Latest minutes are posted on this page. Archives are listed on the left side of this page.

BLACK POINT BEACH CLUB ASSOCIATION
Annual Meeting
Saturday May 23, 2009
 

Download print version (.pdf)

The meeting was called to order by the Chairperson, John Campion, at 9:15a.m.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Chairperson introduced the members of the Board of Governors, the Association Manager, the Tax Collector, and the Secretary.
Chairperson John Campion then provided an overview of the meeting as noted in the call:

1. to receive reports from the Board of Governors on the status of the Association, including:

• Proposed Charter revision
• Proposed 2009-2010 operating budget and mil rate for the Association
• Vacancies on the BOG
• Beach Maintenance
• Kayak Launch
• Information on the 2009 Summer Recreation Program

Mr. Campion introduced and read the proposed draft Charter Revision and explained that two (2) votes would be required. 1 vote to decide to vote and a 2nd vote on the charter amendment itself.

MOTION to consider and act upon the recommendation of the Board of Governors: that the Black Point Beach Club Association elect to make the Charter of the Association subject to amendment by home rule action pursuant to the provisions of Section 7-328a of the Connecticut General Statutes, by Mrs. Susan Daly and seconded by Ms. Sharon Sklar.

Discussion followed:
Mr. John Sullivan asked if voting to accept home rule applied to other than voting to hold office or the charter revision. Would it change anything other than the charter?
Mr. Campion noted that we are invoking to change the charter.
Member comment: Is it just the one item at this time? Mr. Campion responded, yes.
Mrs. Candlish, commented on the number of current versus future members / non-members that would be allowed to vote.
Ronnie Phelps, 53 Bellaire Rd. How did membership advertisement for position openings happen before this date? Mrs. Campion commented everything has been used to solicit nominations for the boards in an open manner.
Member question as to whether volunteers on any of the committees are required to be members? Mr. Campion noted that serving on any board requires membership, volunteers in non-board positions may be non-members.
Mr. Matt Borrelli, asked the question of filling a vacancy or choosing not to when a member is willing to serve?
Mrs. B. Johnston, 35 Sea Crest Ave, noted to vote no.
Mr. Tom Sheehan, 18 Indianola Rd, noted this is the 2nd vote request from the community.
Member commented spouse and trustee votes are agreeable, but renter votes, could be a problem in the future.
Mrs. Sally Cini, clarified that only registered voters residing within Black Point would be able to vote, not any member of East Lyme.
Ms. Cindy Fountain, asked if trusts could be considered without the other options? Mr. Campion noted state statute identifies what is included, not our wishes.
Member referred to a Condominium situation that was a problem. Mr. Campion said we are not a condominium, this is a different situation.
Member question as to how many Charter changes have been brought to date and why this again?
Mr. Campion noted about 7 provisions have been brought.
Mrs. Jordan and Mr. Campion noted that it was membership request for charter change that was brought to the Board, and the board is responding.
Bob Shea, Sea Breeze, served on the charter revision committee. He admits there is confusion built in to the language that is unavoidable. He asked members to remembr that 40 people can’t vote or hold office and of this group we loose valuable talent, willing to server on boards. He asked members to weigh this against 3 renters, who would have to attend meetings with responsible members to vote.
Nancy Devins, Bellaire Rd., suggested that members with family listings in trust change their ownership to enable them to vote under the existing charter, get names on the deed.
Maribeth Stone, president of the Women’s club has property in trust and can’t vote.
Mr. John Carr, offered comments.
Ms. Sharon Sklar, noted she has been here five years and is considering running for the zoning board.
Marianne O’Neil, 16 Brightwater, offered comments.

Mr. Campion closed the floor discussion having no further discussion and asked for the first vote. (Those with yellow cards indicating a person is a property owner AND their name is on the property owner list: name on Deed).

It was decided after trial and error to vote by verbal voice count, where each member voted by standing with their card and counted off their number, and then sitting down, the secretary moved the tally to the next member, keeping count. This process enabled the membership to participate and witness the vote to obtain an accurate count.

First Vote
Invoke Home Rule: 77 in favor 24 Against VOTE passes

2nd Vote:
To consider and act upon the following proposed amendment to the charter of the Black Point Beach Club Association:

Section 1: To lower the age of eligibility for Association property owners to vote and hold office to 18 years and to provide electors of the town of East Lyme who reside within the boundaries of the Association may vote and hold office.

74 in favor 27 against VOTE passes, charter is amended


2. FY 2009-2010 operating budget of $215,839 and a tax rate of 1.00 mils. Mr. Manifold highlighted some items and answered questions.
• Rec program money is being spent in the rec program
• Cleaning clubhouse has been increased to 2 times a week
Peter McAndrews , 6 Seaview, inquired about the capital improvement budget process and the fund surplus balance. Mr. Manifold stated the $20,000 on the fund surplus comes from the savings and he would like to start setting money aside. Mr. Campion noted that we’d be saving for sizable expenses, such as the pier expenses to avoid asking for another heavy assessment.

• Mr. Manifold noted that we will have capital improvement projects
Mr. Matt Borrelli, he is ok with a capital plan approved by members to support a goal and would advise a 5-10 year layout to look at expenses.
Mrs. Nancy Devins, suggested the capital fund be in its own category and out of other expenses.
Ms.Dottie Allen, 15 Saltaire Ave. thanked the board for their work.
Mr. John Sullivan, commented that all of the money comes from taxes and corrected a previous comment.
No further discussion, Mr. Campion called for a motion and voice ballot and noted new voters may now join the vote.


Budget Resolution
Mrs. Mary Lou Weidl moved that the membership approve the FY2010 operating budget as proposed by the Board of Governors totaling $215,839 and a tax rate of one (1) mil to be based on the East Lyme Assessor's Grand List of October 2008. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tom Hayes.

VOTE: majority in favor 1 nay VOTE passes


3. Vacancies on the Board
To elect (2) Members of the Board of Governors, each Member to serve for a term of three years.

Mr. Campion asked the membership for nominations to fill positions on the Board of Governors.

• Kevin McMahon nominated Thomas Kelly for a first term and the nomination was seconded Mr. John Sullivan.
• Pat Booker nominated Maribeth Stone for a first term, and the nomination was seconded Mr. John Sidowski.
• Nan Carmon nominated Ann Farley for a first term, and the nomination was seconded by Mrs. Maureen Fox.

Motion to close nominations by Mr. Bob Shea and seconded by Dr. Brendan Fox.
The secretary collected the ballots and delivered the final vote count:

Tom Kelly: 91 votes Maribeth Stone: 91 votes Ann Farley: 31 votes

Mr. Campion declared Mr. Tom Kelly and Mrs. Maribeth Stone elected to the Board of Governors each for a first three year term.

While the ballots were being counted Mr. Campion introduced Mr. Paul Formica, East Lyme First Selectman, who spoke engagingly to the membership and answered questions. Members are asked to please contact Mr. Formica at www.eltownhall.com with any questions or comments.
Thank you to Mr. Formica for his time and thoughtfulness to attend our annual meeting.

4. To act upon any other such business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.

Mrs. Joan Hayes reported to the membership for the Social Committee. She introduced the Trial process for “Open Clubhouse Use”. (The first issue of the Black Pointer will carry the committee rules and will be posted at the clubhouse). Open Thursdays for July and August from 1-4pm and 6-9 pm. This is a shared use of the facility and is free and open to Black Point members and their guests to be scheduled by Mr. Manifold and overseen by a member of the social committee.

Mrs. Hayes expressed the appreciation of the association to Mr. Campion for his dedicated service on the board. She said that his determination for betterment and kind leadership made him a champion and good captain of the ship.

Boat mooring permit applications must be purchased at $25.00 each from the Town Hall, some copies were made available to members at the meeting.

Men’s club president Mr. Peter Diresta spoke of Bocce courts, shuffle board rehab and regular meeting inviting members to join them at the club house.

Mrs. Maribeth Stone, president of the women’s club invited all women of Black Point to join. She highlighted a “living solutions” program and etiquette club leadership program. Ms. Carolyn Boyle will be heading the Home and Garden tour for next year, 2010.

Mr. Brian Comer introduced the Cahill scholarship program and invited members to be involved as readers and to contact Anita Schepker, Ellen Spalluto or himself. They hope to give out 3 scholarships again this year.

Golf tournament is the end of July, member involvement is welcome.

Kayak Launch some discussion, Mr. Manifold noted the DEP study has to be done in June to qualify.

Adjournment
There being no further business, the Chair declared the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Black Point Beach Club Association was adjourned at 10:50 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Gemma Balukonis Dowd, Secretary