2016 Annual Meeting minutes
Harfords Point Association
Annual Meeting
July 30, 2016
Kliem Field
President Michael Holmes called the Annual Meeting to order at 11:10.
Present:
Directors: Keith Smith, Herb Olsen, David Sinclair, Tom Perry, Suzanne McKendry, Michael Cutlip, Sophie Sevey, Philip Lander, and Susan Nevins
Members: See attached list.
Old Business:
Suzanne reviewed distribution of HPA funds:
Sophie Sevey moved to accept the Treasurer’s report; Susan Nevins seconded; and the motion passed unanimously.
New Business
Keith Smith reported that the Legislature will decide whether to allow de-organization. He said that the County is taking a fairly aggressive stance against. A survey was sent to voters in Piscataquis County. Joe Gilmore questioned why this did not include many HPA members who pay taxes here but vote elsewhere.
Diana Olsen was concerned that this is Atkinson’s fourth attempt at de-organization. It is the largest town to have attempted this move.
Wayne Erkkinen reported that Atkinson will be responsible for the expenses and fines they have incurred.
Martin Silverstein moved that the HPA send a letter to the Legislature opposing the de-organization; Fred Altimore seconded; and the motion passed unanimously.
Proposed new by-laws: Susan Nevins presented a revision of the By-Laws of the HPA drafted in accordance with Maine Revised Statutes Title 13-B: Maine Non-Profit Corporation Act. Most changes were to modernize and simplify the language of the document. There was also the addition of an Audit Committee and an article added for the Removal of Officers: Any officer may be removed either with or without cause by a majority vote of the directors.
Martin Silverstein noted two typos in the document and clarified that there is one vote per property.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Nevins
HPA Secretary
Annual Meeting
July 30, 2016
Kliem Field
President Michael Holmes called the Annual Meeting to order at 11:10.
Present:
Directors: Keith Smith, Herb Olsen, David Sinclair, Tom Perry, Suzanne McKendry, Michael Cutlip, Sophie Sevey, Philip Lander, and Susan Nevins
Members: See attached list.
Old Business:
- Minutes of 2015 Annual Meeting: A motion to accept the Minutes from the 2015 Annual meeting was made by Susan Nevins and seconded by Tom Perry. The motion passed unanimously.
- Treasurer’s Report: Suzanne McKendry reviewed the Treasurer’s Report for FY15. The balance sheet shows total assets of $6,381.66 as of 12/31/15. Total income was $3,795.54 ($3,275 from dues); total expenses were $4, 461.
Suzanne reviewed distribution of HPA funds:
- Maintain the directory sign.
- Pay expenses for annual meeting and picnic.
- Provide for charitable donations to community services as follows: $600 to the Charles A. Dean Memorial hospital; $400 to the Food Cupboard; $400 to the Shaw Public Library; and $400 to the Fire Department. (Please note that the FY 14 hospital check for $600.00 posted late to our account in January 2015.)
Sophie Sevey moved to accept the Treasurer’s report; Susan Nevins seconded; and the motion passed unanimously.
- Membership: For FY15, membership was 109. There are 176-180 landowners on Harfords Point; some lots have no residences and some are owned by corporations. Membership in the HPA is voluntary as is having the owners’ names on the directory sign. The sign is currently up-to-date with several new members to be added shortly. Names are removed from the sign after several years of non-membership.
- Website: Michael Cutlip maintains the website and posts relevant information and photos. There is also a directory (voluntary) which is password protected. There are links to webcams of our favorite lake.
New Business
- Nomination and Election of Directors: Joe Gilmore and Wayne Erkkinen were nominated from the floor and added to the ballot which included Mike Holmes, Sophie Sevey, and Peter Kliem running for re-election. Members cast their ballots by voting for up to 4 candidates. The following directors were elected: Wayne Erkkinen, Mike Holmes, Sophie Sevey, and Peter Kliem.
- Date of 2017 Annual Meeting: August 5 at 11 AM.
- Re-organization of the Town of Atkinson: Mike Holmes reported on the meeting held by the State to inform the public about the request by the Town of Atkinson to join the Unorganized Townships. He expressed concern about the possible effect of this change on Harford’s Point taxes. He cited the fact that Atkinson has environmental issues to be resolved and children to be educated (they would transfer from the Milo schools to Dover-Foxcroft where the cost for elementary-aged children would be lowered but the cost for high schoolers would increase).
Keith Smith reported that the Legislature will decide whether to allow de-organization. He said that the County is taking a fairly aggressive stance against. A survey was sent to voters in Piscataquis County. Joe Gilmore questioned why this did not include many HPA members who pay taxes here but vote elsewhere.
Diana Olsen was concerned that this is Atkinson’s fourth attempt at de-organization. It is the largest town to have attempted this move.
Wayne Erkkinen reported that Atkinson will be responsible for the expenses and fines they have incurred.
Martin Silverstein moved that the HPA send a letter to the Legislature opposing the de-organization; Fred Altimore seconded; and the motion passed unanimously.
Proposed new by-laws: Susan Nevins presented a revision of the By-Laws of the HPA drafted in accordance with Maine Revised Statutes Title 13-B: Maine Non-Profit Corporation Act. Most changes were to modernize and simplify the language of the document. There was also the addition of an Audit Committee and an article added for the Removal of Officers: Any officer may be removed either with or without cause by a majority vote of the directors.
Martin Silverstein noted two typos in the document and clarified that there is one vote per property.
- Discussion of ATVs on the HP Road for residents only: After discussion, no action was taken. The County has jurisdiction and enforcement is by the game wardens and sheriff. Snowmobiles operate under a different set of regulations.
- Speeding and trash on the HP road: There was discussion about speeding on the road and concern about the safety of walkers. Wayne Erkkinen will become a County Commissioner in November and the group asked him to advocate for signage on the road. HP residents may now use the Greenville transfer station with a sticker available at Town Hall. There is also roadside trash pickup for a fee on Sundays (leave $3 per bag with your trash).
- Keith Smith addressed several land use questions from the group:
- Moose Island – nothing to report at this point.
- Wind towers -it’s up to the Legislature to try to fix the situation which allowed expedited wind areas to be created. HPA has already written a letter opposing them. Keith Smith suggested that a moratorium would be helpful until the issue is sorted out. The Governor opposes this.
- Duane Landers cautioned the group against being annexed by the Town of Greenville.
- There was discussion of placing signs on the public lots (with access to water) but some members were concerned about making this information generally available. There was a suggestion to leave specific directions for renters.
- Bonnie Erkkinen reported that the level of water in the lake will be dropping quickly and boaters should be prepare to act accordingly.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Nevins
HPA Secretary