Association Meeting 2014

The Association held its 59th Annual Meeting on Saturday, July 12th at 9:00 a.m. at Rich and Andy Kenney’s house at 175 Appletree Point Rd.

In attendance: Jeff Haig, Rich and Andy Kenney, Doug and Christine Campbell, Jamie and Jill Coffrin, Anne Conlin, Rolfe and Viraj Eastman, Brianne Eastman, Shanta Eastman, Helene Langevin and Ty Danco, and Kit Ardell.

We started gathering at 8:45 AM to meet neighbors and socialize. The business meeting started at 9:04.

It was suggested that neighbors bring something breakfast-y to share for the potluck to follow the meeting. (We met a little earlier this year than usual in order to provide people with some extra time on their Saturday.) 

AGENDA:

1.   Secretary’s report- Jamie Coffrin moved to accept the minutes of the 2013 Annual Meeting and Doug Campbell seconded the motion. It was noted that Rolff Eastman’s name had been inadvertently left off the list of Board Members. The minutes were approved as corrected.

2.   Treasurer’s report

     Chris Campbell stated that our present balance is $11,844. The road section repairs

     cost $1,249.88 which will be paid by the home owners on the private road. When that amount is collected, the balance will be $13, 092.76.

  3.Road report-

Chris Campbell stated that Chris Reed arranged for the road repairs and bought the materials. Several members tried to help with the repairs but the job became overwhelming and a local contractor was hired to complete the job.

There was discussion on whether to authorize the Treasurer to spend needed money on road repairs if needed before the next general meeting. To collect the money spent on the road repairs, Doug Campbell moved that an additional reminder should be sent to anyone who has not paid their portion. Jamie Coffrin seconded the motion and the motion was passed.

Chris Campbell will speak to the Burlington road crew currently repaving Appletree Point Road about using their materials on the private road section.

4. Beach committee report-none

5.  Dues Recommendations-Ty Danco made a motion not to collect dues this year.

    Jamie Coffrin seconded and the motion was passed.

6.  Elections

    A motion was made by Briana Chase to add Shanta Eastman to the Board. Doug  Campbell seconded the motion. The motion was approved. A motion was made by Rolf Eastman and Chris Campbell seconded it to keep the current board with theaddition of Shanta Eastman. It was approved.

              

Current Board:

Jeff Haig: President
Christine Campbell: Treasurer
Andy Kenney: Secretary
Rich Kenney: Board

Rolfe Eastman: Board
Doug Campbell: Board
Shanta Eastman-Board

7.  Other business

    Rich Kenney will email Chapin Spenser (Director for Public Works) addressing the issue of the speed bumps on Appletree Point Road coming from the west before the bike path.

    Discussion followed concerning the ramifications of lakefront property changes. Permits are required for changes within 250 feet of the lake, (within 50 feet no changes may be made).

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50.

Respectfully submitted,

Andy Kenney-Secretary

New Shoreline Laws

At the annual meeting yesterday several people expressed concern about the new shoreline laws. Here is the article from today's Free Press on the law:

Shoreland Protection Law

As of July 1, Vermont has a new law regulating activities in the area from the waterline to a distance of 250 feet on lakes and ponds larger than 10 acres. The law allows "reasonable development" while protecting aquatic habitat and water quality and promoting the use of natural vegetation to stabilize shorelines.

Here is an overview of how the new law impacts owners of lakeside property.

Exempted activities 
Property owners will be able to undertake a host of routine repair and reconstruction activities without securing one of the new permits or going through the new registration process. Exempted activities in the shoreland protection area — which is within 250 feet of the water line — are those that maintain the existing footprint of existing development. The exemptions include:

Maintaining without expanding the buildings, driveways, gardens and lawns that existed as of July 1, 2014. 

Reconstructing a home, deck or driveway in the exact same footprint. Vertical expansion would be allowed as would construction of a room where a deck existed. 

Thinning vegetation less than three feet in height as long as vegetation standards are met, the duff layer is left intact and the thinning is at least 25 feet back from the water line. 

 Pruning of limbs on lower third of trees and tree removal would be allowed as long as the remaining number of trees and saplings met the standards. 

Creating a path up to six-feet wide to water's edge. 

Repairing or replacing septic and water systems. 

Registration 
Property owners need to submit a registration form and $100 fee for small projects, such as creation of a 100-square-foot cleared area or construction of a shed, gazebo or similarly small impervious surface located in the lakefront zone but back at least 25-feet from the waterline. Registration is also required for slightly larger projects — up to 500-square feet of new cleared area or impervious surface — located in the upland zone which is 100 feet or more from the waterline. State officials have 15 days to review registration applications. Landowners may proceed with the work if they have heard nothing from the state at the end of the 15-day review period.


Permit 
Property owners must get permits for redevelopment that expands a building or driveway, adds accessory structures larger than qualify for registration, clears significant vegetation for lawn or gardens, tears down a building and rebuilds on a different footprint. Permits also are required for projects on any undeveloped lakeshore land — which will be required to meet the standards. The fee is $125 plus 50 cents for every square foot of impervious surface.


More information:

Contact the Vermont Shoreland Permit Program at 802-490-6196 or www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov/lakes.htm