Meeting Minutes

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

April 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: April 8th, 2025

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

Board Members:

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

Absent: R. Frey

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman.
• Motion to accept March meeting minutes made by J. Cragin, seconded 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: The president will be calling the lake treatment company to get a schedule for our first treatment.

Event Committee Report: N/A

Old Business:

• Discussion about the lake treatment.
• Trail maps were presented by Roland Cyr and there was further discussion about the trail improvements he has made.

New Business:

• Quote for the bridge at Bull Pond. The quote came out to $1,513.00. R. Cyr made a motion to spend up to $1,900.00 on the project. Second by M. Duchow. The motion carried.
• Boat registrations are coming in

Public Comments by association members:

• N/A

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:23 pm by J. Cragin, Seconded by S. Manfort, Motion passed.

Next board meeting is May 10^th, 2025 at 321 New Britain Ave.

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

March 2025 Meeting Minutes

(Minutes are subject to approval at the April 2025 Meeting)

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: March 11th, 2025

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

Board Members:

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

Absent: R. Cyr.

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm by President, L. Gezelman.
• Motion to accept February meeting minutes made by J. McNeil, seconded 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. The budget was also discussed in advance of the April meeting.

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

Lake Report: Lake level has been going down intentionally. The level will go back up in early April. The lake company is in process for getting the permits for the treatments this year.

Event Committee Report: Trail discovery event was proposed by J. McNeill

Old Business:

• Proposed committee by S. Manafort for an erosion control project. Quotes will be solicited.
• Trail cam was purchased and will be tested this month. This is in regards to illegal dumping.
• New sand will be added to Battistoni and Moore beach. Ideas for Children’s beach were discussed.
• The rat discussion from the previous meeting came up. Suggestions about communication with the member was talked through.

New Business:

• There are a number of homes that are not hooked up to sewer in Burlington. There is some discussion, information gathering and next steps that need to happen in this regard.
• Suggestion for a bridge by Bull Pond. J. Cragin will investigate the feasibility of this project.
• No update on Avian Flu at the lake and there isn’t concern at this point.
•  

Public Comments by association members:

• Marie Simard talked proposed some erosion control ideas in the 8 acres. She will work with J. McNeill on some ideas.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:pm by J. Cragin, Seconded by M. Duchow, Motion passed.

Next board meeting is April 8^th, 2025 at 321 New Britain Ave

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

February 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: February 11th, 2025

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

Board Members:

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

Absent: C. Castrogiovanni, J. Cragin.

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept December meeting minutes made by M. Duchow, seconded by R. Cyr. 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: The lake company is in the process is getting our permit for 2025 to treat the lake.

Event Committee Report: N/A

Old Business:

• Trail cams were researched and purchase will be discussed.
• Lights from a house on Lake Street have been receiving complaints for their brightness. The president is going to have a conversation with the member.

New Business:

• Trail cleaning update was presented by R. Cyr.
• Avian Flu was brought up by J. McNeil. She will be the point person for any follow up from DEEP.
• Dam inspection is due for 2025. The President has contacted a company for quotes.
• S. Manafort reported that the town of Burlington will be writing grants for sidewalks on Monce Road.
• Update on a septic tank on Venice Road. S. Manafort will follow up with the town.
• Notice about grinder pumps for Burlington residents.

Public Comments by association members:

• Rat issue on Pond Street was brought up by member Margaret Hughes. The board recommended the resident call the health department and follow up with the LGIA President.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 by S. Manafort, Seconded by R. Cyr, Motion passed.

Next board meeting is March 11^th, 2025 at 321 New Britain Ave

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

January 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: January 14th, 2025

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

Board Members:

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

Absent: A.J. Singh

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept December meeting minutes made by, seconded by. Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business

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

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

Lake Report: The lake was lowered by two boards. It will stay at the current level through winter.

Event Committee Report: N/A

Old Business:

• Trail cams were researched and purchase will be discussed.
• Lights from a house on Lake Street have been receiving complaints for their brightness. The president is going to have a conversation with the member.

New Business:

• Lake contract for 2025 was received by our treatment company, The Pond and Lake Connection. The price will not be increasing for the treatment in 2025.
•  

Public Comments by association members:

• Joe Sullivan – Ponding on is happening in the road near Battistoni Beach. The president will investigate the matter.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 by J. Cragin, Seconded by C. Castrogiovanni , Motion passed.

Next board meeting is February 11^th, 2025 at 321 New Britain Ave

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

December 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: December 10th, 2024

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

Board Members:

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

Absent: A.J. Singh

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept November meeting minutes made by, J. McNeill seconded by S. Manafort. 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. A review of our finances was completed by an outside CPA.

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

Lake Report: The lake will be lowered by two boards in the next week. This is in preparation for winter.

Event Committee Report: Holiday Caroling will be on December 21^st at 4pm.

Old Business:

• A letter that was drafted to a member about LGIA property use was reviewed.

• The last Pollinator Pathway meeting of 2024 was last week. Discussion was had about the 8 acres and erosion control. Research and pricing was advised.

New Business:

• Lights from a house on Lake Street have been receiving complaints for their brightness. The president is going to have a conversation with the member.
• There is an ATV problem in the south end area. A barrier was proposed at the entrance of the trails.
• Clogged storm drains near Bull Pond were discussed.
• Adding wood chips to some of our trails were proposed. R. Cyr will look into this for the spring.

Public Comments by association members:

• N/A

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 by J. Cragin Seconded by S. Manafort Motion passed.

Next board meeting is January 14^th, 2024 at 321 New Britain Ave

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

November 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: November 12th, 2024

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

Board Members:

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

Absent: M. Duchow, C. Scully

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept October meeting minutes made by, C. Castrogiovanni seconded by J. McNeill. 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 L. Gezelman in place of the treasurer. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: Some boats that have been an eyesore at the beaches have been removed.

Event Committee Report: No report

Old Business:

• Surveyors have been working to identify property/boundary line markings. The president presented an email with further detail and next steps.

• E-blast to be sent out about boats being removed from the racks by December 1^st.

• Leaf removal from association property is in process.

• Lowering of the lake begins on or around December 22^nd.

• Trail camera research was presented by R. Frey. This is in relation to illegal dumping on association property.

New Business:

• R. Frey presented an idea about the history of the lake and creating a series of videos to document this.

• New sand for Battistoni beach was discussed. It will be tabled until the spring.

• R. Cyr mentioned a tree on association property near Monce Rd. that needs trimming. The president will address it.

Public Comments by association members:

• N/A

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 by J. McNeill. Seconded by S. Manafort. Motion passed.

Next board meeting is December 10^th, 2024 at 321 New Britain Ave, Farmington.

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

October 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: September 10th, 2024

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

Board Members:

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

Absent: N/A

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:04 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept September meeting minutes made by J. McNeill, seconded by C. Castrogiovanni. Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business

Treasurer’s Report – Report to be presented by A.J. Singh at the general meeting and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report to be presented by M. Duchow at the general meeting. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: All lake treatments were completed. The projected cost for next years treatment will be presented to the board in January of 2025.

Event Committee Report:  No report

Old Business: None

New Business:

• Fence on Rio Road has a fence that is falling down. The president got two quotes for the repair. A motion was made by J. Cragin to spend $1,900.00 to repair the fence using Cape Cod fence company. Second by S. Manafort. Motion passes.

• R. Frey will be doing research on the purchase of trail cameras for certain areas around the lake.

• Stump on Strong Street was removed. Seven stumps on School Street will also need to be ground down. J. Cragin made a motion to spend $900.00 to grind the stumps. Second by J. McNeill. Motion passes.

• Snow plow contract was received in the amount of $25,000.00 for the next two years. This is the same amount as years past. A.J. Singh Made a motion to accept the contract. Second by M. Duchow. Motion passes.

Public Comments by association members:

•  N/A

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 by J. Cragin. Seconded by C. Castrogiovanni. Motion passed.

Next board meeting is November 12^th, 2024.

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

September 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: September 10th, 2024

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

Board Members:

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

Absent: C. Scully

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept August meeting minutes made by J. Cragin, seconded by J. McNeill. 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. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: All lake treatments were completed. The projected cost for next years treatment will be presented to the board in January of 2025.

Event Committee Report:  Ice cream social in July was well attended. The regatta in August was also well attended.

Upcoming events: Chili Cookoff and Apple pie bakeoff on September 28^th. New event proposed. Trunk or treat at Children’s beach on October 31^st. A caroling event was proposed for December 21^st.

J. Mcneill will be the point person for the new policy on events/parties.

Old Business: None

New Business:

Set of rules for member guests and use of the beach for parties. S. Manafort will begin drafting a policy.

The president got a bid for a survey company to access areas around the dam. Dufour Surveying LLC gave a quote od $3,600.00 – $4,400.00. J. Cragin made a motion to spend the money for the survey. S. Manafot seconded. Motion passed.

A digital newsletter was proposed to go out quarterly by S. Manafort. S. Manafort made a motion to create the newsletter. Seconded by C. Castrogiovanni. Motion passed.

Members will be asked to remove boats from the racks for the winter. November 30^th to April 1^st is the proposed time period. It will be communicated in the newsletter and digitally.

Elections: Will be held at the October meeting.

Public Comments by association members:

• Suggestion to add the minutes to the website (with a “subject to approval”) earlier than they currently are added. This was approved.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 by J. Cragin. Seconded by S. Manafort. Motion passed.

Next meeting is October 8th

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony