Meeting Minutes

February 2026 Meeting Minutes

(Minutes are subject to approval at the March 2026 Meeting)

Lake Garda Improvement Association
Board Meeting Minutes: February 10, 2026
7:00 pm Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:
Present: P. Anthony, J. Cragin, R. Cyr, M Duchow, L. Gezelman, C. Scully, A.J. Singh.

Absent: C. Castrogiovanni, R. Frey, S. Manafort, J. McNeill.

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:
· Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman
· Board President L. Gezelman called for items of new business.
· Motion to approve the meeting minutes motion by J. Cragin, second by R. Cyr – motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow and will be placed on record.

Lake Report: Payment for CT Pond Services was sent. Permits will be submitted soon.

Event Committee Report: N/A

Old Business:

• Meeting with engineers regarding erosion issues on Lake Street will be happening soon.

New Business:

-Discussion about a potential raise in association fees. A plan will need to be made before this is presented to the association members.

Public Comment: N/A

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 by J. Cragin second by M. Duchow. Motion passed.

Next meeting will be held at 321 New Britain Ave on March 10, 2026

Respectively submitted by LGIA Secretary P. Anthony.

January 2026 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: January 13, 2026

7:00 pm Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, J. Cragin, R. Cyr, R. Frey, L. Gezelman, S. Manafort, J. McNeill, C. Scully.

Absent: M Duchow, A.J. Singh.

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Board President L. Gezelman called for items of new business.
• Motion to approve the meeting minutes motion by R. Cyr, second by J. McNeill – motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – In the absence of the treasurer the report was not presented, but will be placed on record. A request for a year to date report in the future.

Tax Collector Report: The report was reviewed will be placed on record.

Lake Report: Pricing for the lake treatment company will remain largely the same. S. Manafort made a motion to accept the contract. C. Castrogiovanni seconded. Motion passed.

Event Committee Report: N/A

Old Business:

-The Lake erosion issue. The president and S. Manafort will be going to a wetlands meeting asking for more information and pricing.

-Logs to be picked up at Battistoni Beach.

-Venice Street septic tank is now connected to sewer.

-Zoning is getting involved with the big truck on Circle Drive.

New Business:

The LGIA will need a new lawyer. J. Cragin proposed Bob Reeve in Unionville. The board will look at a few options and get pricing.

100 year anniversary event planning from J. McNeill. Ideas listed below for the regatta weekend.

• Community Tag sale
• Ice cream social
• Face painting
• Scavenger hunt around the lake.
• Regatta
• T-Shirts
• Moonlight kayak

A meeting was had about a wall with LGIA property owner Stephen Michna about a wall on association property. The attorneys for both parties will be in contact about what was discussed.

Public Comment: N/A

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 by J. Cragin second by R. Cyr. Motion passed.

Next meeting will be held at 321 New Britain Ave on February 10, 2026

Respectively submitted by LGIA Secretary P. Anthony.

Public Comment:

LGIA member asked about the need for a silt fence on the hill on Lake St. where the trees were taken down and a garage will be built. Member also asked about a silt fence above the Lake St. property with a pool as there is a concern among members around erosion potentially running into the lake now that there are literally no trees to prevent soil from washing down the hill.

A member mentiod recently, member asked LGIA to follow-up on drain maintenance.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 by R. Cyr- Motion passed.

Board President called for an Executive Session at 8:07 pm.

No written minutes were taken at the Executive Session.

Motion to adjourn the Executive Session by S. Manafort at 9:29 pm seconded by C. Castrogiovanni

December 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: December 9, 2025

7:00 pm Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: R. Frey, S. Manafort, C. Scully, M Duchow, L. Gezelman, C. Castrogiovanni, J. McNeill, R. Cyr

Absent: P. Anthony, A.J. Singh, J. Cragin

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Board President LG called for items of new business.
• Motion to approve the meeting minutes motion by S. Manafort, second C. Castrogiovanni  – motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by L. Gezelman and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: M. Duchow presented the tax collectors report which will be placed on record. He also reported that 38 liens were placed in 2025 up from 30 liens in 2024. He also reported that 50 East Shore Blvd will be auctioned by bank lien holder. Seventeen accounts are currently in the hands of our collection lawyer. He also noted the CT Office of Policy and Management put out a Best Practice for Special Tax Districts manual.

Lake Report: President L. Gezelman presented preliminary figures for control of lake erosion which included 9,000 to 10,000 for engineer and to coordinate with town(s) inland wetlands regulations. LGIA will also need surveys and soil tests. Additional costs of 25,000 to 30,000 in prep costs. L. Gezelman suggested the board look into grants to help cover the cost of necessary erosion control. Other board members suggested we solicit more quotes for comparison.

Event Committee Report: A Carol sing to be held on December 20, 2025

Old Business:

R. Cyr provided a trail update – 4 new trail markers and additional round blue markers were added to the trails. Next year, the trail upgrades will move to 8 acres.

New Business:

Idle Lane property owner demolished the blighted property.

Public Comment:

LGIA member asked about the need for a silt fence on the hill on Lake St. where the trees were taken down and a garage will be built. Member also asked about a silt fence above the Lake St. property with a pool as there is a concern among members around erosion potentially running into the lake now that there are literally no trees to prevent soil from washing down the hill.

Another concern was expressed by LGIA members that two trees were cut down by accident by the tree company and that an association Birch tree was damaged by Battistoni Beach. The board approved two dead trees to be removed at Battistoni.

A member mentioned that kids were throwing rocks into the lake.

Another member mentioned a drain located in from of his house by Children’s Beach needs maintenance and oversight. He paid to have the drain cleaned recently, member asked LGIA to follow-up on drain maintenance.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 by R. Cyr- Motion passed.

Board President called for an Executive Session at 8:07 pm.

No written minutes were taken at the Executive Session.

Motion to adjourn the Executive Session by S. Manafort at 9:29 pm seconded by C. Castrogiovanni

Respectively submitted by C. Scully filling in for P. Anthony

November 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: November 11, 2025

7:00 pm Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: R. Frey, S. Manafort, C. Scully, A.J. Singh, L. Gezelman, C. Castrogiovanni, J. McNeill, R. Cyr, J. Cragin

Absent: P. Anthony, M. Duchow

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Board President LG called for items of new business.
• Motion to approve the meeting minutes motion by S. Manafort, second C. Castrogiovanni  – motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report passed along by L. Gezelman. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: Waiting on quote for 2026 lake treatments/maintenance contract.

Event Committee Report: No report

Old Business:

Status of the lake erosion project which is currently on hold – funding was appropriated and is in 202-2026 budget. LGIA needs to find an engineer to assess the project.

New Tree removal date for the trees on Lake Street is 11/24/25

New Business:

Idle Lane property owner advised LGIA of his plans to demolish an old existing structure. Homeowner will seek all the appropriate permits.

LGIA members who reach out to the board regarding improvement(s) on their property will be advised to make sure they know their property boundaries and if not to have the property surveyed prior to making any improvements.

Public Comment:

LGIA member proposed we do not lower the lake this winter due to the lake erosion. Same member also suggested we plant trees to replace the trees the association must remove. The replacement trees will not be pine trees.

Another member asked if there were methods to prolong the life of the lake. Another member suggested the board create a plan and include potential costs to address prolonging the life of the lake.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 by J. Cragin seconded J. McNeil. Motion passed.

Next meeting is December 9 Farmington Senior/Community Center

Respectively submitted by C. Scully filling in for P. Anthony

October 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: October 14th, 2025

7:00 pm – 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, M. Duchow, R. Frey, S. Manafort, C. Scully, A.J. Singh, L. Gezelman, J. McNeill, R. Cyr, J. Cragin.

Absent: N/A

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman.
• Motion to approve the September meeting minutes motion by J. Gragin, second by M. Duchow, Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business.

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow and will be placed on record.

Lake Report: Treatments are done for 2025. Contract for 2026 will be received in December.

Event Committee Report:

Old Business:

-Dog on Washington Street. Conversations with our lawyer were had in regards to liability for the association.

-Discussion about a well that is on association property and what to do with it. An easement was suggested. Selling a small piece of association property to the well owner was also suggested. It was determined that more research is needed before bringing this matter to a vote. Options will be presented at the April general meeting

-Extension of the boardwalk at Battistoni Beach update. The project has been approved by the town for a permit and the project will begin in a few weeks.

New Business:

-Tree removal on Lake Street is needed urgently. Motion made to remove the tree by S. Manafort, seconded by J. Cragin. Motion carries.

-New sidewalk has been requested between Westside Blvd and Rio Road. The town of Burlington has been looking into this and the project will likely be completed in 2026.

-A Drain on Lakeview Street has a portion that has a sinkhole. A quote in the amount of $1,400.00 plus paving costs. J. Cragin made a motion for the repair in the proposed amount. Second by M. Duchow. Motion carries.

Public Comment:

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 pm by J. Cragin, seconded by R. Cyr. Motion passed.

Next meeting is November 11^th at 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center.

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

September 2025 Meeting Minutes

(Meeting Minutes subject to approval at the October 2025 meeting)

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: September 9th, 2025

7:00 pm – 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, M. Duchow, R. Frey, S. Manafort, C. Scully, A.J. Singh, L. Gezelman, J. McNeill, R. Cyr, J. Cragin.

Absent: N/A

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:05 pm by President, L. Gezelman.
• Motion to approve the August meeting minutes motion by R.     Cyr, second by M. Duchow, Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business.

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow and will be placed on record. Delinquencies are up from 49 to 68 year over year which represents a significant amount of money.

Lake Report: Final treatment of the year was done last week. We will get a quote for the 2026 season at the end of the year or early in 2026.

Event Committee Report: Chili Cookoff and Apple Pie Bakeoff will be on Saturday, October 11^th. Rain date is October 12^th. J. McNeill has posted a list of the upcoming events.

Old Business:

-A non-member was using the lake recently. The president will be following up with the household as they are eligible to join the association.

-Question about extending the boardwalk. The vice president will be getting a quote.

-Trail posts were purchased by R. Cyr. They need to be prepped before they are installed. New trail markers were also purchased. Comments that the trails look great.

New Business:

-The Annual Regatta was a success with many people participating

-The pollinator pathways group is going to hold off on a few plantings as longer grass and native plants have been coming in naturally.

-The sign on Moore Beach has been fixed.

-Next month will be elections for the 5 directors and 2 board members.

Public Comment:

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7: by S. Manafort, seconded by P. Anthony. Motion passed.

Next meeting is October 14^th at 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center.

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

August 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: August 12th, 2025

7:00 pm Moore Beach

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, M. Duchow, R. Frey, S. Manafort, C. Scully, A.J. Singh, L. Gezelman, J. McNeill, R. Cyr, J. Cragin.

Absent: C. Castrogiovanni

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman.
• Board President LG called for items of new business.
• Motion to approve the July meeting minutes motion by S. Manafort, second by, J. McNeill.  Passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow. Delinquencies are still up from last year. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: fourth treatment was done last week. One more treatment in September.

Event Committee Report: The Regatta is on Saturday.

Old Business:

-East trail off Pine Drive is now open with fresh wood chips. The west trail will take several more weeks.

-New posts for the trails will be purchased and in place in the coming months.

New Business:

-Discussion was had about a dog issue. The president clarified with the police the procedures for how to deal with this. Further talks ensued about whether we notify the owner with a letter. The president will contact our lawyer for best course of action.

-Tree work cleanup was discussed.

-The 100 year anniversary of the lake is next year. Ideas were discussed for what we could do to make the event special.

-The pollinator pathways group completed work around the lake.

Public Comment:

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 by J. Cragin, J. McNeill seconded. Motion passed.

Next meeting is September 9^th at 321 New Britain Ave.

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

July 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: July 8th, 2025

7:00 pm Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: M. Duchow, R. Frey, S. Manafort, C. Scully, A.J. Singh, L. Gezelman, C. Castrogiovanni, J. McNeill, R. Cyr, J. Cragin

Absent: P. Anthony

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Board President LG called for items of new business.
• Motion to approve the June meeting minutes motion by R, Cyr, second S, Manafort passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow. Delinquencies are up 20% from last year. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: Lake was treated on July 7^th. Next treatment in 5 to 6 weeks.

Event Committee Report: J. McNeill reported that LGIA will hold an ice cream social on July 13^th at 2:00 pm.

Old Business: None

New Business:

J.McNeill presented a proposal for anti-erosion project on 8 acres with a total cost of $302.25 also utilizing free leave mold from Tunxis Meade. Motion by J. McNeill second R. Cyr passed.

Removal io trees on Barker St. J. Cragin proposed removal of 4 trees with a total cost of $4,800. Motion J. Cragin second S, Manafort passed.

Boat rack concern by C, Castrogiovanni not enough spaces for all the boats, Battistoni boat rack is full.

Update lake treatment notices per the board

Public Comment:

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 by by S. Manafort C. Castrogiovanni seconded. Motion passed.

Next meeting is August 12^th at Moore Beach.

Respectively submitted by C. Scully filling in for P. Anthony

June 2025 Meeting Minutes

(Minutes are subject to approval at the July 2025 meeting)

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: June 10th, 2025

7:00 pm Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, R. Cyr, M. Duchow, , L. Gezelman, S. Manafort,

C. Scully, A.J. Singh.

Absent: J. Cragin, R. Frey, J. McNeill.

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Board President LG called for items of new business.
• Motion to approve the May meeting minutes motion by, second .

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: Next lake treatment will be June 11th.

Event Committee Report: N/A

Old Business:

Follow-up on a discussion on kids trespassing and fishing on lake property. The parents have been notified.

New Business:

Rio Road – Tree trimming will be happening in the month of June. This will be done by Eversource contractors.

A member contacted the president about road conditions. The board agreed that we should not be involved as it is a town of Farmington matter.

R. Cyr asked a question about how many trail makers we have left.

Some signage discussion was had.

Follow-up question from S. Manafort about erosion control around the lake. The president is following up with leads.

Public Comments:

Marie Simard had questions about the mowing process in relation to the mowing control.

An additional question was asked about parking stickers. Parking stickers will not be used going forward.`

Joe Sullivan asked a question about celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the lake. More research is needed to confirm.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 by C. Castrogiovanni. Seconded by A.J. Signh . Motion passed.

Next meeting is July 12^th at Children’s Beach.

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

May 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: May 13th, 2025

7:00 pm Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: M. Duchow, R. Frey, S. Manafort, C. Scully, A.J. Singh, L. Gezelman, C. Castrogiovanni, J. McNeill, R. Cyr

Absent: J. Cragin, P. Anthony

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:05 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Board President LG called for items of new business.
• Motion to approve the April meeting minutes motion by R. Cyr, second M. Duchow. Motion passed

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow. The report will be placed on record. M. Duchow reported that one new household was added and two accounts that were in collections have been paid off.

Lake Report: First lake treatment will occur in the next 6-weeks.

Event Committee Report: J. McNeill reported that the Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny was successful with 25- 30 children attending. The committee hosted a Trail Day. J. McNeill presented rules for private events on LGIA beaches. A plant walk event was discussed.

Old Business: None

New Business:

Sidewalks – sidewalks on Monce Road from the end of Westside Blvd toward Rio are in the que to be funded by grants from The Town of Burlington in FY 25-26

Boat Racks R. Castrogiovanni reported that the boat racks are filling fast. Battistoni racks have a waitlist of two. Moore racks will fill up soon. More boat stickers are needed. Motion to approve $200 to print more boat stickers made by M. Duchow seconded by J. McNeill passed.

A survey of LGIA land around the dam revealed some concerns about property lines around the dam.

Dam is due to its five year inspection estimated cost from Macchi Engineering, LLC is $3,250. Motion to approve quote J. McNeill second R. Cyr passed.

More trees to cut down – remove tree on Pine Street and Pond Street. Estimate is $1,550. Motion to approve by S, Manafort second by J. McNeill. Motion passed. L. Gezelman proposed removing 5 trees near the dam. Estimated cost of $3,800. Proposal on hold.

Print more handbooks tabled.

Turtle gate – an unknown person cut an opening in the fence by the dam to allow a turtle to pass through, damage estimate is between $300 and $500. Motion to approve estimated costs by S. Manafort seconded by R. Cyr. Motion passed.

L. Gezelman reported that the cost to spread the sand that was delivered at the beaches is $900 motion to approve R. Cyr seconded by S. Manafort passed.

Public Comment:

Beach Concerns- Ellis reported that teenagers who are not LGIA members are parked in cars at Battistoni Beach. Also, concerns were expressed by the board and non-board members around non-LGIA members using the beaches and taking boats and canoes and using them as well as some non-members fishing from private docks. Ellis also told a non-resident that they can’t use the beach or lake. A non-member has also claimed to have been fishing at the lake for over 10 years. It was suggested that the board could print flyers to be put on non-member cars.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 by C. Castrogiovanni seconded by S. Manafort. Motion passed.

Next meeting is June 10^th at Battistoni Beach. July meeting will be held at Children’s Beach and the August meeting will be held at Moore Beach.

Respectively submitted by C. Scully filling in for P. Anthony