TB minutes 10-26-15 joint meeting
Minutes of Joint Meeting
Town of New Haven, Town of Douglas and Lake Mason Management District
October 26, 2015
A joint meeting of the governing boards of the Town of New Haven in Adams County, the Town of
Douglas in Marquette County, and the Lake Mason Management District with territory in both Counties
was held at the New Haven Town Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26th, 2015. In attendance for
New Haven were Tory Wolfram, Chairperson, Adam Watson, Supervisor, Bill Ebert, Supervisor, Conny
Crothers, Treasurer, and Ken Crothers, Clerk. In attendance for Douglas were Karen Wampler,
Chairperson, Greg Smith, Supervisor, and Jim Brancel, Treasurer. In attendance for the Lake District
were Charles Newling, Chairman, Bob Demmert, Treasurer, and Robert Krause, member of the Board.
Also attending was Craig Hilliard, Dam Operator for the Town of Douglas.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Tory Wolfram.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and compliance with the open meeting law was affirmed by each of
the three governmental units.
Karen Wampler presented problems with the Douglas Dam and explained the various costs involved
with necessary repairs and ongoing maintenance. A recent malfunction of the gate control mechanism
brought the issue to the attention of all. The Town of Douglas has shouldered the entire financial
burden of operating and maintaining the dam since major renovations in 1993 and is asking for financial
assistance for current and future repair and maintenance from the Town of New Haven and the Lake
District. Recent inspections show the dam to be in good repair and the full report of the inspection is
expected shortly. To prevent lake drawdown from possible equipment malfunction, stop-logs can be
installed to maintain water levels only slightly lower than normal. This would also allow for repairs to be
made to the hydraulically controlled gate without affecting water levels any great extent. It is estimated
the installation of the stop-logs would cost at least $10,000.00. Maintenance costs for the dam have
been about $3000.00 per year unless inspections were required which run about $1,300.00 every other
year.
The opinion of all in attendance was that this should be done, especially since the dam was initially
designed to have the stop-logs installed if needed.
Tory Wolfram stated that the focus of the meeting was to apportion costs of this repair and that the
second issue was for long term maintenance funding.
The Town of Douglas is asking for the Town of New Haven to fund 25%, Town of Douglas 25% and the
Lake District 50% .
Discussion on transferring ownership of the dam to the Lake District once repairs are complete resolved
that the Lake District was unwilling to assume the responsibility at this time.
Charles Newling gave an explanation of how the Lake District bylaws govern operation of the District
and felt the District could likely handle the 50% figure, however, that decision would be dependent on a
vote of the general membership. All such decisions are made at the District meeting held on Labor Day
weekend.
Craig Hilliard expressed his opinion that none of the repairs are urgent and that he felt confident that
the dam was fine for now but the repairs should be done when possible.
Adam Watson moved and Bill Ebert seconded that the Town of New Haven cover 25% of the cost of
repairs and maintenance for the Douglas Dam. Motion carried.
Karen Wampler moved and Greg Smith seconded that the Town of Douglas cover 25% of the cost of
repairs and maintenance to the Douglas Dam. Motion carried.
It was agreed by all that the Town of Douglas would bill New Haven and the Lake District as necessary
once costs were incurred. The Lake District will investigate what means are necessary for the District to
fulfill its obligation in this matter.
Adam Watson moved and Bill Ebert seconded for adjournment. Motion carried and the meeting
adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kenneth Crothers, Clerk, Town of New Haven
Town of New Haven, Town of Douglas and Lake Mason Management District
October 26, 2015
A joint meeting of the governing boards of the Town of New Haven in Adams County, the Town of
Douglas in Marquette County, and the Lake Mason Management District with territory in both Counties
was held at the New Haven Town Hall at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 26th, 2015. In attendance for
New Haven were Tory Wolfram, Chairperson, Adam Watson, Supervisor, Bill Ebert, Supervisor, Conny
Crothers, Treasurer, and Ken Crothers, Clerk. In attendance for Douglas were Karen Wampler,
Chairperson, Greg Smith, Supervisor, and Jim Brancel, Treasurer. In attendance for the Lake District
were Charles Newling, Chairman, Bob Demmert, Treasurer, and Robert Krause, member of the Board.
Also attending was Craig Hilliard, Dam Operator for the Town of Douglas.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Tory Wolfram.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and compliance with the open meeting law was affirmed by each of
the three governmental units.
Karen Wampler presented problems with the Douglas Dam and explained the various costs involved
with necessary repairs and ongoing maintenance. A recent malfunction of the gate control mechanism
brought the issue to the attention of all. The Town of Douglas has shouldered the entire financial
burden of operating and maintaining the dam since major renovations in 1993 and is asking for financial
assistance for current and future repair and maintenance from the Town of New Haven and the Lake
District. Recent inspections show the dam to be in good repair and the full report of the inspection is
expected shortly. To prevent lake drawdown from possible equipment malfunction, stop-logs can be
installed to maintain water levels only slightly lower than normal. This would also allow for repairs to be
made to the hydraulically controlled gate without affecting water levels any great extent. It is estimated
the installation of the stop-logs would cost at least $10,000.00. Maintenance costs for the dam have
been about $3000.00 per year unless inspections were required which run about $1,300.00 every other
year.
The opinion of all in attendance was that this should be done, especially since the dam was initially
designed to have the stop-logs installed if needed.
Tory Wolfram stated that the focus of the meeting was to apportion costs of this repair and that the
second issue was for long term maintenance funding.
The Town of Douglas is asking for the Town of New Haven to fund 25%, Town of Douglas 25% and the
Lake District 50% .
Discussion on transferring ownership of the dam to the Lake District once repairs are complete resolved
that the Lake District was unwilling to assume the responsibility at this time.
Charles Newling gave an explanation of how the Lake District bylaws govern operation of the District
and felt the District could likely handle the 50% figure, however, that decision would be dependent on a
vote of the general membership. All such decisions are made at the District meeting held on Labor Day
weekend.
Craig Hilliard expressed his opinion that none of the repairs are urgent and that he felt confident that
the dam was fine for now but the repairs should be done when possible.
Adam Watson moved and Bill Ebert seconded that the Town of New Haven cover 25% of the cost of
repairs and maintenance for the Douglas Dam. Motion carried.
Karen Wampler moved and Greg Smith seconded that the Town of Douglas cover 25% of the cost of
repairs and maintenance to the Douglas Dam. Motion carried.
It was agreed by all that the Town of Douglas would bill New Haven and the Lake District as necessary
once costs were incurred. The Lake District will investigate what means are necessary for the District to
fulfill its obligation in this matter.
Adam Watson moved and Bill Ebert seconded for adjournment. Motion carried and the meeting
adjourned at 6:51 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kenneth Crothers, Clerk, Town of New Haven
