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Notes from the MSCA President
August 16, 2025
I know it's hard to believe but summer is racing to its end and our Labor Day weekend community meeting is just around the corner. The agenda for the August 30 meeting follows below along with the draft minutes from our July 5 MSCA meeting. Enjoy these fleeting weeks of summer and we'll see you at the meeting.
Maple Springs Community Meeting
August 30, 2025 10:00AM at the Fire Hall
Agenda
- Welcome - Darin Bartram
- Pledge of allegiance - Darin Bartram
- Approval of previous meeting minutes
- Budget Review - Bob Wooler
- MSIC Update - Doug Conroe
- Beach/Lakefront - Rob Trenkamp
- Hospitality Committee Update - Sarah Tranum
- Presentation of Slate for Election for 2026 Board - Following below is the slate for nomination
For an initial two year term: Binnie Kurtzner Pappas
Binnie Kurtzner Pappas is a longtime member of the Maple Springs community who lives on Lakeview Avenue with her husband, Bryan; son, Marshall; and Yellow Lab, Turk. They reside in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where Binnie is the Website Manager for Laurel School—a remote position that allows her to spend significant time in Maple Springs year-round.
Binnie first came to Maple Springs at age 4 in the early 1970s when her family rented a cottage on Rivulet Avenue. After a few years, they purchased a home on Lakeview, fully committed to summers in the Springs, and soon a network of friends became “family.” She considers their free play in the lake, creek, and woods foundational to her development and character.
As a teen and young adult, her local jobs included Sea Lion tour guide, L-S Aero Marine gas attendant, and sailing instructor at Chautauqua Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Over the years, Binnie (aka “B.J.”) has purchased hundreds of fireballs at the Whiteside Hotel, skated thousands of miles at Midway Park, held down a six-figure Q-bert record in the arcade, and once played snare drum at the Summit. This is her first time serving on the MSCA Board.
For a second two-year term: Elise Torre
For a third two-year term: Bob Wooler
9. Comments from the floor on matters not previously discussed
Next Meeting Date & Location?
4th of July is on a Saturday. Propose: Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 9:00am
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Maple Springs Citizens Association Meeting - DRAFT minutes
July 5th, 2025
President Darrin Bartram called the meeting to order at 9:05 am. Participants recited the pledge of allegiance.
A motion to approve previous meeting minutes was made by by Shar Trenkamp – and seconded by Jane Conroe. Minutes were approved as submitted.
Gayle McNeil, and Mary Sadlack, who passed since the Fall 2024 meeting were remembered, with a moment of silence. No new members of the community were present to be acknowledged.
Darrin gave participants a reminder on how to access the MSP website, and referenced that Bob Wooler also had information sheets printed for the group at the front of the room.
Bob Wooler provided the financial review for membership. The group reviewed the budget vs. actuals from years 2024 and 2025. We are doing well in terms of pledges. On the expense side, everything is in line with what was budgeted, and we have a surplus to carry us through the year.
Questions from members on MSCA finances were solicited and were not forthcoming. Bob also provided explanations of the current balances of our funds. The capital fund was used for paving and will start to grow again. We will continue to build our capital reserve; general reserve is one year’s budget which has been locked in.
The legal defense fund has grown to close to 15k. The citizenry was asked to opine on a maximum level. A member suggested pausing further funding at 20k, and another suggested we drop the annual amount placed in the fund to 1k per year, down from 2k. After general discussion, membership voted from the floor, and both changes were approved.
A member mentioned that our insurance costs are going up and should we shop for better pricing? Bob reported that this effort was undertaken, and the current plan costs are lower than the competitive bids that were solicited.
The MSIC was reported on by Shar Trenkamp. No issues. Any questions, please contact a MSIC board member. As a reminder, names of all board members are posted on the website.
Rob Trenkamp gave a report on the sand at the public beach, which is an improvement over previous years. There have also been improvements made to the public dock, and there seems to be a reduction of old dock sections and other detritus on public land.
A question was asked concerning whether we should put up a sign that says “no fishing” in addition to “no docking” on the public dock. Rob Trenkamp will take this item on. Sarah Tranum suggested posting information on where people can fish on the website.
Kathy Strickland asked about the cadence of weed removal at the public beach. The issues of bees on the beach were shared. After general discussion, no motions were put forward.
Hospitality update: Board member Sarah Tranum introduced the members of the committee and thanked them for their work. Items of note:
- · Flower boxes on the bridge have been installed
- · Last year there were doughnuts and coffee at the member meeting
- · We purchased 5 new Adirondack chairs and a glider. Sarah provided a reminder to move things back when you use them.
- · Garage sale yielded over 900 dollars and was a success. The committee is not sure about next year due to the amount of work needed for the amount raised.
- · Committee also provides welcome gift package to new members.
- · Next happy hour on common property July 19th. Bring a beverage and a dish to share.
- · August 16th is the Chautauqua Belle evening cruise, leaving from the bed and breakfast. Sarah is working on an Event Brite registration system with more information. Spaces are limited to 100.
There was a discussion about how we might want to move the glider closer to the rain garden. Patrick said he would help. The committee was also asked to consider options for storing the things we have bought.
Annual elections: Darrin informed the membership we need a nominating committee for upcoming board positions. Darrin asked people who are interested in being on the committee to come see him directly.
Open Floor/Other Business:
Park Place resident Esther Lee thanked the citizenry for the great paving on park place, which has increased foot traffic and provided a greater sense of neighborliness. Thanks from Shar to Elise and Joe for watering the common garden plantings.
Motion to adjourn from the floor not being forthcoming, Darrin closed the meeting at 9:40 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie C. Benjamin
Secretary, MSCA
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June 21, 2025
Summer Greetings to All….
As we approach the July 4 weekend in Maple Springs, I would like to remind everyone that our early summer MSCA General Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, July 5 from 9:00 to 10:00 am at the Fire Hall. The agenda for the meeting and minutes from our August, 2024 meeting follow below. On behalf of the board, I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Here is a little information about scheduled events to help you with your holiday weekend planning:
Friday, July 4 10:00 pm Mayville and Bemus Point Fireworks displays
Saturday, July 5 9:00 am MSCA General Meeting – Fire Hall
10:00 am Bike Decorating at The Circle
11:00 am Parade at The Circle
11:30 am Games sign-up @ Kauffman’s
1:00 pm Games at the Promenade
6:00 pm Cocktail Party
Saturday, July 12 10:15 pm Fireworks at Midway State Park
For all of you who are celebrating with your own fireworks, please be safe and considerate.
Thanks,
Darin
Agenda – MSCA Meeting -July 5, 2025 9:00AM Fire Hall
1. Welcome - Darin Bartram
2. Pledge of allegiance - Darin
3. Approve previous meeting minutes - Darin
4. Recognition of those who have passed away since last summer
5. Welcome to new community members
6. Website & Directory Reminder www.maplespringsny.com
7. Financial Review - Bob Wooler
8. MSIC - Doug Conroe
9. Beach - Rob Trenkamp
10. Hospitality Committee Update - Sarah Tranum
11. Elections—formation of nominating committee.
12. Community Announcements and Other Business
13. Next Meeting Date & Location; propose Aug 30, 2025, at Fire Hall
DRAFT MSCA Meeting Minutes - August 31, 2024
10 - 11:30am
Maple Springs Fire Hall
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Agenda item |
Discussion |
Action |
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Welcome (10:03am) and Pledge of Allegiance - Darin Bartram |
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Minutes from June 29, 2024 |
No changes from the floor |
Motion to approve: Valerie Benjamin Second: Binnie Kurtzner Minutes approved |
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Safety Address by Chautauqua County Sheriff: Mark Bagglia |
Reviewed items related to safety and relevant to MSP. |
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Website update |
● Reminder of the address so everyone can find it: www.maplespringsny.com or .org. |
MSCA Board will continue to update the FAQ section. |
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Budget Review |
Bob Wooler provided an overview of the financial . Items to note: ● Bob posed the option of raising the membership dues by $10 to cover the paving gap. |
● Motion to approve the budget without the dues increase: Valerie Benjamin ● Second: Sharon Bartram ● Motion approved |
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Budget Review: Park Place Paving |
Discussion over Park Place paving. |
● Motion to approve the $8000 difference to cover the paving cost for Park Place: Jim Barnett ● Second: Valerie Benjamin ● Aya 29, Nay 7, Abstaintions weren’t requested. ● Motion approved |
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Budget Review: Insurance Coverage |
Marie Berner presented an overview of our coverage. |
MSCA Board will use legal defense funds to seek legal counsel on the best way to proceed with liability coverage. |
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Budget Review: Capital Expenditure Guideline update |
The Board intends to make decisions on capital expenses over $2500 that are not part of the regular budget at membership meetings because it is more inclusive and democratic. We may formalize the steps in making recommendations into policy however. |
The MSCA Board will consider formalizing a policy. |
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MSIC Update |
Doug Conroe indicated there is nothing to report on. |
The Board is working on more communication and transparency regarding the MSIC and MSCA Boards on the website. This will include an FAQ section. |
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Beach/Lakefront update |
Rob provided an update on the state of the beach and the community dock. |
Dick Davenport offered to provide some funding for new, white sand. REMINDER to all to clean up the trash at the beach (and any common land area where people gather). Board will look into adding goose poop and weed cleanup to our common land maintenance contract with Bill. Suggested that we assess if the work we expect to get done is actually getting done. Consider putting out another bid. |
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Hospitality Committee update |
Marie provided a summary of all of the tasks this committee has accomplished over the past year. |
The Hospitality Committee will review feedback from the survey to plan for 2025. |
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Election for 2025 Board |
Valerie Benjamin and John Michael were nominated from the floor. Darin Bartram and Rob Trenkamp agreed to serve another term. This slate was presented for a vote. |
● Motion to approve the slate: BJ Kurtzner ● Second: Shar Trenkamp ● Motion passed |
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Comments/Announcements from the Floor |
Question: Who determines how to spend the legal defense fund? The MSCA Board has the sole discretion to determine how those funds are spent. Tree Services Fundraiser: Suggested that we sell coasters with the MSP logo on them, spearheaded by Binny. Nothing was finalized. Suggestion that we create a committee to discuss tree care and draft a policy regarding the care of trees on common property. |
MSCA Board should consider drafting policies for: ● Spending of legal funds. ● Tree care (perhaps this is part of the Enhancement Committee charge). |
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Adjourn |
Motion to adjourn: Valerie Second: Binnie Kurtzner Meeting adjourned at 11:34pm. |
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April 8, 2025
Dear Maple Springs,
I hope you are well and that 2025 is off to a great start for each of you. I’m sending this letter as the Maple Springs Citizens Association’s board president.
As is traditional, I would like to thank our outgoing board members Marie Berner and Kathy O’Brien for their service to the community. Their efforts to increase community events and the legwork to find a contractor to pave Park Place are most appreciated, as is their generosity in increasing seating along the lakefront and hospitality events.
Please join me in welcoming our newest (and veteran) board members: John Michael and Valerie Benjamin. The Board of Directors for 2025 is:
Darin Bartram, President Sarah Tranum, Member
Elise Torre, Vice President Rob Trenkamp, Member
Bob Wooler, Treasurer John Michael, Member
Valerie Benjamin, Secretary
Below are a few items to be aware of as we start 2025.
● Be on the lookout for membership dues notices. They will go out later this month.
● Park Place PAVED!
● Keep track of community updates on our website, www.maplespringsny.org/. Content suggestions would be appreciated. We anticipate a community garage sale and happy hours this summer.
● Waterfront clean up – As spring approaches and docks are installed, please be mindful to remove items and keep the lakefront tidy. If you didn’t use it last year, please consider getting rid of it this year.
● First General Meeting – Mark your calendars for Saturday July 5th for the first general meeting, 10am.
● Finally, very importantly, please note that effective January 1, 2025, all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, will need to have a boater safety license. (For more information: https://parks.ny.gov/boating/education.aspx) New York recognizes through reciprocity a wide range of certificates from other states, so be sure to look for the most convenient option for you. I have found the courses through Boat/US to be convenient and free. (www.boatus.org/free)
Best wishes to everyone in 2025 and I look forward to seeing you later in the spring!
Darin Bartram
President, Maple Springs Citizens Association
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