KWIC Meetings
Jan ~ Feb ~ March ~ April ~ May ~ June ~ July ~ August ~ Sept ~ October ~ Nov ~ Dec
KWIC MEETING August 24, 2009
KEUKA WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT COOPERATIVE (KWIC)
MINUTES OF AUGUST 24, 2009
BARRINGTON TOWN HALL
Chair Dawn Dowdle called the meeting to order at 7:15 following a short KLOC meeting. Directors in attendance were: Dawn Dowdle (Wayne), John Socha (Milo), Eileen Farnan (Barrington), Anne Green, (Hammondsport), Daryl Jones (Jerusalem.) Manager Paul Bauter was in attendance and the following guests attended Bill Laffin Milo, KLA; Bob Worden, Jerusalem, KLA; John Webster, Urbana, KLA ; Peter Landre, Cornell Cooperative Education; Sue Lange, Barrington, KLA.
The minutes of the July 27 meeting were approved on motion from Jones and Farnan.
The Treasurer’s report from Bookkeeper Jack Snow was approved upon noting that expenses were on budget at 55% but income at 69% was a little low. Motion and second by Socha and Jones.
The Manager’s Report was made by Paul Bauter. It was noted that Pulteney will be having another meeting to work out how they will catch up on inspections. Two summons for failure to have inspections have been filed with town courts. The other 18 will be filed when the Manager has time. The Manager will email Directors as these are filed. Discussion pointed out that the Justices should understand that a fine is appropriate even if remedial action has been taken because it has cost KWIC money to do the filings. Paul also handed out a fact sheet on a new invasive invertebrate found in Oneida Lake, hemimysis anomala, a small mysid shrimp or bloody red shrimp. The seriousness of this invasion is yet to be determined.
Keuka Lake Looking Ahead: Peter Landre distributed a report that the KLA has done for the September 2009 KLA Newsletter on the issue of hydrofracking for natural gas recovery. This method is proposed in the areas of marcellus shale as more efficient than more conventional methods of recovery. A discussion followed concerning just what control Towns have over gas recovery and since it is a state permit, except for controlling the damage to Town Roads there is little that can be done. Land owners are cautioned to be informed about all aspects of the process before signing contracts. There are some who suggest that in a few years this area’s economy will be based on the gas recovery industry.
Landre also distributed information on another invasive aquatic plant, the water chestnut, which has been found in the Penn Yan marsh near the outlet. Yates County is forming a
task force on this issue but in the meantime with the help of students and others the solution to hold back this plant will be to pull the plants out. We have no word on Steuben County’s actions.
Other Business:
Job Descriptions of Manager and Inspectors. This issue partly arose through the evaluation of the Manager by Directors Jones and Farnan. Jones explained that he felt they needed revision, in particular in the Manager’s description 1)a) Evaluate site conditions for wastewater system installation; b) Review designs for new or replacement wastewater systems, in compliance with waste water law, and where applicable 10NYCRR 157.1 ; and d) Certify the operation of newly installed waste water systems as inspected by watershed inspectors and design professionals. Jones felt in many cases this was duplicative efforts when an engineer has designed the system. Others spoke in opposition to the position stating that sometimes the Manager does know more about soils than the engineers and this would save the home owner future difficulties and add to the protection of the lake from failed systems. The Manager spoke to the point that in some cases his involvement was part of the Department of Health’s waiver from its inspection.
Software Program: The contract has been signed, Penn Yan will pay its $1500 share, KLA has forwarded its contribution and The Manager shall pay the deposit to DSD Web Works.
Director Farnan brought up an issue under the Uniform Mooring and Docking Law. There ensued a discussion about how to enforce the law. Some felt infringement on property lines should be left to the homeowners resorting to the courts, others felt that the towns should enforce their laws and not leave it to the homeowners themselves. The sheriffs have difficulty citing persons if they do not see the criminal act or have some proof that an act occurred.
On the same note Bob Worden submitted the report for the calendar year 2008 on the Mooring and Docking Law. 39 permanent docks were built in 2008, all were within the law and did not require variances. As the above paragraph notes however the law doesn’t prevent differences between landowners. His report also suggested that the issues continue to be monitored through 2010 and in November of 2010 either KWIC or Town Supervisors appoint a new review committee with the charge to review the experiences to date with the law and suggest any changes that may be necessary. This review committee would report by the end of August 2011 and the recommended updates would be considered by the Towns and public hearings could be held before the 2012 boating season. This would be a 5 year review for the law. The Board thanked Bob Worden for his work.
Upon motion of Dowdle and second by Farnan the Board went into Executive Session at 8:44 to review the evaluation of the Manager performed by Directors Jones and Farnan.
At 8:46 The Board came out of Executive Session. It was determined that the evaluation information would be sent by email or otherwise to all the Directors before the next meeting at which time the Board will discuss the issue.
Director Farnan bought up an email sent by the Manager earlier today but since other Board Members did not have it, it too will be postponed until the September meeting.
