Flannery/Velvet Lake Association 2017 Annual Meeting

ATTENTION: The decision has been made to hold the Pontoon Party for Velvet/Flannery lake at the Rustad's barn, 4154 Flannery Lake Road.
A reminder to bring your lawn chairs, beverage of choice, and an appetizer to pass. Please also leave your furry friends at home.
Thank you to the Rustads for holding the party!

Flannery/Velvet Lake Association

2017 Annual Meeting

9 am, Saturday, May, 27 (Memorial Day Weekend), 2017

Newbold Town Hall, 4590 Hwy 47N

Once again, we'll be serving coffee and donuts

Water quality, lake plant survey, fish stocking, loon updates will be presented, and new board members will be elected. This is our 12^th year as a lake association, and some of our board members and officers have been on the board for all 12 years—it's time for new blood. 

We will also set the date for our annual Pontoon Party

You must be present and be a lake association member to vote on any issues. Single membership (one vote) is $25. Family membership (2 votes) is $50. You can pay your dues at the door.

Don't miss out on fresh coffee, donuts, and the latest lake information...Plus, meet your neighbors!

Flannery/Velvet Lake Association Annual Meeting Minutes

Saturday, May 27, 2017

FVLA Web site: www.flanneryvelvetlake.blogspot.com

President Diane Jones called the meeting to order at 9 am, at the Newbold Town Hall.  Nearly 40 people were in attendance

John Kubisiak, Fisheries Supervisor, Eastern Treaty Fisheries Assessment Team, was the guest speaker today and spoke about the fishing and stocking situation for our lakes.  He said that our lakes are a small body of soft water which is typical of seepage lakes.  There are not a lot of nutrients, and  there is very clear water.  The last fish survey in 2011 showed that there were lots of large mouth bass and blue gills, a moderate amount of perch, and a small amount of northern pike and crappies. 

     The DNR does not approve of stocking fish on top of adequate populations already in the lakes or fish that are not native to the lake with the exception of muskies. 

     In our lakes the DNR does not have a good stocking recommendation.   Stocking perch on top of our present population would not result in large perch in our lakes.  Trout need oxygen below the thermocline which does not happen in our lakes. Muskies could be stocked because they have been stocked in our lakes in the past, but would not serve to control other fish populations and might result in more activity in the lake, i.e. muskie fishermen, which would increase the danger of AIS on the lakes.  Small mouth bass could be stocked because they have been here in the past.  Northern pike, blue gills, perch could be stocked but are not recommended because they are here in adequate numbers.

     Fish cribs, fish sticks, and tree falls along the shore would be helpful in allowing our fish population to thrive.  Anyone looking to put in fish sticks or cribs can get a DNR permit and proceed.  All cribbing and fish sticks must be made of natural materials and placement must occur only after receiving approval from the shore land property owner.  

Secretary's report was read.  J.R. Barttelt moved to approve the minutes, Gregg Curry seconded and the motion passed.

The treasurer's report was as follows:  With income of $1900 this year in dues and expenses of $282.37, the treasury balance is now $15,399.20.  Paul Kern moved to accept the treasurer's report, Lou Wilhelm seconded and the motion passed.

Committee reports:

History—no report

AIS—J.R. Barttelt gave a short history of the plant surveys on our lakes.  Ten years and five years ago we had our first and second plant surveys.  Now this summer we will have our third survey.  The survey will take place on or about August 1 and 2, the same dates as the last survey.  The first survey showed a total of 17 plants in our lakes and no AIS, and the second one showed 32 new plants including a small patch of a land-based AIS in one location.  The property owner was contacted and agreed to eliminate the AIS. 

     After the survey is complete and before the end of the year, we will receive a report from the research biologist conducting the survey who will also include photos of any new species discovered. 

     Elizabeth Alderton requested a copy of the plant survey reports and will post them on our lakes web site (www.flanneryvelvetlake.blogspot.com). 

Water chemistry testing—Dave Boyd reported on the water testing of our lakes done last summer.  He reported that for the first time in 12 years there was a significant difference in results from both lakes, which is unusual in that they are all the same body of water.  Velvet Lake's chlorophyll average last year averaged 3.8 ug/lt versus Flannery's average of 2.1 ug/lt.  This is still well below the average for our Northeast Geo-region  Velvet Lake's phosphorus average was 12.6 ug/lt versus Flannery's average of 11.3 ug/lt (readings over 20 ug/lt may experience noticeable algae blooms). 

     Because of this these readings the DNR now categorizes Velvet Lake as a mesotrophic lake, meaning it has moderately clear water and an increasing chance of low dissolved oxygen in deep water during the summer.  Flannery is still considered an oligotrophic lake.  In previous years both lakes were oligotrophic which is the category for clearest and lowest chlorophyll and phosphorus average lakes. 

Loons—Linda Boyd reported that there was no loon nest on our lakes as of Thursday, May 25. 

     This is the second year after the dramatic summer when our loon chick “Houdini” survived multiple attacks by an intruder loon.  Houdini may come back north as a mature loon this summer so if you see a loon with banding white over white on the right leg and pink over silver on the left leg, that is Houdini.  Please let us know via the blog-spot, FVLA Facebook page, or email Linda at lkb292@yahoo.com if you do see him.

Boat Landing—J.R. Barttelt reported that the board decided to reactivate the motion-detection camera at the landing but not to check the thousands of photos it records unless there is a need to check on activity at the landing. 

Old Business

No-Wake Sign—the no wake sign posted at the entry of Velvet Lake which is a no-wake body of water is now semi-submerged and needs to be re-positioned.  Mike Barber volunteered to fix it. 

Fish Stocking—After the earlier presentation by John Kubisiak it was generally agreed that it is not in the interest of the lakes fish population to stock any fish at this time.  Further, Hugh Jones made a motion for the lake association to go on record against any muskie stocking in the lakes.  J.R. Barttelt seconded, and the motion carried.

     The idea of installing fish cribs and/or fish sticks to provide more and better  habitat for fish was generally agreed as the best next step to enhancing our fish population.  Elizabeth Alderton and  Shawn Frick agreed to explore this effort.  Gregg Curry made a motion that Elizabeth and Shawn co-chair a fish habitat committee to this end and that up to $1300 be available to fund any DNR fees involved and other expenses for this effort.  Lou Wilhelm seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 

     Anyone who is interested in possibly having fish sticks in front of their property, please contact Elizabeth Alderton at ealderton@new.rr.com. After Shawn and Elizabeth talk with the DNR, they will put out more information and a call on the website and Facebook for those interested. 

Pontoon Party—The 2017 FVLA Pontoon Party will be held Saturday, July 22, starting at 5:30 pm at Mike Barber's dock in Velvet Lake (3779 Velvet Lake Road for those who want to arrive by land).  In the event of inclement weather, the party will take place at Carol and Lou Wilhelm's home at 3933 Velvet Lake Road.  Pontoon, paddle, motor, or row boats; kayaks, canoes, and water bikes are all welcome as is arriving by car or foot at either location.  Everyone should bring their favorite beverage and an appetizer. 

Trash Pick-Up—We have had a good effort at trash pick up already this year and it was agreed that earlier pick up before leafing out is best and will happen next spring on the third Saturday of April which is April 21.  Everyone interested in helping at this event can meet at the boat landing at 9 am.  We did this as a lake association activity a few years ago and it was a great way to spruce up our surroundings. 

Election of Board members—Current board member Gregg Curry was nominated for another term and Christy Aggens, Elizabeth Alderton, and Shawn Frick were nominated.  All nominees were elected. 

New Business--

FVLA directory—Elizabeth Alderton expressed an interest in creating an association directory and others welcomed the idea. She will create a form to collect information from association members. The form will be sent by email and through the Facebook group. If anyone has suggestions for what information should be collected, please contact her at ealderton@new.rr.com with ideas.

Bladderwort Control—Elizabeth Alderton volunteered to meet with Kevin Gauthier of the DNR to discuss bladderwort control/eradication possibilities for our lakes now that the plant is no longer listed as “a species of special concern” and therefore is no longer protected.

Jim Winkler—Oneida County Board member Jim Winkler introduced himself at the meeting and said he was a resource for lake associations and available to help with lake association issues. 

Paul Kern moved the meeting be adjourned.  Sue Gohl seconded and the motion passed.   

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Boyd, secretary

Minutes of the Flannery/Velvet Lake Association, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Present: Mike Barber, J.R. Barttelt, Dave Boyd, Linda Boyd, Gregg Curry, Diane Jones, Paul Kern, Dale Larson, and Lou Wilhelm

Absent: John Ahlstrom

President Diane Jones called the meeting to order at 8 am. 

Secretaries report was read.  Paul Kern moved to accept the minutes, Dave Boyd seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Treasurer's report was as follows.  Current balance of $15,399.20 which includes dues of $1900 and expenses of $282.37.  Dave said we will incur expenses of $3,300 this year when we pay for our lakes survey scheduled for this summer.  Linda Boyd moved to accept the report and J.R. Barttelt seconded the motion.  Motion passed.

Committee Reports

History—no report

Fish stocking—no news since last year's meeting, but John Kubisiak, Fisheries Supervisor, Eastern Treaty Fisheries Assessment Team is scheduled to address this subject at the membership meeting this morning. 

AIS—J.R. Barttelt reported that the plant study is scheduled to take place on or around August 1 and 2 which is close to the dates the study took place five years ago.  He stated that the contract indicated that a report was due to us by the end of 2017.  Last time, the report came well ahead of that deadline and he expected it might be even faster this time as the DNR only requires photos of new plant species that might be found rather than actual dried samples. 

     The last report indicated an invasive species located on the shore of a property in Back-of-the-Moon Bay and the owner of the property had been informed and said he would remove the plants. 

     How important is it to monitor our lake shore especially on either side of the boat landing was discussed.  Lou suggested that we see if other lakes want to hire someone who knows and can identify invasive species who could be paid to monitor all our lakes for AIS on a regular basis.  Dave Boyd suggested he contact Oneida County AIS coordinator Stephanie Boismenue to see if other lakes are interested.

     There is no boat inspection at our boat landing, and the surveillance camera is no longer at the boat landing.  It was decided to reinstate the camera but not monitor the thousands of photos unless there was a specific need to know about boat launch activity. 

Water Testing—Dave Boyd reported that most years both lakes have close test results which is to be expected as it is one body of water.  However in 2016, the numbers varied.  Velvet Lake had Chlorophyll  levels of 3.8 ug/lt versus Flannery's 2.1 ug/lt.  Velvet Lake phosphorus levels were 12.6 to Flannery's 11.3,  For this reason, the DNR has classified Velvet as a mesotrophic lake while Flannery is still categorized as an oligotrophic lake.

Loons—no nest yet but little signs of problems such as fights for territories. 

Newbold Lake Association Committee—no report

Old Business—Linda Boyd reported that the no wake sign positioned at the mouth of Velvet Lake is now partially submerged and needs to be re-positioned. 

Meeting was recessed in order to hold the annual lake association membership meeting.

After the annual membership meeting, the board reconvened with newly elected board members—Christy Aggens, Elizabeth Alderton, Shawn Frick, and reelected board member Gregg Curry.

 

The board elected officers as follows:

President—Diane Jones

Vice President—Dale Larson

Secretary—Linda Boyd

Treasurer—Dave Boyd

Meeting adjourned at 11:10 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Boyd, secretary