TURTLE LAKE
IMPROVEMENT AND PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION (TLA)
MINUTES OF
MEETING – 3/22/03
President
Cheryl Mitacek opened the meeting. The
11/16/02 minutes were approved.
The
3/22/03 Treasurer's Report was approved:
Balance on Hand 9/14/02 $4,489.35
Receipts $
905.97
Expenses $ 976.60
Balance on Hand 3/22/03 $4,416.72
Lake Monitoring - Mary Baas attended an Aquatic Plant Management session at the SE Lakes Conference. The only recommended methods for controlling milfoil at this time are chemical treatments and mechanical weed cutting. The third most drastic option is to kill off all lake vegetation and start from scratch. She asked the DNR and Marine Biochemist representatives about the recommended frequency for Eurasian Milfoil spraying. The lake cannot be sprayed more often than the usage frequency stated on the chemical instructions. The Board plans to spray only as necessary in order to control milfoil growth and limit spread. We will monitor growth through the summer to determine whether fall spraying is necessary. Cheryl will check with Dick Gronert to find out when the permit process must begin if we need a fall spraying. Funds have been requested from Richmond Township. Pat Carroll has a global positioner that can report milfoil locations. This data can be forwarded to the DNR and Marine Biochemists for more location accuracy. Scott Porter thanked Linda Friedman and Linda from the Seasonals for their arrangements that kept the channel clear of boats during the spring spraying.
Lake
Watch –
Bill Paladino reported that 40 acres of wetlands west of Turtle Creek has been
purchased by the DNR, with DNR funds and a donation from McIntyre's.
Cheryl
mentioned that we should be watching the lake level this summer. Pat Carroll has seen water flowing over the
dam, and also water flowing out of a culvert at a rate of approximately 50
gallons/minute. This water should be
going into the wetlands so that it can filter back into the lake. In order for this to happen, the dam and the
road need to be the same height.
Educational Material - Clark Hallberg asked
about the status of boxes for the boat landings. Tom Mitacek will put them up when they are ready. Mary Baas will follow up with Chuck Oswald.
Grant Eligibility - Cheryl has reviewed grant eligibility
requirements and has found that Turtle Lake does not have all things required
to be eligible (examples: handicap access parking and dock 5' x 10' at boat
landing.) It was agreed to table this
and, if a grant is necessary in the future, go to the Town Board for
sponsorship or work with the Sportsman's Club.
NEW BUSINESS
Lake
Watch - Pat
Carroll informed us that Richmond Township turned down a request for a
dog-breeding kennel to be located at a 5-acre farmette near the southeast
corner of the lake. Issues were noise
and waste disposal. The request may
come again before the Town Board on Tuesday, April 8 at 7:00. If refused again, a request for variance
would need to be brought to Walworth County, on May 15 at 6:00, if on the
agenda. The Turtle Lake Association
Board opposes this business for the reasons shown above. It is possible that the farm is under land
contract with an outside owner, which could be a determining factor in the
Richmond Board's decision.
Clark
Hallberg expressed concern about feral cats.
Linda Friedman has given cats to the Lakeland Humane Society in Elkhorn
with a small donation.
Lake
Activities
-
*Tuesday,
April 8 at 7:00 p.m. - Annual meeting of the Richmond Town Board at the Town
Hall. All are invited to attend.
*Saturday,
April 26 at 10:00 - Bill Paladino let us know that we should meet at Turtle Inn
for the annual Sportsman's Club clean-up.
Area assignment and trash bags provided. There is a barbecue at McIntyre's following the clean up.
*Sunday,
May 4 at 1:00 p.m. with lunch at 2:00 - Easter Egg hunt at McIntyre's with a
visit from DNR Representatives at 2:00.
All are invited; there is no cost.
*SATURDAY,
MAY 17 at 7:00 A.M. - BUOY PLACEMENT DAY at Mitacek's pier.
*Saturday,
June 28 - Potluck and Annual meeting of the Turtle Lake Association.
Walworth
County Lakes Association (WCLA) - Rob Kaye discussed the ongoing efforts to
formally organize this Association. He
distributed the Association highlights and tentative 2003 meeting
schedule. See Attachment A. They are still discussing possible insurance
needs. Clark Hallberg moved that we
join the WCLA, with charter dues of $50 (3/03 through 10/03). The motion passed. WCLA will become a standing committee of the TLA. Rob is the TLA representative; Darren
Franzen is the backup. A TLA member
needs to be present for any issue requiring a vote.
TLA
Website -
Rob Kaye currently hosts the web site.
For $15/yr, we can purchase a web name of our choice that will direct
users to Rob's site. If someone else
takes over the web site, the web name can be easily redirected to that new host
site. Clark Hallberg moved that we
allocate $30 for the first two years' fees.
The motion passed. Rob will
select the site name.
Nominations - Pat Carroll asked for
assistance with nominations for 6/03 through 6/04 Board. The following have agreed to be on the slate
of officers: Cheryl Mitacek, Pres.; Ray Sowinski, VP; Mary Baas, Sec.; Past
Pres., Rob Kaye; Board Members Clark Hallberg and Linda Friedman (2 years
each); Beth Auer and Patricia Carroll (1 year each). Pat will ask Cookie Malcolmson if she will serve a 2-year term,
and ask Judy Jaeger if she will serve as Treasurer.
Other: Mary Baas reported that the DNR is revising shoreland zoning and
shoreline erosion control laws. Pat
Carroll and Dick and Elaine Gronert will be attending the WAL Meeting in
April. Rob Kaye will add information
from this meeting to the TLA website.
Ray Sowinski read an article in a fishing magazine about the death of
milfoil in a lake in another state (possibly in the southern US). If anyone sees something it may be helpful.
Everyone
thanked Linda Friedman for use of Snug Harbor, coffee and treats.
Mary
Baas, Secretary
ATTACHMENT A
WALWORTH
COUNTY LAKES ASSOCIATION (WCLA)
Highlights
The purpose of the WCLA is
to provide a resource for Walworth County Lakes to share lake-related
information and concerns among one another and with governmental units.
·
Association
composed of any Walworth County lake-wide lake organization
·
One
"official" rep per organization; one secondary rep for backup
·
Any
and all lake people welcome for any meeting
·
Board
of Directors - 4 officers, past president, 2 directors
·
Initial
dues for charter member groups - $50.
Dues for next fiscal year (Oct. through Oct.) still need to be
determined by board.
MEETING
SCHEDULE
Date Location Agenda
4/26/03 East
Troy Town Hall Outline Publicity
WAL Reports
Jeff Beiriger to present case study
of Potter's
Lake milfoil treatment
6/28/03 Lake
Buelah Yacht Club Agenda items TBA
(Tentative) Lake Chemistry Presentation
8/23/03 Delavan
Lake Community Agenda items TBA
Park Heidi Bunk - Self-help Monitoring
10/11/03 Como Lake Clubhouse (?) Annual Meeting
12/13/03 Need Meeting Sponsor Planning
for 2004
**The
time for all meetings is 9:00 a.m.**
Anyone
interested in the welfare and protection of Walworth County lakes is welcome to
attend any meeting. Association and
Board business will be limited to input from the official representative of
each organization, but informational sessions are open to all, and all are
encouraged to attend.