HOLA Board Minutes July 12, 2025

HOLA Board Minutes 7/12/2025 9AM at the RFA Theater

Present: Darren Winslow & Dave Douglas on Zoom, Dave Arthurs, Ann Arthurs, Ana Wetherill, Rob Smith, Val Zapolsky, Jeff Zapolsky, Ed Zambraski, Millie Hoekstra, John Patriquin, Larry Malone, Brittany Russell, Al Salvini

Absent: Mary-Ellen Moroney, Sam White

Millie called the meeting to order at 8:52 AM.

Secretary’s Minutes (attached)of the May meeting were approved unanimously without discussion.

Nominating Committee: All current board members whose terms are expiring are willing to serve again:

AdHoc Committee (attached): Larry Malone wanted to speak early in this meeting as he had another meeting to get to. He had emailed the results of the AdHoc Committee’s report out to the board prior to the meeting. Rob Smith asked if we have to formalize the penalty system. The general consensus of the board was, yes, that is why the AdHoc committee was formed. However, several board members had not reviewed the committee’s report. Ed Zambraski handed out his own version (attached). Some discussion ensued and it was decided that the board will review the committee’s report and conduct an email discussion with “reply to all” responses.

Treasurer’s Report: (attached) Account Balances are all good. Delinquent payors are unchanged. Please inform Millie if you see any new foundations going in. Budget for the next year was presented. It is basically unchanged from this year’s. The board unanimously approved the budget. Jeff presented a new bill format that is easier for him and help us to budget better. The board gave him it’s blessing to change the format.

Road Commissioner’s Report: Some work was done at the bottom of the Lynn Way, but most work has been done and almost finished on the Overlook side. M & H Construction will be getting to the Highlands side shortly.

Waterfront Report (attached): Ed had one addition, that the USDA found only 10 geese on the whole east side of Rangeley Lake and had them removed. The waterfront has been very free of geese droppings. The system is working!  The size of the boats docked in our harbor will be reviewed by the Waterfront Committee and report any needed changes for the 2026 reservation form to the board of directors at a future meeting .

Additional items:

Dave Arthurs stated that the ditch beside the Overlook sign and garden is very deep and the gardeners are at risk crossing the ditch and that perhaps we should put in a bridge across the ditch. Some discussion ensued and it was decided to look into it further.

Val Zapolsky stated that someone was shooting a gun off as target practice on the Highlands side. She called the sherriff and was informed that HUINTING is not allowed, but shooting is as long as it is more than 100 yards to the next house. She thought we should change our rules to NO SHOOTING. It will be looked into.

Ed Zambraski proposed issuing some ATV rules update to all homeowners. His proposal was reviewed and the board felt that it was unnecessary.  No further action is needed since this issue was studied by the appointed ad hoc committee last year.  Their findings and policy changes (based on current Maine law/statutes) were discussed at a previous board meeting. At that time, the board reaffirmed the ATV Road Use and established a new Waterfront ATV Use policy. A memorandum (see attachment) was emailed to all members in January. These policies are listed on our website.. HOLA Policy and Procedure Updates – Rangeley Maine Highlands Ovelook Landowners Association  

Meeting was adjourned at 10 AM.

Next meeting 9AM on August 30 at the waterfront before the Annual Meeting at 11 AM.