6:30 Jim Sykes called the Lazy Mountain Community Council general meeting to order. Ten members were present, which achieved a quorum. 

Michael Miller moved to accept the agenda, seconded by Pam (Last name unknown). 

 

In lieu of having anyone serving as secretary, Michael Miller agreed to take notes. 

 

The Treasury report was given next. LMCC has 143.57 in savings and 187.30 left in checking after paying the Lazy Mountain Bible Church 120.00 as a thanks for use of their facilities. 

 

Pat Larabee was not present, so there was no RSA update. 

 

John Alexander was not present, and announced his resignation via Jim Sykes due to health reasons. His seat is open for nominations, and names are being taken. It was decided to wait until next month to allow for time in gathering nominees. The vacancy will be announced on the website. 

 

John Alexander would have been up for re-election this October, meaning that anyone who would take his position will be in office only until then. 

 

Jim Sykes opened the discussion on the potential funding the LMCC could receive. The community council has to be incorporated to be eligible to receive the funds, but Jim could find no paperwork indicating that the LMCC was incorporated. Since the LMCC does not have to have been incorporated to operate the way it has been, it seems likely that it is not. 

 

It was noted that if the LMCC is not incorporated, it is not insured, and board members could potentially be sued. 

 

Jim Sykes said he would look into seeing what it would take to get incorporated, and talk to other community councils that have been. He said that the Borough had indicated it would hold funds the LMCC is eligible for until incorporated status has been achieved. 

 

Ken wanted to know what other reasons there could be to get incorporated. One of the potential reasons brought up was the ability to receive grants. Ken was then interested in what would change in the structure of the community council, and who would be in power. Karen Lopez and David Holiday both noted that nothing changes outside of establishing the community council as a legal entity. 

 

Report on Borough Natural Gas ordinance. Mimi Peabody was not present, but had provided a written summation and some commentary on the ordinance. Commenting on the ordinance as a community council was discussed. Michael Miller was not sure it was necessary to comment unless it was of vital interest to the Lazy Mountain Area. Gary Larusso suggested a general comment of support for a resource extraction policy instead of many specific ones. 

 

Jim Sykes Sykes observed that current natural gas leases could be used as a back door to obtaining Coal Bed Methane permits. The Borough had declined to extend the date on comments, but further public participation will be possible. A general agreement was reached to monitor the issue and come back to it at the next meeting. 

 

SPUD report. Jim Sykes reported that the Borough was being hesitant and that there had been no movement since May. There was discussion as to whether people who applied to the SPUD committee could meet anyway, but Gary Larusso noted that would be legally invalid. The Borough has to appoint a committee, which has not technically been done yet. Jim said he would speak to planning commissioner Ken Klunder, and urged everyone to talk to the planning commission and planning department. 

 

No Firewise members were present, so there was no Firewise report. Jim Sykes noted that a dry summer is being predicted. 

 

Morris Tower update: The Morris Tower is now broadcasting full time. One nearby neighbor had reported to Jim that his FM reception was being interfered with, no one present at the meeting had any interference to report. Jim said that the station is obligated to fix any interference reported within the first year. 

 

Karen Lopez reported that she had gone to view the tower, but had been unable to locate it from where he had been on the road. She said that this indicated the view impact with minimal. 

 

Gary Larusso reported that a borough-wide tower plan was moving forward. To achieve build out of 100 foot towers, approximately 5,200 towers would have to be constructed. Tower numbers in the Borough right now are in the hundreds.

The Borough tower committee was moving towards the writing phase, and one of the choices to make was whether or not to have higher towers with lower tower density, or lower towers with higher density. Public comment is being sought. 

When the plan is completed, it will be posted on the Borough website. 

 

Gary Larusso mentioned that he had spoken to the appropriate people about having a topographic map of the Wolverine lake area be made. He said he will figure out a mapping corridor. A topographic map would show the feasibility of alternate routes for public access. 

The estimated cost would be $7,500. Using some of the funds the LMCC might get if it were incorporated was discussed. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:33.