1.  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.

2.  All board members were in attendance.

3.  A motion was made to accept the minutes from the previous meeting.

4.  An update was given on Jackson and Warren beach improvements.  Sand will be delivered May 17; after leveling sand, Tom Consolato will bring machinery to Warren Beach and place gravel for the new shed area.  The old storage unit was removed from Warren Beach.   The town sold it for $190; this will be incorporated in the park district budget.  Volunteers will be requested to assist with pulling weeds, setting up rope lanes with floats for swimming, etc.   Hank will coordinate work to be performed.  New signs will be put up at both beaches as well as all other preparation required for this year’s beach season.  

5.   A discussion was had regarding the storage unit at the ball field.  Joe D’Elia previously stated that it leaks and the board can dispose of it.  Further discussion will continue at next month’s meeting as to whether the unit should be kept or not.  

6.  Dede gave an update on the NYSFOLA conference attended by two board members and an additional volunteer.  One issue that is currently prevalent this year in all surrounding lakes is blue-green algae.  There cannot be any of this algae type in any swim area; otherwise, the Board of Health can close the beaches until testing is complete.  She further explained the protocol for CSLAP.  Allied Biological will start testing next week or the week thereafter; CSLAP will start within the month and will run sixteen weeks from the start.  An overview was given by Dede concerning remediation methods used to manage lake ecology.

7.  Safety issues - John stated there is a lot of fishing at both beaches.  Also, it was discussed that speeding vehicles are an issue by both Warren and Jackson beaches.  Dede indicated that she had spoken to Russ from the Patterson Highway Dept. concerning this; a possible solution was a temporary speed bump that may be installed on Waterford Road by Warren Beach during summer months to slow traffic down.  Also, signs may go up advising 15 mph speed limit at both beaches.   

8.   Parking at both beaches was discussed.  It was explained that cones were used to section off  ’no parking’ areas in front of the beach entrances in the past which was very effective.   Discussion was had regarding no parking signs in designated areas and possibly painting no parking lines.  Further discussion will ensue at the next meeting after further review of the beach areas.  

9.  Health Department - a detailed review was discussed to inform and confirm lifeguard requirements, water depth markings, weed control, and any additional safety issues prior to the beach inspections on May 22 with Ann Bittner.  

10.  It was mentioned that the town is charging a fee to the Park District for announcements posted at the VFW bulletin board.   Options were considered as to whether a new bulletin board should be utilized by the District only to keep residents informed.  Mike advised the fire department is also looking into a new bulletin board for their announcements.   All board members were in agreement that a joint effort might be considered that would benefit both organizations and the community.  This item will be researched and discussed at future meetings.

11.  The board discussed it will be the lifeguards’ responsibility to put up and take down fencing to prevent geese from getting on the beaches.  Also, keys should be given to senior lifeguards for their duties.  Duane discussed the fee schedule as well; it will follow suit with the prior PLCC payment schedule.  Senior Guards have a tiered pay scale from $12 to $13, junior guards earn $10 to $11 based on experience.  The supervising lifeguard will earn $14.00 per hour and has additional responsibilities such as scheduling.  

12.  Lawn bids will be approved on May 22 at the town board meeting.  

13.  It was discussed that a resident constructed a dock on parkland property without authorization, violating town code and the town is currently investigating.  

14.  Swim team - Veronica will advise when she will advertise for this; Dede will follow-up.  

15.  Swim lessons - waiting for BOHA/notification to allow beaches to be open and the PAB is still looking for volunteers to teach the class.

16.  Swim team - Duane compiled the swim team budget for the town board’s authorization, as well as recommendations for this purpose.   The board discussed the registration fees and tiered structure within, as well as the head coaches salary of $1,000.   As in the past, the coaches received one stipend at the end of season.   Registration forms and budget will be submitted to the town board for approval.  

17.  The board discussed beach, parkland usage for Connecticut residents with deeded lake rights.   A fee of $100 per household was unanimously voted on.  Duane created a registration form for this purpose; a boat registration form is included as well.  The fee is required in order to register boat(s) for storage on the parklands, since these residents are not paying taxes to the district.  

18.  Dede advised that she spoke to Green Chimneys and they have volunteers that may assist in the future with park district clean-up.

19.  Mike gave an update on the ball field; he advised that Joe is working on the baseball teams’ roster; also, the leaning post is to be fixed.  Other particulars were discussed; Mike and Hank will work together and coordinate with Joe regarding the repairs needed as well as fencing repair/replacement.

20.  Meeting was adjourned.

1.  The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.

2.  All board members were in attendance.

3.  A motion was made to accept the minutes from the previous meeting.

4.  Dede gave updates on the status of Jackson and Warren beach improvements; they are on schedule for the summer season.

5.  The lake study will begin the end of May.  Allied Biological will perform the study and testing will coincide with CSLAP monitoring.   This added benefit will enable the PAB to receive analysis of potential problems from two separate organizations.  

6.  Further discussion continued regarding the CSLAP program; the focus will be on lake management and water quality monitoring.  This will be received at the NYSFOLA annual conference held from May 3 to May 5 in Hamilton, NY.   All expenses of attending the conference were paid by the volunteers attending.

7.  Dede explained that this year the PAB saved money due to the acceptance in the CSLAP program (a $45,000 savings), and the lake study costs through Allied Biological are less than budgeted.  Duane further explained that the PAB budgeted $25,000 for a lake study in 2013; projected fees from Allied Biological will be approximately $7,000 for this year; the difference of $18,000 will be carried over to next year’s budget if not used, and all excess monies will be allocated for remediation.  Additionally, the PAB will be working with the DEC to compare data.   The PAB will have a baseline with professional data to gauge improvements, enabling the board to better qualify for potential, grant funding.  

8.  Swim Team - the team received approximately $3,000 last year from registration fees.  Swim team parents were invited to attend the meeting and an open discussion continued regarding particulars.   Fee schedule covered swim team coaches but not all lifeguards’ fees associated with swim team last year.  Discussion was had as to whether the mandatory $20.00 per family concession fee should continue, or increase registration fees to compensate.   General consensus was that the concession stand should continue and be run by parents/organizers independent of the Park District.  

9.  Mike advised that there have been several incidents of robberies and break-ins to cars in Putnam Lake very recently.  He cautioned that everyone should remember to lock cars at all times, even when at the beaches.

10.  The board asked for community input regarding swim lessons.  The PAB is currently seeking anyone interested in teaching lessons.  Those interested should contact Veronica Roche or the Putnam Lake Park District website.

11.  The PAB said that there will be volunteers available at the market within the next couple of weeks to notify and make available to the community beach ID bracelets, boat storage registration, swim team sign up, etc.

12.  Dede advised the board is currently working on providing a public notice (informational mailer) to all residents.  

13.  Discussions were had regarding the mowing of beach areas.  A town bid is currently out that includes the mowing of Warren, Fairfield, Jackson, Johnson, Hudson, and Interlaken beaches, as well as the ball field.  

14.  Meeting was adjourned.

1.  Swim team discussions continued with Veronica Roche.   She suggested incorporating a $5.00 increase per child for registration this year.  The new fee schedule is:  $70 for first child; $40 for the second; $20.00 for the third.   It was decided that the Park District will collect registration fees.   This will pay for lifeguard, base salary of coaches and organizational dues.  The swim team organizers/parents can decide on creating a booster club, and the monies raised would be used at the discretion of the team.  Duane indicated that right now the district has to pay out to cover fees for the team.  It will cost $3,600 to open the swim team, and at last year’s registration of 58 participants, the cost is $61.00 per child.  The income last year was $2,970; therefore, the taxpayers would be paying for an approximate $600 deficit.  It was suggested to try and get membership up and booster money increased.   Veronica mentioned team merchandise for fittings and purchase is scheduled in May.  Dede will coordinate with Veronica to go over particulars.

2.  Lake Quality - three volunteers will be going to the NYSFOLA conference this weekend; will advise of items discussed upon return.

3.  Daily Operations  - no update at this time.

4.  Portosans - two will be delivered at Warren beach as soon as possible.

5.  Dede will make arrangements with Antoinette Kopeck regarding residents picking up wristbands and boat stickers at the market for their convenience.

6.  Warren and Jackson beaches are being scheduled to open on May 27; pre-season inspection with Ann Bittner from the Putnam County Health Department will take place mid May.  Weeds will be pulled on both beaches on May 11 and 12.   The board will continue with projects for inspection approval.  Specifics are:  Hank will put the ladders on rafts, float lines and buoys will be ordered and secured, signage will go up, etc.  Also, the town will be auctioning the existing shed at Warren Beach in the near future.  

7.  Dede advised that a policy and recommendation for Connecticut residents with deeded lake rights was put forth.  Connecticut (out-of-district) residents are subject to the same laws in Chapter 116 as all other residents.  Duane created a separate registration form for these residents, but may modify it to include boat registration as well.  He’ll advise at the next meeting.  CT residents will pay a $100 registration fee for use of the beaches and parklands, and then they can get their boats registered and tagged.    There was discussion about including a small percentage of out-of-district residents, particularly those who have previously utilized the beaches.  It was decided that the parklands are being held for the deed-holders only.

8.  The board approved Tom Consolato to continue with parkland improvements at Warren Beach.  Bids TBA for renting machinery for improvements, as well as new sand to be placed on the beach.  

9.  New garbage and recycling containers will be purchased for the beaches.  A dumpster will be considered in addition to weekly pickup based on the amount of garbage collected.   

10.  Dede advised the lawn bid has to be approved on May 22.  Vinny from 845 will be contacted in the interim for mowing the ball field; the board approved.

11.   Mike advised that Joe D’Elia paid $10,455 to the town towards the men’s softball league.  The balance will be paid next week.  Mike will call the town to follow-up.

12.  Tracfones - Duane advised purchasing two Tracfones for $50 each, totaling $100.  The phones will be utilized by lifeguards on duty at Warren and Jackson beaches for emergency purposes.    

13.  Other business - Ball field - Mike gave an update.  Joe asked for supplies in the amount of $422 to make repairs at the field.  The board discussed whether to repair or replace fencing in the near future.  The budget will be reviewed by the board and further discussion will ensue at the next meeting.  Hank and Mike will discuss any supplies needed with Joe for maintaining the field.

14.  Boats on the parklands – Two stickers were created to notify residents that (1) Registration stickers are required for storing boats on the parklands and (2) if a boat is to be removed for non-compliance with chapter 116.  The board approved the notices.  Stickers will be placed on boats without registration stickers this season.

15.  Duane distributed an updated, working budget for the board’s review.

16.  Meeting was adjourned.