Black Point Beach Clubhouse - Sunset Avenue, Niantic, CT

1. Call Meeting to Order

At 9:05 am, Mr. John Campion, Chairman, called the meeting to order.

2. Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence were offered for all deceased members and board members. Especially in our thoughts today, Mr. John Shea and Mr. John Fitzpatrick.

3. No Charter Vote, Mr. Campion explained that a vote on the Charter would be held at the May 2009 Annual Meeting, and if passed it would become effective at that time. Mr. Campion noted copies of the Charter are available for anyone interested.

3. Treasurer

Carolyn Boyle, Association Treasurer, provided an un-audited operating statement. This updated budget is offered to members to assist with financial statements at the end of the year, and is posted at the entry door bulletin board.

4. Manager

Mike Manifold addressed the membership highlighting areas of interest and answered questions:

• Mike noted the summer was good

• Social events were increased

• THANK YOU to many members who helped to make things happen, forgive Mike if he is forgetting anyone; thanks to Tom and Joan Hayes, the Murdock’s and Flom's for the movies on the beach, Cianci’s and Banks for the bonfires, Todd Peretz and Dan Lemieux for the Basketball backboards and others for helping to install, Pat Ward and Sandy Adams for plantings and beautification around the point.

• Concerns: South Beach (SB) is 1/3rd of our asset and we need to make sure to keep SB vital and sandy. Mike has ideas and with the help of the BOG and others, work will be done. Suggestions include: Strategic Sand harvest, sand fences in winter, trucking in sand, hire engineers to evaluate the beach and structures, look at the rock jetty to see if anything can be built up on the South side, remove rock by digging it up off the beach, look at the Fenwood barrier ideas and have a decision by the Spring.

• Seaweed on the beaches was slow to be removed during heavy accumulation days. Dump runs took 20-30 minutes, delaying removal until residents were on the beaches. Mike hopes to find a solution to the timing by using the holding area on Billow Road until the next light beach debris removal day, allowing for extra trips to the dump to take place and stay on removal schedule.

• Recreation program open meeting gave an opportunity to air ideas and concerns. Carolyn and Mike will analyze finances to cost and revenue and upgrade where they can. Some welcome course additions could be Jr. Lifesaving and Boater safety. Mike felt the meeting was successful, it could be held regularly. Some concerns that came up included bonus checks to counselors and hiring staff and volunteers of an appropriate age.

• Security positions are posted on the website. Mike asks Black Point members to apply.

• Kayak dock endangered species has been filed with the DEP. The Board's Capital Improvement Committee will see this through with hope for an early spring decision and dock installation. They looked at docks samples in Old Lyme. Currently there is a demo dock at the boat ramp. Members are invited to take a look at the stable, light filtering floating dock.

• Tennis is ok.

• Estimates requests are out for new and/or re-aimed lighting at the basketball courts.

• Member offered comment to Thank Mike for a magnificent job.

• Next year Mike plans to hire a larger crew to clean the grounds and the Clubhouse.

• Bill Greenwood, Whitecap Road, suggested this as employment for Black Pointers.

• Bill Bayne, Osprey Road, South Beach comments, Boat beach is used as beach entry for the little kids and dock jumping for the older children. The beach is not usable. He asked when do we expect a response and how can members help? Mr. Manifold, noted members can attend any of the board meetings and give comments and become involved. It was suggested a neighborhood committee would be helpful in the SB area.

Jim Moffett, asked about the SB study during the pier project and if it included the problem? It was noted to be discussed later and would be addressed.

Ray Candlish, Cottage Lane, asked if no one in Black Point has inquired about the security positions. Mike said no locals had applied and the jobs had to be sourced out.

Jane McLane, 24 Sea View Ave., has a sign-up sheet for information on the kayak docks and has offered to volunteer and help coordinate any kayak related efforts.

Cathy Cianci, East Shore Drive, after 56 years, questions the depth of sand across the beaches? She had more sand in previous in years and judged by the height at her sea wall.

Bob Murdock, East Shore Drive, noted there is a drop in sand of 1-2 feet over the past 2 years. Does harvesting support re-distribution of sand?

Susan Daly, Brightwater Road, said she’d volunteer to be on a committee to work on SB. She has observed the tractors are too small to do much work and that the beach work timing could be shifted to also so SB first on some days. Mrs. Daly stated the lines and floats were not good this year and that she would like to see jobs go to Black Pointers.

Mary Collins, Sea Crest Ave, asked if security positions were open to girls. Answered, yes, please ask them to apply.

Mr. Manifold having no further questions turned the meeting back to Mr. Campion.

5. Informational Items from the Board

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Mr. Campion noted the new wireless mics and thanked Mr. Phil Hagaman for the donation new speakers.

Capital Improvements, Mr. Dan Lemieux.

Dan commented on the kayak dock and the removal history. He has received a vendor quote and has applied for the endangered species portion of the application, he expects to hear back from the DEP in approx. 30 days. Once this is done a 2nd application will be put in for the ramp and floating dock to be installed.

Sharon Sklar, Sunset Ave, asked about parking. It was noted that no parking exists on Black Point Road and that the area is for drop-off and pick up only. Members may park at the club house; the closest Black Point owned area to the OBP launch site.

Gene Massey asked if a storage rack and any security system would be included and was answered that it will be part of the kayak launch.

Question asked if the BP dock is required to be accessible. Mr. Campion noted ADA accessibility does not apply for any of our docks.

Social, Mrs. Hayes

Mrs. Hayes noted that the Murder Mystery dinner was sold out and a great success. She thanked Pete and Joann Diresta and the committee for all the work they did.

• Movies at the beach bought a new LCD projector and a new sound system. She mentioned that Mr. Hayes had run movies some 45 years and the program is still well received. The 6:30 program for younger children is at the club house and the 8:30 movie is at the beach. Next year Tom, Dan, Dara and Jordan will run the movies through the Rec program. Mr. +Mrs. Murdock helped by offering electrical and lights.

• The Pancake breakfast, hosted by Laura and Elliot Flom was great, next year they’ll get help from the social committee.

• Sept. 13, 2008 is the date for the Fall Social, cost is $10.00 per person. Last year everyone had a great time. Lil and Rich Diachenko will handle cd’s and music. Bring your own snacks and beverages and have fun with neighbors and friends!

• December 12th is the Christmas Carol Sing at main beach.

• Bocce court planning is happening with the men’s club see John Campion or Pete Diresta.

• Jill Coscarelli has a “Dine Around” program she’d like to introduce next season. Keep an eye out for info.

• John Campion introduced the Men’s Club. He noted that the men have some work to do to catch up with the 54 years that the Women’s Club has been at Black Point. A sign up sheet is circulating, or please contact John if you are interested and did not get to the meeting. He introduced Pete Diresta who described the club as having a social focus and providing sweat equity to give back to the community.

• They are looking at a location somewhere on out property to place a bocce court. Some examples of use could be combined spaghetti supper and bocce game!

• Mrs. Hayes thanked Mr. Manifold and volunteers for their great work organizing the bonfires.

Cahill Black Point Scholarship Fund information will be on the website, please check for updates.

Member questions:

John Sullivan, 28 Billow Road, asked if the board was looking at long term capital improvement to consider funding projects such as repair and maintenance to the black top tennis court.

Mr. Campion answered yes. We have a limited budget, in FY 08 it is $20,000, for critical projects. We need to put more money aside to fund big items.

Mr. Gene Massey offered support for the idea.

Kim Craven, 46 East Shore Drive, asked if we have a fund reserve, Mr. Campion noted, yes, we have a fund balance.

Member questions were asked why we’d change the charter now.

Mr. Campion noted that there have been a number of charter changes since it was written in 1931.

David Wallace, Cottage Lane, inquired about the charter language and making a change for 41 people.

Another member commented on the charter language and should it be changed to “eighteen years of age or older”.

Mr. George Parsons, Sea Breeze Ave., asked to clarify the number of non-resident properties in trust

Veronica Casey, Sea View Ave., Commented that a living trust does not allow for voting in the state of CT, it is up to the state legislature to make adjustments. She suggested writing to our legislators.

Barbara Johnston, 35 Sea Crest Ave, maintained there was an illegal meeting on the Charter and the board should go back to the beginning with the process.

Matt Borrelli, Indianola Rd., agreed with the Men’s Club proposal .He suggested an expert’s opinion would help the beach nourishment project.

Susan Daly, inquired after a piece of correspondence, and if it had been distributed or read prior to the board vote.

Member inquired if we might post on-line the social items and if it would be alright to list kayak trips, etc. members might like to sponsor or join.

Nancy Flynn asked why Andrew McKirdy’s position was not filled by the board at the July meeting. Mr. Campion stated 4 supporting votes were required and the board did not have 4 votes in agreement.

Sally Cini, 28 Sea Breeze Ave., commented that hiring at Black Point should be for the most qualified applicant for the job. She reminded members that this should apply for the security and other open positions. Being a member did not guarantee a job.

No further comments were heard.

6. At 10:45am the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Gemma Balukonis Dowd, Secretary