Minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors of The Friends of Crystal Lake held on May 23, 2005 at 8:00am at the Arnolds, 23 Meg’s Lane.

 

Present: Don Heyer, Jim Bast, Maury Webb and Kent Arnold.  Sue Sargent was excused.

 

K. Arnold called the meeting to order at 8:15am.

 

J. Bast reported that the speed limit on Monument Road has been reduced from 40mph to 35mph thanks in part to the efforts of FOCL members helping to get residents to sign petitions.

 

The Parks commissioner is considering restricting parking at the public beach on Monument Road to vehicles with beach permits (presumably existing Orleans Town beach permits).  Pilgrim Lake already is so restricted.  J. Bast will find out more details on the  motivation and purposes served by such a restriction and the timing of when such a matter will be brought to a vote.  If time permits, the Board will survey FOCL membership on their attitude toward this possible restriction.  The Board discussion ranged from the value of any incremental reduction in beach use and safety values from reduced parking along Monument Road to avoiding the appearance of reducing general public use for parochial self-interest reasons for Lake owners.  J. Bast will follow up and advise the Board of his findings.  (Subsequent to the meeting, Jim found that the Parks Commisioner had abandoned any pursuit of the matter because he had already received a lot of negative reaction from many who had heard informally of the proposal.)

 

Barnstable County (or Orleans?) has appropriated $130K to fix the intersection of Finlay-Pond and Route 28.  Unfortunately, nothing has been appropriated to improve the storm drains as part of the effort.  Orleans highway superintendent Berson was hired away by Brewster.

 

Water testing continues.  One sample was taken in May with more probable this month and in June.  The County has appropriated $105K ($30K last year and $75K this year) for water quality analysis.  Some of this money should be expended to analyze Crystal Lake data.

 

Orleans Pond Coalition (OPC) sponsored another successful water quality fair recently with over 275 people attending.  There were five excellent speakers and material available for good water stewardship practices.

 

Mutt mitts are now available at some 25 sites in Orleans.  Dave Brian has agreed to maintain the supply of mitts at the two Crystal Lake locations and to monitor the use and the evidence of the program’s effectiveness.  The Orleans Park commissioner proposed an absolute leash law but the authority (Town Board?) reduced the language to dogs being “under the control of the owner”.

 

J. Bast will contact committee chairs to prepare brief written reports for the annual meeting in August.

 

Dues for 2004 were nearly 100 percent after the November follow up mailing.  About 30 members so contacted paid their 2005 dues at the same time.  J. Bast will prepare a 2005 dues mailing soon.  D. Heyer will assist with a letter to be enclosed with the dues notice.

 

D. Heyer and J. Bast will recruit three FOCL members to serve as a nominating committee to propose a slate of Board members for election at the annual meeting and to propose a nominating committee for next year.  D. Heyer has indicated a desire to end his Board service.  He will check with Mal Bornemeier to see if she would be willing to serve if nominated.  J. Bast will check with S Sargent to determine from the minutes who needs to be elected based on the term expirations this year.  (The board was elected to staggered terms when the bylaws were adopted in 2003.)

 

The annual meeting will be scheduled for late August, preferably on August 27, 2005 (Sat.) or the 28^th (Sun.) or a week ealier if necessary.  K. Arnold will contact the Kellehers who volunteered to host this year’s meeting.  (Subsequent to the meeting, the Kellehers confirmed they would be willing to host the meeting on the 27^th at 4pm.)  Discussion of a speaker was initiated but not concluded.  Inviting a public official who we want to make known of FOCL’s existence and interests is a possibility.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:35am.

 

Submitted by: K Arnold