Meeting Minutes

GLPC Annual Meeting June 20, 2026 – Minutes

Board Members Present: Bob Happy, President; Tim Komdat, Maureen Straight, Valerie Lang Waldin, Secretary; John Windover, Carolyn Windover, Treasurer

Guest Speaker: Jennifer Wesolowski, Engineer for the Glass Lake Preservation Corporation, Gomez & Sullivan Engineers

A quorum was present with 28 members.

Call to Order: Bob Happy called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM.

Update on Dam:

A debate exists between the Town of Sand Lake and the Glass Lake Preservation Corporation (GLPC) regarding the dam’s condition and the maintenance/repair responsibilities of the road and dam.

  • The Town claims the dam needs repair; the GLPC engineer maintains it does not.
  • The dam is 175 years old and requires strategic planning for future repairs.
  • The Town is responsible for upkeep of the road.
  • The GLPC engineer’s inspection reports indicate the dam is sound, with potential spillway capacity issues common in older dams.
  • The dam’s stability is not negatively impacted by the current failure of the east abutment material.
  • Calculations suggest the dam could lose up to 19 feet before safety is compromised.
  • Town and GLPC engineer disagree on the cause of dam issues, with some attributing problems to frost thaw or road traffic.
  • The dam’s condition is rated as “unsound to fair” by DEC, mainly due to storm water capacity, not structural integrity.
  • The dam’s age and winter conditions pose ongoing risks, prompting discussions on long-term solutions.

Town’s Proposed Solutions and Funding Options

The town has presented multiple options for addressing the dam and road issues, with financial and legal implications.

  • Three options: do nothing, create a tax district, or drain the lake.
  • Draining the lake is off the table; the GLPC would take legal action if attempted.
  • The Town has already allocated $30,000 for repairs; some estimates suggest total costs of $30,000 to $40,000.
  • The Town claims it has $6,500 already committed for work.
  • The question arose as to whether the Town has secured bids for repairs.
  • The Town may front the repair costs but expects the GLPC to share expenses.  This prompted concerns about setting a precedent if the GLPC pays for dam repairs.
  • A long-term solution for maintenance of the dam and the future of the lake is needed.
  • Detailed financials on long-term solutions are unclear but could run into millions of dollars.
  • The Town is under pressure to open the road for emergency services, influencing repair priorities.

Engineering Assessments and Structural Concerns

Professional evaluations confirm the dam’s safety status and identify specific structural issues.

  • Inspection reports show the dam is generally sound; however, spillway capacity may be inadequate.
  • The dam’s design predates modern standards, affecting capacity and safety.
  • The failure plane appears to involve gravel and soil layers, but the exact extent is unknown.
  • The concrete bottom of the bridge shows deterioration; rebar is exposed.
  • The dam’s rating is “unsound to fair” due to storm water passage capacity, not structural failure.
  • The left abutment is stronger than the right (east), which is more vulnerable.
  • The dam’s age and winter conditions increase the risk of future issues.
  • Engineers recommend ongoing monitoring and strategic planning for repairs.

Legal and Political Considerations

  • The dam owner or beneficiary is legally responsible for safety and maintenance.
  • The Town benefits from the lake’s/dam’s public access and water management.
  • The GLPC is cautious about signing agreements that waive future responsibility.
  • Town officials are under political pressure to open the road and address emergency needs.
  • Discussions include potential legal action if the Town drains the lake or refuses repairs.
  • The Town’s assessment and valuation influence funding and legal strategies.  There are no recent detailed Town engineer reports on dam or road repairs; only renderings and estimates available.
  • The Town’s budget transparency issues complicate financial negotiations.
  • The GLPC seeks detailed plans and costs before committing to repairs or funding.
  • There is concern about setting a precedent that could impact future liability and responsibilities.

2025 Meeting Minutes:

Bob Eckert motioned to accept the 2025 meeting minutes, motioned was seconded by Jeanne Stinson.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report/Community Dues Collection and Participation

A discussion about dues payments, community involvement, and communication challenges ensued.

  • $11,500 in 2026 dues collected so far.
  • Estimated 40 dues paid out of approximately 70 homeowners.
  • Many members are unaware of the importance of dues for Glass Lake community quality of life.
  • Some members believe paying dues makes them liable for lawsuits, which is false.
  • Suggestion to form a house-to-house outreach group to improve awareness.  Cindy Mitchell offered to assist in this effort.
  • Need for better communication through newsletters, website updates, and possibly online payment options like Zelle or via credit card.
  • Only about 25-30 members typically attend meetings, with a decline over years.
  • Proposal to increase meeting frequency and improve transparency via website updates and electronic voting.

Additional Items:

Updates on lake treatment, dam, and shoreline maintenance efforts.

  • Lake treated for milfoil last year; snorkel inspections suggest treatment was effective.
  • Milfoil control requires ongoing, regular maintenance, ideally every 3-5 years.
  • Dike cleanup scheduled again, with participation issues among residents living on the dike.
  • Dike maintenance is a DEC directive; all residents should participate.
  • Town snowplowing may have impacted the road integrity.
  • Potential to explore grants for dam and lake maintenance, but current status is limited by organizational tax designation (501c4 vs. 501c3).
  • Charlie Braverman made a motion to change organizational status to 501c3 for better grant eligibility, which involves simple filing and has tax benefits.  Cindy Mitchell seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Governance, Bylaws, and Communication Improvements

Discussion on bylaws, meeting frequency, and communication strategies.

  • Bylaws are being reviewed; minor typos and outdated clauses are being identified.
  • Proposed to amend bylaws for electronic voting; requires a future meeting for approval.
  • Suggestion to hold biannual or quarterly meetings for better engagement and special sessions for pressing issues.
  • Current communication is limited to annual meetings, parties, and website updates.
  • Board members working on website enhancements, including notices, agendas, minutes, budgets, dam updates and volunteer lists.
  • Minutes from meetings are posted online shortly after, with efforts to improve real-time updates.
  • Emphasis on transparency, with potential plans to share membership dues payment lists upon request.
  • Discussions about legal and liability issues related to property access and dog walking if uncontrolled dogs were to cause injury.

Water Quality/Science for Shoreline Residents:

Tighe’s Bistro, June 25th at 5:00 PM, speaker to begin at 5:30 PM.  RSVP to Maureen Straight if interested: mstra5050@gmail.com, 518.441.4938.

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned at 11:17 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Lang Waldin, Secretary

Langval730@gmail.com

518.478.1505