June 1, 2010 Letter to Lake Owners

Follow the link to a pdf copy of the 2010 Spring Mailing to all Star Lake property owners. 

June 26, 2010 Regular Meeting

September 5, 2009 Annual Meeting at the Houghton College Star Lake Campus

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm by John V. G., president of the Association.

John welcomed members, guests and students/staff from Houghton College who joined us for another great pot-luck supper.  Officers were introduced to the group and members introduced themselves and indicated where they lived around the lake.  Thirty-three members plus eight Houghton students were in attendance.  *A list of attendees follows the minutes.  A special “thank you” was given to Houghton College and Terry B., director of the Star Lake Campus for helping with dinner arrangements, hosting our meetings and for participating in SLPA lake activities. 

Available Literature  John indicated that copies of the agenda and the July 4^th meeting minutes were made available at the door.  Also available were two pamphlets:  The Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats and the latest New York State Boaters’ Guide both of which spell out safety rules and operator requirements for those who have boats or jet skis on the lake.  Members were encouraged to take copies for people on the lake who should read them.

Wildlife Sightings  Two cormorants were sighted on the lake.  They have been seen for the past three years at this time of the year.  These very undesirable fishing birds are not believed to be breeding on the lake.  Janet S. asked about coydogs, as her cat went missing on the back side of the lake.  Terry noted that they are in season and can be hunted between October 1 to March 27.  Six loons were seen recently and the bull frog population seems to be on the increase. 

Approval of Minutes  Bo R. made a motion; seconded by Steve G. to approve the minutes of the July 4, 2009 Regular Meeting as presented.  Copies were available for member inspection.  There was no discussion; the motion was carried.

Treasurer’s Report  Tess G. gave the Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning balance was $6,264.10.  Revenues were $680.10 from dues; and $164 from the Poker Run.  Payments included $257.56 for secretary’s expenses such as mailing, copying and ads in the Bargain Hunter and $42.45 for July meeting refreshments.  The ending balance is $6,858.19.  There were 71 members to date.  Motion was made and carried to approve the treasurer’s report.

Old Business

Social Committee Chairperson Needed  John spoke to an on-going need for a chairperson to organize and oversee a social committee (formerly comprised of officers) to help plan and carry out various SLPA social activities.  Brenda C., current vice president, has volunteered to add this to her vp duties.

SLPA and Lake Events  Reports were given on the summer’s lake activities:

• Poker Run  Steve G. reported that the 5^th annual Poker Run was the best yet!  Sixty-four attended, compared to 34 last year.  $325 was collected from the sale of hands at $5 for members; $10 for non-members.  Expenses came to $114 and $160 in prizes was awarded.  Top hand was held by Bo R.--a hearts flush; he donated $50 back to the Association.  While the goal of the Poker Run was to have fun and socialize, $101 in net profit went back to the treasury from the event—a double-success.

• Rafts Across the Water  The event (goal was to see how many rafts could be tied together and extended “across the water”) was not well-attended this year.  The record of nine rafts still stands. Steve G. noted that after the Poker Run, there were 17 rafts tied up on the sand bar.  Perhaps, we should have the event after next year’s Poker Run.  Bo noted that it was just an idea for lake activities and we don’t really have to do it at all.  New ideas for activities are welcome and greater participation in planning by more people would be helpful.  The Social Committee should determine what activities to plan.

• Lake Clean-ups  We had two lake clean-up days again this summer.  We covered the entire perimeter of the lake and each event took about an hour.  John thanked all members and others who participated over the past years.  He noted that there were a number of “no-shows” and that caused some problems, making it more burdensome on other volunteers to cover the lake.  He asked members who signed up to make an extra effort to attend.  Chris Cook suggested that members be called the night before, to remind them of the event.  Bo R. reported that there seems to be less trash picked up lately. 

• Free-style Canoe Symposium  Houghton Star Lake Campus again hosted a free-style canoe symposium on July 19^th-23^rd which culminated in a free-style canoe recital on the lake.  Terry B. said that there was a light turnout, but the event was very enjoyable.

• Benson Mines Tour  George P. conducted a tour on August 22^nd for eight people.  Positive reports came back from those who attended the tour of the old J & L Mine site.  Thanks to George, who has conducted numerous tours over the past several years.

Town of Fine Update  Mark H., Town of Fine Supervisor, was unable to attend the meeting.  No report was given.

2009 Star Lake Handbook  Bo R. reported that 100 copies of the revised Handbook and 50 copies of inserts were printed by his wife Marty last week.  At the July meeting, funds were authorized to replace our supply of Handbooks.  The cost of printing was $212.96, which included the cost of card stock for covers, laser paper for the inside and inserts, and printing costs per page.  Bo noted that thanks should go to Marty for donating a day off and April Bender, owner of Partnerships for Quality in Hanawa Falls for letting us use her excellent equipment at her cost.    

Bo said that he updated the Handbook with a newly-designed cover, revised articles for timeliness, and updated the lake owners directories to reflect owners of record as of July 15, 2009.  The DEC fish stocking history was updated and several new pictures were added.  Fifty inserts were printed so that those with the 2004 Handbooks could remove the old inside page and replace it with the new insert, which has the Star Lake map on one side and the updated directories on the other side.  If there is enough interest, these inserts could be printed  annually to keep members’ handbooks up-to-date.

Bo made a motion to sell the revised Handbooks for $5 to members and $8 to non-members, with inserts to be provided to current members for free and sold for $2 to non-members.  Discussion followed.  Steve G. noted that the 2004 Handbook was given to members at no cost and the rest were sold.  The difference here is that the 2004 booklet (2^nd edition) was a complete revision of the 1995 Handbook and we had 200+ copies.  Bo noted that this is just a minor revision—a reprinting/update and we only have 100 copies, which must last to the next total revision.  If we handed them out to 71 members, we would have very few left to sell and we can’t just keep printing more.  Most current members have copies that can be updated with the free insert and we will still provide a free copy to new lake owners who become members.  Bo noted that this has been a self-funded project since 2004 and has actually added to the treasury.  This reprint will continue the tradition.  Bo’s motion was carried and inserts were handed out to members present. 

Web Site Update  Bo R. reported that the printing of the Star Lake Handbook necessitated a revision of the Star Lake Handbook page on the web site (http://www.slpa.info).  The most notable change is that the revised Handbook will be coded into the web site in html as a series of interactive pages with links to articles and sections of the Handbook.  The directories are still password protected, for owners’ privacy, although the information contained in the directories is public information and can be obtained by anyone.  The older 2^nd edition is still available as an Adobe .pdf file for viewing, download, and printing.  However, the new revision will be on the web site as html.  This will make it more difficult for the Handbook to be downloaded and printed for free, since we are selling them to support the treasury.  Another change is the inclusion of the original 1995 Star Lake Handbook in .pdf format for viewing, download, and printing.  Minor housekeeping updates of the web site are on-going and the Archives section is complete.  Suggestions for the site are welcome. 

Invasive Plants/Water Quality Report  Terry B. told the group that a survey of the lake shore conducted on August 18^th, indicated no invasive water species, such as Milfoil; but purple loosestrife was observed and pulled at several locations around the lake.  Jim W., resident biologist at the Houghton College Star Lake Campus, could not attend the meeting but sent a letter which Terry read to the Association which served as a water quality report.  Jim said in the letter that he and his students “continue to do routine sampling of the lake--checking for temperature, oxygen, clarity and nutrients.”  Jim’s overall findings are positive and his full letter can be read on the web site.  Briefly, water sampling findings include:

• Low nutrient levels (phosphorus and nitrates)

• Cooler summer caused delay in oxygen loss at bottom of lake until August-good for fish and prevention of organic buildup

• Zooplankton levels appear to be reduced

“These results suggest that the cool summer weather made the lake act more like a very low nutrient lake much farther north.”

Jim is still hoping to install an automated water sampling buoy this fall that will sample and store water data continuously.  Plans are to deploy the buoy in early October in Third Lake, pending permit approvals.  Star Lake would be the only lake in the Adirondacks with this type of system.  

Jim hopes that his fall semester program will be able to be run and thanks the Association for the opportunity to partner with his students on the lake. 

2010 Dues  A motion was made by Tess G., seconded by Ginny C. to keep dues for 2010 at the present rate of $20 per year.  the motion was approved.

Election of Officers for 2010  Steve G., as the nominating committee of one, asked if there were any nominations for officers for 2010.  Steve presented a proposed slate of officers:  John V. G., president; Brenda C., vice-president; Tess G., treasurer; and Bo R., secretary.  No other nominations were made.  Steve made a motion seconded by Feets S. for the secretary to cast one ballot to elect the current officers for one more year.  Tess G. will resign as treasurer for 2011, but is willing to serve for 2010.  Motion to accept the slate as presented was carried.

Petition Against Houghton College Sale  Feets S. asked members to sign a petition he passed around requesting Houghton College to reconsider their plans to sell the Star Lake Campus.  The petition, which has circulated around the communities, will be presented next week to the Houghton College Board of Trustees.  Terry B. said that the campus was still technically for sale; that an Agreement in Principle was in place between Dr. Bill Stief and the College; a purchase offer was pending, in a few weeks.  Gail A. asked if Terry knew of any plans for the campus; Terry indicated that Dr. Stief is planning to update the cabins perhaps for rental and build a house on the property. 

Buoy Volunteers Needed  Terry also indicated that we will need to find volunteers to place and pick up the buoys around the lake, once the campus is sold.  Terry has done this single-handedly for several years as a service to the lake community.  Rey G. volunteered his garage for storage of the buoys and offered to help if he is available.  Ideally, the buoys need to be placed before Memorial Day and picked up for the winter just after Columbus Day.

J&L Property Concerns  Gail A. expressed some concerns about plans to reclaim the J&L property for industrial use.  Terry said that the Newton Falls Paper Mill intended to purchase 10 acres for a chip dryer operation to provide bio fuel for the Mill boilers.  The mill will own the operation and land.  The County needs to take over the property (for non-payment of taxes).  Then, toxin abatement funding can proceed and the site cleanup can begin.  Questions should be directed to Mark H. for the most up-to-the-minute information.      

Motion was made, seconded and carried to adjourn.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Bo R., Secretary, Star Lake Protective Association

Call to Order

Old Business

Social Committee Chairperson Needed  John spoke, once again, of the need for a volunteer(s) to chair the social committee which is responsible for planning various SLPA events during the summer.  He pointed out that much assistance is given by officers and the events are pretty easy to plan.  We just need someone to oversee the planning of those activities and also to try to get more people involved.  There were no volunteers from the group.

Boating Safety Course – Joe R.  Joe reported that this summer the course for ages 10 and up would be held in Star Lake July 13^th and 14^th (from  6-10 pm) at the CFCS middle school computer lab.  Sixteen have signed up so far.  After handing out course materials, Joe said that the 8-hour course taught by Chuck Y., Leon Z. and himself, would cost $35 per registrant.  Joe stated that the law now says that all jet ski (PWC) operators, regardless of age, must take this certification course.  Currently, children 14 and up can take the course and operate a PWC.  As for boat operation, children age 10-17 cannot operate a boat alone unless they take the course.  There is no certification required for adults 18+ to drive boats; but Joe highly recommends the course for all boaters.  A question was asked “Can pwc’s be operated after dark?” and the answer was negative.  They have no lights, so the “sunup to sunset” rule applies.  He said that the same “rules of the lake” and regulations as to right of way, passing, speed laws, etc. apply to boats, sail boats and jet skis (all water craft).  Several comments were made about a particularly offensive yellow jet ski on the lake and how the owner didn't seem too interested in following lake conventions or the law regarding its operation.  If interested in this class or future classes, contact Joe at 848-5326 or Chuck at 848-3694.  

Invasive Plant Species Report – Terry B.  A second shoreline survey was conducted by students and staff last fall, 2008.  A considerable quantity of purple loosestrife was pulled around the lake.  Bo R. asked if the areas were mapped for future reference; Terry said “yes” and that he would make the map available to us.  He said that no European milfoil was spotted.  Once again, “thanks!” to Houghton College staff and students who have proved to be good lake neighbors. 

Economic Development Corporation Report – Lorraine L.  Recent projects of the CFEDC include a new version of the Local Services and Retail Business Directory with copies available from members and on the Town of Fine and SLPA websites.  A grant is being sought to provide fiber optics and broadband to Wanakena.  Present plans for cell service include a Verizon tower on the water tower in Star Lake; AT&T has provided coverage to Fine via the Nat’l Grid tower on the ridge.  Joan L. and her committee are working on more flags and there are plans to pave the Community Center parking lot.  S. O. S. is completing interior painting.  Cultural Events people have completed the 2009 schedule of events, as advertised in the Bargain Hunter.  There is a Town H. committee working to repair the old Town H. in Fine and the Model Railroad Committee members are seeking a home for a 4 x 30 model historical replication of the history of trains in our area.  Scotia Investment has invested $40 million into the paper mill; received a plaque January 5^th.  The CFEDC hosted 93 attendees this year at the very successful annual business dinner.  A community calendar is being maintained at the Town of Fine Building and on their web site.  Organizations can have their events listed for free by filling out a form.  Public TV will highlight Cranberry Lake in an episode of their National Park Day Series.  We now have good medical coverage at the hospital and medical center with three full-time e-r doctors, Dr. Carthy, a PA and another doctor on the way.

Town of Fine Update – Mark H.  John introduced Mark H., Town of Fine Supervisor, who elaborated on several recent initiatives that promise positive change for our community. 

• APA Presentation -- Town of Fine  Mark was invited by the APA to showcase the Town of Fine as part of their community spotlight on March 13, 2009.  A press release about his presentation can be found on the APA website at: http://www.apa.state.ny.us/Press/pressrelease.cfm?PressReleaseID=343.  The webcast is at http://nysapa.granicus.com/ViewSearchResults.php?keywords=Mark+H.&view_id=2, search for Community Spotlight Town of Fine.    

• Progress on the Economic Front  Mark spoke of our community’s capacity to define and solve problems and how the Economic Development Commission, supported by the Town Board, began to identify areas that needed attention and find ways to accomplish their goals.  We recently received a NYS DEC Smart Growth grant for the Towns of Fine and Clifton amounting to $98,000 over three years to hire an economic development coordinator to oversee projects.  Elizabeth C., former resident and graduate of CFCS, was hired.  He spoke of the many problems we have overcome, such as the demise of the arena, the fires at the fire H. and medical center and the subsequent rebuilding projects to replace them. 

• Newton Falls Fine Paper Mill--J & L Plans  Mark updated us on the paper mill and how the J & L site might be utilized to provide bio-fuel for the mill, so that it can operate more efficiently.  Orders are down, but the mill is stable and is not closing, contrary to rumors.  The current project’s goal is to get the mill off fossil fuels.  Four million gallons of fuel oil are used per year, adding tremendous pressure to the bottom line profitability of the mill.  The plan is to install a bio-mass boiler to be fueled by dry wood chips produced at the J & L site, thus creating 100 new jobs at J & L.  Energy independence and the creation of new jobs should make the project eligible for stimulus money.  Mark met with Representative Didi Scosifava, who promised to help fast-track the cleanup of asbestos, mercury, lead and pcb’s from the J & L site so that the chipping plant can get approved and started.  Neither the Adirondack Council, the Adirondack Mountain Club, nor the APA has raised objections to the project.  According to Mark, over 100 million tons of bio-mass materials such as logging by-products like tops and limbs that could fuel the chipper operation (and thus the mill) go to waste each year.  Wood is a renewable resource plentiful in this area.  Two obstacles exist:  the funding necessary to clean up the J & L site; and there is an ownership issue in that the present owner of the site has left and not paid taxes for years.  The county is reluctant to take over the property.  Mark has met with Senator Hildebrand to seek State help; and he is working with the CFEDC to develop a plan to accomplish the J & L cleanup.  There is also talk of marketing the iron tailings and improving the railroad infrastructure on the site to facilitate industrial use.

• APA Map Needs Revision  Mark told the APA that the original zoning maps of the area were full of inconsistencies and needed to be revised.  The APA was receptive to remapping; but cautioned that the APA has no jurisdiction in the hamlet; except for shorelines.  More hamlet area necessitates the need for greater local zoning and planning.  Mark told the APA that 52% of the Town is State-owned and as such, the Governor’s Cap on Tax Plan would hurt us locally a great deal.  Our school district is considered wealthy due to massive amounts of land assessments (mostly State-owned) and declining enrollment over the years.  State aid is very low, making property taxation an enormous burden for local taxpayers.  

• Town of Fine Web Site  Improvements have been made to the web site including a new name:  afineadirondacktown.org.  Supervisor and Community Development Coordinator updates are now available as are meeting minutes and a new community calendar.

• Clarkson University Business Center  Clarkson has expressed an interest in creating business centers throughout the north country with at least one in our area.  Business centers would house business machines and broadband Internet connectivity for the use of local businesses.  According to Mark, Clarkson is also locally teaching My Small Business 101 at no cost to local business people.

• Adirondack Park Regional Assessment Project  The Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages is conducting a 2-year survey of towns and villages in the Park.  Some interesting findings:  only 3% of all land in the Park is able to be developed; 40% of land owned is owned by people from outside the park; 30% of jobs in St. Lawrence County are in government, not including public education jobs.

New Business

Summer Events  President V. G. referred members to the event calendar that was included with the agenda (included below) and spoke briefly about each of the various events.  John reported on the activities planned, including dates, times, and locations.  A sign-up sheet was passed around for the two lake clean-up days.  George P. has agreed to conduct a tour of the J & L/Benson Mines property again this year.  He suggested Saturday, August 8^th as the date.  Interested people should come to the Houghton College Campus parking lot by 10:00 am.

New Invasive Plant Threat:  Wild Garlic Mustard  John spoke to the group about a sighting of a garlic mustard invasion spotted by John S. in late May on the Lake Road.  Bo R. reported that John e-mailed us and alerted the people of the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program, a group that helped us do shoreline surveys last year.  On May 28^th, Steven Flint, from the APIPP, set up a 6/3 inspection of the site to measure and map the infestation; then remove the “heinous garlic mustard”.  On 6/9, Steven reported back that the team had removed over 1000 plants on Lake Road from the dip (beginning of Amo Street) west to Reimer Road.  He attached two technical abstracts on garlic mustard, one of which was duplicated and handed out at the meeting to help members to spot the plant.  He said that these were second-year plants and needed to be watched and pulled each spring for the next several years.  He suggested that our group assemble volunteers in early spring of 2010 and for the next several years to pull and destroy the plants before they flower and reseed.  Steven said that this is the first recorded sighting of garlic mustard in the Town of Fine.  He made note that the Town should be made aware of this so that they can check their source of sand used for road maintenance.  Mark H. noted that he shared this e-mail with the Town Highway Superintendent.  A copy of Steven’s e-mail was printed on the back of the meeting agenda for the group to read.

Free-style Canoe Symposium  John reminded the group that from July 19^th to 23^rd  there will again be a free-style canoe symposium.  Canoe lessons from beginning to expert are available.  A recital will be held on July 22^nd at the Campus beach at about 7:00 pm.  Information about the event can be found at their web site at http://www.freestylecanoeing.com/.  People can sign-up for lessons on the first day of the symposium.  An article about the symposium can be found on our web site at http://www.slpa.info/.

Star Lake Handbook – Bo R. reported that we are out of copies of the Handbook and need to print more, with updated information.  The last two printings of the 2^nd edition were accomplished at about $4 per book; we gave members on record a free copy, gave new lake owners a free copy, and sold the rest at $8 per book, making it a zero-cost project.  The books paid for themselves, with preliminary financial support from the SLPA.  Unfortunately, our printing source no longer has access to the color printer that was used.  Bo’s wife Marty works for April Bender of Partners for Quality in Hannawa Falls.  April has agreed to let us print the Handbook on her new printer at her cost of $.10 per page, $.40 per sheet for a total cost, including paper that we must buy, of $2.30 per book.  Marty has agreed to donate her time on a day off to run the print job, which will probably be an all-day project.  We will need to purchase a ream (500 sheets) of 11 x 17” 40# coated paper for the inside pages and a ream of 80# paper for the cover.  We can get about 100 copies printed for around $230 and the project should again, pay for itself.

Bo said he has already updated the directories in the Handbook to reflect new lake owners as of July, 2009, and several other minor changes need to be made before the printing.  Also, there is a growing need for a committee to revise and perhaps add new content to create a 3^rd edition of the Handbook.  A motion was made by Steve G.; seconded by Dick R., to authorize the printing of 100 copies of the Star Lake Handbook at the proposed cost.  The motion was carried.

Suggestions for SLPA projects and speakers/topics  President V. G. spoke of a healthy treasury and asked if anyone had suggestions for relevant SLPA projects.  A discussion followed about the need for several other buoys to mark rock bars that are presently not marked.  Bo R. said that we have a few buoys that aren’t being used and we could obtain more if needed.  We can make our own anchors (Jim W. donated time and materials to make the ones we use presently, two of which were stolen from the sandbar).  Dick R. mentioned that Cranberry Lake provided a clean-up service to remove old docks and floaters; and wondered if we could clean up some of the shoreline of derelict dock parts and deadheads that pose danger to others.  Terry B. said that if we collected such refuge, we could bring it to the Campus for removal.  Students would be available to help from August 3^rd into November.  No other projects were suggested. 

Nominating Committee  None was established at this time.        

Other Business 

Hospital/Medical Update:  Bill H., member of the hospital board, gave a brief medical services update.  He said that we are in pretty good shape with Dr. Carthy and Dr. Stief returning to the area.  Ashley Ryan is a PA and Dr. Alicia Van Wagner is coming to the area on August 3^rd.  We have good E-R coverage.  The hospital has purchased a new 3-D CT scanner and a new ultrasound machine.  The medical clinic is presently housed in temporarilly leased trailers since the old building burned.  Plans are under way to expand the hospital’s front entrance to house the medical clinic permanently.  Construction is expected to begin August, 2009; to be completed by February, 2010.  The APA needs to approve the final plans which will include examination rooms, doctors’ offices and a waiting room.  The hospital plans a quarterly news bulletin for the community.     

Adjournment

Motion was made and seconded to adjourn.  The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 am.

Respectfully submitted by Bo R., Secretary, Star Lake Protective Association