Broad River Watershed Association Board Meeting
October 14, 2009
Present at Meeting: Mary Freeman, Sam Linhart, Jean Smith, Michael Moody, Victor Johnson, Pat Kelly, Paul Webb, Debbie Lester, Robbie Griffith, Bud Freeman, Becca Haynie, Rhett Haynie
Mary Gazaway from the Ga EPD met with the board prior to the board meeting to explain the implementation plan for identifying and cleaning up pollutants that are impairing the section of the Broad River from Hwy 281 to Hwy 172,
Mary introduced the board members to Becca Haynie, the newly elected board member, and welcomed Becca and her husband Rhett to the meeting.
The minutes from the Sept. 9 board meeting and the Annual Meeting Minutes were reviewed. Jean moved to approve the Sept. 9 minutes. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Mary noted that Jim Renner’s name was spelled wrong in the Annual meeting minutes. Victor moved to approve the Annual Meeting minutes with that correction. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Victor explained the Sept. financial statement. Pat moved to approve the September financial report. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Jean reported that Bill Hood, a geologist and long time BRWA member from Elbert County, is concerned that Elbert County is becoming a dumping ground for waste dumping. He has pledged to get BRWA 10 new members. Jean reported that he has gotten five so far. He is concerned about the existing LHR Farm on River Road in Elbert County. They have an agriculture permit to allow waste from poultry processing plants to be plowed into the soil. He is also concerned with the proposed waste incinerator in Elbert County.
Jean explained that adjacent land owners have given to BRWA permission to monitor Bertram Creek, which runs between their property and the field that LHR Farm is spreading the waste on. Jean initially tested there immediately after the spreading began but found nothing. After talking to Frank Carl, Jean thinks testing for dissolved oxygen levels instead of nutrients may better detect a problem. She hopes that regular, frequent monitoring could detect a pollution problem early.
Jean and Mary are interested in starting this project soon. Sam agreed to get the watershed committee together and invite Bill Hood to discuss monitoring Bertram Creek.
Robbie reported that he will be meeting with Andrew Bryson a professor from Wyoming next Friday to discuss a conservation easement on his property in the watershed.
Victor asked if BRWA wanted to sponsor a breakfast at the GA River Network Conference in February at Jekyll Island. Jean moved to donate $100 for the breakfast. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Victor said Richard Patrick who owns the building that is the BRWA office wants to sell the building. He is asking $41,000 but it would be a pretty big burden on BRWA to buy it. Tasex and insurance would increase by $511/year. Bud asked what the building was appraised for. Victor didn’t know. Tax value is $15000. Jean asked what the condition of the roof is. Victor said it is fairly good tin roof with no obvious leaks. To continue renting at some other location would be more than $5000/year. Victor will talk to Richard to see if he would owner finance. Mary asked if we could rent something in Comer cheaper. Robbie will ask Dudley to look into cost and possibilities of renting in Comer.
Mary said that Amy Patterson wants to meet with our board. She represents Green First, a company that wants to put a waste incinerator in Elbert County. Victor suggested that we open the meeting to the membership and have the meeting at the library. Mary will contact her to see if that is agreeable with her.
Saturday is the Danielsville Fall Festival on the square in the park. Victor will help set up the tent and Debbie will be manning the table to promote BRWA.
Meeting adjourned.