LAKE GASTON ASSOCIATION

Minutes (approved) Director’s Meeting – September 3, 2008

Lake Gaston Baptist Church -9:30AM,  First Wednesday

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

Location:        Lake Gaston Baptist Church

                        Littleton, North Carolina

Convened BY: President John Cataldo at 9:30AM

Pledge of Allegiance:  Led by President Cataldo

Moment of Silence:  Led by President Cataldo

Visitor Introductions:  Brunswick County – Ron George, Bob Biggs, Mecklenburg County – Marjorie Skidmore, Northampton County – Roger West, Bruce & Lavetta Johnson, Warren County – Andy Smith, Jim Jones, Richard Wolfgang, Pete Deschenes, Jean Varney, Doc Daugherty, Roland Beauchaine, Chris Thompson

Director/Executive Attendance:  Present:  David Duxbury, Jack Saunders, Joee Hoxter, Ralph Domach, Laura Kolb, Linda Hedgepeth, Fred Kniesel, Vernon Wilson, Lenny Turner, Quinton Qualls, Bill Bryant, Patrick Dempsey, Calvin DeShields, Larry Jolly, Bill La Monte (Recorder), John Cataldo, Doug Hughes and Moira Underwood.  Absent:  Barbara Burgdoerfer, Bill Lindenmuth.

Guest Speakers:  James Jones, Warren County Health Director and Andy Smith, Warren County Environmental Health Supervisor.  They were introduced by Larry Jolly.  The following is a summary of their comments:

James Jones:

 …Stated the Health Department support of local agencies is supported by a $3 million annual budget.

…Stated that Board of Health policies and procedures are set by the Board of Health.

…Stated that the Board of Health functions as an agent of the State, but are not State employees.

…The county has hired 1 full-time nurse to support the Home Health Program and that person will start on January 1, 2009.

…Stated that the Health Department does two blood drives a year.

…A member in attendance stated “The Warren County Home Health program is wonderful”.

…There is still one volunteer position in need of filling on the Warren County Health Board.

Andy Smith:

…Stated that N.C. septic system drain fields are traditionally 3 feet deep VS Virginia’s 9 feet (N.C. relies on evaporation, VA relies on ground absorption).

…Stated that the turn around time for a septic system inspection is no more that 2 days from receipt of request.  He also stated that it is important for the owners to have property boundary lines properly marked and the ‘high watermark’ properly marked.

…He stated that ‘uphill pumping’ is a safe and effective way to establish a septic system. This costs about $6-7K.

…He stated that there are systems on the market that will allow a previously non-percable lot to pass a perc test.  They are in the $15K price range.

…Any septic system that pumps more than 3,000 gallons a day requires state inspection and approval.

…He stated there are many vacation rentals that allow 10 or more renters and that standard household systems are not designed to absorb that kind of use and therefore there are many cases of septic system overflow.

…Restaurants are inspected 2-4 times a year and grades posted for the public.  Food vendors at fairs/festivals are inspected BEFORE they begin selling.  Selling on a boat does not require an inspection UNLESS the seller is actually grilling/cooking food on the boat.

…There is NO County-wide sewer system in any plans for the next several years.

…It is best to have your septic system inspected every 3-5 years maximum.

…If you use well water and have not used the well in a few months it is best to shock it and let it sit for about 4 hours before using the well indoors.

President Cataldo thanked our guest speakers for their remarks.

Secretary’s Report:  Bill La Monte (September Volunteer)

The minutes of the August 2008 meeting were approved by the board and on file.

Treasurer’s Report:  Bill Lindenmuth, is on vacation and no treasurer report was provided.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Planning & Development:  Jack Saunders

Met on August 15^th.  The majority of the meeting was designed for the committee to review priorities and establish a list of those priorities.  Next meeting set for Sept. 19^th.

Nominating:  Laura Kolb

Stated there is still a need for Director’s in Halifax and Brunswick County’s and that there is still a need for a Secretary.

Lake Environment & Aquatic Weed:  Vernon Wilson

Met on August 20th .  Bill Lindenmuth participated in a conference with the Corps of Engineers.  Kerr Lake is losing 1 ½ to 2 feet of water a week due to the drought.  Requested volunteers to help with a Corps of Engineers initiative to re-vegetate Lake Gaston with native vegetation.  LEM’s can start doing the fall survey of the lake to determine type and quantities of lake vegetation.

Mr. Johnson stated there is still a need for LEM volunteers so that the whole lake can be surveyed.

Safety:  Jack Saunders

Initiated a program to recognize volunteer Fire Departments and Rescue Squads around the lake.  The first plaque goes to the Lake Gaston Volunteer Fire Department.  State Representative Wray is the sponsor of a North Carolina Bill  mandating a safe boating course for all boat operators. 

Membership:  David Duxbury

Talked about the tax list letters ‘success in getting 55 new members (including 2 lifetime) in Halifax and Northampton Counties.  Stated the membership renewal letters will start going out on November 1^st.  He commented on the success of the LGA booth at the, just completed, Littleton Festival. 

Government Relations:  Larry Jolly

Met on 17 August.  The speaker for November will be Tony Brown, Halifax County Manager.  Commented on the Letter that went to all of the N.C. Legislature, and other agencies, requesting legislation that would allow lake area property owners, who live in other parts of the state, be able to vote on local lake issues without having to change the primary place of residence.  He also discussed the letter to Warren County concerning the proposed East Coast Boat landing pad (LGA stance is to not allow similar boating facilities within ½ mile of each other.  He also stated that there has been no recent activity on Lake Side Commons request to allow a water treatment plant on Pea hill Creek (this plant would allow for treated sewage to be dumped into Pea Hill Creek).  Mecklenburg Co. denied a request for a privately owned shooting range in the county.  The rezoning issue for Brunswick Co. was defeated by a tie vote of Commissioners.  There is still an active petition for Northampton Co. to add 2 new commissioners to their board.  Next meeting September 29^th.

Marketing:  Bill La Monte

Commented on the success of the LGA booth at the Littleton Festival.  Recognized Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Johnson for providing the outstanding aquatic plant display at the LGA booth.  Two different groups stated that the LGA booth was the best, most informative   booth at the festival.  N.C. Representatives Michael Wray and John Shearin visited the booth and were quite interested in our aquatic plants display. Four new LGA members were signed up. Marketing is developing a plan for encouraging business owners to join the LGA and is spearheading the revival of the Realtor, new property owners, membership package.  The next marketing initiative will be the Halifax Co. Fair in October.  The first Marketing Committee meeting will be in October with a date yet to be determined.

Executive Director:  Moira Underwood

See attached Executive Director Report.

President Comments;  Emphasized the need for new Directors and the need for new Chair-persons to replace those that are about to have their tenure expire.  Emphasized the need for all Directors to complete their Pre-retreat Questionnaires and their Alert Notification Lists.

OLD BUSINESS:  None

NEW BUSINESS: 

…A motion was presented (by Doug Hughes) to complete the Tax List mail-outs to Warren, Mecklenburg and Brunswick County’s. It was seconded by Bill La Monte and after discussion was approved by voice acclamation. 

…The board was reminded of the Retreat on 25 September, at the church, from 9AM to 3PM.  Morning snacks/coffee and lunch will be provided. 

…A guest questioned the location of the mile-marker buoy’s and was advised that, if not moved by non-qualified personnel (one reported as over ¼ mile inland), they follow the river bed and should provide adequate water depth for any boat.  Later checking identified this information as incorrect.  The buoys do not follow the old river bed and sometimes are in water with insufficient depth for boats.  While they are an aid to navigation, they do not always mark deep water or follow the river bed and boaters should become familiar with the lake and are encouraged to use depth meters.

…HURRICANE ALERT:  Even though these minutes will be distributed too late for the membership. It was reported that the lake would be lowered in anticipation of Hurricane Hanna’s arrival on the 6^th.  The LGA would send out a membership e mail advising of the lowered lake levels.  It was reported that lake residents could use Sea Tow to help retrieve run-away boats and that personnel should report debris on the lake to the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  

The meeting was properly adjourned at 11:35AM.

Respectfully Submitted

William F. La Monte

Acting September Secretary