Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Greensboro Association
August 17, 2009 (REV 1)
President Niall Kirkwood called the meeting to order in Fellowship Hall at 7:37 pm.
He informed everyone of the change in format to have 2 committee reports during the meeting, each lasting approximately 10 minutes, and that all committee reports were available in written form in the back of the room.
Introduction of the new Secretary, Stephanie Osterhout
1. Niall read a list of the Greensboro residents who have passed away since the last annual meeting. There was a minute of silence in remembrance.
2. It was moved and seconded to approve the Minutes of the August 18, 2008 Annual Meeting
3. Anne Stephens announced the 2009 Greensboro Award recipient - Irwin Salls, Jr.
* She read the Greensboro Select Board remarks and a short biography of his accomplishments. Jr.’s response: “You give back what you get. I love this town.” Next spring, he wishes to ask the voters to build a new fire station.
4. Greensboro Board of Selectmen, Peter Gebbie, made announcements
* Town of Greensboro will no longer be plowing driveways with town equipment
* Town plan suggests widening the paved portion of the road around the lake by 2-4 feet to make a bike path on the lake side. It will crowd some trees and possibly call for some tree removal. If there’s a lot of opposition, it will not happen.
* It won’t eliminate the sidewalk on Breezy Ave. The path will mostly be on Craftsbury Rd. and be a slow process of weekly smoothing out the road, putting gravel and sand down before the road is actually widened. Question was raised as to why the widening would be on the lake side rather than the other side. Tree and brush removal on the lake side would potentially lead to shore erosion.
* The discussion will be continued at the meeting scheduled for 7pm Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at Fellowship Hall.
5. Police Report by Hardwick Police Chief Joe LaPorte
* Two officers have left since last August to pursue other jobs
* The DARE program was reinstated at Lakeview Union last year
* The police department was “level funded” (which means budgeting the dollars necessary to keep the same level of service and programs from the previous year). This created the need to come up with creative ways of funding new projects that wouldn’t affect taxpayers. They applied for and received 3 grants:
1. Homeland Security Project - allowed the department to get computers in 2 cruisers
2. Justice Administrative Grant for $29600 - got training, equipment and computers
3. Cops Grant - received complete salary and benefits for one officer for 3 years. This is a rare grant to receive and they are very fortunate.
* Introduction of new police officer, Michael Pellagi, and his canine partner, Ottose, who specializes in narcotics and tracking.
* Question asked about how they would characterise the area’s drug problem - some marijuana and pill use. Unemployed people are stealing to keep their drug habit going. Cocaine and heroin are not a big problem.
* In Greensboro, there were a couple of break-ins this year. Suggestions for summer residents for winter house safety: use dead bolt locks, have someone watch your house over the winter, don’t leave valuables in sight, have night lighting, keep trees away from your house so it’s harder for people to hide.
* Greensboro Bend has a small group that “needs restraining”
* The Greensboro arson case is under investigation
* The Chief reminded people of the police department phone numbers, 472-5475 or 472-6127, and to call for more security information.
6. Committee Reports
* Lake Report - Andy Dales (see written report for detailed information)
* The lake is milfoil free and 2009 clarity is about the same as last year’s.
* New maps are available at Willey’s.
* Questions asked:
* What’s the closest lake that has zebra mussels? Lake Champlain. We look for these but the babies are almost impossible to see. People must steam clean boats and feet before entering lake to avoid having them enter Caspian.
* Who owns the boat ramp? Hardwick Electric-the state of Vermont owns all others
Grants - Tara Reynolds (see written report for detailed information)
* The list of grant recipients was read.
* Question asked: How do you apply for a grant for the town cemeteries? The Greensboro Association is only funding current recipients and there are no new grant applications being accepted.
7. Niall summarized the remaining reports and recognized each committee chair and report author.
8. New Business
* Nominating Committee report - Celia Crawford read current board members and officers
* Board of Trustees, Class of 2012: David Broad, Margaret Daniels, Carolyn King, Niall Kirkwood, Noeleen McIntyre, Annie Paumgarten, John Stone
* Officers of the Association:
* President: Niall Kirkwood
* 1st Vice President: Andy Dales, Class of 2010
* 2nd Vice President: Michael Porrazzo, Class of 2011
* 3rd Vice President: John Stone III, Class of 2012
* Treasurer: Rick Lovett
* Asst. Treasurer: Bud Harvey
* Secretary: Stephanie Osterhout
* It was moved and seconded to accept the slate.
Proposed Ad-hoc Committee on Vermont taxation structure and its effect on Greensboro - John Stone III
* John invited people to help and work will begin on this over the winter.
9. Treasurer’s Report - Rick Lovett
* Greensboro Association is in great shape with a year end balance of $35,000
* The budget reflects the new ad-hoc committee and lake pamphlets
* Each year revenue exceeds expenses by about $3000
10. Auditor’s Report - Stephanie Herrick
* Nothing is out of order but she reminded people that since she no longer has her license, it’s not an officially audited report.
11. President’s Report - Niall Kirkwood
* Thanked membership and the following people for their part in the Greensboro Association: Sheral Lumsden, Celia Crawford, Stephanie Osterhout, Greensboro Association committees, Doug Kirtz, Annie Paumgarten, Andy Dales, Cilla Bonney-Smith, Marion Stegner, Michele Mackin and Anne Cassidy
12. New Greensboro Association website - John Stone III
* Purpose of new website is to reach a broader audience and maintain fresh content and to try to serve more Greensboro Association members (and extended family, renters).
* Provides news, local information, calendar of events, site member directory (which is not necessarily the same as the Greensboro Association membership), resource directory, photo gallery, google maps. People are invited to submit articles, photos and events.
* Gave general overview of site, including how to submit calendar items. Linda Ely and John Stone screen all items and member submissions.
* Question asked:
* How can we share information with non members? The articles are emailable and don’t require membership to view.
* What is public versus private information? The directory is accessible to registered users of the site, the calendar is public.
* Short discussion of putting on an electronic “Willey’s Wall”
13. Closing remarks by Niall Kirkwood. Remember to sign up for website and buy maps at Willey’s.
* The next annual meeting is August 16, 2010 at 7:30pm in Fellowship Hall.
* The meeting ended at 9:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Osterhout, Secretary
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