The meeting came to order around 8:30 AM.

Previous Meeting Minutes

Rob Kaye (RK) read the minutes of the September 30, 2000 meeting. The minutes were approved as read.

Treasurer's Report

Balance on Hand as of 9/30/00 $3,527.07
Receipts $422.06 ($365 in Dues)
Expenses $651.43
Balance on Hand as of 5/10/01 $3,297.70

The Treasurer also offered the following statistics:

Membership History

1995-97	69 Members
1996-98	60
1998-99	59
1998-2000	34

The Treasurer's Report was approved as read.

Old Business

Newsletter:     There were 13 dues checks sent in after the last newsletter was mailed out. Judy Jaeger (JJ) suggested that the newsletter be sent out quarterly to spur membership payments. RK asked for assistance with submissions for the newsletter. RK will continue to format and print the newsletter, but would like stories and submissions to include.

Phone Chain:     RK restated the description of the phone chain to be used between meetings in case of emergency issues that need Board approval. RK also asked about the value of the email updates he provides. The membership agreed that email is a valuable tool.

Website:       RK asked the membership if the website was a valuable tool for the association. The membership agreed that the website provides useful information.

Membership:     RK asked that we make an effort to get a good, complete listing of all names and addresses for the homes around the lake. Pam offered the use of the MLS system to get a listing of addresses. Pat Carroll (PC), Don Trottier (DT) and Dick Groenert (DG) offered to help complete the listing. PC stated that along the south side of the lake, 50% of the homeowners were TLA members! PC then challenged the rest of the lake - if they can provide a better membership rate, he will provide a T-bone bar-be-que! As a part of the membership discussion, Mary Baas (MB) offered a short survey for the residents. The thought is to provide the survey on a postcard in the next newsletter. MB will donate the stamps for the postcards.

Milfoil:         The membership discussed the need to spray again and the timing for the spraying. There is a possibility that the Milfoil needs to mature before spraying. The membership also discussed a blanket method to block the sun and kill off the Milfoil. The membership also discussed funding of the spraying and alternatives to spraying, including hand pulling and the introduction of a weevil. Elaine Groenert (EG) discussed the need to act quickly at the boat launch sites to remove the Milfoil. EG stressed the fact that the Milfoil at these locations could be spread within our lake and to other lakes. DG and EG will work on the permit required to spray. Carol stated that the township would need an agenda item to vote on for the township to support TLA with funding for spraying. The membership discussed attacking the Milfoil with all possible weapons. Darren Franzen (DTF) will provide the materials necessary to build the blankets. The TLA will discuss a hand-pulling date at the Annual meeting. PC moved that the TLA fund, if necessary, a spraying this year or as soon as possible. The motion was seconded and approved.

Lake District/Wetlands/DNR:     PC stated that the DNR wanted to purchase 8,500 acres in Richmond Township and Sugar Creek. The DNR bought some lands and then President Bush cut funding. The Grossman farm sold everything except the lake frontage property. PC did note that there was a group on the lake trying to find the Massagaua Rattlesnakes, but he did not know if they found any or not. The membership would like to contact Audrey Green (AG), Walworth County's Lake Specialist, for a contact to discuss zoning issues. RK discussed the Lake District issues and stated that there may not be a need to form a district if the DNR continued to buy land and protect our lake.

Sportsman's Club:     RK discussed the relationship between the TLA and the Sportsman's Club with Ed Gross. They want to bridge the gap between the groups. Bill Paladino, the Club's Treasurer, wants to spearhead this. RK intends to talk to the Sportsman's Club, invite them to our meetings, and invite the Club to participate in the TLA events. The membership discussed the issue of the debris left on the ice after the ice-fishing season. Greg Kaye (GK) offered to visit the Turtle Inn to get information about the Sportsman's Club's next meeting.

New Business

Land Use Report:     Richmond Township has a land use report. Counties are taking over from the townships and forcing the townships to comply with the county plans. These plans include Lake Classification and zoning. The township chair may reconvene the old land use board to review the existing plan. PC stated that we need to stay involved as steward of the lake and land. Richmond Township could form it's own zoning board at this time. Interested members can ask to be included on the government body's mailing lists to receive meeting notices and minutes. RK moved to applaud PC and Carol for all of their work in monitoring and reporting on township activities. The motion was seconded and approved.

Southeast Wisconsin Lakes Conference:     There is complete information available on the website. Highlights included information about the goose problems, with the main solution being to avoid creating lawns that run down to the shores of the lake. The geese like to have an unobstructed view of the water, the escape route for their young who haven't learned to fly. Leaving the shoreline more native, with a tall growth of grasses and flowers, will deter the geese from visiting your lawn. The conference also included information of shoreland restoration and boating law. The DNR is now able to issue tickets based on videotaped violations. RK promised to have his camera ready all year long.

WAL Conference:     DG and EG were given an ovation to recognize their nomination for the Lake Steward award at the conference. Additional information will be available at the TLA Annual Meeting.

TLA Annual Meeting:     The Annual Meeting and PotLuck Dinner will be held on June 16 at the Richmond Township offices. The dinner will start at 6:00 PM and setup will begin at 5:30 PM. The 2002 Annual Meeting Date will be discussed and decided at the last meeting of the 2001 season after the buoys are removed. The membership discussed trying to have the Annual Meeting in May 2002. Carol asked for assistance last year and Janice Sewinsky offered to help. Scott Porter will donate the ham for the dinner, GK will donate a case of beer, MB will bring rolls and butter, DG and EG will donate soda and DTF will donate plants for the tables. Raffle prize donations are always welcome!
 

Open Discussion:

Nominations:     PC nominated RK for President, Cheryl for Vice President, MB for Secretary and JJ for Treasurer. Pam, DT, PC and Ed have one more year of their Director's terms, and DTF was nominated to replace MB on the Board for the remainder of her 1-year term. The nomination motion was seconded and approved

Purple Loosestrife:     PC and EG discussed this new non-native invasive species that grows in wetlands and chokes off the native plants. If you see anything purple growing, PC and EG would like you to check with them and they can confirm whether or not we have a purple loosestrife problem.

RK entertained a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was made, seconded and approved. The meeting adjourned at around 9:45 AM.