PURPOSE

A special meeting was called to address the weed problem in the lake and possible solutions. Voters need to be in good standing (dues paid).

TREASURER’S REPORT

Budget vs actual discussed.
Back dues were collected upon the sale of 50 Lakeside Dr.

ACT/REVIEW OF REPORT

Variable milfoil present and increasing.
24-D is recommended treatment for this type of milfoil, treated at beginning of growing season (May-June). Only affects the milfoil; doesn’t harm other plants.
It is estimated the treatment will last 3 years.
Cost for treatment is 11K for the lake, and 5K for the channel.
Jim Moloney presented discussion re Friends of Manitook Lake group formation:
Open to anyone; encouraging the channel residents to join and be included.
Sign up for the Yahoo group.
Organize a follow-up meeting with the channel residents; they may gauge their involvement on how the association responds.
Thanks to the weed committee for their hard work.
Treatment time frame; probably not this year due to time needed for permitting and fundraising (permitting process may take from 2 or 3 months up to 5 or 6 months because of the wetlands area involved and the biodiversity study results).
Funding – no state/town funding because there is no public access to the lake. Will look into other grants, if available.
Discussion re other area lakes and treatment. Draining/lowering water level in combination with treatment may help. Hand harvesting recommended to help keep weeds out (pull by the roots)
Discussion re purchasing the chemicals ourselves and self-application for follow-up treatments? May not be cost effective; chemicals very expensive, may need to be licensed to apply them.
What happens if we do not treat the lake? Over time, reduced oxygen in the lake results in less fish; more sediment; becomes swampy, eventually meadow as it fills in.
Treatment applied to water lilies? No, targeted treatment jus to milfoil.
Monitoring of well water after treatment? 1K included in the quote for spot well testing.
Funding ideas:
raise dues;
special assessment of each property;
grant writing;
use some reserved funds;
special fundraising activities;
pledges
ask channel residents to raise funds for their portion
tag sale
art show
solicit donations from Tilcon and State Line Oil
Goal is to contract for treatment in May 2009.
MSC: As a preliminary measure, the association will earmark 2K of our surplus funds to the weed treatment. A special assessment of the association members was voted on in the amount of $150 per household, for the 2007/2008 year (unanimous). (Need to keep accurate records of the funds earmarked for the treatment.)
MSC: Adopt the ACT proposal as the recommended treatment plan (unanimous).
MSC: Regarding the question addressed by some of the channel residents about outsiders gaining access to the association beach; the association is not considering extending membership privileges to people outside the association (1 opposed).
The association will commit to treat the lake regardless of whether we have the monetary support of the channel residents (note that there is no commitment to treat the channel without the channel residents’ support).
MSC: Amend association by-laws to create a “Permitting/Health/Welfare of Manitook Lake” board position with full voting rights on the board. John Laudati to draft the amendment. (Unanimous)

Jim Moloney was asked to continue as chairperson of the weed committee (no resolution).

Motion to adjourn 8:30pm

Respectfully submitted,
Karen Suponski, Secretary