Minutes: MPCA BOARD MEETING

Monday, November 6^th, 2006

7:30 PM

The Board of Directors of the MPCA met on Monday, November 6^th, 2006 at Jim Fitzpatrick’s home. Present were Fred England, Darby Johnson, Don MacKinnon, Peter Roy, Russ Simon, Frank Sokol and Jim Fitzpatrick, presiding. Dimitri Chernyshov was absent. Guests included Erin Surprenant of Great North Property Management.

The meeting was called to order at 7:33 PM.

1. Minutes of the October 2^nd MPCA Board meeting:

• Fred England wanted to clarify his position that he now feels he would not be liable for any Board decisions made in his absence, but if he was requested to leave by the Board during drainage discussions, he would still not leave.

• Motion to approve minutes as clarified was made by Peter Roy, seconded by Frank Sokol - approved unanimously.

2. Treasurer’s Report

• Presented by Don MacKinnon
• The Board reviewed the October 31^st financials. Year to date expenses are as expected.
• At the suggestion of the Treasurer, Don MacKinnon, a motion was made by Fred England, seconded by Jim Fitzpatrick to move $45,000 from our Operating Cash account to our new Vanguard Operating Savings account to earn increased interest until these funds will be spent later in the fiscal year. The motion was approved unanimously.
• It was brought to the Board’s attention by Walter Cheney that the Special Assessment motion approved by the membership at the June 10^th meeting specifically stated that “each member” pay the special assessment and not “each unit or vacant lot owner” as is our standard practice on MPCA fees. Though this was not the intent, it was in fact the language that was approved. This technical language difference allows members with multiple units or vacant lots to pay only one fee, instead of one fee per unit/lot. The special assessment was billed according to our standard practice. A motion was made by Jim Fitzpatrick, seconded by Russ Simon to send a notice to our members of the issue and to allow members who have paid a multiple fee to request a refund, if they desire.
• The Board approved the waiver of one member’s late fee due to special circumstances.

3. Committee Reports

Water Systems Committee

• Presented by Jim Fitzpatrick.
• Regular maintenance and repairs continue to be done, including the replacement of a three-way valve in the lift station pump and the circuit board in the Water Monitoring system.
• During the repaving, the Town accidentally paved over a water system shut-off valve. This should be corrected shortly by the Town.

Environmental Committee:

• Presented by Jim Fitzpatrick.
• A Policy and Procedure covering volunteer work on clearing invasives, and saplings is being developed by Earl Chase and the EC.
• In order to fix the broken culvert on the west side of the Trail, a dredge and fill Wetlands permit must be submitted and approved by DES prior to any work being done. Debbie Grubbs is championing this effort.
• Controlling the poison ivy growth is also being focused on and the EC is evaluating appropriate methods.
• Earl Chase approved the removal of a 100 foot tree located next to the trail that has been killed by the drainage flow from the current drainage culvert coming off Osprey Lane. The tree has been removed.

Community Life Committee:

• Presented by Darby Johnson.
• Mark your calendars - the Holiday Party (the 4^th Quarter Community Get-Together) is scheduled for Saturday, December 9^th 2006 from 5 to 9 PM at the Bouthot’s. Please bring a beverage to share; a main dish, appetizer or dessert and non-perishable food items for the Newmarket food pantry.
• Women’s Night Out program will resume in February. Date is TBD.
• “Timely Topics” program for 2007:
• January 21: Colleen Fitzpatrick: Pandemic Planning (Chernyshov’s)
• February 18: Dr. Larry Kane: Medical Trip to Haiti (Mctigue’s)
• March 18: Tod Rodger: Lewis & Clark Expedition. (Location TBD)
• April 15: Karen Brammer: Sustainability (Chernyshov’s)

• For the above, the CLC will provide cups, napkins and seltzer beginning at 6:30; the lectures will begin at 7:00. Thanks to Peg Goddard for a great line-up!
  
  

4. MPCA Managers Report:

• Presented by Erin Surprenant
• The removal of the floating dock has been delayed to November by the dock removal company.
• Repairs to the Screenhouse roof were completed to stop leaks.

5. Drainage Issue Report and Update

• Presented by Russ Simon.
• We are still waiting to hear from DES on their response to the Moody Point Company’s Plan to correct the drainage deficiencies identified by DES and our response to the MPC’s Plan.

6. Other Business

· The Board approved the removal of a dead tree and general clean-up of the dumpster area.

· It was re-affirmed that boat and car storage in the dumpster area was allowed on a first come, first served basis with the prior approval of either the MPCA President or Great North.

The Board Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.

The next Regular MPCA Board Meeting will be held again at Don MacKinnon’s home on Monday, December 4^th, 2006 at 7:30 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

 Russ Simon

Secretary