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61st ANNUAL MEETING
July 17, 2010
P.O. Box 125
7:00 pm
A Message from the President
I told a story at our last board meeting that I have repeated more times than I can remember. Those of you who know me well understand that I love to tell stories, it's in my blood. I am particularly fond of this one and I think it's worth repeating for those of you who may not have heard it. I am always prompted to tell this story when someone asks why we don't treat the lake with chemicals. It goes something like this ...
In 2004, when we realized that contracted harvesting in the lake for two weeks each year wasn't meeting our needs, we began to explore all of the options available to deal with the excessive aquatic vegetation growth in the lake. Grass-eating carp, chemicals, mats, water inverters, dredging, harvesting, etc. were all on the table. We ended up developing an integrated plan with David Adrian from AQUATECH ENVIRONMENTAL which involved a combination of several weed control methods including chemicals. The first step into this approach also became the last.
David works closely with the DEC Region (our region) in obtaining permitting for chemical applications. At the time he was treating 20-30 lakes and ponds in our region. At his recommendation, we invited Glenn Reinhart and Brad Brown from the DEC to tour the lake and get their input. Ultimately, they would make the decision on our use of chemicals in the lake. David felt that involving them in the process from the beginning was a good idea and we concurred. David and I were waiting on Jack Hamilton's pontoon boat late that August when Glenn and Brad pulled up by the boat ramp. They walked around the end of the lake, and even before we introduced ourselves, they looked at Dave and said, "They don't have sewers here yet do they?" The end of the lake was full of dead algae, dead fish, weeds and it smelled. We proceeded to survey the lake: taking water samples and identifying weeds with an underwater camera.
At the end of our excursion, Dave and I were informed that the bar would be set very high for us to be granted a permit for chemical use. A number of criteria would have to be met, not the least of which would be that we would have to demonstrate that we could hold the water in the lake for 14 days after treating. That would mean lowering the lake to a level determined by the DEC which could withstand an excessive amount of rainfall and still not go over the gate. On top of all that, the demonstration would have to be conducted at the same time of year as the proposed treatment would be performed. We did not see any reason to move forward with chemicals, as it would be unacceptable to lower the lake in the summer.
That's why we don't use chemicals. However, the important thing to remember about that meeting and this story is the fact that these two men from the DEC, after looking at the lake for 60 seconds, knew right away that we had a septic problem. And although we remove the weeds and dead fish with the harvester, we still have a long way to go. Dealing with this septic problem is our next big hurdle. Our Town Board has appointed a committee to present a proposal for a sewer system around the lake. Our continued encouragement of this effort will help move it forward. Respectfully,
Edward M. Mulkearn
2010 Board of Directors
| O | Ed Mulkearn - President | (2011) |
| O | Dick Watrous - Vice-President | (2011) |
| O | Marge Freund – Secretary | (2010) |
| O | Dennis Brumagin - Treasurer | (2011) |
| O | Marci Schwab | (2012) |
| O | Tom Roche | (2012) |
| O | Marty Proctor | (2012) |
| O | Dave Calvert | (2010) |
| O | Scott Henry | (2010) |
| O | Rick Vonk | (2011) |
| O | Don Keppel- Emeritus |
Standing Committees
- Lake Management :: Dave Van Earden, Acting Chair
- Membership:: Marci Schwab, Chairperson
- Building & Grounds:: Dick Watrous, Chairperson
- Weed Harvester :: Ed Mulkearn, Acting Chair
- Communication:: Tom Roche, Acting Chair
- Fisheries:: Scott Henry, Chairperson
Liaisons in the Community
NY State Federation of Lakes ::
Don Keppel
Mina Town Board ::
Ed Mulkearn
FL Area Chamber of Commerce:: Marty Proctor
FL Community Foundation :: Tom Roche
FL Nature Center :: Dennis Brumagin
Findley Lake Watershed Foundation
ANNUAL MEETING
Mina - Findley Lake Community Center
July 18, 2009
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Ed Mulkearn, President.
A quorum was declared present to conduct business.
Welcome and Introduction of Board Members:
President Mulkearn welcomed all in attendance to the 60 thannual meeting. He then introduced the board members in attendance. Board members present were: Dennis Brumagin, Dave Calvert, Scott Henry, Jeff Homer, Don Keppel, Mark Matrozza, Ed Mulkearn, Mary Proctor, Tom Roche, Marci Schwab, Rick Vonk, and Dick Watrous.
Absent was: Marge Freund
Minutes of the 2008 Annual Meeting:
By motion from the floor, minutes from the previous annual meeting were approved as presented.
Treasurer's Report:
The Treasurer's report as included in the meeting hand-out materials was approved. President's Report:
Ed Mulkeam presented the president's report (copy attached).
Ed also reported an update on the sewer project research.
The project cost is estimated at $10,000,000.
* Two (2) committees are working on available funding and looking for grant options.
* A time line goal of 12-18 months is set for clarification and definition of available options.
* Ed reminded the members that Findley Lake has a known history of "pollutants" identified in previous scientific studies. These conditions relate to proximity of septic systems to the lake and the type of septic systems in use.
Committee Reports:
LAKE MANAGEMENT & NAVIGATION
- Mark Matrozza discussed the condition of the lake and the water quality test results. He noted that the overall condition of the lake continues to improve related to increased water clarity, decrease in algae and weed quantity. Use of the weed harvester continues to contribute to itnproved recreational use of the lake.
- Mark noted that a full report of the findings can be viewed on the NYSFOLA website at www.nysfola.org.
- Findley Lake continues to participate in the CSLAP program, as in past years. Samples are being collected and sent by Jeff Homer. Mark expressed thanks to Jeff for his efforts with the CSLAP program.
MEMBERSHIP
- Marci Schwab reported a total of 145 membership units for this year including both permanent and annual members.
- Marci noted that two dues notice letters were sent by US mail during the year. She also noted that membership forms are available on the FL WF website.
BUILDING & GROUNDS
- Dick Watrous reported that a concrete pad has been constructed at the Shadyside storage site. This improvement will allow winter storage of the harvester and conveyor at this site in the future.
- Dick also noted that the maintenance items in town have been completed. This includes the painting of the railing at the dam and trimming of the trees around the gazebo.
COMMUNICATIONS
- Jeff Horner reported that the FindleyLaker newsletter will be published three (3) times per year. He invites feedback from members on the newsletter.
- Jeffreported the FLWF www.findleylakewf.org website is up and running thanks to Dennis Luce. The website contains news and information regarding the FLWF and the Findley Lake region.
HARVESTER
- Ed reported harvester operations have resumed after a recent problem with the harvester conveyor. A tear in the conveyor belt has been repaired and the machine is now working properly. The problem caused about a one week delay in the harvesting process.
- Dennis Luce noted that the weed growth this year is reduced compared to many previous years. He also noted that to date there has not been any algae bloom this year.
- Ed thanked the membership for the additional financial support of the harvester operation fund.
FISHERIES
- Scott Henry reported on the state of the fish population and habitat in Findley Lake. He noted that there is a need to enforce regulations regarding the sizes of the fish caught and not released. There are many anglers keeping fish of less than legal size.
- Scott noted that the State of New York stocks Tiger muskie, walleye, and northern pike in lakes.
- Scott also discussed the importance of maintaining fish habitat in certain areas of the lake to allow the growth and maturation of fingerling fish. This matter needs to be coordinated with the weed harvesting plan for the lake.
MEMBERSHIP CONCERNS:
Questions were raised from the floor regarding:
- WATER WELL TESTING
- Bill Boria was asked about water well testing for multiple chemicals. Voluntary well testing can be performed for a cost of $65. -- $68. each.
- Bill noted that water well testing was performed in the past from selected sites as a part of the lake management plan and will be continued in the future.
- ALGAE CONTAINMENT
Mark Matrozza was asked about the use of barley straw bales being placed in the shallow end of the lake to inhibit algae growth. Mark advised that he was unfamiliar with this methodology. - FISHING LICENSES
Scott Henry was asked about the steep increase in the 2010 fees for fishing licenses and the agencies responsible for enforcing license compliance. No information was available on the basis for the license fee increase. Two agencies are responsible for enforcement: the Fish & Game Commission and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Nomination and Election of Board Members:
Dick Watrous moved to nominate the four (4) incumbent Board members: Mark Matrozza, Marty Proctor, Tom Roche, and Marci Schwab for election to new three-year terms. The motion was seconded from the floor. There were no additional nominations from the floor. Nominations were declared closed. The motion to elect was carried by vote from the membership.
New Business:
There was no new business.
Announcements:
Dave Calvert will be receiving, clearing and scheduling all activities for the gazebo. All requests for use should be directed to him.
Adjournment:
The business meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.k; ">
Presentation:
Following the business meeting, Rick Constantino, Chautauqua County Watershed Coordinator, presented a lecture/slideshow on "Occupancy Tax Funding for Lakes and Waterways." He summarized the 2009 grants and plans for the 2010 grant program criteria. In 2009, Findley Lake was selected to receive a grant of $5000. A total of 34 grant applications were reviewed to award several grants.
The 2010 grant criteria will allow $40,000. per project. Project sites must be in Chautauqua County and will be evaluated on eight (8) weighted criteria to determine recipients.
Respectfully submitted,
Kim Freund
Secretary pro tempore