MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - September 10, 2011
The Annual Meeting of the Association was held on 9/10/2011 (originally scheduled for 08/27/11 but hurricane Irene changed the date) at the LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, in Loveladies. President Roger Smith called the meeting to order at approximately 6:15 PM and welcomed all attending members and guests. President Smith introduced all trustees and thanked the hostesses who covered the welcome tables. He explained that he has completed two four year terms and, according to the by-laws, will step down from the President position. Smith then introduced VP Charlie Farrell, who was appointed to the position when Bob Monaco resigned earlier in the year, and the other officers.
President Smith asked for a motion to dispense with reading of the minutes of the last meeting. A MOTION WAS MADE FROM THE FLOOR, SECONDED AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.
Nominating Committee Chair, Ellen Moran, introduced committee members, Mary Brown, Mindy Posoff and Charlie Farrell. She then introduced the following slate of candidates for election by the membership (all nominees present were asked to stand and be recognized as they were introduced):
• Charlie Farrell as President for a four year term replacing Roger Smith.
• David Young as Vice President to complete the final year of a VP term.
• Bud Wigmore as Trustee beginning a three year term.
• Paul Young as Trustee beginning a three year term replacing David Young.
• Phil Rugani as Trustee beginning his first full three year term.
• Mindy Posoff as Trustee for a second three year term.
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE SLATE PRESENTED BY ELLEN ON BEHALF OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE (previously approved by the board) WAS MADE FROM THE FLOOR, SECONDED, AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Roger Smith told the audience he intends to remain active on the board as a non-voting member per the organization’s by-laws. Outgoing President Smith then turned the meeting over to incoming President Charlie Farrell who conducted the rest of the meeting.
Membership (Eldon Hickerson for Barbara Nemroff), reported current membership at 591 households, representing 62.1% of the total property owners in Loveladies. There were 15 new households, 36 homeowners that rejoined from prior years and 540 renewing from last year.
Treasurer (Eldon Hickerson for Barbara Nemroff), reported a checking account balance of $13,071, a CD of $20,000 and another CD balance of $10,030, for a net worth of $43,101. These numbers do not include expenses for the evening’s membership dinner, room rental balance and contributions introduced later in the agenda. There will be additional charges for mailing supplies and insurance before fiscal year end.
Since Mayor Mancini and Commissioners Bayard and Knarre were not able to attend the meeting, Charlie met with the Mayor the day before to discuss issues and concerns that LPOA and the Mayor felt were important. Charlie briefed the membership on those issues as follows:
Wetlands behind Dusty Miller: At Mayor Mancini’s urging, Congressman Jon Runyan wrote a letter to the Army Corp of Engineers (current property owner) and the Federal Wildlife Service (proposed new owner) requesting that the property be transferred to “local ownership” meaning the Township, instead of the Edwin B. Forsythe NWR as currently proposed. The Army Corps acknowledged that the transfer was requested by the FWS and, since it is from one Federal agency to another, it would take an act of congress to change the transfer. The FWS replied that once the transfer was in place, they would evaluate the potential for compatible wildlife oriented recreation. At least one member who lives on Dusty Miller is opposed to local control of the property and wants the transfer to go through as is. He has contacted the FWS in Hadley, MA and was told the property would be kept open to the public as it is now.
Harvey Cedars Roadway: Mayor Mancini feels, as of now, the roadway configuration in HC will remain as is. The audience of approximately 100 was asked how many in attendance are in favor of changing the roadway from 4 lanes to 3 lanes. Six people or 6% of the audience voted for the change, a pretty telling figure. Members were urged to contact Freeholder Kelly to let him know how they feel. One member shared his reason for wanting the change is the safety of bicyclists and the fact that the electric lines are close to the roadway. He felt it would be cost prohibitive to move them. Another member argued that if safety was so important, HC should exercise eminent domain and take enough property to widen the shoulder.
Station Avenue Path: According to the Mayor, a permit application with the DEP will be completed before next summer so the beach access can be opened.
Beach Erosion due to Hurricane Irene: The Mayor says we were lucky that the storm was no worse than a two day nor’easter. In Loveladies, we lost a layer of sand that appears to have created a sand bar in front of the beach. No major complaint.
Causeway Circle Plans: Ship Bottom has approved the construction of three model modular homes and an office at the causeway circle where the old Exxon Station used to be. No word on when the construction will begin.
Wind Energy: The Township Wind Energy Committee has completed their review and will issue a report on their findings and conclusions. The Art Foundation has not yet filed an application with the Township for a windmill permit as required under the wind energy ordinance.
Pedestrian Law: The Mayor views this as the most critical safety problem we currently have in LBT. He had Police Chief Mike Bradley (and Detective Paul Vereb) meet with the Chiefs of Margate and Ventnor because they have the same concerns. LBT will be presenting their data to our State legislative team and will push for an amendment to the existing law.
Causeway Bridge: Reopening the bridge after Hurricane Irene was more difficult than expected. It required agreement among FEMA, DOT, Homeland Security and AC Electric which took time. Communications using the reverse 911 worked well. However, residents who are not Verizon customers must sign up for the service for landlines, cell phones or both. As explained in the letter when re-entry placards were mailed to residents, there was a $50 fee penalty for replacing lost placards.
Guest Speaker
Trustee Monica Shaw introduced our guest speaker, Sharon McKenna of Viking Village in Barnegat Light, who gave an interesting talk on the fishing and scalloping industry. She gave the audience a historical perspective of the industry as it has developed since the early 1930’s from a predominantly Lobster operation to the world’s largest tile fish producer. She described the long-line and drag net fishing and scalloping operations of today and how they are impacted by federal regulations. Viking Village ships product daily all over the US and outside the country.
Contributions Budget: The last item on the agenda was the contributions budget presented by Secretary Hickerson. The following contributions were put before the membership for approval:
• Barnegat Light Fire Department................. $400
• Barnegat Light First Aid Squad................. $400
• High Point Fire Department, Harvey Cedars...... $400
• Southern Regional Medical Center Foundation.... $300
• Viking Village Scholarship Fund................ $200
• Total Contributions 2011....................... $1,700
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRIBUTIONS BUDGET WAS MADE FROM THE FLOOR, SECONDED, AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
The meeting was adjourned by President Farrell at 7:20 PM. Attending members enjoyed a buffet dinner provided by the Neptune Market in Harvey Cedars.
Respectfully submitted,
Eldon Hickerson, LPOA Secretary