BRANTINGHAM COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
(BCA)

• Lake Management: Jim Murphy was not present, but had previously volunteered to revise the plan developed in 2001.
• Water Quality: Due to Jack McGough’s recent surgery, Ed Cousin presented the report. Seven CSLAP samples for coliform have been taken, with one left to complete the testing for this year. Of the eight (8) fecal samples taken, two (2) were marginal and two (2) were gross failures. After a retest, one (1) of the gross failures resulted in gross failure status again, while the other received marginal results. The owners of the properties  have received letters indicating the results of the tests and the committee will follow up with the owners to determine what action will take place. If the owners do not take corrective action, the Board of Health will be contacted. The Water Quality Committee has been unable to determine the source of the two (2) marginal test results. There has been no consistency through the years. The tests are generally done in areas where cottages are close to the water. The Committee has requested that residents contact them if they have concerns regarding the water quality in any area of the lake.
• Invasive Plants: Judy Wilson thanked Ned Wilson, Bob Hindman, Dave Gaylord, and David Rider for assisting her in gathering samples. Sixty (60) tests were completed with no invasive species found. The conclusion is that the shoreline around Brantingham is healthy. Judy explained that the other lakes in the area have not been tested because it is expected that invasive species will be brought in by motor boats, which are not allowed on the other lakes.
• Signs: John Nagy reported that 31 new signs were installed. Dan Brewer assisted him in putting them up around the lake. John has asked that we include a request for orders in the Fall Newsletter so that he will have sufficient time to order them for next summer. There still remain many old, unreadable signs in the area and some with the old numbering system. John would like to encourage everyone who needs a new sign to order them as soon as possible. The cost is $17.00 each.
• Government: Tom Gunn reminded the group that Brantingham has excellent representation at the town level with the Town Supervisor (Don Schneider) and 3 of the 4 elected council members living in Brantingham (Tom Gunn, Mike Bradish, and Bill Knapp). The culvert at the end of Cottage Road has been deemed unsafe and will be repaired when the water level drops. Residents have requested that lines be painted on the roads in Brantingham, but Mr. Gunn explained that in Lewis County only State roads have lines due to excessive cost and limited staff. A request was made for a gravel surface on the Partridgeville Road, but the Town Board deemed the cost to be excessive for its limited use. They will add signs warning of a soft surface. There are plans to resurface additional roads, including Long Point to Partridgeville Road, Middle Road, and Fish Creek Road. The Town of Greig Park is available for use by anyone living in the Town of Greig. Make reservations through the Town Clerk, Karen Fayle.
• Arts Council: Marian Lowe reported another successful year. Anyone with suggestions for future programs is asked to submit them to Marie Duink, Judy Wilson, or Marian Lowe. The Arts Council is looking for donations for next year’s raffle.

• Library Donation: Judy Wilson presented a report prepared by Betty Sawyer regarding the use of the Brantingham Free Library. The Library Committee is requesting a donation of $500 to help offset the cost of heating the building this year, since Camp Aldersgate will be closed during the winter months. Secretary Carolyn Gaylord made a motion to donate $500 for the cost of heating to the Library for this year. The motion was seconded by Dottie Armstrong. There was discussion as to whether the Library will reimburse Camp Aldersgate for the cost of heating. The answer was yes. Also discussed was why the BCA should donate money to this organization when other organizations are self-sufficient. The response was that they were not prepared for their sudden change at being the only tenant in the building, responsible for the heating bills this year. In the future, they will increase their efforts to raise money to cover these costs. A vote was taken – six (6) in favor, three (3) opposed, carried. David Hamar submitted a personal donation of $250 to the Library fund to help with the heating costs.
• DEC – PWL List: Contrary to information previously received, Brantingham Lake will not be removed from the PWL List. President Bill Brunscheen received a report from Jeff Myers stating that the Water Supply and Public Bathing uses are threatened. Questions were raised as to why the change in status and why we are classified as Class A (drinking water). Bill Brunscheen will follow-up with the DEC on these questions. Tom Gunn reported that there is a county water quality committee, under the Lewis County Soil and Water Department, with Nachelle Billhardt as the Director. It was recommended that Nachelle be invited to meet with a representative from the DEC and a committee from Brantingham Lake to clarify the reason for this change in status and to produce documentation to explain it. Bill Brunscheen will contact Jeff Myers to request the source of data resulting in the change. He will oversee the development of a plan, then will email everyone with updates.

• Brantingham Preservation Group: David Hamar, President of the Brantingham Preservation Group (BPG), explained the purpose of the group, which is to preserve the area. There are approximately 80 members whose concerns include lake water quality and preservation of natural shoreline, enforcement of Town Zoning and APA regulations, enhanced enforcement of boating and personal watercraft laws, enhanced enforcement of ATV prohibition on Town roads and APA trails, prevention of invasive plant and animal species, replanting of natural plantings around the lakes to maintain view shed and water quality, preservation of vernacular historical camps and other buildings, encouraging future development to complement existing regional/historical styles, maintaining the rural and woodland character of the surround area, and preserving the area’s natural resources. Mr. Hamar suggested that the BCA and the BPG work together in the areas of funding police presence on the lake and joint standards for stewardship. The BPG arranged for an environmental engineer from Syracuse University to do comprehensive testing around the lake, but the results have not yet been received. The question of why there are two groups running parallel activities rather than communicating with each other demonstrates the need for bridge-building and better communication. Eric Martin is a member of both groups and will work as liaison between the two.
• Newsletter: Robert Grant, webmaster of the Brantingham website, has offered to continue allowing the BCA to post minutes of its meetings, as well as the newsletters. Secretary Carolyn Gaylord asked for suggestions for the Fall Newsletter. It was suggested that we include an article from the Preservation Group, a request for donations for the Brantingham-Greig Community Library, a reminder that the Citizen’s Patrol will check camps while owners are away, Renters’ Rules, and an article from the Fire Department. The deadline for all articles will be October 15, 2006. It is hoped that eventually our newsletter will become web-based, to eliminate the cost of duplicating.
• Boat Launch: The boat launch belongs to the Town of Greig. It was suggested that there be a more proactive approach to guarding against the introduction of invasive plants by inspecting boats entering the lake. Eric Martin volunteered to work with the town to develop a plan for monitoring the boats entering the lake.
• Water Patrol: The question was raised, Can we donate money to increase patrol on the lake? By State Law, only Police, not Peace Officers, can officially patrol the waterways. The resolution for Peace Officers to patrol was vetoed by the Governor. Legislation will continue to be proposed to that effect. According to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department, the issue is of manpower, not money. There is currently a Jet-Ski docked on the lake for the use of the Sheriff’s Department. We were also reminded that the Sheriff’s Department will do stop-by’s to check camps.
• Directors’ Suggestions: Included were:
• Prioritize our concerns to make the BCA more than social
• Investigate a washing station and monitoring of the boat launch
• Develop a protocol for welcoming new families to the community, which might include a gift pack
• Remind rental owners to share the “Golden Rules of Renters.”
• Develop an information committee
• Investigate invasive plants in the Lily Pond (the Lily Pond is currently included in the testing)
• Re-visit the spraying policy and look into the issue of increased taxes
• Investigate alternative methods to spraying
• Donate money to the Fire Department – we were reminded that our taxes include money for the local Fire Department. Tom Gunn reported that the Town of Martinsburg will help with the wind tower money and the Town of Greig will also help through assessments.
• Have the Brantingham Preservation Group make a presentation to the Town Board
• The Spring Dinner will be held on Friday, June 29, 2007 at the Brantingham Golf Club.
• The Fall Dinner will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2007 at the Coach Light Inn.
• The next Director’s meeting will be Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 9:30 AM at the Brantingham Golf Club.

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