5% monthly or 18% annually. Per our bylaws, after 60 days we can lien any property that has not paid their yearly assessment. If for whatever reason there is a delay in payment, please contact LGIA before July 15th to communicate the impediment and we will gladly work with you. I am very responsive by email and can be reached at LGIATaxCollector@outlook.com.

Haralee Monerat
LGIA Tax Collector

 

Save the Date

New! An LGIA community winter fun get-together is in the works for 7 p.m. Feb. 5, 2016. Check the website for updates.

 

Lake Treatment in September

The south end of the Lake was treated with an herbicide, Clipper, for the Lilies and Spatterdock. Also, Cutrine-plus was added to reduce the algae hanging on to the lilies. More information about both herbicides can be found at:

Cutrine PLUS Information
Clipper Herbicide Information

Board Meeting Schedule

The board meets Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Lake Garda School Resource Room / Library on the dates listed below. Please bring any issues.

2015
Oct. 13
Nov. 10
Dec. 8

2016
Jan. 12
Feb.9
March 8
April 5
May 10

The board meets in summer Tuesdays at 7:00 PM at the Lake Garda beaches:

June 14, 2016
Battistoni Beach

July 12, 2016
Children’s Beach

Aug. 9, 2016
Moore Beach

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April 2015 Newsletter

President’s Message:

SPRING, SUDDENLY! Hello everyone. I’m sure that most of us, blinking like moles in the warmth of the sun, are rediscovering the world outside, like I am, and perhaps feeling some uncertainty about whether Spring will last. I think it will. As April approaches, it’s time for us to meet and discuss the annual budget for the Lake and to ideally stimulate some new ideas about how we can best use the resources that we have. You will note, in the attached budget, that our program to collect on delinquent accounts is finally enjoying some substantial success, mostly due to the efforts of our new tax collector, Halaree Monnerat. This means that our financial situation has improved and, since we have no big projects on the horizon, this might be a good time to discuss how, for example, we might make the 8 acre parcel at the south end of the lake a more accessible recreation area for our member families. I offer this merely as an example and encourage you to attend our meeting and offer your perspectives.

On another note, I strongly encourage you to consider joining the board. We tend to get fallow, like overused soil, and we become energized by new  ideas and ways of looking at our community and its resources. If you have a vision or an idea that will enrich the lives of our members, please step forward. I’ve been on the board for 7 years and whatever improvements or additions that you may have seen started as ideas in the mind of someone who joined.  I’ll see you there.

-Brian

2015-2016 Budget:

See attached. The annual assessment remains at $200.

 

New Projects:

This year’s endeavors will include more beautification of our property. After improving the aesthetics at the dam last year as part of complying with CT DEEP regulations [kudos to VP Gezelman] the area along Burlington Road is going to be cleaned up. The dead trees and brush will be removed and flowering bushes will be planted around the perimeter. And after replacing the control valve at the pond off Rio Road last year the debris will be raked out and the shore will be groomed to allow walking around it. And lastly, flowering bushes will be planted along Rio Road.

 

Save the Date:

Saturday June 21st has been chosen for the annual Association Picnic. As last year it will be at Children’s beach. Come over to have something to eat and visit with your neighbors. What better way to celebrate the first day of summer?  There will be another reminder flyer in May or early June.

 

Delinquent Taxes:

You are a member of the Lake Garda Improvement Association because your property lies within the Association boundaries. Membership is not optional. Your annual assessments must be paid in a timely manner. The cost of delinquency rises dramatically even after 60 days, when our charter demands that we attach liens to properties whose owners have not paid us and that we begin to charge interest (18% per annum) after 30 days. Since the rate of delinquencies has skyrocketed in the last decade, we have decided now to hand any delinquencies over two (2) years to an attorney who does collections for the town of Burlington and other municipalities. The cost of recovery of past taxes will be paid by the delinquents.

 

Spring Lake Cleanup:

Facilitating the lake cleanup is an inexact science. For this year, as soon as the ice has melted, the lake will remain down for two weekends. If one of the weekends is especially inclement then it will remain down for another weekend.  Then the lake will stay at its usual level until next winter season.

 

Encroachments:

Our lake, beaches, open space and rights of way are for the enjoyment of every member. The walking trails afford a very tranquil passage through your lake community. Occasionally a property owner crosses a boundary and erects a barrier or landscaping on association property.  Our areas will be inspected to for any encroachments.

 

Canine Capers:

Our previous pleas to pick up dog deposits have been favorably answered. Praise and thanks to you! If you’re a new member please know that we beseech you to pick up after your pet. It is common respect and also an Association “no dog steamer” rule.

 

Bylaws Changes from Last General Meeting:

The By-laws changes as passed at the October meeting will be put on the new web site which is under development. Updated charter / bylaws booklets will be created and distributed to all LGIA residents who are assessed fees.  As requested, at the October meeting the Board reviewed the section of the bylaws changes which specified a more vigorous method of vetting new board members. It was decided that while in usual situations the current process of reviewing proposed board members will suffice there might be a situation in the future which could warrant a closer scrutiny, especially with officers who have fiduciary responsibilities. The bylaw as proposed and voted upon will provide this flexibility.

 

Board Members Sought:

As your LGIA charter and by-laws explain, the board is made up of individual Association members. Like YOU. The past efforts of the board have clearly made the community a better place to live as well as contributed to our area’s property values. Participation can be as limited to one Wednesday a month for two years with a minor added time commitment. Board positions pay a stipend to reflect the time efforts which are required. The Board needs new folks with new ideas. Please speak to us after the General Meeting or drop us a note or e-mail if you can help us with the Association’s mission.

 

This is your community!!!

 

 

 

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