Meeting Minutes

March 2025 Meeting Minutes

(Minutes are subject to approval at the April 2025 Meeting)

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: March 11th, 2025

7:00pm – 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, J. Cragin, M. Duchow, R. Frey, L. Gezelman, S. Manafort, J. McNeill, C. Scully, A.J. Singh.

Absent: R. Cyr.

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm by President, L. Gezelman.
• Motion to accept December meeting minutes made by J. McNeil, seconded by M. Duchow. Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business.

Treasurer’s Report: Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record. The budget was also discussed in advance of the April meeting.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow and will be placed on record.

Lake Report: Lake level has been going down intentionally. The level will go back up in early April. The lake company is in process for getting the permits for the treatments this year.

Event Committee Report: Trail discovery event was proposed by J. McNeill

Old Business:

• Proposed committee by S. Manafort for an erosion control project. Quotes will be solicited.
• Trail cam was purchased and will be tested this month. This is in regards to illegal dumping.
• New sand will be added to Battistoni and Moore beach. Ideas for Children’s beach were discussed.
• The rat discussion from the previous meeting came up. Suggestions about communication with the member was talked through.

New Business:

• There are a number of homes that are not hooked up to sewer in Burlington. There is some discussion, information gathering and next steps that need to happen in this regard.
• Suggestion for a bridge by Bull Pond. J. Cragin will investigate the feasibility of this project.
• No update on Avian Flu at the lake and there isn’t concern at this point.
•  

Public Comments by association members:

• Marie Simard talked proposed some erosion control ideas in the 8 acres. She will work with J. McNeill on some ideas.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:pm by J. Cragin, Seconded by M. Duchow, Motion passed.

Next board meeting is April 8^th, 2025 at 321 New Britain Ave

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

February 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: February 11th, 2025

7:00pm – 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, R. Cyr, M. Duchow, R. Frey, L. Gezelman, S. Manafort, J. McNeill, C. Scully, A.J. Singh.

Absent: C. Castrogiovanni, J. Cragin.

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept December meeting minutes made by M. Duchow, seconded by R. Cyr. Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business.

Treasurer’s Report: Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow and will be placed on record.

Lake Report: The lake company is in the process is getting our permit for 2025 to treat the lake.

Event Committee Report: N/A

Old Business:

• Trail cams were researched and purchase will be discussed.
• Lights from a house on Lake Street have been receiving complaints for their brightness. The president is going to have a conversation with the member.

New Business:

• Trail cleaning update was presented by R. Cyr.
• Avian Flu was brought up by J. McNeil. She will be the point person for any follow up from DEEP.
• Dam inspection is due for 2025. The President has contacted a company for quotes.
• S. Manafort reported that the town of Burlington will be writing grants for sidewalks on Monce Road.
• Update on a septic tank on Venice Road. S. Manafort will follow up with the town.
• Notice about grinder pumps for Burlington residents.

Public Comments by association members:

• Rat issue on Pond Street was brought up by member Margaret Hughes. The board recommended the resident call the health department and follow up with the LGIA President.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 by S. Manafort, Seconded by R. Cyr, Motion passed.

Next board meeting is March 11^th, 2025 at 321 New Britain Ave

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

January 2025 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: January 14th, 2025

7:00 pm 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, R. Cyr, J. Cragin, M. Duchow, R. Frey, L. Gezelman, S. Manafort, J. McNeill, C. Scully.

Absent: A.J. Singh

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept December meeting minutes made by, seconded by. Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business

Treasurer’s Report: Report presented by L. Gezelman and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow and will be placed on record.

Lake Report: The lake was lowered by two boards. It will stay at the current level through winter.

Event Committee Report: N/A

Old Business:

• Trail cams were researched and purchase will be discussed.
• Lights from a house on Lake Street have been receiving complaints for their brightness. The president is going to have a conversation with the member.

New Business:

• Lake contract for 2025 was received by our treatment company, The Pond and Lake Connection. The price will not be increasing for the treatment in 2025.
•  

Public Comments by association members:

• Joe Sullivan – Ponding on is happening in the road near Battistoni Beach. The president will investigate the matter.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 by J. Cragin, Seconded by C. Castrogiovanni , Motion passed.

Next board meeting is February 11^th, 2025 at 321 New Britain Ave

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

December 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: December 10th, 2024

7:00 pm 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, R. Cyr, J. Cragin, M. Duchow, R. Frey, L. Gezelman, S. Manafort, J. McNeill, C. Scully.

Absent: A.J. Singh

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept November meeting minutes made by, J. McNeill seconded by S. Manafort. Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business

Treasurer’s Report: Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record. A review of our finances was completed by an outside CPA.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow and will be placed on record.

Lake Report: The lake will be lowered by two boards in the next week. This is in preparation for winter.

Event Committee Report: Holiday Caroling will be on December 21^st at 4pm.

Old Business:

• A letter that was drafted to a member about LGIA property use was reviewed.

• The last Pollinator Pathway meeting of 2024 was last week. Discussion was had about the 8 acres and erosion control. Research and pricing was advised.

New Business:

• Lights from a house on Lake Street have been receiving complaints for their brightness. The president is going to have a conversation with the member.
• There is an ATV problem in the south end area. A barrier was proposed at the entrance of the trails.
• Clogged storm drains near Bull Pond were discussed.
• Adding wood chips to some of our trails were proposed. R. Cyr will look into this for the spring.

Public Comments by association members:

• N/A

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 by J. Cragin Seconded by S. Manafort Motion passed.

Next board meeting is January 14^th, 2024 at 321 New Britain Ave

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

November 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: November 12th, 2024

7:00 pm 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, J. Cragin, R. Cyr, R. Frey, L. Gezelman, S. Manafort, J. McNeill, A.J. Singh.

Absent: M. Duchow, C. Scully

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept October meeting minutes made by, C. Castrogiovanni seconded by J. McNeill. Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business

Treasurer’s Report: Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by L. Gezelman in place of the treasurer. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: Some boats that have been an eyesore at the beaches have been removed.

Event Committee Report: No report

Old Business:

• Surveyors have been working to identify property/boundary line markings. The president presented an email with further detail and next steps.

• E-blast to be sent out about boats being removed from the racks by December 1^st.

• Leaf removal from association property is in process.

• Lowering of the lake begins on or around December 22^nd.

• Trail camera research was presented by R. Frey. This is in relation to illegal dumping on association property.

New Business:

• R. Frey presented an idea about the history of the lake and creating a series of videos to document this.

• New sand for Battistoni beach was discussed. It will be tabled until the spring.

• R. Cyr mentioned a tree on association property near Monce Rd. that needs trimming. The president will address it.

Public Comments by association members:

• N/A

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 by J. McNeill. Seconded by S. Manafort. Motion passed.

Next board meeting is December 10^th, 2024 at 321 New Britain Ave, Farmington.

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

October 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: September 10th, 2024

7:00 pm 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, J. Cragin, M. Duchow, R. Frey, L. Gezelman, S. Manafort, J. McNeill, A.J. Singh, C. Scully

Absent: N/A

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:04 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept September meeting minutes made by J. McNeill, seconded by C. Castrogiovanni. Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business

Treasurer’s Report – Report to be presented by A.J. Singh at the general meeting and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report to be presented by M. Duchow at the general meeting. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: All lake treatments were completed. The projected cost for next years treatment will be presented to the board in January of 2025.

Event Committee Report:  No report

Old Business: None

New Business:

• Fence on Rio Road has a fence that is falling down. The president got two quotes for the repair. A motion was made by J. Cragin to spend $1,900.00 to repair the fence using Cape Cod fence company. Second by S. Manafort. Motion passes.

• R. Frey will be doing research on the purchase of trail cameras for certain areas around the lake.

• Stump on Strong Street was removed. Seven stumps on School Street will also need to be ground down. J. Cragin made a motion to spend $900.00 to grind the stumps. Second by J. McNeill. Motion passes.

• Snow plow contract was received in the amount of $25,000.00 for the next two years. This is the same amount as years past. A.J. Singh Made a motion to accept the contract. Second by M. Duchow. Motion passes.

Public Comments by association members:

•  N/A

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 by J. Cragin. Seconded by C. Castrogiovanni. Motion passed.

Next board meeting is November 12^th, 2024.

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

September 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: September 10th, 2024

7:00 pm 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, J. Cragin, M. Duchow, R. Frey, S. Manafort, J. McNeill, A.J. Singh, L. Gezelman, C. Castrogiovanni

Absent: C. Scully

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm by President, L. Gezelman
• Motion to accept August meeting minutes made by J. Cragin, seconded by J. McNeill. Motion passed.
• Board President LG called for items of new business

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: All lake treatments were completed. The projected cost for next years treatment will be presented to the board in January of 2025.

Event Committee Report:  Ice cream social in July was well attended. The regatta in August was also well attended.

Upcoming events: Chili Cookoff and Apple pie bakeoff on September 28^th. New event proposed. Trunk or treat at Children’s beach on October 31^st. A caroling event was proposed for December 21^st.

J. Mcneill will be the point person for the new policy on events/parties.

Old Business: None

New Business:

Set of rules for member guests and use of the beach for parties. S. Manafort will begin drafting a policy.

The president got a bid for a survey company to access areas around the dam. Dufour Surveying LLC gave a quote od $3,600.00 – $4,400.00. J. Cragin made a motion to spend the money for the survey. S. Manafot seconded. Motion passed.

A digital newsletter was proposed to go out quarterly by S. Manafort. S. Manafort made a motion to create the newsletter. Seconded by C. Castrogiovanni. Motion passed.

Members will be asked to remove boats from the racks for the winter. November 30^th to April 1^st is the proposed time period. It will be communicated in the newsletter and digitally.

Elections: Will be held at the October meeting.

Public Comments by association members:

• Suggestion to add the minutes to the website (with a “subject to approval”) earlier than they currently are added. This was approved.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 by J. Cragin. Seconded by S. Manafort. Motion passed.

Next meeting is October 8th

Respectively submitted by P. Anthony

August 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: June 11th, 2024

7:00 pm Battistoni Beach

Board Members:

Present: J. Cragin, M. Duchow, R. Frey, S. Manafort, C. Scully, A.J. Singh.

Absent: J. McNeil, L. Gezelman, C. Castrogiovanni, P. Anthony

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:07 pm by Vice President, J. Cragin
• Board Vice President JC called for items of new business
• Motion to approve the May meeting minutes. Motion made by M. Duchow, second by S. Manafort. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow. The report will be placed on record. Delinquent accounts continue to decrease. Tax collector to change the report format.

Lake Report: Second lake treatment was on June 11^th.

Encroachment Committee: N/A

Event Committee Report:  J.McNeil proposes to have an ice cream social an hour before the July board meeting.

Old Business:

New Business: Concerns about dogs on beaches were discussed. There have been several complaints regarding Children’s and Moore Beaches. Secretary, P. Anthony to send out an eblast reminding LGIA members of the dog rule which strictly prohibits dogs on beaches. The rule is in place per the Farmington Valley Health Department as a health concern. Also, recommend the Secretary remind members to obey all the beach and lake rules and to reiterate no fishing on beaches as loose hooks could injure bare feet in the eblast. (Add the link to the relevant pages on the website in the eblast. Also, a reminder that members are required to take out of the open spaces and beaches what they bring in.

(Also, make note: that infractions of the rules can result in a fine not exceeding three times the annual assessment ($250) for any one offence.)

J. Cragin reported that LGIA received a registered letter from Monce Road Properties, LLC regarding the demolition of Marinelli’s which will commence in the coming months. S. Manafort reported there was a delay in the demolition as the excavator’s equipment was vandalized.

C, Castrogiovanni asked via an email to the board whether moorings are allowed in the lake. (They are not)

L. Gezelman asked J. Cragin to recommend that the board increase the stipend to Madison, the young lady who cleans two of the beaches of goose droppings by two dollars. S. Manafort made a motion to increase Madison’s stipend by two dollars; M. Duchow seconded. Motion passed.

Comments by association members:

-Brian Simard commented on youth fishing off the new boardwalk on the trail just off Battistoni beach and leaving behind trash.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 by S. Manafort. Seconded by M. Duchow. Motion passed.

The summer meeting schedule is as follows:

-Children’s Beach on July 9th

-Moore Beach in August 13th

Next meeting is July 9^th, 2024, at 7:00 pm Children’s Beach.

Respectively submitted by C. Scully filling in for P. Anthony

June 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: June 11th, 2024

7:00 pm Battistoni Beach

Board Members:

Present: J. Cragin, M. Duchow, R. Frey, S. Manafort, C. Scully, A.J. Singh.

Absent: J. McNeil, L. Gezelman, C. Castrogiovanni, P. Anthony

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:07 pm by Vice President, J. Cragin
• Board Vice President JC called for items of new business
• Motion to approve the May meeting minutes. Motion made by M. Duchow, second by S. Manafort. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow. The report will be placed on record. Delinquent accounts continue to decrease. Tax collector to change the report format.

Lake Report: Second lake treatment was on June 11^th.

Encroachment Committee: N/A

Event Committee Report:  J.McNeil proposes to have an ice cream social an hour before the July board meeting.

Old Business:

New Business: Concerns about dogs on beaches were discussed. There have been several complaints regarding Children’s and Moore Beaches. Secretary, P. Anthony to send out an eblast reminding LGIA members of the dog rule which strictly prohibits dogs on beaches. The rule is in place per the Farmington Valley Health Department as a health concern. Also, recommend the Secretary remind members to obey all the beach and lake rules and to reiterate no fishing on beaches as loose hooks could injure bare feet in the eblast. (Add the link to the relevant pages on the website in the eblast. Also, a reminder that members are required to take out of the open spaces and beaches what they bring in.

(Also, make note: that infractions of the rules can result in a fine not exceeding three times the annual assessment ($250) for any one offence.)

J. Cragin reported that LGIA received a registered letter from Monce Road Properties, LLC regarding the demolition of Marinelli’s which will commence in the coming months. S. Manafort reported there was a delay in the demolition as the excavator’s equipment was vandalized.

C, Castrogiovanni asked via an email to the board whether moorings are allowed in the lake. (They are not)

L. Gezelman asked J. Cragin to recommend that the board increase the stipend to Madison, the young lady who cleans two of the beaches of goose droppings by two dollars. S. Manafort made a motion to increase Madison’s stipend by two dollars; M. Duchow seconded. Motion passed.

Comments by association members:

-Brian Simard commented on youth fishing off the new boardwalk on the trail just off Battistoni beach and leaving behind trash.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 by S. Manafort. Seconded by M. Duchow. Motion passed.

The summer meeting schedule is as follows:

-Children’s Beach on July 9th

-Moore Beach in August 13th

Next meeting is July 9^th, 2024, at 7:00 pm Children’s Beach.

Respectively submitted by C. Scully filling in for P. Anthony

May 2024 Meeting Minutes

Lake Garda Improvement Association

Board Meeting Minutes: May 14th, 2024

7:00 pm 321 New Britain Ave – Farmington Senior Center

Board Members:

Present: P. Anthony, C. Castrogiovanni, J. Cragin, M. Duchow, R. Frey, L. Gezelman, S. Manafort, C. Scully, A.J. Singh.

Absent: J. McNeil.

Quorum present? Yes

Proceedings:

• Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm by Chair, L. Gezelman
• Board President LG called for items of new business
• Motion to approve the April meeting minutes. Motion made by C. Castrogiovanni, second by S. Manafort. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report – Report presented by A.J. Singh and will be placed on record.

Tax Collector Report: Report presented by M. Duchow. The report will be placed on record.

Lake Report: First treatment for the lake will be on Friday 5/17.  This is the first year of a new three year contract so there was a slight delay in the timing of the first treatment. Further discussion was had about the logistics of the treatments.

Encroachment Committee: N/A

Event Committee Report:  N/A

Old Business:

New Business: Paddleboarding Club was proposed by S. Manafort. An email will go out on June 4th to the membership with details.

-The fishing area at Battistoni Beach will need a new sign and an additional email about fishing hooks at the beaches and the importance of keeping tackle organized and respecting the property.

Comments by association members:

-Marie Simard commented on the new signs at the beaches and how great they look.

-Marie also asked for the board to consider the grate in Bull Pond to be cleaned regularly as her husband has been doing it without compensation and she requested he be compensated for his efforts. The board will discuss this matter.

-She also mentioned and showed pictures of erosion in one of the coves and had a quote for shrubs that could potentially help with the problem. S. Manafort made a motion to spend up to $500.00 for a Pollinator Pathways project to buy and plant the plants. Seconded by A.J. Singh. Motion passed.

-A comment about insurance came up and was answered by the President and board members.

-Comments about regulation changes of Airbnb’s and what that means for the association. We will be monitoring what the towns of Farmington and Burlington do prior to taking any action.

-The Facebook page needs to be updated. That will be handled by board members.

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 byJ. Cragin. Seconded by S. Manafort. Motion passed.

The summer meeting schedule is as follows:

-Battistoni Beach on June 11th

-Children’s Beach on July 9th

-Moore Beach in August 13th

Next meeting is June 11^th 2024 at 7:00 pm Battistoni Beach.