Witches Woods Tax District
Board of Directors and Flood and Erosion Control Board Meeting
April 8th, 2009

Members present: Glen Humes, Eric Werstler, Cliff Moon, Margaret Houlihan, Ken Braithwaite, Tom Pandolfi and Karen Marshall. Others present: Fred Chmura Absent; Rande Chmura and Ron Zavarella

Clerks Report:
A motion was made by Tom Pandolfi and seconded by Eric Werstler to accept the minutes from the March 12th meeting. The motion was approved unanimously.

Lake, Dam and Beach:
Eric Werstler reported the valve has been opened about one third for lake drawdown. The DEP has been notified about the lake drawdown. The valve will be closed on April 16th or 17th. Ken Braithwaite volunteered to monitor the drawdown in Eric's absence. Positive and negative opinions were received about the drawdown. The positive opinions were in the majority.
Seeding and grading of the outflow replacement area will take place in a few weeks. Cleanup of the area will also be done by the contractor.
Eric received two quotes for mowing the dam ranging from $500 to $975 per mowing. 2 or 3 cuttings per year should be adequate to prevent overgrowth that has occurred in previous years. The end of the spillway requires grading to facilitate cutting. Eric will contact contractors for an estimate.
Beach sand and grading has been ordered. Boat launch maintenance will be done this spring.
Additional boulders will be placed at the boat launch to prevent unauthorized access.
Blue Stone has submitted a bid of $55 for mowing the boat launch and top of the dam.
A motion was made by Tom Pandolfi and seconded by Margaret Houlihan to accept Richard H. Phifer's bid of $500 per mowing of the earthen dam as needed. The motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Cliff Moon and Seconded by Karen Marshall to spend up to $2000 for additional dam grading near the spillway to permit mowing. The motion carried unanimously

Roads:
Tom Pandolfi reviewed the last bill for snow plowing. The total snow plowing cost was $16,136, slightly under budget. Emergency road repairs were completed. Spring road grading will be done soon..

Health, fire and safety:
The speed bumps will return soon. Increased patrols by the state police have been noticed.

Zoning:
Margaret Houlihan that a permit for remodeling has been issued for 25 Crooked Trail Road.

Treasurer's Report:
Fred Chmura reviewed the monthly financial report for Rande Chmura.
The board worked on next year's budget. Fred Chmura presented a draft budget based on input from board members. The proposed operating budget remains about the same as last year.
The method of payment on the outflow reconstruction loan must be determined for next year.
Next year's payments can be made by applying the remaining loan proceeds or by increasing the mill rate.
The previously approved, but not completed, drainage work on Crooked Trail may also be done next year.
A zero or very small tax increase is a possibility.
The proposed budget will be finalized at the next board meeting.
Next meeting - May 6th, 2009 at 7PM
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made, seconded and carried, unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Cliff Moon
Clerk