Overview

Hal Clark invited property owners to his cottage on July 17, 1971 in an attempt to form a committee which would meet with the Town of Bleecker Supervisor regarding the maintenance of the North Shore Road. By October of that year, he circulated to all Peck's Lake residents a letter proposing that a property owner's association be formed to address community problems, deed enforcement and mutual property protection. Although a small, enthusiastic planning committee was formed, it wasn't until September 2, 1971 before a great deal of interest from other property owners was shown. The Planning Committee was Charles Fredericks, Stephen Kemmer, Esther Neal, Fred Roscher, Bernie Sleeper, Patti Prindle and Hal Clark. Hal Clark organized the september meeting at the Sleeper's residence, and a new committee was formed.

This new committee was responsible for proposing a constitution for the new organization. On May 26, 1973 bylaws were proposed and officers nominated, to be voted on at the July 7, 1973 meeting. Angelo Lomanto, an attorney for Lomanto & Lomanto of Gloversville drew up the nonprofit incorporation papers. A property owners' list of 112 names and addresses, along with a map of the North Shore lots, was printed and circulated. At the July 7th meeting, with 36 properties represented, the bylaws were accepted along with a decision to incorporate. The first elected officers of the PLPA were: President, Don Stanyon; Vice President Daisy Stresing; Secretary, Hal Clark; and Treasurer, Fred Roscher. Seventy-six property owners paid the $10 initiation fee and scheduled their first meeting for September 1st at the Peck's Boat Barn. Most, but not all, PLPA meetings have been held at the boat barn. Meetings were also held at Sherman's Barloft Room in Caroga Lake in the 70's as well.

In order to continue communication within the Association, the PLPA Newsletter was introduced by President Don Stanyon in the summer of 1974. Additionally, the first PLPA Social Night was organized by Pat Nestork and Bernie Sleeper and was held on October 12, 1974 at the Unger House in Caroga Lake. This event was attended by 137 members and guests. The following year a golf tournament was also held the same day as the dinner at Nick Stoner. This tradition has been carried on for thirty years. To help celebrate the country's Bicentennial, a boat parade and picnic were held in Sunrise Bay. The dusk flares on the 4th of July have also become a tradition that started in 1986. The PLPA has supported social activities, ranging from annual dinners and golf outings, to sailboat and canoe races and the PLPA Winterfest. Being part of this Association is not all hard work, but a great deal of fun too!

Issues

Water Safety At the very first meeting held in September 1973, Joan Ireland was given the task of working with the Peck family to define a set of guidelines for water ski safety and to coordinate a Safe Boating Course for the lake. Bernie Sleeper coordinated the boating courses for youths and visitors every year until 1984. The Peck family circulated their water ski regulations at the second Annual PLPA Meeting held August 31, 1974. The PLPA has continually published the water ski regulations in their publications to keep the residents of the lake informed of the safety requirements.

Canoes were approved for use on the lake in 1978, along with several guidelines. Other non-motorized watercraft such as sailboats, wind surfers, kayaks and paddleboats were first proposed for use at Peck's Lake in 1987. Through debate, committees, surveys and work done by the association, these craft were approved in 1992 for use on Peck's Lake. The Watercraft Regulations should be posted at each property and reviewed annually as they are amended from time to time.

Roads The condition of the North Shore Road was the one issue which prompted Hal Clark to suggest that the PLPA be formed. Since that time, it has been an issue which has united Peck's Lake residents, and caused debate in both the Towns of Bleecker and Johnstown. At the first annual meeting, Fred Lehner, Road Committee Chairperson, reported that the Town of Bleecker had scraped and oiled the North Shore Road, which at that time was dirt. Fred also had speed limit signs posted on the roads. The North and South Shore roads were both widened and graded in 1975 and stone walls were built at the Beaver Brook bridge. In 1981, the North Shore Road was paved up to this bridge, approximately one mile.

In 1981, the Board successfully requested the Town of Johnstown to erect "DEAD END" signs at the entrances to both shore roads. PLPA road commissioners began their service in 1986, to observe any unusual conditions on the lake roads. Ron Holly and Tom Aery worked as liaisons to the Road Supervisors in both towns to expressed the community's needs. The road and street signs around the lake were replaced and upgraded in 1993 as part of a program to improve the beauty of the surroundings. This program was completed with the cooperation of the Peck family and town and state highway departments, headed by John Peck.

Fish Stocking Bernie Sleeper. the PLPA's first Fish Stocking committee chairperson, report at the September 1973 meeting that the State would not contribute towards fish stocking the lake because it is private. Bernie and his committee worked with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to obtain aid in analyzing and stocking Peck's Lake in the early 1970's. Since that time, the PLPA has worked closely with Peck family to establish and maintain a fish stocking program. In 1990, the committee with Dick Gillespie as the Chairperson, initiated a renewed effort to stock the lake through funding from the Peck family, the PLPA and for the first time campsite residents.

Water Quality Albert Peck reported at the first Annual Meeting about Niagara-Mohawk's responsibility for maintaining the dams and the water level of the lake. Esther Neal, PLPA Conservation Chairperson in the 1970's, monitored dike erosion and other lake phenomena. A detailed survey was completed by the DEC's Bruce Shapp, a conservation biologist, we spoke at the social evening in October 1974. He informed members that under Adirondack Park Agency, (APA), regulation 806, Peck's Lake lots are classified as either moderate or low intensity areas on the APA map. The water was lowered 15-20 feet in the fall of 1976 to allow Niagara-Mohawk to make repairs to the concrete dam. A Niagara-Mohawk letter dated October 18, 1977 to PLPA President Tom Aery outlined their plan regarding the lake's water level:

In 1981 the PLPA voted to obtain legal assistance for a hearing with DEC regarding the City of Gloversville proposal to take water from Lake Edward, which is a large feeder source to Peck's Lake. Attorney Ted Hoye represented the PLPA and many PLPA members attended the hearing. Dave Brandon and Bernie Sleeper testified on the PLPA's behalf. On November 19, 1981 the DEC published their decision, allowing Lake Edward to be used only as an auxiliary source of water, with limits set on the total amount to be drawn.

The seventy year old concrete dam was removed in 1982 and a new $3M dam was constructed by Niagara-Mohawk. The lake was drawn down from October 1981 until completion in September 1982. The PLPA Board obtained a waterfront improvement permit which enabled members to undertake shorefront work while the water was drawn down 20-25 feet for the dam replacement.

By June 1986 the stability of the earthen dam was again in question. Emergency backfilling was completed in July 1986, following an extensive subsurface investigation and monitoring program in lieu of immediate lake drawdown. In February 1987, Niagara Mohawk determined more geophysical testing to detect voids in the dam was necessary. A month later testing was completed and in april Niagara-Mohawk reported that although an "anomalous condition" existed, no major voids were detected. Two months later Ni-Mo advised the Peck family of their desire to draw down the lake and begin reconstruction on the earth dam. Draw down commenced in August 1987, and reconstruction of the Helen Gould dam started in September with work being completed in December 1987, having drawn down the lake 20 feet.

Beginning in the 1980's, the PLPA has monitored the water quality of Peck's Lake, testing the acidity and clarity of the lake. At the time, Peck's Lake applied to become part of Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program, (CSLAP). At the time, Peck's Lake membership in this program was not approved. After many years of trying, Peck's Lake became a member in 1990, which allowed testing to be done by the state. Peck's Lake is also a member in good standing with the New York State Federation of Lakes.

Community The Pecks and the PLPA have done a great deal of work together to make Peck's Lake a wonderful community to live in. Often meetings, formal and informal, take place between the two groups to discuss future expansion and projects around the lake. The two groups work on many projects of mutual interest. One example is that the groups jointly published large maps with lot numbers on them and distributed them to emergency services in the area. The two groups sponsor many of the social events around the lake to promote a sense of community amongst the property owners. The two groups have also worked together in promoting fishing conservation and boat safety courses.

Local Government Over the years, Peck's Lake residents' interests and participation in local of the Towns of Johnstown and Bleecker have varied. Many Peck's Lake resident have serve or are currently serving terms with the two towns as Town Councilors or on various committees.

The PLPA also serves as single voice on various issues facing Peck's Lake, from the conditions and maintenance of our roads to tax assessments. In 1975, the Town of Bleecker conducted an assessment of properties in the town and as a result the taxation values of Peck's Lake properties were raised significantly. The PLPA hired a independent assessment firm to review the increases. It was determined that there were errors in the reassessments, and though the PLPA withdrew from the debates, eventually tax reassessment practices in the Town of Bleecker were reformed. The PLPA later sponsored a seminar for Peck Lake property owners, "How to Legally Challenge your Property Assessment".

Organizational The PLPA's dues have changed throughout the years. Annual dues were $15 for the fiscal year 1975-76. New members were also assessed an initial membership fee of $10. In 1992, the fiscal year was changed to run July 1 to June 30 and dues were changed to $25 per year with no initial membership fees.

The PLPA Bylaws serve as a foundation for the operation of the Association. In 1993, President John Mars encouraged the Board to review the Bylaws and update them to reflect current policies. The Bylaws later were amended. Membership has also been amended to allow campsite residents to join the Association as non-voting Affiliate Members.

In 1992, Bernie Sleeper, one of the founding members of the PLPA died. The golf tournament was renamed in his honor as Bernie loved playing in the tournament. Bernie and his wife Jean were made honorary lifetime members of the PLPA. In 2002, Hal & Renee Clark were also named as honorary lifetime members.

The PLPA continues to be a strong organization, with approximately 175 members. An updated history taking us to 2003 will added shortly!

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Copyright © 2005 Peck Lake Protective Assoc.   Last Update 02-12-05