Lake Gaston Association

Minutes (approved) Director’s Meeting – February 6, 2008

Lake Gaston Baptist Church – 9:30 AM 

Mission:  To identify lake issues affecting our members and pursue resolution with the responsible organizations.

Location:            Lake Gaston Baptist Church

                           Littleton, North Carolina

Convened:          9:30 AM by President John Cataldo

Pledge of Allegiance:      Led by the President

Inspirational Reading:   Larry Jolly

Visitor Introductions:    Press—Della Batts, Lake Gaston Gazette, Sherm Merchant, WZRU; Warren County – Jim Jones, Robert Wilson, Chuck Wiley, Bill and Ann Hoofnagle, Romie Vance, Doc Daugherty, Rommy Campbell, Larry Weaver, Mark Frizzell,  Ron Skow, Don Vandergrift, Ed Roughton, Butch Watson;  Brunswick – Ron George, Harold Carawan;  Mecklenburg – Fred Taylor, Marjorie Skidmore, Lew and Jane Stringer; Northampton—Rebecca Newton, Dick and Evelyn Bergey, Julie Jolly; Dominion—Carolyn Allen, Joe Peterson

Director Attendance:  Present – John Boyle, John Cataldo, Pete Deschenes, Ralph Domach, David Duxbury, Doug Hughes, Larry Jolly, Fred Kneisel, Bill Lindenmuth, John Slaton, Vernon Wilson, Calvin DeShields, Patrick Dempsey, Johnna Fross, Barbara Burgendoerfer, Bill Bryant  Absent – Jack Saunders, Joee Hoxter, Lenny Turner, Laura Kolb

Guest Speaker – Bridget Lassiter, a graduate student at North Carolina State University gave a report on the seed grant  which provided funds to purchase hand held computers and supplies for the LEM volunteers to monitor and record weeds in Lake Gaston. Ms. Lassiter explained that Patrick Dempsey wrote a program that allowed the monitors to enter the weed check points based on GPS data. Over 1200 data points were entered representing over 1000 hours of volunteer time and covering 150 miles of the lakeshore. The absence of hydrilla correlated well with the areas receiving public treatment in 2007. Ms. Lassiter plans to repeat the work this summer and is looking for more volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Jack Saunders or Bruce Johnson.

Secretary’s Report –John Cataldo

Thee Secretary’s report is postponed until the March meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – Bill Lindenmuth

The December financial report was properly approved and is on file.

·        Bill reported the 2008 is an aggressive budget and that the LGA will need to add members to cover the budget. Some of the larger budget items may be delayed or eliminated if the membership is not increased.

Planning & Development – John Boyle for Jack Saunders, Chair

• Completed report of standards to recommend for single family dwellings and is working on standards for condos. (Objective is to develop standards to recommend to the five counties.)

• The Warren County Commissioners denied a request for zoning for a camp ground near Camp Willow Run due to the objections of residents even though the Planning Board recommended approval.

The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our web page.

Nominating – Laura Kolb, Chair

There was no report.

Lake Environment – Bill Lindenmuth reporting

• The Weed Committee has now joined the Environmental Committee and there are several Co-Chairs.

• Interbasin transfer of water in NC has been going on for several years. Water from Kerr Lake goes to Oxford, NC and as far south as Franklin County in the amount of 10mgpd. The Corps of Engineers policy is first come, first served.

• Bi-state group for water transfer—NC and VA. Bill reported that NC hasn’t been responsive to VA on this issue and that the VA group has not been very effective as no legislation has been passed to date.

The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our web page.

Safety – Pete Deschenes for Jack Saunders, Chair

• There will be no meeting in February.

• Committee continues working on mapping of the fire districts and EMS districts around the lake.

• Work continues with Michael Wray’s office to push for meetings on boater education.

• VA is working toward legislation to enforce lifejackets for children less than 13 years of age to be consistent with the federal requirement.

• July 1 the boater education legislation is effective in VA.

• Northampton County has engaged the services of Code Red, a company that provides automated calls to every citizen in the county in the event of a massive emergency. This program is in place in 83 of the 100 counties in NC. The cost for 6 months is $5,000.

The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our web page.

Membership – David Duxbury, Chair

• The committee and Executive Director are busy following up with members whose dues expired at the end of 2007

• A membership application will be included in each Bulletin.

The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our web page.

Government Relations – Larry Jolly, Chair

• Upcoming events:     March 5^th Chris Rountree, Halifax Planning Director and Gene Addesso from RRBA on inner basin water transfer, April 2^nd David Lawrence, UNC Professor on incorporation issues.

• FERC has approved 120 boat slips for Eaton’s Crossing

• LGA representative met with Virginia DEQ to discuss waste eater treatment discharge into Lake Gaston in Pea Hill Creek. The DEQ will apply standards to the request looking at the lake as a pond rather than a river (which means more stringent standards.)

• Brunswick County—Poplar Creek Marina owners have requested the county change the ordinance requiring a 100 ft. buffer between residential and commercial property to 20 ft.  MOTION: Barbara Burgdoerfer moved that the LGA support keeping the buffer ordinance between residential and commercial property at the current requirement of 100 ft. The motion was properly seconded and unanimously passed.

• Political forums are scheduled for April 5^th and April 12^th.

• The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our web page.

Executive Director – Moira Underwood

Membership support, updating political contacts, publishing the Feb/March Bulletin were among the activities for the month. The complete report is on file and may be viewed on our web page.

Old Business

There was no old business.

New Business

Mr. Domach shared that he has not been able to pick up National Weather Alerts from Roanoke Rapids but he has received reports from Henderson on Channel 5.

Currently the NC Wild Life Commission allows bow hunting of grass carp in Lake Gaston. Motion: The LGA letter to the NC Wild Life Commission be approved requesting the Commission prohibit sport fishing with bow on Lake Gaston was properly seconded and unanimously approved.

The meeting was properly adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Jolly for Joee Hoxter, Secretary