by Joe Niola,
President of the Lake Kitchawan Association
7/24/17
(Originally published as an email to the
Lake Kitchawan Association Board and
other LKA members.)


Members of the LKA Board and LKA members,

         Thank you for all your hard work in helping to make the 2017 community celebration a real success. The term success often involves more than just financial gain. It can be defined in how close we came to achieving a more significant community goal.

         You may recall that one of my primary concerns as an LKA board member are the Lake Kitchawan families and the Lake Kitchawan youth. To our good fortune, Kitchawan families, their children, and friends contributed significantly to our attendance. It was very gratifying to see children and parents enjoying the beach, playing, swimming, fishing and eating some of the best food ever at an LKA event while accompanied by the music of DJs, Scott and Kristin.

           Even as the sun began to set, activity on the water and at the dock continued to run strong. Our own Town Supervisor, Peter Parsons, attended with his grand children. Town board member, Dan Welsh also joined in the fun. Former LKA president, Laurel Genovese was also a pleasant surprise to see.

           It was a beautiful day, and thankfully, all who attended had a wonderful time.

           Thank you,

           Joe    

 2017 Annual Meeting Address
 
        I would like to begin by expressing my thanks to everyone who helped make 2016 a very successful season. Many of you who do not wish to be board members but are willing to head up crews or committees to get jobs done are the very truly essential personnel. Your willingness to contribute your time, your skill and your talent is what keeps us on an upward path.
 
         I thank Sophie on science and health. I thank Paul on Lake management and our representative with the LKCC. I thank Larry and Charlie on maintenance and outdoor improvement. Tim and Bernard for contributing landscape design and their contribution in the county garden program where visitors are given the opportunity to view some of the beauty of Lake Kitchawan. I thank Kyle Jones for insuring that the projects we undertake that require skill and a big machine are done well and in a timely fashion. Bob Swern who has undertaken the cyber responsibility that will help us utilize the communication tools of the 21st century. I thank Bob Ford who has always responded when a problem arose that required his electrical expertise. I thank Rui Oliverea who has always been the go to man when a job needs to be done.
 
         I have had the good fortune to work beside an exceptional board. I would like to thank John Sullivan, Chris Zoller, Eileen O’Halloran, Aimee Hodges, Klye Jones, Ron Egloff, LaRae Olufsen Roundtree, and Marie Chariott.
 
         The following is a brief recap of the 2016 accomplishments by the Lake Kitchawan Association and its dedicated community members:

1. An upgraded water system, which includes a new state of the art water holding and filtration system to significantly improve the water used in the clubhouse.
2. An additional clubhouse refrigerator was donated.
3. Upgraded stoves were donated, and are to be installed in the clubhouse for the 2017 season.
4. Fencing repairs were made where necessary.
5. Electric power was provided to the new storage shed located in the beach area.
6. Extensive repairs were made to the float for the 2017 season.
7. Landscaping improvements were made particularly around the new storage shed.
8. The private roads were all plowed for safe passage during the winter months.
9. The David Lieberman Park was maintained and groomed for the benefit of our young people and family events.
10. Communication and support to the LKCC was provided in order to continue association stewardship of Lake Kitchawan.
11. The annual dumpster day was a success.
12. The old playground was transformed.
13. Plans and permits have been submitted for the repair and improvement of the dry fire hydrant project located on Lake Kitchawan Association property.
14.  Liens have been filed on certain properties due to delinquency in dues.
15.  All taxes and insurance obligations have been paid and current.
16.  The website has been revisited and updated.
17.  The online site, Nextdoor has proven to be an active and useful way of putting people in contact with one another in order to assist them in sending messages or finding contractors for home improvement needs
18.  Tree removal and landscape improvement already begun behind the clubhouse.

 
 
PROJECTIONS FOR 2017

1. Removal of the old shed in the community garden area, and either discarding it or relocating it behind the clubhouse in order to create more space in the clubhouse by storing unneeded appliances and materials in the shed. The possibly of even replacing the old shed with a new one may also be an option.
2. Installation of a higher power well motor to match the new water system in the clubhouse.
3. Completely remodel the men’s bathroom and make it more gentlemanly friendly.
4. Additional fence repairs will also be on the agenda
5. There appears to be a need for some sort of an entertainment option for the older children in the playground when they return on the bus after school. A new swing set is to be part of that addition.
6. An inventory and a method for keeping track of boats, canoes and kayaks is currently under implementation as part of a safety and maintenance program in light of the future installation of a new dry fire hydrant system.
7. Extensive work is being planned in an attempt to improve communication throughout our community and surrounding communities by making our website a more useful community tool.
8. We have submitted all necessary permits to the town for the installation of a new dry fire hydrant along the dock strip. This is considered a high priority due to the fact that water is needed to combat fires and the fire department will have an easy and quick access to fill its trucks in a location most beneficial to our own community as well as being beneficial to surrounding neighborhoods.
9. Under consideration will be a petition to the town for the possible town acceptance of one of our private road, namely Laurel Road.
10. Landscaping the southerly end of the beach area is also under consideration for the 2017 season.
11. St John’s Church in South Salem will be celebration an anniversary of over two hundred years with an outdoor prayer service in an area containing a beautiful body of water. Lake Kitchawan beach area has been chosen as the 2017 site. The prayer service will involve the St. John’s congregation of sixty or seventy parishioners and members of our community are invited. It will be a quiet and solemn morning service from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on Sunday morning, June 25, conducted by Father Joseph Campo. I will request that our community be mentioned in their prayer.
12.   A wedding event is also planned for September 2nd to be held in the community garden area.

 
         My vision as president and community leader is difficult to put in a nutshell because I believe I represent a diverse group of property owners who don’t all share the same vision. Therefore, I feel there should be a more balance approach to what should be our community image, projection or goal in order that everyone will take pride and a part of our neighborhood family.

         One way that I believe will help in achieving this goal is by always first considering what would be in the best interest of our children.

         As you are aware every year the water is tested and must be given health and safety approval before our children will be permitted to swim in the lake.

         Amenities are incorporated into the common areas for children to safely enjoy under parental supervision.

         An adult atmosphere of exemplary conduct helps conscientious parents to instill the best ideals possible in their children. It’s not a comfortable or favorable situation for parents and children who wish to have family time at the beach to also encounter adults freely enjoying a relaxing time over alcoholic beverages. The solution is not one that needs to be dictated. The solution is something we can arrive at on our own based on a shared belief that our children are a priority and we are all responsible in some way for their welfare.

         There is a need for reflection regarding parties, loud music, fire works and alcohol. Terms like moderation and discretion should enable us to put things in a more proper perspective.

         Vandalism. bigotry, discrimination and any form of unfair intolerance must be uncharacteristic of the community we choose to be associated.

         I wish to lead a neighborhood, which shares the views of acceptance, understanding, and mutual cooperation. I wish to be a part of an unselfish community of friends and neighbors willing to go the extra mile for one another.

         My goal as president, with the assistance of a like-minded board, and your help, is to continually work to make Lake Kitchawan the most desirable community in the town of Lewisboro.



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