2023 WPA Annual Meeting Minutes

June 10, 2023

These minutes were approved at the June 8, 2024 annual meeting.

Annual Meeting
Wadleigh Pond Dam Association
June 10, 2023

 The annual meeting of the Wadleigh Pond Dam Association was once again held at the dam on the property of the Thayers.  Thank you for kindly allowing us to gather here.  There were 16 in attendance.  President Pat Lavoie called the meeting to order at 10:15.  Everyone introduced themselves and the group welcomed new residents and members, Nick and Marijo Lariviere.
 The minutes from last year's meeting was read by Secretary Evelyn Lord. Linda Koehler moved the minutes be accepted. It was seconded by Steve Lord, and the vote to accept was unanimous. Amy Toussaint, treasurer, presented the financial report.  The credits and expenses as of June 22. 2022 were explained and the  balance in our account is $14, 382. This year is the first year VENMO was used and $400 in payments were made using this method.  Paying this way helps with record-keeping. The money we cleared last year from the picnic is as follows:
  Entrance: $425, Donations: $155,  Raffle:  $950, and 50/50: $233 TOTAL: $1763.

Going forward, the fiscal year for our Association will end on August 30 to allow so expenses and proceeds from the annual picnic can be reported. Lindas Koehler made the motion to accept, it was seconded by Fred Koehler, and the vote to accept was unanimous.
Old Business
John Huoy has been our faithful Dam Agent for five (5) years and explained the background of what has been done through the years in order to maintain the dam’s health. Since the 1970’s, approximately $127,672.95 has been spent, including the latest resurfacing, to ensure there would be no breach. Without these repairs, if the dam broke, the water would drain and what would be left is the original river and no pond. Without our Association to continue necessary repairs, the dam WOULD eventally collapse and the State of Maine would not help rebuild it as they would allow it to drain and return to a river. This year, Bobby Papazian kindly offered to take over as our new Dam Agent. This spring, due to a huge amount of rain, John, Dave Dulong, Bobby, and many volunteers made some very important decisions in order to avoid flooding on the pond. First, one board was pulled to allow water to flow downstream. When water continued to rise on the pond, docks became dislodged and water was rising onto properties, so the other board was pulled. By that time, rain was subsiding but the water level was carefully monitored. In such weather events, the spillway allows for some release of water. The pond can absorb about 2″ of rain but for more than that, close watch is needed. The physical work lifting those heavy boards in driving rain, along with making careful decisions based on conditions, was difficult. Many, many thanks for all their efforts! The water is still high but as the weather warms up, the levels will be checked and boards adjusted accordingly. Required water levels are dictated by the State of Maine
New Business

  1. The next crucial and expensive project is the resurfacing of approximately 100′ of the front and top of the spillway on John Spain’s property. Debris is cleaned up periodically by Steve and Nate Lord and others. Thanks, everyone. Mike, who lives across the street from the dam, has offered to gather brush cleaned out and dispose of it from the roadside. Thank you, Mike. Considering the cost of the work completed on the dam, it is necessary to look into the cost of this new project and to continue collected dues. Linda Koehler brought up the need for a long-range plan for raising money. Many new residents, as well as those who have lived here for years, would benefit from information of the history of the dam and the vital need for its maintenance. Many people on the pond contribute and understand the necessity. The Emergency Management Plan, a requirement of the Department of Environmental Protection, will be updated this year. The deadline is June 19, however, an extension will be requested. Bobby Papazian as the Dam Master, along with assistance from John Huoy and Dave Dulong, will be taking care of this.
  2. John Huoy brought up the need for trapping of beavers, whose dams and building interfere with the flow of water through culverts. The trapping season is November into December. Some people have offered to look into this.
  3. Pat Lavoie reported the water on Wadleigh Pond has, once again, been found to be excellent for recreational use. She explained the health of our water can change day to day but on the day of testing, it was excellent. Thank you, Pat for taking care of this each year.
  4. The officers will be looking at the ByLaws for any ammendments that may more closely reflect current practices and needs. The Association members will review them vote on the approval of the ammendents. There is also a need for a consolidation of all records into one complete location. The officers will look into a fireproof strongbox for crucial hard copies of records such as the original deed, incorporation papers, etc., an external hard drive to store all scanned paperwork, and purchasing cloud space so everything could be accessed anywhere.
  5. Evelyn Lord was curious about the name of our Association: Wadleigh Pond Dam Association vs. Wadleigh Pond Association. Evelyn’s concern was about confusion and pond residents’ understanding that our purpose is limited to the maintenance of the dam and any expenses associated with that maintenance. A vote was taken to keep the name Wadleigh Pond Association.
    *Note: After the meeting, Linda Koehler posted a very clear description of the difference between the Wadleigh Pond Dam Association and any money donated to the maintenance of the road.
    Thank you for those who attended our annual meeting for the Wadleigh Pond Association. Just a reminder that the WPA is responsible for the care and maintenance of the dam. Without our dam, we would only have a small river bed. The WPA has no association with any of the road improvement groups. The dues for the WPA are for the dam only.
  6. Picnic
  • This year’s picnic will be held August 12 (rain date August 13) at Pat and Dave Lavoie’s from 11:00 -4:00 Thanks so much, Carol and Steve for hosting for so many years and thanks to Pat and Dave for hosting THIS year. This year, we will have hot dogs and hamburgers, as in years’ past but this year, there will be NO CHARGE. There will be a jar for donations, if you wish. As always, it’s an opportunity to pay dues, if you haven’t already.
    • Rick Lavoie and Nick Lariviere will be our grill masters this year. Please bring appetizers, entrees, and desserts to share, your appetite, and anything special you’d like to drink. We will provide water.
    • Jean has kindly offered to do our raffle again this. year. It is a very time-consuming job and we are so grateful, Jean! Please bring raffle items to Jean and Dave Dulong (address) as soon as you can so she can organize everything.
    • We’ll also have a 50-50 and need someone to sell those tickets.
    • We need lots of help setting up at the Lavoie’s on Friday night. (Pat and Dave, should we make a request for awnings and tables in these minutes? Maybe a FB post would reach more people). We’ll also need people to help break things down after the picnic.
  1. Boat Parade *The Annual Boat Parade will be on Sunday, July 2. We’ll gather at 2:00 over near Frye’s Bridge.
    • The most impressively-decorated boat will win the trophy and will have bragging rights! Please let Linda Houy know if you’d like to judge the parade from Fryes Bridge, It would look great on your resume!
      *Fireworks will be Sunday night. A good gathering place would be near Fryes Bridge.
    1. Dave Dulong moved we vote on the current slate of officers, as read and Bobby Papazian seconded. The vote was unanimous.

At 11:15, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded. It was unanimous.

  Motion to adjourn was made by Dave Dulong and seconded by Steve Lord. Unanimous agreement.  Adjourned at 11:15.

                                                                              Submitted by
Evelyn Lord, Secretary

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