Little Sebago Lake Association
P.O. Box 912
Windham, Maine 04062-0912
Minutes of the Annual Meeting
July 12, 2014 at St. Gregory’s Hall on Crystal Lake, Dry Mills, Gray, ME
Board Members Present: Pam Wilkinson, Peter Gellerson, Jeff Wilkinson, Jim McBride, Sharon LaMontagne, Tim Greer, Tom Tobiassen, Rod Bernier, Chris Micucci, Scott Lowell, Kevin Murphy, John Mullaney, Stephen Davis, Diane Burnell
Committee Members: Water Quality: Bruce/Chris Micucci, Merchandise/Pirate Parade: Deb Gellerson, Database Assistant: Christine Godfrey
Meeting Called to Order: Pam Wilkinson called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and welcomed everyone. She thanked social media for its role in connecting the lake community along with the great photographers posting to the Facebook page. She also welcomed Rick Sullivan as the newest member of the water quality committee. Pam asked those attending if this was the first meeting they’ve attended. Quite a few hands went up. Reason why – loon presentation. Estimated attendance – 140 people. The Piranha dredge has been renamed to Sand Piper.
Board & Committee Introduction: Pam introduced all the Board Members and Committee Members
Guest Introduction and Presentations:
Camila Fecteau, St Joseph’s College Biology Department Instructor, Wildlife Biologist. Due to number of presentations scheduled, Camilla gave a condensed, jam packed with information version of her regular presentation. The species in Maine is the Common Loon. They are related to penguins, have a heavy body (13 lbs) with small wings, but can fly up to 90 mph. Loons are not monogamist and will share nesting. They can live up to 30 years. Their nests can be hidden or in the open – they usually lay 2 eggs, rarely 3. Right after they hatch they are ready for the water – being on land is not safe. In the fall, they migrate to the ocean for 7 years to mature.
In the 1970’s scientists observed an increasing absence of loons and wanted to figure out why. Banding and researching loons by collecting blood and feather samples began. The procedure used, is safe and done at night, by using a chick distress call to capture and band loons. Necropsies (similar to autopsies) were also done. Since Maine is a coastal state with multiple lakes, especially in the northern part of the state, we have the highest loon counts of the New England states.
Threats to the survival of loons are shoreline development (if no place to nest – they won’t stay on that body of water), water level fluctuations (washing out nests), collisions with boats (the number 1 cause in NH), fishing line entanglements, swallowing lead sinkers, and high mercury levels…that arrives from coal fired power plants to our west. When people are too close to nests, the loons become concerned with their surroundings and less able to pay attention to their chicks. High mercury levels won’t kill loons but it makes them “foggy headed” and don’t tend to their chicks as they should.
Some solutions that scientists have developed are to build nesting platforms for loons, but loons don’t always like them. Posting nesting signs to warn people to stay away. We need to learn & respect loon behavior. Camilla played 6 different audio clips of various loon calls from the traditional wail to a chick distress call.
The best things we can do for the loons on our lake is to 1) Watch from a distance – use binoculars 2) Support water quality 3) Collect monofilament found floating and don’t use lead sinkers 4) Support alternative energy to minimize mercury emissions 5) Educate others 6) Participate in annual loon census 7) Participate in adopt a Loon programs. Other resources available are: Loon Preservation Committee in Moultonborough, NH. (www.loon.org) and the Biodiversity Research Institute in Gorham, ME. (www.briloon.org) Kate Taylor is the Center for Loon Conservation Outreach Specialist.
Pam presented Camilla a LSLA t-shirt after her very warmly received presentation.
Loon Report: Dorothy Bates informed us that this year’s 31st Annual Loon Count is next Saturday. The head counters are in place for all 3 basins. There are tentatively 6 chicks this year, last year there were none. The pair around Horse Island were banded in 1997. If you find abandoned eggs or a dead loon, contact the Audubon Society. Dorothy always welcomes loon nesting and activity information and can be reached at 781-4180.
Heather True, Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District: CCSWCD is not a regulatory agency. It’s a resource for services/products for challenges faced with watershed issues. Sediment is the #1 to keep out of the lake – it contains phosphorus – which leads to algae blooms. This year a 4th Grant (unprecedented) was awarded to LSL as part of the EPA’s Clean Water Act, Section 319. It’ll be a 2 year project. The plan is to work with road associations and individual residents. A form is available in the back of the room to fill out to get help. Once a list is made then recommendations & costs can be determined. Will a private road co-op work? Could they buy culverts, gravel, etc in bulk for ongoing road maintenance? A meeting to discuss these and other related topics will be held July 22, 2014 at 6:30 pm at the Gray Town Hall. Feedback is needed to proceed effectively.
Leon Bucher, Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: Overview of boat ramp upgrade and repairs. There are 130 water access sites in the state. LSL is a high use ramp by ??????. 19 years ago the concrete ramp was installed at LSL and is now in need of repair. In 2012 options were researched and a full rebuild was determined to be necessary. The improvements proposed will be removing the old concrete slabs, and replacing with new concrete slabs on a rail system that will extent 20’ further at a 13% slope to make “power loading” of boats better. There will be three 6’ x 16’ “Standard State Issued” floats installed that will be put in during the spring and removed in the fall. They will be stored on site. There will be 35’ of new black top. Metal guard rails will replace the wooden ones. It will be ready for Spring 2015. The costs for project will be funded ¾ through sport fishing grant, and ¼ paid by un-Federal dollars (Maine specialty plate fee, excise tax paid on gas) Project has a $160,000.00 budget…. $100,000.00 for construction, $55,000.00 for floats & concrete, $2,500.00 for engineering. Work will begin in September – to take advantage of warm weather. Weighted turbidity curtains need to be placed to contain sediment during construction. Opening bids start on July 15 and awarded 10 days later. Depending on the winning contractor, the time line for competition could take longer for smaller company, which will impact the start date. Currently, the boat ramp closing is scheduled for Sept. 2, 2014. LSL will be notified of the actual date once a contractor is selected.
Presidents Report: Pam’s statements were on going throughout the meeting and summarized under the Call to Order.
Secretary’s Report: Diane read highlights of last year’s annual meeting minutes, following last year’s motion to not read the entire minutes. They are posted on the website. A motion was made and seconded to accept 2013 Annual Meeting minutes. It was approved.
Treasurer’s Report: As his first year in the Treasurer’s role, Jim wanted to let everyone know that he continues to maintaining a fiscally conservative approach. 2013 was a better year than expected. The budget’s cash flow comparisons was reviewed. There is a small ($4000.00) surplus. Boat expenses had a significant increase, a new motor was purchased to replace an ailing one. Other notable expenses were the dam repairs, increased funds for loon protection, a new website, and water shed costs. The net worth of LSLA is increasing – slow but steady.
Nomination Committee: Rod reviewed the nomination process, commitment involved and available openings. The 4 board members whose terms are expiring this year (Pam Wilkinson, Jeff Wilkinson, Chris Micucci and John Mullaney) are willing to serve another term. Cheryl Alterman was nominated from the floor to fill the last year of Rod Morrison’s term. Due to above average interest from the floor, Honoree Board Members – with no voting privileges – Carol Ann Doucette, Barbara Barnes, Cathy Manchester and Deb Lavoie, were nominated. The motion was made, seconded and approved to appoint the slate of board members as proposed.
Fund Raising: Raffle ticket winners are: Sharon Gieringer won the paddleboard, Rodney Voisine won the kayak and Charlie Cote the gazebo screen house.
Plant Give Away: 50 plants purchased at O’Donal’s Nursery are available for members again this year. Please take 1 plant per property and plant along your shoreline to help with erosion control.
Safety Patrol Boat: Sharon reported that the Mallory is now being used as the patrol boat, which cruises about the lake as a “Good Will” boat. Volunteer drivers look for un-safe situations, hand out life jackets where needed, but also reward safe boaters with coupons to Subway & Pizza Hut – which is very well received. The Cumberland County Sheriffs ride on the boat sporadically throughout the summer, too.
Pirate Parade/Water Volleyball: Deb Gellerson proclaimed that the annual parade will be on July 19th starting at noon at the lower lake and ending at Pirate Cove in the middle lake. Rain date will be July 20th.
Merchandise: There are new clothing items, calendars, etc. for sale – available on the website or contact Deb Gellerson. Any ideas for something new? Let Deb know.
Dam & Water Quality: Rod reported on this year’s activities. The data collected last year has been submitted to the State but the report has not been received back yet. Rick Sullivan is training with Bruce to be the new water quality monitor. Hopkins Dam underwent repairs over the winter, when the water levels are the lowest. The dam is 124 years old, structurally sound and functioning well, but the 30 year old oak timbers needed to be replaced. D & J Excavating was hired to make the repairs. Nobody was sure what to expect, the lower beam has always been submerged. DEP strict rules also needed to be followed. Repairs were successfully completed and the upper and lower beams lined up! Chris brought sample pieces of the old & new beams to see the differences. The lake level is maintained at the state approved level of 289.2”
Website/Facebook/Social Media/Database: Thanks to all for your patience during the database verification process. Lots of work has been done to ensure the accuracy of our membership information. Kevin then projected screen shots to introduce the new web site. If anyone has any ideas for content send an email to info@littlesebagolake.com
Endowment Program: John Mullaney reported that the endowment was set up 4 years ago with Merrill Lynch and has almost reached $10,000.00. Brochures with information explaining the fund and various methods to contribute were available. The plaque listing donors and the donation levels was displayed and encouragement to participate was offered.
Watershed Protection Efforts: Jim reaffirmed how fortunate Little Sebago Lake is to receive a 4th Grant to work on previously identified watershed issues.
Lower Narrows: Tim reported briefly – that the narrows are healthy and you can get through!
Milfoil Militia: Pam reports that it’s the 16th year. There is a little increase of milfoil in the upper & lower basin. Overall we are in maintenance mode. Keep using phosphorous free fertilizers.
Comments: Create Memories and Be Safe!
Motion to adjourn: 12:13 p.m.
Respectively submitted by Diane Burnell