Fall 2010 Newsletter

Fall in Wisconsin, the time to look back on the fun times had in the sun, on the water, in our boats, or just lounging at the beach listening to the laughter of the kids. It’s a time to say goodbye to some of our neighbors for the winter, to close up the summer homes, but for others it’s a time to look forward to this wonderful state we live in and call home. A time to enjoy the beautiful colors, ice fishing, ice skating, snomobiling, skiing, and all the other winter sports many look forward to.

So hopefully all have had a great summer and look forward to spring when we start all over again.

Special thanks goes to John Ashworth and Dick Murphy who put on a great 4th of July fireworks show that despite the rain I believe was enjoyed by all who ventured out to watch it.


                    ***Annual Lake District meeting***
                           **Note change of location**

Saturday September 4th, 2010 9 am
Friendship Village Hall
507 West Lake St
Friendship Wi, 53934

Fall Election
At the annual meeting the Secretary’s position is up for reelection. Tom Bell who has had this position for the past 6 years is not seeking reelection. In order to keep the Lake District solvent we need a Lake District resident to step up and get involved in the workings of the district. If you’ve ever been interested in getting more involved in the workings of the district now is the time. Contact Bob Berry if you are interested 339-6805

Lake District Fall luncheon
Saturday August 28th, 2010
Come join your neighbor’s and friends for a fall luncheon put on by The Lake District at the home of Bob and Carol Berry(same place as last fall) 404 Hillwood Lane- the Island Resort road. Social time 12:00pm to 1:00pm, lunch at 1:00pm. Hopefully this year the weather will cooperate and we can get everyone out for pontoon boat rides. Please RSVP any of the commissioners by August 18th. Milk, soda, and coffee will be provided anything else is BYO.

Friends of Friendship Lake Events
Brat Sale at AF County Market
Sept 11th
If you would like to help contact
Roberta Ebert @ 608-339-6868.
Or at least go eat some brats that day!

               

Lake levels, Weed harvesting, and other Topics


Lake levels
With all the rain this spring and summer the Lake levels have been great with only a few complaints. I have talked with Scott Watson of the DNR on a number of occasions concerning the levels and where we stand on getting some set levels for the lake. It is not a forgotten issue and they are working on it as much as budget cuts and time allow. I am on a Watershed Advisory Group being formed in its infancy by both the DNR and Adams County Land and Water for the Little Roche-A-Cri Creek. One of the goals for this group and the Lake (and I quote from a DNR 2010 Water Quality Management Plan update for the creek) “Through administrative rule, establish a public interest flow at Friendship Dam to balance water level/lake level concerns and downstream water quality interests and help protect habitat below the dam”. This doesn’t mean it will happen overnight but is being worked on.

Weed Harvesting
This has been an eye-opening year for our harvesting program, in that numerous complaints were called into and filed by the DNR, which forced them to inspect the lake and our operations and issue the Lake District a notice of non-compliance of our Aquatic Management Plan. I contacted Mr. Scott Provost of the DNR who is the Water Resources Management Specialist for our area. The Lake District Board along with our harvesting crew and a few concerned lake residents met with him and went over the Aquatic Management Plan. In most instances you will see no changes to the harvesting of the weeds. The areas you will see changes are in water less than 3 feet, there will be no harvesting in these areas this means that around a lot of piers, you as a lake resident, will need to take it upon yourself to clean the weeds. You are allowed to manually harvest a 30 foot wide swath as far out as you want, but you must remove the weeds, not just push them out into the lake to float around. If the harvester happens to be out and in the area you are allowed to push them into deep enough water as to allow the harvester to pick them up. The crew is aware of this and will work with you to accomplish this. A year or so ago many of you received letters explaining that your lake frontage was in what is called a Critical Habitat Area. These areas are limited as to what can be harvested. We also discussed other options the District can utilize such as chemical treatment, Lake Drawdown in the fall, and even possibly dredging certain areas. We will be working with the DNR to make sure that our harvesting plan and program are followed properly so as to not incur any fines or even shut down our weed harvesting program

Other Issues of Discussion
One of the complaints I have heard this year relates to the wake produced by some of the boat traffic on the lake. There are no restrictions relating to hp or boat size and there are no plans to put any in place. One of the things you, as a Lake frontage owner, can do is to rip rap your shoreline. Through both the DNR and County Land and Water there are grants available to help with this. Many residents in the past few years have utilized them and had rip-rap put in place to save the shoreline. Contact Adams County Land and Water for more information. 608-339-4268

We hope to see all of you at this year’s annual meeting, and remember to check out the website at
www.friendshiplake.org. As part of our education program there are many links there for information. Also, if you get new neighbors, please contact any of the commissioners.  We now have welcome packets for new neighbors in the District. Any questions or comments please feel free to contact any of your lake commissioners.




FRIENDSHIP LAKE DISTRICT
BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011


REVENUE
INTEREST                               $          1.50
SPECIAL CHARGES
Town of Adams                 $16,830.15
Town of Preston                $14,725.10
Village of Friendship      $11,706.85
TOTAL SPECIAL CHARGES      $43,262.10

TOTAL REVENUE                 $43,263.60


EXPENSES
BOX RENT                                 $40.00
ACCOUNTING                            $300.00
EQUIPMENT EXPENSE         $6,000.00
FALL LUNCHEON                     $800.00
FUEL                                   $3,000.00
INSURANCE                               $2,500.00
INTEREST                                  $ 0.00 
LEGAL FEE                                 $500.00
MISCELLANEOUS                  $2,000.00
NEWSPAPER                            $0.00
OFFICE                              $800.00
PAYROLL                                   $13,700.00
PERMITS                          $315.00
POSTAGE                                  $300.00
RENT / HARVESTER STORAGE $250.00
TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT$350.00
UTILITIES: ELECTRICITY     $500.00
WORKER'S COMP                  $905.00
EQUIPMENT RESERVE       $11,003.60
TOTAL EXPENSES                $43,263.60

NET OPERATING INCOME   $0.00

PROPOSED TAX LEVY
MIL RATE  =.                    015% PER $1,000.00 OF ASSESSED LAND VALUE
SPECIAL CHARGES   =$200.00 LANDOWNERS RECEIVING GREATEST BENEFIT
                                          $15.00 REMAINING DISTRICT LANDOWNERS




NOTICE
THE FRIENDSHIP LAKE DISTRICT
ANNUAL MEETING
AND BUDGET HEARING

****NOTE CHANGE OF PLACE****

  Date:   September 4, 2010
  Time:   9:00 a.m.
  Place:  Friendship Village Hall
             507 West Lake St
             Friendship WI, 53934

  Agenda:
1. Opening of meeting by chairman
2. Reading of last annual minutes
3. Treasurer’s report – 2009-2010
4. Budget hearing – 2010-2011
5. Weed harvesting report
6. Discuss harvesting meeting with DNR            
7. Election of commissioner (secretaries term ends)
     8.  Friends of Friendship Lake report
             9.  Any official new business
            10. Set meeting date for next year (9-3-11)
            11. Adjournment