CALL TO ORDER Dave Pratt, President, brought the meeting to order at 9:10am. Forty-six members and affiliates were in attendance. A few minutes were allowed for the members present to read the minutes from the 2001 Annual Meeting. Larry Doubleday corrected the number of new homeowners on the lake to 14, not 40 as printed in the minutes. Debbie Seward and Kathy Henry made and seconded the motion to accept the minutes as corrected.

TREASURER'S REPORT The report was presented by Russ Hogue in Dave Bartholomew's absence. As of June 30, 2002, assets amounted to $24,008. The restricted funds totaling $22,775 with $1,919 of this amount reserved for fish stocking. Unrestricted funds total $1,233. We have 155 members, up for from 2001, and 34 associate members, down 4 from 2001.
Emilio Muscolino and Paul Nestork were thanked for their fundraising efforts towards fish stocking. The Board of Directors voted to raise the PLPA contribution to fish stocking from $400 to $750 annually. While there is no confirmation as of this date, it is hoped that the Peck family will match this amount.
Thanks to Jim DelSavio for again auditing the books at no charge to the PLPA.
Russ Hogue made a motion, which Liz Pratt seconded, to accept the budget. The vote to accept the budget passed.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY Bob Marsh reported that the Schoolhouse Museum is open every Wednesday and Saturday during the summer. They have had well over 100 visitors this past year. The Historical Society has also joined the Mohawk Valley Consortium. A new video has been purchased highlighting "Peckville" and the opening of the schoolhouse in 1857. An Ice Cream Social was held in July and was a great success, raising $575 for the schoolhouse. Maintenance is covered by membership dues and the sale of note paper. A survey will be developed to determine future plans for the society and the schoolhouse. Thanks to Alice Peck for being an outstanding founder, organizer and leader of the historical society.

TOWN OF BLEECKER John Peck reported that revaluation of assessments of property in the town was last done in 1989. Due to the change in the condition of property, etc..., the state wants a town wide revaluation. The town board has resisted due to community concern. Mailings have been sent to all property owners to confirm data regarding property. Be sure to reply and make corrections as necessary. This collection of data should be complete by the end of September. Impact statements will be sent in February 2003 to project new taxes. In the spring of 2003, a series of informal hearings will be held. Residents may attend and discuss their concerns. The grievance process will be in May or June. New tax rates will go into effect starting with the September 2003 school taxes.
Larry Doubleday added that the assessor Peter Galarneau has a website to answer your questions and provide information regarding revaluation and taxes. The state of New York also has a website which explains equalization rates. Our equalization rate is down to 83 percent and is one of the lowest in Fulton County.
Dave Pratt asked whether changes on the data forms sent to homeowners would result in their homes being visited. john did not believe that this would occur.
In the Town of Johnstown, over two years the equalization rate has dropped from 100 to 92 percent. The rate should not have dropped so many points in such a short time.
John reported that the new Bleecker Town Hall project continues to have problems with the state, APA and residents. No progress has been made.
John has suggested that another town absorb the Town of Bleecker due to the cost of maintaining itself. He has had no favorable comments to his suggestion.
Dumpster Days are September 21 and 22. Check the bulletin boards for more information.
The South Shore road is in the process of being paved but is not yet complete.
Paul Nestork asked about the status of ATVs and their being allowed to use town roads. There is no news yet. Kathy Henry asked if there is a state law regulating the use of ATVs on the roads/ John indicated that localities can allow ATVs on their own roads.
John also stated that there is a real need for lake residents to run for the town board. There will possibly be two openings in the next 1 to 3 years since John Peck and John Mars will likely not run again.

WATER QUALITY Stu Smith reported that is still in the CSLAP program for lakes. Initially data was collected for 5 years. Then we went to a reduced program which checked clarity of the water and the pH level for the next five years. we may go back into the full program now but observations of the lake do not deem it necessary. we have opted to stay out of the program for another year. The acidity level of the lake was 6.3 in the spring and 6.7, 6.8 later in the summer.
The weed in the lake is native milfoil. To control its growth you nay harvest the weed or put down a black mat and kill the weed. Since beaver Bay has such a low water level and the water is relatively still, the weed tends to grow more i this area.
All residents are reminded to monitor and test their septic tanks. Tanks should be pumped every three to five years for the good of the lake. Metal tanks that have been in the ground for 20 plus years may well be riddled with holes and leaking, requiring replacement.

FISH STOCKING Paul Nestork thanked all of those who had contributions in one way or another this past year. A total of 2,357.50 has been collected through the bottle drives, $350; the Pig Roast, $565; the donation boxes, $120; and direct contributions, $1,940 from PLPA members and $417.50 from affiliates.
Thanks to the Peck family for hosting the Pig Roast and their generous contribution of $975. special thanks to Alby, Pat and "Peanut" for organizing and managing the event and to wellington for the help with the logistics.
The Board has asked the committee to develop a Fish Stocking Plan to the year 2010. While details are on the website, the plan is to stock two types of gamefish and one type of forage fish each year. The focus in stocking will be trout, both types of bass and a small quantity of pike. Other species will be stocked as funds permit.
This year 150,000 emerald shiners were stocked at a cost of $2,500, 640 10-12" rainbow trout at $1,600 and 200 8-10" largemouth bass at $1,000. A total of $5,100 was spent stocking fish this year.
A number of Christmas trees were sunk in the lake to provide structure for the fish a suggested in the lake study.
Thanks to Katie Santomartino for painting the donation boxes and Betty Cook for organizing the various raffles held at the pig roast.
Emilio Muscolino asked if anyone who notices areas of the lake in need of buoy markings to call him. In addition, if any loose buoys are found, leave them at his house or call him and he'll pick up the buoys. Emilio is still trying to decide what he can use on the buoys for nighttime reflection.
We continue to encourage "CATCH & RELEASE".

PECK FAMILY REPORT Wellington Peck welcomed all lake residents...new and old! He congratulated the Lake Committee on the terrific job with the buoys; they were well distributed around the lake. The map locating the buoys is also fine.
There have been some complaints from residents regarding dogs barking when they are left home alone. Please be considerate of your neighbors if you have a dog.
The lake level is now approximately 17 inches below the spillway. Last year at this time it was 6-7 inches below the spillway.

COMMUNICATIONS Larry Doubleday thanked Kathy Henry for the terrific job on the newsletter. She put out a total of 29 pages this year. Kathy encourages ALL residents to contribute and thanked everyone for their support. The summer newsletter also included the lake hazards/buoy map.
Thanks to Arnie Henry and Tom Foster for their maintenance of the mailboxes and for being liaisons with the mail carrier. It is requested that those people who are leaving for a period of time and will not be picking up their mail, please let the Post Office know so that your mail will be held for you.
Paul Nestork reported that there has been over 3,200 hits to the PLPA website. There have even been e-mails from individuals interested in renting on the lake. The Annual Minutes, Directory and Newsletters are now password protected. The password will be changed periodically. Let Larry Doubleday know if you would be interested in receiving the newsletter by e-mail.
The Welcoming Committee is Katie Santomartino and Jeanne Brenno. Thanks for their help welcoming newcomers to the lake. In 2000, they welcomed 8 new residents, in 2001, they welcomed 10 and so far in 2002 they have welcomed 7. there are 7 more new families yet to join us in 2002. Grace and Warren Decker are the Welcoming Committee for campers. Thanks to them for helping with activities and recruiting new affiliate members.
A new Directory was published in 2002. Liz Pratt has volunteered to be the PLPA historian. Additional copies of Directories, Guidebooks and Maps are available from Larry at $3 per each copy.

ELECTIONS The nominating committee presented nominations for officers and directors for the next year: Nancy Allen made the motion, which Sue Peck seconded

NEW BUSINESS

New lake residents, Nancy & Bob Kossowsky introduced themselves.

A motion was made by Paul Nestork and seconded by Chuck Lemaitre to adjourn the meeting at 10:28am.

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