July 2023 Meeting Minutes
Lake Garda Improvement Association
Board Meeting Minutes July 11th, 2023
7pm Children’s Beach
Board Members
Present: L Gezelman, R Frey, C Castrogiovanni, J Cragin, M Duchow, J McNeill, C Scully, R St Pierre
Absent: C Contreras, AJ Singh, P Anthony
Quorum Present? Yes
Proceedings:
Meeting called to order at 7pm by Chair, LG;
Motion to accept June meeting minutes made by C Castrogiovanni and seconded by J Cragin
J McNeill asked to be included in Board correspondence. C Scully contacted AJ Singh with a request.
Board President LG called for items of new business
Treasurer’s Report:
LG presented the report in AJ Singh’s absence and noted that this month included property taxes to both Burlington and Farmington totaling nearly $8,000.
Tax Collector Report
Update presented by M Duchy and placed on record. As payments are now overdue by 60 days he will place liens on payments still due following the return of his vacation in August.
Lake Report:
Lake will be treated tomorrow, Wednesday July 12th. LG reminded those present that the lake is off bounds tomorrow to allow the treatment to be as effective as possible. J McNeill to put up caution tape along all three beaches as a reminder in the morning.
LG to call the treatment company and ask them to check off the boxes for “no swimming” and “no boating” to avoid confusion.
Encroachment Committee: No report
Event Committee Report:
J McNeill (with the help of Suzanne Manafort) has put together a list of events planned, the first of which will be YOGA on Eight Acres for the Sundays @ 9am in the month of August. Bring your mat or towel and a water bottle for a lesson on the beach with Suzanne (masterclass yoga teacher). The event is free.
P Anthony to eblast everyone with the YOGA details.
Old Business:
Signs:
Claudia is working on signs for the beach.
Boat Racks:
J Cragin is looking at places to erect new boat stands to accommodate the increase in lake craft.
LG mentioned that a resident of Woodcrest Condos had asked to join the Association. Upon further research, LG established that 8 of the 20 condos were within the residential line. In addition the condo association have their own by-laws and rules and he came to the conclusion it would be too difficult to absorb the 8 condo units & their by-laws into the Association so therefore declined the request.
New Business:
Lake Garda Pollinator Pathway Group Proposal
LGPPG has received an offer of a donation of 8 herbaceous perennials from the Burlington Pollinator Pathway Group which they would like to plant on Moore Beach. A discussion ensued as to where these should be planted between the Group and LG. It was agreed that a final place at Moore Beach/Dam area would be agreed between LG and the Group before the plants arrived to be planted later this month.
Battistoni Beach Issues
Various residents highlighted the problems encountered with some troublemaker teens and young adults that have blighted Battistoni Beach over the last four months. J Sullivan detailed his experiences over the last four months and has numerous video tapes with evidence. One resident from Lido has had a car stolen.
S Mannafort mentioned that she encountered two kids on her private beach today who were non residents and claimed their aunt lived here. They had clearly taken someone’s peddle boat. She told them they were not allowed and they left. She has also had grandchildren that were intimidated by teens on Battistoni Beach and no longer feel comfortable going there to play.
Several residents were frustrated that this has been going on for several months now., with seemingly little progress.
Other instances of child bullying, sexual acts, bad language and violence and destruction of property by the teens and college age kids were repeated by residents who live near Battistoni beach.
LG acknowledged the issues and detailed his actions to date. He said he has been in touch with the police. He has a Marshall that is waiting to serve in person the father of the particular resident teen at the root of the problems. The non-resident friends of the son have already been banned. He added that it is particularly difficult dealing with minors and that residents should be careful when interacting with minors as they could potentially get into legal difficulties.
He also reiterated that any guests at the beaches should be accompanied by residents and added that any resident is entitled to ask non residents to leave, but stressed that they should not get into an altercation but walk away and call the police.
Potential solutions were discussed such as more signage; CCTV surveillance signs perhaps or PRIVATE PROPERTY NO TRESPASSING signage security guards for a limited time for rest of season; but nothing was agreed.
Apparently the Farmington policemen tell the residents when they call that a Board Member needs to register a complaint.
J Cragin offered for them to call him every time there was an issue and he would call the police.
J Cragin Cell #: 860 833 7743
C Castrovianni also gave her cell #: : in case J Cragin was unavailable:
C Castrogiovanni CEll #:860 877 5000
J McNeill to put the cell #s on the LGIA website for reference.
J Cragin asked J Sullivan to share the videos he has with him.
Next Meeting:
Battistoni Beach: 8th August @ 7pm
J Cragin motioned to end the meeting. C Scully seconded the motion
Meeting was adjourned