LAKE WAPOGASSET & BEAR TRAP LAKE SANITARY DISTRICT
MEETING MINUTES – May 17, 2010
The May 2010 meeting of the LWBTL Sanitary District was called to order by President Dave Erspamer at 7:00 p.m. at the District office.
Present at the meeting was: Dave Erspamer, Commissioner-President, Mark Tryggestad, Commissioner-Treasurer, Paul Elbing, Commissioner-Secretary and Bart Bergan, Commissioner. Employees present were Maintenance Operators Wendell Troff and Jerome Doolittle and Office Manager Julie Selle.
Minutes of the April 2010 meeting were approved as distributed.
Treasurer’s report – User fees continue to trickle in and receipt from one commercial user added to just over $9000 in income for the month. After expenses, operating loss of just over $10,000. Fireworks contributions are under last years pace but we have collected about $6000 for that event. Julie will ask that a reminder be put in the Lake Scene Memorial Day edition.
Operations report - Wendell reported that he started diverting the flow from pond 1 directly into pond 2 in anticipation of repairing the aerators that are not working. If the level can be lowered about another foot, Wendell feels we can make the repairs ourselves and not have to hire another company to do the work. Pete Prusak (DNR) has given us the option of converting the system from aeration to only settlement. The guys will take some samples from the pond and have tested for nitrates to see if that is feasible in the event aerator repair is not. Wendell and Julie are working on the annual DNR compliance report and that will be presented at the June meeting.
Julie requested permission to have the bushes around the yard sign removed and replaced as the existing ones are dying off and look pretty bad. We have received the contract from Nightlighter for the fireworks. Originally, we had set first choice for 7/2 and backup on 7/3. The vendor has a conflict with the backup date so our backup is now 7/4.
OLD BUSINESS
Lake Mgmt – Dave gave a recap of the presentation made by Jim Miller of the Deer Lake Conservancy. They have focused efforts more on controlling runoff and less on internal loading. Their external loading controls have markedly improved their water quality. Miller stressed the importance of choosing small, manageable projects. The two run-off areas of greatest concern to us are located along South Shore Drive and along Longwood Road. We have consulted with land mgmt at the county level to get their feedback on which project is more likely to be successful. Due to various factors, the County opinion is that working along South Shore is more do-able at this time. The commissioners agreed as some of the leg work has already been done on this area and we would have the ability to break the project into separate parts so as to not have too much going at one time.
The area will need a formal topographical survey and mapping which the County can assist in ordering. Dave suggested that we contact the County to find out the costs involved in a survey and analysis of that property. Based on that information, a plan to proceed will be formulated. The plan will involve cooperation by the County and the township as well as the property owner(s). Dave made a motion that the District contact County land mgmt and ask for written projection of the costs of a topographical survey of the South Shore area and determine their willingness to approach the property owner about the project. Second by Bart; all approved.
Mark questioned whether we need to take some type of legal action to be able to take advantage of the tax benefits of a 501(c)3 group. Then we could conceivably receive donations from people towards any projects and the donor would get the tax benefit. This would have to be a different organization than the District. Julie will contact Atty Byrnes for information on how to do this.
The curly leaf treatment was just completed so no results or billing are available at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Website content – A local realtor expressed concern that the comments section of the owner survey which was done in 2009 is hurting potential sales of lake property. Discussion. Motion by Mark to remove the comments from the plan available on the website; second by Bart. All approved.
Dave reported that milfoil has been discovered in Pike Lake, just outside of Amery. They have only confirmed one area so far but are looking at other areas of the lake as well. A University of Wisconsin study a couple years ago indicated that property values declined 11% after a milfoil invasion and did not rebound. A part of the Aquatic Mgmt Plan provided for a rapid response team. Julie will find out if there has been progress made on forming such a team. We will make sure that information about this is in the next Lake Scene.
Next meeting date - Next meeting will be Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________
Julie Selle, Recording Secretary
minutes 5-10
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