Carry Ponds Association, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
Saturday, June 11, 2022
Present: Matthew Bowman, Brian and Susan Goss, Paula Ferguson, Lawrence Furbish, Ted Gradie, David Grimm, Buddy Hackett, George Motta, Walter Purda, Jim and Paul Saccoccia, Barbara Sutcliffe
Walter Purda called the meeting to order at 9:38 a.m. Walter welcomed all to the meeting and introduced Matt Bowman (new ECP Road Commissioner) and Buddy Hackett to the group.
Treasurer’s Report - Paula Ferguson
CPA road assessments $32,400.00
West 58 owners @ $300 (54%) $17,400.00
East 50 owners @ $300 (46%) $15,000.00
3.5 outstanding dues still owed. Paula and Walter are certain these will be collected.
Contingency account (mowing and unforeseen expenses) $ 5,000.00
Admin (postage and misc. expenses) $ 500.00
New Reserve Fund 2022 TBD by Directors $10,000.00
There was discussion about the actual amount of the reserve and moving the mowing expense out of the Contingency account and allocate $600 to each road maintenance budget. Many expressed concern about rising costs for fuel and road repairs. To give some idea of what emergency repairs cost, the wash-out of the culvert last year was $4,184.00 and construction of the new concrete bridge was $5,400, nearly $10,000. There was a lot of discussion about two other CPA bridges that are in very bad shape and will need replacement in the near future. Ted Gradie commented that one cement bridge could cost $12,000. Jim Saccoccia spoke about the need for planning for future expenses. After much discussion, Walter made a motion to consolidate the Contingency Account and the proposed Reserve ($15,000) and move the mowing expenses to each road maintenance budget at $600. David seconded the motion which was voted unanimously.
2022 West road maintenance budget (54%) $ 9,030.00
2022 East road maintenance budget (46%) $ 7,870.00
* Paula Ferguson submitted the following to amend her report on 6/15/22.
West Road Maintenance 2022 Budget $10,002.00
EOM Road Maintenance 2022 Budget $ 8,698.00
2022 Reserve Fund $15,000.00
2022 Administrative Fund $ 500.00
Condition of CPA Roads
Ted Gradie reported that WCP roads are basically sound, but have potholes and wet spots. He has formed a Road Committee - Peter Bryant, Gene Hay, Tank McGowan will be working with Ted. They will have their first meeting on Monday June 13 to discuss long-term planning and short-term improvements. Ditching is required and fill is needed. Peter Bryant has made his mini-excavator and a 1-ton truck available to CPA. Lots of volunteer work will be needed. The brush cut last September was very successful.
All roads need resurfacing - extra funds will help to purchase good quality gravel Mass Pike needs ditching and fill. Trees along road edge should be cut. Dickson needs a culvert and 4 loads of gravel are needed to patch up to Boise Rd. All roads need raking.
Long discussion about where to buy good quality gravel for our roads. Another discussion about charging an impact fee to developers using CPA roads to develop properties on MCP.
Paul Saccoccia asked if it would be possible for CPA to get a loan to build the needed concrete bridges. Paula thought the CPA bylaws would not permit that. This brought up another discussion about the need for a dedicated Bridge fund - separate from the Contingency fund. Ultimately, Walter suggested we think of the Contingency Fund (now at $15,000) as an emergency fund that would be used to pay for whatever needed repair/replacement as things come up.
Several people thought it was important that CPA owners should see road improvement for the increased dues amount.
George and Brian informed the group that a lot of damage is being done to the roads from contractors and heavy equipment being brought into the area in April and May. Walter agreed to send an email out to CPA members to let them know about the fragile state of the roads in early spring and to ask them to try to avoid heavy vehicles during this time. Ted also remarked that owners should consult with CPA Board when bringing in heavy equipment and to get the work approved. Saturday, September 17th will be the annual brush cutting day. All are invited to help out.
Keeper of the Keys Report - John DiPierro was unable to attend the meeting. Walter reported that John has agreed to postpone his new key plan for one more year. There is much new construction at MCP and using the old keys is an easier way to manage the activity there. It was suggested that the changeover to new keys happen in 2025, subject to BOD approval. Currently, 600 keys are out for just over 100 camp owners. The price of keys should be raised.
Annual Meeting The 2022 Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 13 as usual by the dam. Various CPA members will provide tables, tent and owners are encouraged to bring food and drinks. Email notice will go out in advance of the meeting with an agenda.
Board, Officers, Nominations Stan Giguere’s term as Director will expire. Brian Goss was nominated to replace Stan. We are looking for one other Director (hopefully from MCP). Walter will end his term as President in August. Jim Saccoccia was nominated to be CPA President. Paula Ferguson will not be able to continue as CPA Treasurer when her camp is sold - it is currently on the market. Barbara Sutcliffe has offered to take over as Treasurer when Paula sells. If the camp does not sell this summer, Paula will continue on as Treasurer for another year and Barbara will remain the CPA Secretary.
Minutes of this BOD meeting will be sent to all members as an attachment to Walter’s email to CPA owners that will address nominations and open positions for the BOD and Officers, the use of CPA roads in the springtime and a “Welcome to Carry Ponds” list of do’s and don’ts. Jim Saccoccia has started a CPA Facebook page that could help to convey the same information on social media.
Old Business WCP dam needs replacement - this will require a long-term plan. CPA has a lease on the dam until 2035 from Dickson. Paula told us about the existence of paper files regarding the lease. She will forward these to George and Brian who will look into the matter.
Dirigo logging is done in our area and they are now focused on developing lots at MCP. New lots there will be part of CPA.
Signage is needed for Lifeflight landing locations at ECP before Thompson’s Trail and at OP at the intersection of North Bowtown Rd. and Carrying Place Road.
The old Spring Rd. gate has been moved into the woods off the road. It should be saved. Walter will talk to Leo Beane about this. The old posts on the sides of the road should be removed since they are a hazard to snowmobilers.
9.9 horse-power limits (like those on ECP) are not possible to get for the rest of CPA.
New Business Paula explained the current procedure for dues billing and collection. Dues are billed at the beginning of the calendar year and most are usually paid by the end of January with a few stragglers paying throughout the winter into the spring. It was suggested that the dues bill have a pay-by date of January 31st. A motion was made by George to have prorated dues for new lot owners. David seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Regarding the approval of the decision at the last annual meeting for CPA to accept private work in lieu of dues payment, Paula pointed out that the CPA bylaws require dues to be assessed “at the same rate” for all owners. Since there is no way to put a value on the amount of work an owner did, the Board decided that CPA would not continue this policy. CPA owners who had trouble affording the increased dues this year were helped out by other CPA owners.
Long-term lease agreements (such as the James’ on MCP) require that the CPA BOD be informed of and approve them on a yearly basis per the CPA Articles of Incorporation. A motion was made by Paul to acknowledge this policy and seconded by David and was voted unanimously.
Matt Bowman spoke about looking to create really noticeable road work projects rather than just using the road budgets to fix and repair. He would like to meet with contractors, get estimates for big projects. It was suggested that Ted’s committee should come up with plans and share them with the BOD for input and coordination.
The Board affirmed that the $300 dues assessment should continue for 2023.
The lack of a boat launch at MCP was discussed again. It does not look like a new one will be built.
There was discussion of a rock rake that is available for CPA members to use. Owners who need to use it should contact Walter or Ted. Paula made a motion to require an owner to seek approval from either road commissioner to use the rock rake. George seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Walter took a moment to express the BOD’s appreciation of all the work Paula has done over the years for CPA as Treasurer.
David made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Ted. Meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Sutcliffe, Secretary
