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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE As of September 1st, the PLPA will begin its 30th year! Our lake community started as a few summer camps and has progressed to the present day mix of camps, campsites and permanent homes.
Two things that have not changed at Peck's Lake: the reason the PLPA was founded and the covenants which we all agreed to when we purchased our property. (Both can be found in the Guidebook, and a partial listing of covenants can be found later in the newsletter.)
When residents are asked why they chose Peck's Lake, most will give reasons such as "it's so peaceful" or "the lake never seems crowded." If new arrivals are asked, they will cite the controls (read covenants) that are in place -- and which are so obviously missing from other nearby lake communities.
Since these covenants are the main reason that people have moved into our community, I find it hard to understand why some people choose to ignore them. Each one of us could pick those with which we disagree but, for the sake of the lake community, we must follow. If our unique quality of life on this lake is to survive for the next thirty years, each of us should make sure that we are not the ones contributing to its demise.
I would personally like to thank the many of you who have served as Board members and hardworking supporters during my presidency. May everyone enjoy a happy and safe summer.
Dave Pratt,
President
Canoe and Kayak Clinic - Saturday, JUNE 22th Thinking of purchasing a canoe or kayak? Already own one but want to know more about technique and safety issues? Join us at 9 a.m. sharp at Dave & Liz Pratt's, 422 N. Shore Road. Come prepared with a PFD (life vest) and canoe or kayak, if you have one. Contact Dave (725-6460) by June 19th to register, or for more information or to help.
INDEPENDENCE DAY FLARES - Thursday, July 4, 2002 So traditional we can't remember when it began. At dusk, light a standard road flare on your dock and share the evening with friends / neighbors from all around the lake.
10th ANNUAL BERNIE SLEEPER MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT & PLPA ANNUAL DINNER - Saturday, July 27, 2002 - (Click on events for details and to make reservations)
BREAKFAST AT ROCK ISLAND - Sunday, July 28, 2002, 10 AM An impromptu repast on the waters near our most renowned geological feature. Bring a dish to share. An event all should experience. Contact Larry Doubleday at 725-6680 for more information.
YARD SALE - Saturday, August 3, 2002, 9 a.m. to Noon (Raindate - Aug. 4th) Tired of those old dishes? Can't wait to clean that junk out of the garage so you can fit in the new snowblower for winter? Sell it! A community yard sale will be held at the location of your choice. The Picnic Area on the West Bay by Route 29A (North Shore Road) will be available for a high visibility location or you may choose to set up in your garage or yard to save lugging all that "stuff" all over. Just be sure to put up balloons or a sign indicating where you can be found. We'll take care of the rest with signs by the road and an advertisement in the Leader Herald. Official hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to noon but you are welcome to extend your hours if warranted. For additional information, please call the Yard Sale Chairman Lynn Beliveau at 725-6659 weekends or 283-0552 during the week.
Summer Hike/Picnic/Concert - Saturday, August 24th For a fun filled day, at 8am, start with an invigorating hike from the South Shore past the Helen Gould Dam to the North Shore. Our guide Bill Nitsche will show items of interest along the route and ensure that no one is lost in the woods. Come prepared with hiking boots, water and energy food and expect to spend about 3 hours hiking. Vehicles will be available at the North Shore to return you to your cars. Please contact Bill at 725-1849 to express interest. After the hike, grab a dish to pass and hurry over to the meadow between the campsites & the dam because you won't want to miss a moment. Meet and greet your fellow lakers at 12 noon and dine promptly at 1pm. Games and activities will keep your pulse rate up and help burn some of those calories from all those delicious dishes you just have to sample. Then wind down with the delightful melodies by guitarist Dan Lynaugh. (Those of you who were at the picnic last year will remember how much fun Dan was.) Contact Picnic Chairman Katie Bergmann at 725-2981 for details.
PLPA ANNUAL MEETING - Saturday, August 31, 2002 Our annual business meeting is held at 9:00 a.m. at Peck's Storage Barn. We review the "doings" of the association over the previous year. An opportunity to express your opinions in an open forum and learn about the issues that the association is facing and what's in store for our future. The meeting is held rain or shine; bring your own chair.
NEW NEIGHBORS - Take a minute and say hello to: Kirby and Lisa Trace, Lots 135 & 136 (No. Shore Rd.) and Bob and Nancy Kossowsky, 514 N. Shore Road.
Maps, Guidebooks and Directories for sale for $3 each. Contact Larry Doubleday, 725-6680.
PLPA WEB SITE NEWS NOTICE - The password to the "members only" section of the PLPA web site has been changed. The username remains "plpa"; the new password is "beaverbay" (both are "case sensitive" - enter as typed, in lower case). Please don't share the password, it helps protect you as a member of the PLPA from internet abuse. Contact Paul Nestork with any questions.
FISH STOCKING COMMITTEE REPORT - by Paul Nestork
On May 11th, the Fish Stocking Committee stocked 640 Rainbow Trout from one of our usual suppliers, Hinckley's Fish Farm. The trout stocked at this time were 10 to 12 inches. The cost of this stocking was $1,600, and made possible by a generous donation by the Peck family.
Though the 2000 Fish Study suggested that Rainbow Trout would not be suitable for Peck's Lake, there is strong evidence that the trout stocked last year survived the winter with several in the 15"-17" range having been caught early this year. It has been suggested that the trout caught this year are the 10"-12" ones stocked in 2001, indicating a growth rate of 5 to 7 inches in one year. It has not been determined yet whether or not they are reproducing. The trout were stocked in four areas: near the Marina, Beaver Bay, the end of North Shore Road and Vandenberg Stream on South Shore. If funds permit, the Committee also has plans to stock additional Largemouth Bass this year, hopefully in late May or early June. Also as a result of the Fish Study, the Committee will continue its efforts to create additional submerged structure throughout the lake.
Currently the committee is developing a Stocking Plan that will take us to the year 2010. The plan is based on stocking two species of gamefish for three consecutive years, alternating between trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass and one type of forage fish every year. Details of the plan will be published in the next newsletter and will be available on the web site.
The Committee conducted its first Bottle Drive in April and raised $80. THANK YOU! to all that contributed!! Our next drive is scheduled for July 13th. PLPA members are encouraged to save their returnable bottles and cans in a clear plastic bag for Committee members to pick up. The date for another bottle drive is September 7.
Not receiving the Newsletter? If the PLPA didn't receive your dues, the answer is "YES!" PLEASE MAIL YOUR DUES TODAY!! (A bargain, dues remain $25 per year.) Don't forget to donate to the fish stocking fund, too! Support your PLPA!
Dog Census & Licensing - by Paul Nestork
Town of Bleecker - Many residents may have recently received a request from Stephen Manzer, Bleecker Dog Control Officer (DCO), to complete a "Dog Census," something the State recommends municipalities conduct every 3 to 5 years. Though it is not a law, full-time Bleecker residents and non-residents residing in Bleecker for 30 or more consecutive days should complete this form. It is suggested that all other dog owners also complete the form as it may help in the return of your pet if the dog is lost and recovered by the DCO.
However, the law does require full-time residents and non-residents residing in Bleecker for 30 or more consecutive days are to obtain a dog license, even if your pet is licensed elsewhere. Non-residents who do not reside in Bleecker for more than 30 days are not required to license their dog if the pet is licensed in their own New York State town or home state. The cost of licensing is $2.50/yr. for neutered/spayed dogs and $10.50/yr. for unspayed/uneutered pets. Licenses can be obtained from the Bleecker Town Clerk, Linda Wiater who works out of her home at 241 Persch Road and can be reached at 725-6846. Proof of a current rabies vaccination is required as well as neuter/spayed certification at the time of licensing if applicable.
Peck's Lake deed restrictions - state that "No vicious dog, or any dog which chases wild game, or any dog which causes annoyance to any person or persons in, about, near, upon or adjacent to the above described premises, or said Peck's Lake, by barking, howling or otherwise, shall be kept or harbored upon, the above described premises." Bleecker law - states that "no person owning or harboring a dog, licensed or otherwise, shall permit the same to run at large in the Town without being under the immediate charge and led by its owner or custodian." The previously reported "dog curfew" was incorrect as it is not a law, but Fulton County Resolution #27 strongly urges owners to securely confine and maintain complete control of dogs from January to May to prevent deer population depredation.
The dog wardens are:
Bleecker -- Steve Manger (773-8924) Johnstown -- Nancy Hart (762-8763)
GEOCACH AT PECK'S LAKE? Did you know that you are within hiking/boating distance of two geocaches in the Peck's lake area? They both survived the winter and the high spring waters. Go to www.geocaching.com for more information.
Bleecker Town-Wide Revaluation - by John Peck
In New York State much of the tax revenue that supports local government and school districts comes from property taxes. This is in contrast to some States; where money is raised via personal property taxes, sales taxes, and other means.
In New York State there is a long-standing system in place that apportions the tax share out to localities based on total assessment. This is based upon the assumption that everyone is assessed at full value. Since this is not always true, the State Office of Real Property Services (ORPS) maintains something called the "equalization rate", which is a number representing the percentage (in ORPS judgment) of the percentage of full value that the locality is currently at. Bleecker's equalization rate is currently 83%. This low percentage hurts us when it comes to tax apportionment and the application of STAR exemptions.
Every so often every locality should do a total revaluation in order to look at every property and reestablish assessments at full market value. The last time this was done in Bleecker was in 1989, as part of the county-wide reassessment. In the meantime, some other towns have done "revals", notably the Town of Johnstown, five years ago.
Last year the Bleecker Town Board voted to perform a revaluation. Bleecker's reval is being done over a two-year period. Our Town Assessor, Peter Galarneau, is managing the process. We have hired some part-time data collectors, and a consultant to help place values on properties after inventory data has been collected. The data collection process was begun last fall, and will continue this summer. New values will be established over the coming fall and winter, and the new assessments will go into affect for the year 2003. Before the new assessments are final, every property owner will have an opportunity for input via an informal hearing process, and through traditional "grievance day" proceedings.
The question always arises, "Will the reval raise my taxes." There is no simple answer to this. It depends on your current assessment, and whether it is presently at or near full value. In this process, some assessments will go up, some will go down. The new tax rate will be calculated based on the new total town-wide assessment. A particular assessment could go up, but the tax rate could go down, effectively neutralizing the change. Much depends on the property value trend in an area. If property is generally worth more than it was 12 years ago, then most assessments in that area will go up. If the total assessment for the whole town goes up, the tax rate will be reduced; assuming the amount of the tax levy remains constant.
So will your assessment go up? Look at your own assessment. Take a look at recent selling prices of properties around you. Ask yourself what you think your property is worth today, if you were to sell it, compared to your assessment. These exercises may help give you an idea of what to expect.
This is a complicated topic. I hope my explanation helps. If you have questions feel free to call me directly.
Another good source of information about the assessment process: http://www.orps.state.ny.us/
SPECIAL THANKS to Spring "cleaner uppers" - led by the Carlsons and the Wheelocks for the North and South Shores respectively. More than 30 volunteers joined in for great breakfasts and fellowship, a little exercise, resulting in clean roadsides for everyone!
FIRE WARNING - Be alert any time you have an outside fire, and never leave a fire unattended! Smoldering or smudge fires may help to keep the biting bugs at bay but they also occasionally result in uncontrolled brush fires. Also, in the neighborhoods at Peck's Lake, they more than occasionally send active allergens in to your neighbor's yards and sometimes result in allergy attacks. PLEASE be sensitive to all the effects of those "small fires". In any case, burning permits are required for burning any debris. Cooking fires, camp fires and smudges do not require a burning permit. Refer to your PLPA Directory for the name and number of the local forest rangers for burning permits.
HOUSE NUMBERS - Some property owners are still posting lot numbers to identify their property at Peck's Lake. They should be posting the 911 numbers. The use of lot numbers can result in confusion in case of a 911 emergency for you and your neighbors and also for visitors to the lake. If you have posted lot numbers please replace them with your 911 number which is your official address at Peck's Lake.
THANK YOU - To those who helped identify the culprit who dumped several bags of garbage on the North Shore Road on April 30th. We hope that the Fulton County Sheriff's discussion with this person will deter a repeat of the offense.
PLPA GOLF 2002 Needs Volunteers! 2 Volunteers are needed for this year's tournament (Sat., July 27th):
Bleecker ATV Proposal - by John Peck
All Terrain Vehicles: you either love them or hate them. The Bleecker Town Council meetings for the last three months have been the stage for the airing of strong opinions on both sides. A vocal group of residents have been lobbying the Town Board to pass a local law opening up town roads to legalized ATV use. At least one Town Councilman has been supportive of this idea.
I personally don't think ATVs should share the roads with cars and trucks. The primary issues for me are safety and noise. At the April meeting I introduced a resolution that the Board not take any further action on this request, effectively (I thought) putting an end to the controversy. The measure passed unanimously, however it resulted in me being blasted in a letter to the editor in the Leader-Herald, and a large number of ATV supporters showing up at the May meeting, armed with a petition from many local citizens.
How does this issue affect PLPA members? The Peck Family originally owned the roads around the lake. We had control of them and by deed restriction banned ATV-type vehicles for safety, nuisance and noise reasons. Eventually the roads were turned over to the Towns of Bleecker and Johnstown, as is customary in development projects. These roads are now under the Town's maintenance and regulation.
I don't think we have heard the end of this issue. If you have opinions in either direction, I suggest you attend Town Board meetings. We meet at the Town Hall on the third Thursday of every month at 7pm. Before each meeting, there is an opportunity for all citizens to make comments. At the end of each meeting there is an informal question and answer period.
PROPANE GAS CO-OP (ENERGY CO-OP?)
There are more than 35 homeowners at Peck's Lake currently buying their heating propane through an agreement negotiated in 1996. Any one wishing to join the co-op can contact Dave Pratt, 725-6460, or Larry Doubleday, 725-6680, for information or contact the supplier, Snyder Propane at (800) 721-0313. Note that the co-op price advantage and service guarantee is available for users of 500 or more gallons a year. Two of the original negotiators have since moved from the lake so any one who is interested in serving on the negotiating committee can call either Dave or Larry.
There has also been some discussion on the possibility of a broader based energy co-op to include electricity and oil as well as propane. The primary interest here is electricity as everyone uses electricity. To date individuals have probably not been able to negotiate any significant savings due to the relatively small amount used by a single homeowner. As there are now more than 150 homes/camps on Peck's Lake, there may be significant purchasing power if there is enough interest in pursuing a broader based energy co-op Comments may be directed to Larry Doubleday at 725-6680.
Peck's Park Historical Society - by Alice Peck
The Peck's Park Historical Society had its first meeting of the season, and it was decided to hold an Ice Cream Social on July 13, 2002, from 3 - 7 p.m. at the School House. We will need workers and cakes, and any help from members will be appreciated. Tickets will be available.
We had three school classes visit in May, and the schoolhouse will be opening Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 1 to 4 p.m. beginning June 26th.
Our membership drive will be conducted in June. If there are any new or old residents interested in joining, please call the Membership Chairperson, Bev Gillgren, 725-7684, or Treasurer, Sue Peck, 725-6251.
COUNTRY LIVING - by Esther P. Neal
Of all the little brown birds of the Sparrow clan, one I like the most is the Chipping Sparrow. Their outstanding color note is the reddish cap. There are white wing bars and it has a clean, clear breast. Just remember - Chipping-C-C-C and you will not mistake it for any other Sparrow. Oddly enough, juveniles have spotted breasts.
We should see these sparrows in the summer around here although they do go on up into Canada as well. The female builds a nest by herself, in about four days. She lays four bluish eggs spotted with brown or purple. The nest is lined with fine rootlets and grasses. The eggs are incubated for approximately two weeks. During this time the male is very attentive and feeds her. After that, it is a hectic time for the parents, feeding always hungry chicks. After about a week and a half, the young are all feathered out and ready to start on their own. The parents prepare to raise a second brood. Chippies are quite friendly and will nest close to your doorstep. I once photographed a nest with babies, in the bushes by my brother's back porch. It is very rewarding to have birds right on our doorstep.
In winter, the Chippie is replaced by the Tree Sparrow. Almost a look-alike to the former, their diagnostic mark is a black spot on the gray breast. They also wear the same rusty-red cap. They are about an inch larger than Chippies; approximately 5" to 6" in length. They lay 4 - 5 greenish eggs spotted with brown. They stand out among the Juncos and Goldfinch feeding under the trees on the white snow. They are a delight to watch - their movements are very quick. As they are leaving in the spring for Canada and further north, they burst into song with trills and canary-like notes.
With so many of these birds alike, you may wonder if they interbreed. Nature provides ways to protect the species. In mating season, color patterns and courtship rituals only attract members of their own kind. Interbreeding is extremely rare. There are 51 species of Sparrows in Canada and the United States.
Most Sparrows have beautiful songs, as beautiful as Thrushes. The White-throated has the most melodious song, but others only let out a chirp or an unmusical "dik-dik-dik."
Juncos and Finches are also considered members of this same large family - Fringillidae. They have seed cracking bills in various sizes, and range the world wide. Let us enjoy them and keep them around by leaving undergrowth and shrubbery in place on our lots.
HAPPY BIRDWATCHING!!
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