Wintonbury Land Trust Annual Meeting Notes - June 18, 2014

Wintonbury Land Trust Annual Meeting

June 18, 2014 – 7 P.M.

Bloomfield Leisure Services, Meeting Room 2

330 Park Avenue, Bloomfield

 

1. Committee Reports
1. Financial Committee - Vikki Reski gave a brief presentation of the evolution of the Financial Committee since 2011.  The Committee is currently working on standardized forms in order to publish financial reports.  Kevin Gough, Patrick Sullivan, and Sten Caspersson are also serving on the Committee. 
2. Acquisitions Update – Dale Bertoldi reported that WLT has signed a purchase agreement with the owners of Hawk Hill.  The agreement includes a $27,500 donation by the owners. 
3. Events –

                                                              i.      Dale Bertoldi summarized WLT’s June events, the Trails Day hike on the 7^th, and the Bike and Hike on the 14^th.  Three individuals joined the Land Trust as a result of participating in the Bike and Hike. 

                                                            ii.      Paula Jones reported that WLT is planning a fall hike with Seabury Retirement Community on Seabury’s beautiful Wildwoods Trail. 

                                                          iii.      Doris Johnson reported that the Lisa Lane Celebration will be September 20^th.  We are also planning a “progressive” style fall Wine and Dine.  Patrick Sullivan will be organizing the planning committee, and would model our event based on his experience with West Hartford’s successful event.

4. Stewardship –

                                                              i.      Van Otterloo needs trail maintenance and stone wall repair work.  We will begin work on the wall in the late summer/early fall once vegetation starts dying back. 

                                                            ii.      The Stout Family Fields are in good shape, thanks to the stewardship of John Stout in the fields, and Sten Caspersson’s work maintaining the “trailhead” area around the Stone Hill cul-de-sac.

                                                          iii.      Thrall Farm – The work associated with Newgate Farms’ Farmland Restoration Grant is wrapping up.  We are starting the potato barn work associated with WLT’s recent award of a Farm Viability Grant. 

                                                          iv.      Diana Hughes suggested establishing a regular stewardship day (e.g. monthly/quarterly) to focus on a property.  We could ask property stewards to organize the work day.  All agreed this is a good suggestion, and the Board will pursue it.

2. Bylaws
1. Review and Discussion of Proposed Changes - Paula Jones provided a brief overview of the key proposed changes to the Bylaws, and the rationale for those changes.  In the ensuing discussion, Sten Caspersson questioned the intent of Article 5, Section 9.  There was consensus that section would be more appropriately worded as follows: “The Board of Directors may appoint additional officers who shall have such power and authority as the Board shall define.”  Sten also pointed out a missing comma (3^rd line, after the word “President,”) in Article IX.
2. Member vote on motion to approve changes - A motion to approve the proposed amended Bylaws with the two additional changes mentioned above passed unanimously.  The ratified Bylaws are posted on our website (at the bottom of the Maps & Docs tab):  http://wintonburylandtrust.org/maps-parcels/

3. Election of Directors
1. David O. Sullivan is stepping down from the Board after serving for 40+ years.  David described some of the challenges and successes of the early years, and his efforts to keep the Land Trust going.  In recognition of David’s long service, Dale Bertoldi made a motion that he be appointed an Honorary Director of WLT.  Although that position would not be a voting position on the Board, the Board would look to David for advice and assistance from time to time, drawing on his long experience and institutional knowledge.  The motion passed unanimously.
2. A motion was made to elect the slate of nominees as presented.  The motion passed unanimously. 

4. New Business
1. Sten Caspersson suggested putting the Directors’ biographies out on the website, and all agreed we should do so.  Diana Hughes also suggested we use the bios for a “Meet your Board” series in the monthly e-newsletters.  She also suggested a “Meet your Stewards” series.  We agreed that we would start with the Board members, and feature David O. Sullivan first. 
2. Dale Bertoldi provided a brief update on the Van Otterloo AT&T cell tower proposal.   He reported that our consultants believe that the rental income would be considered exempt from UBI and that he had met with WLT’s attorney for a first review of the proposed lease.  Dale is proceeding slowly since AT&T also needs to negotiate a second lease with the MDC.

5. Adjournment of Member Annual Meeting – Member meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

6. Annual Meeting of Board of Directors
1. Election of Officers – The newly elected Board elected the following officers:  Dale Bertoldi, President; Chip Caton, Vice President; Vikki Reski, Acting Treasurer; Paula Jones, Secretary.
2. Board New Business

                                                              i.      The Directors signed WLT’s Ethics/Conflict of Interest policy.

                                                            ii.      We agreed to set a regular Board meeting date going forward.  Paula Jones will set that up.

3. Board meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.