Updated: Thursday, October 5,2006 11:45am

Welcome: Commissioner and President Ralph Whedon welcomed members.
A quorum was determined to be present with 15 camps represented: Cutliffe, Field, Foster, Gabranski, Greenwood, Griffin, McWilley’s, Parker, Pendse, Rohn, Sewall, Whedon, Wight, Willey and our hosts, Marty and Barbara Wolfe.

I. Secretary’s Report: Motion: To accept the minutes from the 2005 annual meeting. S/P.

II. Treasurer’s Report: Becky Foster reported. Total expenses exceeded the money available. There is an outstanding amount of $1500 due to Dugas construction. See attached. (The Shurtleff Co.sent a refund check for the amount paid in advance to them. Dugas Construction was chosen to do the roadwork in 2005 and 2006.
Motion: To accept the Treasurer’s report. S/P. The 2005 tax return and bank information are available to review upon request. Report provided.

III. Road Work completed this past year: Ralph reported on the work accomplished this year and explained how the road and brushing needs to be maintained. There was a discussion as to whether we need to do the calcium treatment each year. The Hydro removed some brush under their lines on the left side of the road last year, but the other side needs attention. Ralph was asked to check with the City to see what if anything they will offer for additional road service. The agreement currently is they will provide manpower and equipment. Would ditching and brushing qualify?

IV. Plans for The Upcoming Year’s Maintenance. Ditching and brush removal really needs to be done as soon as possible and continued in future years. It was agreed we would continue applying the calcium chloride and fine material as well as annual pothole filling.

Concern was expressed about the vandalized milfoil sign at the beginning of the road. Carol Gabranski will call on it.

V. Branch Pond Association: Carol Gabranski reported their Annual Meeting is July 29, 9:00 at the Ellsworth High School. Concern was expressed that the meeting is on a Saturday. (Friday night was a more popular option.) Also, when are the dues due and how much? Carol will take our concerns to the meeting.

VI. Election of Officers and Directors: Motion: To maintain the Officers and Directors from the previous year, President/Commissioner: Ralph Whedon, Treasurer: Becky Foster, Clerk: Susan McKay, Directors: John Gabranski, Paul Wight and Marty Wolfe S/P.

VII. Other Business:
A. FY 06-07 Budget: The feeling of the members assembled was the assessment isn’t high enough to keep the road in good shape. Motion: To increase the annual assessment to $125. S/P unanimously. Becky asked people to pay their assessment as soon as possible so she can pay off the $1500 owed to Dugas Construction.

B. Special Thanks to: The Wolfe’s for again hosting the annual meeting.

IX. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 11:00

Respectfully submitted:
Susan W. McKay, Clerk

I. Secretary’s Report: Motion: To accept the minutes from the 2004 annual meeting. S/P.

II. Treasurer’s Report: Becky Foster reported. Total expenses by the time the bills she has left to pay will approach $4,000. She expects to have about a $200 balance remaining. See attached. The Shurtleff Co.sent a refund check for the amount paid to them. Another company was chosen to do the roadwork because Becky and Ralph were not comfortable with Shurtleff who required their full payment in advance. The new company did a great job for $1600. (Becky has yet to cash the Shurtleff check but will this coming week,) The expense of approximately $1900 for the culvert work is also too recent to be shown on the written report. Almost costs shot up this year. Motion: To accept the Treasurer’s report as verbally amended. S/P. An updated treasurer’s report will be provided to members with the minutes and assessment notice. The 2004 tax return and bank information are available to review upon request.

III. Road Work completed this year: Ralph reported on the work accomplished this year and explained how the road and ditches need to be maintained. There was a discussion as to whether we need to do the calcium treatment each year and it was explained we are doing the annual minimum now: If we had to do major work on the entire road in one season, it would cost about $10 a foot, totaling over $50,000. Pothole filling and culvert work was completed and we had a few wash out areas. Dirt to fill extra potholes is sitting near Ralph’s driveway and he could use help getting it disbursed/relocated. The City continues to do the plowing and grading. Apparently they did not sand this year which would have been at our expense. The Hydro removed some brush under their lines on the left side of the road.

IV. Plans for The Upcoming Year’s Maintenance. Ditching and brush removal really needs to be done with the project as soon as possible and continued in future years. Calcium Chloride will need to be applied in the coming year as well as annual pothole filling. He doesn’t anticipate major culvert work next year. Concerns were expressed about the rocks and road quality of Branchview on which we travel to reach Branchview North. Becky will call the City about that road since they are supposed to maintain it.

V. Branch Pond Association: Carol Gabranski reported their Annual Meeting is July 30, 9:00 at the Ellsworth High School. On Monday the 18^th is a public hearing on the Branch Pond Water Supply Ordinance. While it is not perfect, she believes it will be helpful. There were questions on the jet ski usage by visitors whose watercraft might carry invasive plants and why the dam wasn’t opened enough to reduce the damage done by the high water this spring. Those questions can be addressed at the Branch Pond Association meeting on the 18^th. Carol asked people to watch for invasive plants on their shorelines.

VI. Election of Officers and Directors: Motion: To maintain the Officers and Directors from the previous year, President/Commissioner: Ralph Whedon, Treasurer: Becky Foster, Clerk: Susan McKay Directors: John Gabranski, Paul Wight and Marty Wolfe S/P. Carol Gabranski installed the officers.

VII. Other Business:
A. FY 05-06 Budget: We reduced the dues to $75 a few years ago. Expenses require going back to $100. Motion: To accept Treasurer Becky Foster’s recommendation to increase the annual assessment to $100. S/P with one opposed. Becky asked people to pay their assessment as soon as possible.
B. Late Payers: There is a concern about people paying their assessment, due by September 1^st, after the 120 day grace period. Becky recommended changing the penalty for late members to encourage paying on time. Motion: Change the late penalty to $5.00 after January 1^st and increasing in additional $5.00 increments each month the dues are not paid. S/P.
C. Special Thanks to: The Wolfe’s for again hosting the annual meeting.

IX. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 11:15.

Respectfully submitted:
Susan W. McKay, Clerk

North Branchview Drive Road Association

III. Treasurer’s Report: Ralph Whedon presented Becky Foster’s report. The report incorrectly lists expenditure for the City of Ellsworth as paid in August 04. It should be August 03 and no bill was attached as stated. See attached. Motion to accept as amended, S/P. The tax return and bank information were available to review.

IV. Road Work: Ralph reported on the work, which has been accomplished: The road was plowed and sanded this winter by the City of Ellsworth. Bernie, the City’s grader operator had marked some rocks in the road for removal but the company contracted to do the work couldn’t do it in time so next year the rocks as well as brush removal will need to be done. The small limbs on the road side tend to break the windshield in the grader so they need to be trimmed back. Ralph trimmed some for this year. So money for trimming and rock removal will be needed next year. The Calcium was applied with a little help from Paul Wight and Family. No one had any other comments or questions about the road other than to agree it was in very good shape.

VI. Branch Pond Association: Ralph passed out materials from the BPA on soil erosion and another on caring for septic systems. Paul Wight reported Van Tyrell is moving in August and the Association is looking for someone to carry on the work he and his wife Susan have been doing. Their meeting is July 24.

VII. Lake Smart: Gibby Griffin reported on a new program concerning how one can protect their property and the lake. Don Hayes heads this group which will come to your property and tell you how you are doing from an environmental standpoint. She handed up a brochure on the project. Call Don Hayes in Ellsworth for more information.

VIII. Election of Officers and Directors: Motion: To maintain the Officers and Directors from the previous year, President/Commissioner: Ralph Whedon, Treasurer: Becky Foster, Clerk: Susan McKay Directors: John Gabranski, Paul Wight and Marty Wolfe S/P.

IX. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 11:00.

Respectfully submitted
Susan W. McKay, Clerk

Special Thanks to: The Wolfe’s for again hosting the annual meeting.

II. Secretary’s Report: Motion: To accept the minutes from the 2002 annual meeting. S/P.

III. Treasurer’s Report: Sue McKay presented the report. See attached. Motion to accept as presented, S/P. The tax return and bank info were available to review.

IV. Road Work: Paul reported this past winter the road was plowed late in the season and salted. We haven’t gotten a bill for the salt. The road was treated with calcium chloride again this spring resulting in a hard smooth surface with no dust. Our road is in great shape, thanks to years of treatments.

V. Branch Pond Association: The BPA 21st annual meeting is this Saturday at Ellsworth High School at 8:30 am. Paul encouraged all to attend. They have worked very hard on the boat landing and invasive aquatic plants issues. The hope is to use the existing boat launch by the dam. Make improvements including adding toilets and a system for checking the crafts for plants. Tim King, the former City Manager, had a plan laid out but now with him gone, who knows.
Carol Gabranski reported on the invasive plants and emphasized the importance of BPA Membership and involvement. Their involvement in the original boat launch was significant in the defeat of that original proposal. Their dues can be paid on the website.
Hydrilla is the most recent dangerous plant. It spreads very quickly. The BPA surveys the lake each year with volunteers Sue Terrell heads the invasive plant committee. Milfoil is in 14 water bodies in Maine. There are 159 lakes and ponds in Hancock County and we need a coordinated effort. Sue T. is working on that for a rapid response plan. Please remain careful with visitors and rentals.

VI. Election of Officers and Directors: Motion: To elect the following slate: President/Commissioner: Ralph Whedon, Clerk: Susan McKay, Treasurer: Rebecca (Becky) Foster, Directors: Paul Wight, John Gabranski and Martin Wolfe. S/P. Special thanks to retiring, Paul Wight as Commissioner and President; Sue McKay as Treasurer, and Vince Griffin and Pete DeAngelis as Directors. Pete swore the officers and directors into their newly elected positions.

VII. Budget and Dues for 2003-2004: Paul presented his best guess for expenses in the upcoming year: Calcium treatment: $1250, Sanding $300, Brush trimming $300 Insurance( Commercial Liability) $300, Operating expenses $100, Contingency fund $225. Total $2475 or $75 per camp at 33 camps. Motion: Keep the dues at $75. S/P. There were questions about what protection we receive from the commercial liability policy. (Sue checked. In a nutshell: It is a general liability policy to cover claims for bodily injury and property damage up to $500,000. It covers our association members when acting on behalf of the North Branchview Dr. Rd Association. )

VIII. Other Business: A) Trash Collection: Trash collection is available out on the corner of the Happy Town Road and Branchview Drive. The bags must have special stickers costing $2.50 per bag. Stickers can be purchased at City Hall.

B) The Dead End/ No Beach sign is thanks to the Barbara and Marty Wolfe!
C) Needed Road work on Branchview Drive: Becky will contact the City about the rock and culvert which are concerns to our members.
D) Special Thanks to: The Wolfe’s for again hosting the annual meeting!
E) Ralph thanked Paul again & looks forward to serving as Pres/Commissioner.

IX. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 11:00.

Respectfully submitted:
Susan W. McKay, Clerk and former Treasurer