CALL TO ORDER Dave Pratt, President brought the meeting to order at 9:10 am. Sixty-eight members and associates were in attendance. A few minutes were allowed for the members present to read the minutes from the September 4, 1999 meeting. Larry Doubleday and Patricia Bennett made and seconded the motion to accept the minutes as written.

TREASURER'S REPORT Dave Bartholomew, Treasurer, submitted his report indicating that we spent some money and made some money. Thanks was given to Jim DelSalvio for his audit of the books. At present, there is approximately $3,200 in the restricted fund for fish stocking. No money was into stocking fish last year due to the fish study which was done over the summer and which is continuing. We currently have $4,000 in the unrestricted funds. Insurance liability was increased from $300,000 to $1 million. A motion was made and seconded by Bob Lang and Liz Pratt to transfer $2,000 excess in the budget into a CD. Dave indicated that the membership as of June 30, 2000 is 153 members and 24 associate members, an increase of 9 members and 7 associate members from the previous year.

PECK FAMILY REPORT Wellington Peck welcomed new residents to the lake community and indicated that due to the abundance of rain this past summer, the water level of the lake was not a problem. The lake level is 5 inches higher than last year. As a result of the sale of Niagara Mohawk's power generating holdings to Orion in 1999, Wellington has secured the address of a new contact person in Syracuse. The Peck family has written a letter of introduction to this person but has not received an answer as of this date. Wellington reported that many of the seasonal lake residents have supported the fish stocking. Jeff Black asked Wellington what type of responsibility Orion has to repair the dam as one flood gate is inoperable. Wellington indicated that in the past Niagara Mohawk has been careful to keep the lake below the spill level to hold the water. This past year the water has been well regulated and with the rising water the valve to release the water has been opened. He indicated that the dam was built in 1982. Wellington also indicated that he believes that Orion must adhere to the same lease which Niagara Mohawk signed.

TOWN OF BLEECKER REPORT John Mars indicated to the group that the Town of Bleecker has a small town government with four councilmen, James Aldrich, Tammy Angus, John Mars and John Peck. The town supervisor is George Manchester and the Justice of the Peace is Bob Lang. Our lake community is well represented. The Tax Committee is chaired by John Peck and Bob Allen and Larry Doubleday serve as members of this committee. Nancy Allen has agreed to work with the town to develop a newsletter to sent out to town residents. John is chairman and sole member of the highway paving committee and works with the town highway superintendent, John Bleyl. The repaving of North Shore Road is almost complete. The money ran out and consequently the job was not completely finished. John Bleyl is trying to secure money from another budget in order to finish the paving this year. The paving of South Shore Road should be completed by 2002 but this date could change if, for example, state money is unavailable, which is unlikely, or if a new town highway superintendent takes office. There are long range plans for highway equipment purchases so that old equipment can be replaced on a cash basis.

Revaluation assessment in Bleecker was last done in 1989 and the equalization rate has dropped from 89.6% in 1998 to 86.6% in 1999. Johnstown went through a revaluation two years ago. The town needs to set up a meeting with the state to decide whether to do a revaluation. The revaluation can be done by the town assessor or by a hired firm or a combination of the two. Larry Doubleday has done much work with tax issues. The earliest date that taxes would be impacted if the revaluation begins now would be 2002 but it would be more likely be 2003.

The Town Hall is inadequate. There are no restrooms and not enough office space. While remodeling has been considered, both the architect and the state feel that it is not possible. The town owns two parcels of land. One has been turned down by the APA. The board is still working on a solution. Public comments are welcomed at the beginning of town board meetings. Discussion regarding questions takes place at the end of the meeting.

Regarding dogs, the Town of Bleecker has no leash laws, but a town law requires that a dog must be under control at all times. The lake association has covenants regarding proper control of your dog. The town does have a part-time Dog Control Officer. Bob Lang has indicated that if you have a loose dog on your property you should call the dog enforcement officer. The officer must see the dog on your property or you must get a signed supporting deposition. Call George Manchester if the dog control officer does not answer your call.

WATER QUALITY Stu Smith indicated that Peck Lake has been involved in CSLAP, (Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program), for eight years. From 1992 to 1996 we were in the full program and we are now in a standby program. The clarity of the lake is less this year than in the past, more likely due to the frequent rain this summer rather than to nutrients. The state has had many such reports regarding clarity. If clarity does not improve next summer, we will have the state come in to study the problem. In the past the pH of the lake has been 7.2 and it is down to 6.6 this summer, Ɩ is still neutral), and these numbers have been improving the last two weeks of August. Weeds are cyclical but not a major problem. We do have NATIVE milfoil, which is the dominant weed. One method to control this weed is to draw down the lake in the winter and freeze and kill the weeds. We will continue to monitor this method and will call DEC if the water clarity problem persists next year.

Dave Pratt cautioned the members of two major impacts on the lake, leaking septic systems and lawn fertilizer. Dye Testing Kits are available to all residents to test their systems and the use of lawn fertilizer is discouraged.

FISH STOCKING & LAKE STUDY Bill Nitsche gave a brief history of the fish stocking which has been done by the PLPA and the Peck Family. Over the years there has been some question as to what fish should be stocked and when stocking should take place. A year ago Bill learned that Lori Tratta, manager of the fish hatchery program at Cobleskill College, does lake studies. Lori was hired to do such a study.during the summer of 2000 and consequently, no money was spent this year on fish stocking. Instead, it was decided to wait for the report from Lori. While the study is still not quite complete, Lori was present at the annual meeting to present the following report to the membership.

Due to the frequent rain this summer, the lake study progressed at a slower than usual rate. Lori still intends to do electrofishing, hopefully by the end of September. As for the water quality of the lake compared to the DEC study of 1984, Lori tested all three of the original lakes and found that: 1) the pH level has gone down, more at the bottom of the lake, from as much as one point; 2) the alkalinity of the bottom of the lake is low, 3) the lake is very productive; 4) weeds do not appear to be a problem; 5) there is a large congregation of young fish mainly in Beaver Bay; 6) as the pH level goes down, the diversity and abundance of fish, especially the young are affected.

It is recommended that we: 1) do not stock bass; 2) stock golden shiners and minnows; 3) set up a protected area for young fish to grow; 4) do not stock trout since the water temperature is too warm and there is not enough oxygen; 5) to increase the number of pike and pickerel, perhaps develop a wetlands area in the southeast corner of the lake. The major problem with the lake is that there is no habitat for the fish. Larry Doubleday suggested leaving brush piles in the lake for the fish. We should minnows in the spring and fingerlings in the fall. Bass are spawning in the lake. While we do have otters, fish can readily escape from them. The seagulls, on the other hand, will harvest the fish. The cormorants and mergansers are also very aggressive. Lori indicated that the complete report will be ready before the spring. It will include recommendations and a plan.

COMMUNICATIONS REPORT Larry Doubleday reported that four newsletters are sent out each year. The current editor, Larry Peck, will be handing these duties over to Kathy Henry, the new editor. Thanks to Larry Peck for doing such a great job over the years. Larry Doubleday did an excellent job researching and putting together the new Peck Lake directory. It was completed and delivered to members and new lake residents this past spring. If you have any corrections or additions, please forward this information to Larry Doubleday

We now have a Welcoming Committee which visits new lake residents and presents them with a guidebook, directory, maps and other basic information regarding the lake. If anyone is interested, Larry has guidebooks and color maps of the lake available for $ 3.00.

Paul Nestork is developing a web site for the association which should be up by the end of September. The address is www.plpa.org

UPCOMING EVENTS

ELECTIONS The nominating committee presented the following slate of officers and directors for the next year:

Kathy Henry made and Carol Bartholomew seconded the motion to accept the above as officers and directors.

OTHER BUSINESS

Nancy Brown reported that the Middle School is starting a mentoring program. She asked that anyone in the community interested in volunteering please contact her. This program would entail a two hour weekly time commitment.

Bob Marsh reported that the Peck Lake Historical Society is hosting a wine and cheese party Saturday, September 9 starting at1:00 pm. The schoolhouse has a nature trial created by the Boy Scout group under the direction of John Mars. Please stop by and visit the schoolhouse and the nature trial.

New lake residents at the meeting introduced themselves: Jeff and LeeAnn Black at 237 South Shore; Jeanne and Michael Brenno at 148 Maplewood; Neil and Linda LeFevre at 537 South Shore; and Steve and Andrea White at 614 North Shore.

A motion was made by Katie Bergmann and seconded by Paul Nestork to adjourn the meeting at 11:10.

Respectfully Submitted,
Lorraine Carlson, Secretary

FEEDBACK WANTED! Suggestions or comments about our web site can be e-Mailed to Paul Nestork, the Web Site's Manager. We would like to know what you think of our site and how we can improve it.

Copyright © 2004 Peck Lake Protective Assoc.   Last Update 03-08-04