Author: admin

June 12, 2021

The Lake Association had its first meeting in over a year due to the Covid 19 pandemic. President Mark Johnson called the meeting to order. 15 members present.

Secretary’s Report: The Association is still in need to someone to volunteer to be the secretary.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Carol Nelson reported that the bank balance as of Dec. 31, 2020, was $16,971.80. Revenue from dues was down substantially last year due to the Association’s relative inactivity.  The only expenses in 2020 were for the website domain and server ($84.69) and membership in the MN Rivers and Lakes organization ($150)and Paypal fees ($11.80) for online payment of dues.

Mark made a motion to continue the current slate of officers and board members until the 2022 election in August due to the continuing uncertainty of meetings as Covid continues. He also introduced Joe Mlller, who has a cabin on the Big Lake, who has agreed to join the board as vice president. The motion was approved. Joe will be visiting some of our new neighbors on the lake with information about the Association.

Old Business

• Joe reported on his conversations with the DNR regarding a public access on the Big Lake. The good news is that  the DNR has told him that there is no plans in the foreseeable future for development of an access on the BIg Lake.  The DNR rep told him that they are maintaining what accesses they have now and are not building new ramps.

• Discussion was held on the importance of cabin and property owners to not allow guests to put their boats in due to the threat of invasive species. And for those who take their boats in and out of the lakes to make sure their boats are clean of invasive species and spend at least a week out of the water to be sure. Now that the public access is no longer a threat, at least for now, it would be a shame if invasive species got into the lake by us.

• Short-term Rentals. The county has instituted a variety of permit regulations for those who wish to rent their cabins on a short term basis (VRBO). This has reduced, for now, the number of rentals on the two  lakes and in one case resulted in tax classification changing from residential to commercial, a much higher rate.

• The updated area directory is up on the  Association’s website  (http://pequaywanlakes.com/area-directory/) and any changes or additions should be sent via email to info@pequaywanlakes.com

New Business

• CLP has sent customers a letter telling them it is ending its wireless internet service in the area Sept. 1. Those who wish to sign up with Frontier are urged to do so as soon as possible because there could be a limit. You can call the Frontier technician, Mike, at 218-393-3251.

• Boaters were urged to have caution when tanker float planes are landing to pick up water for area forest fires and to be sure to stay out of their way. Also, it was asked that if you have visitors who arrive by float planes, you ask them to have the same caution regarding invasive species and to also be aware that the lakes can be quite busy with boating in the summer.

• Joe will organize a trash pick up along Pequaywan Lake Road for Monday, June 14. (Update: Thanks to Joe and Janelle Miller, Mark and Lin Johnson and Lee Kaplan and Judith Strom for picking up the trash that day.)

• Loon Report. Loons have been seen on both lakes but no report of chicks yet.

• Lake Clarity. Scott Mead reported 9.5 and 10 feet on the Big Lake. Dale Brooks reported 24 feet on the Little Lake, which might be a record. Speculation is that the dry spring has meant less run off into the lake, contributing to the clarity.

Upcoming Activities and Events

• Fire Department Pancake Breakfast is July 4,  8 a.m. to noon.

• Tree disposal on the township land June 19, July 17 and Aug. 21

• The very dry spring was a reminder to all to be careful with fires and to monitor the situation and wildwoods fire danger before doing any burning. You can check the DNR’s website for updates. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/firerating_restrictions.html

Future Meetings

• The next Association meetings are July 10 and Aug. 14. Possible programs include a speak from Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation in Duluth.

• Summer Gathering/Picnic. Mark will check with the Inn about participating in an event there on Aug. 14.

Meeting adjourned

July 14, 2018

Meeting was called to order at 10 a.m. by Vice President Judy Strom, who was substituting for President Phyllis Mead, with approximately 23 in attendance.

Secretary report has been posted on the website and available at the meeting.  Motion made and seconded to approve minutes.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s report: As of June 9 , 2018,  the balance was $17,371.82. Income has been $230 in dues.  Expenses of $328.94  for Mn Rivers membership, speakers, and Paul Klassen for buoys.  As of July 14, 2018, the balance is $17,372.88.  Motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion carried.

Clarity on Big Lake has been 13, 10 and 11.5 feet.  Little Lake was 17 feet in July.

Motion was made, seconded and motion carried to donate $300 to the Pequaywan Fire Department.

One loon baby has been sighted on the Big Lake and no sighting of baby loons on the Little Lake.

Motion was made, seconded and  carried to reimburse $50 in gas money to Ron Sluka for the moving he does around the township signs. 

At the annual meeting at the next Association’s meeting, Aug. 11, there will be elections for president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. The current president and treasurer will not be running for re-election and the secretary’s position is still open from last year’s election. That position would expire next year. The other terms are for two years,

Judy Strom has agreed to continue as a vice president so that there is a current officer on the board. Please consider becoming a board member.  It is unknown what will happen if no one comes forward to help contribute to this valuable community service. Strom will continue to maintain the website and other communications, so that will not be a task asked to be taken on by a new officer.

Township Land Development: In 1964, Al Wilson, a local developer, sold a piece of property to the Pequaywan Lake Association to make the land available to the citizens of Pequaywan. The Pequaywan Lakes Association, which predated the organized township, later transferred the land to the township. This 34-acre plot lies near the corner of Rossini Road and Pequaywan Lake Road. The address is 8914 Pequaywan Lake Road.

Last year the plot was logged with the plan to preserve the standing pines and healthy hardwoods. This year, the township plans to control the new aspen growth with a spray treatment and next year to replant some open areas.

Recognizing the potential for the community to develop this property fitting the original vision of citizen use, a group has formed. Any improvements possible here will only serve to increase the living quality for our residents, year round and seasonal.

The group has met twice to share dreams and check into reality for this spot. This year’s goals are to move the access road, which sits near a curve on Pequaywan Road, to a better location for safety considerations. More tantalizing is the creation of a walking path, to be around a mile in length. The township is funding the culvert, dirt, and log moving necessary for these improvements. Volunteers are ready to pitch in when the initial preparations are done.  

If you are interested and/or have talents to share, please join in the planning and volunteering. The town board meets every 2^nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM at the meeting room behind the fire hall.  The planning task force has a tentative meeting set for July 24 at 10 AM at that same location.

Contact people are:

Gordy Larsen, 848-8010
Judith Strom (walking path)  jstrom@pequaywanlakes.com

Township Supervisors
Donald Swanstrom,  don@donswanstrom.com 
Chuck Kuettel, chucklesd2@aol.com   
Scott Mead, scottphyllismead@gmail.com

The preparation work on the trail and the culvert was done as the County has agreed to pave the new driveway if a culvert and the necessary leveling is done when they black top crew is in that area.  Any residents, including those in the unorganized area, are welcome  to join the planning committee. Evening meetings are being considered to make it possible for those not able to attend daytime meetings.

Summer Event: Discussion was held on whether to have a summer event this year. The group felt it should continue and have changed the date to Saturday,  Sept. 1, and the name to Summer’s End Gathering. Arrangements have to be finalized with Nancy Peterson at the Pequaywan Inn to see if this date works for her. Hours would be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors will be advised of the new date to encourage them to come, and local music talent will be asked to perform. Motion was made and seconded that the Lake association would pay for 2 tickets per family with the goal of the price being $6.00 and the Association would provide ice cream. Motion carried.

Thank you to Becky Larsen, and Marilyn Guldseth for the treat today.

Meeting adjourned at 10:50

Submitted by: Marialice Arndt, Substitute Secretary

May 12, 2018

Meeting was called to order by president Phyllis Mead. Treasurer was not present. Temporary secretary took notes. Remembrance of long time members Arne Peterson and Cameron Johnson who have passed away.

OLD BUSINESS
Officers: Need secretary now and new officers will be elected in August. Mead and Strom have noted they will not run for reelection

NEW BUSINESS
Road pickup has been completed by Becky Larsen and Meads

No brush days this summer as the county have revoked our agreement to use Gravel (Wet Lake) Pit for a burning site. It was suggested that Jeff Jackson might have some influence on future use of the pit. The pit will be used as a staging site for materials and equipment needed for the road construction on Hwy 44. DNR should be contacted to be advised about permits for burning.

There will be ongoing water clarity testing on both lakes with the help of Dale Brooks and the Meads. Emily Nelson, of lake county SWCD, will be doing additional sampling monthly on the Big Lake and will report her finding at the July 14th meeting among other topics she will address.

There is a need for volunteers to be “green team” to do spring and fall clean up at the two township signs, one the corner of W. Branch Rd and on Pequaywan Lake Road. This will be discussed again in June when attendance hopefully will be greater.

The public access on Pequayan Lake does not have budget funds for 2018-2019 seasons. It is still a priority for the 2020 year with planning to involve the locals. Our representative, Tom Bach, seems favorable to ideas other than the traditional access so it would be advantageous to call/write to him. A fishing peer, walk in access, canoes and kayaks would allow all to have access to the lake without jeopardizing water quality. Pequaywan has been sited as an outstanding classification. A letter by Mitchell Miller was read that outlined many valid points of why we should continue to be proactive in the planning of the public access.

Meads attended an aquatic invasive summit in February which was sponsored by Mn Lakes and Rivers organization

There was no immediate interest in pursuing possible walleye stocking in the lakes. Perhaps to be discussed after the DNR has established their plan for the public access.

Members are asked to help out with future planning for the Township property. Once a plan has been developed there is a need for volunteers to develop trails, tree planting etc.
This would be the year to consider spraying to curtail poplar trees and to plant in year 2019. Approximate $75 per acre for spraying to contain poplar sapling growth,  which would be at the township expense.

Summer Celebration tentatively scheduled for July 21. Commitments are needed to fill the duties needed to make this happen. A chairperson to pull this together would need to be named very soon. Lita Wallace has volunteers to notify vendors.

New residents are welcome and we would encourage everyone to invite them to become involved with neighborhood activities.

June 9 meeting with have a program by Linda Bergstrom on CRP and medical emergencies. No programs planned yet for Aug and Sept.

A motion was made, amended and seconded to purchase five  new buoys at a cost up to $500 as a test to provide a more visual notice to hazardous rocks, etc., on the Big Lake. Also there will be reflective tape added to existing buoys. Member Paul Klassen and his wife have volunteered to put them out in the spring and take them out in the fall.

Thanks to Becky Larsen for the treats.

Respectively submitted
Substitute Secretary Marialice Arndt

September 3, 2017

The meeting was called to order by Phyllis Mead.

Secretary Report was not available because no one has volunteered to fill this much needed position.

Treasurer’s Report: Jim Guldseth reported our balance presently is $17,197.59. Membership count is 116 households. A motion was made by Carol Johnston with a second by Scott Mead followed by an affirmative vote to accept the report.

Old Business

Owners of rental properties responses: Scott Mead related response of Tony Shoberg who indicated no outside boats have been brought in as they have 2 canoes and 2 kayaks. Jim Crace addressed the group, advising that his renters have not been allowed to bring in boats from the outside. A pontoon boat is available for their use. He plans to continue this practice. We have not heard back from Dan Mullins who rents his place on Little Pequaywan.

New Business

Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017

Meeting was called to order at 10:00 by President Phyllis Mead. Approximately 20 members were present.

Secretary minutes were available for review. Motion was made and seconded to approved July minutes. Motion carried.

Treasurer Jim Gusset left report that was read that the July balance was $18,402.92 There was expenses of $2,190.40 for summer celebration which includes the purchase of a canopy/tent. Today’s balance is $17,139.59 Motion was made and seconded to approve treasurer’s report.

Old Business

Summer celebration: Many volunteers contributed to the successful summer skeeter skoot. There were approximately 60 walkers/runners and the Inn served 81 meals.

New Business

Loons: Bonnie Dressen reported that she sighted 4 loons on the Big lake with two babies. 4-5 loons have been sighted on the little lake.

Clarity: Reading for water clarity on the big lake has run between 8 ½ to 9 ½ feet, on the little lake 16 feet.

Brush Day: Brush Day will be held on Saturday September 9th from 9-noon.

Township Matters: The township acreage has been logged by Waste Wood Recyclers. The dying balsam trees had very little value so the result was to simply clear the land of most of the trees. It has been determined that a gates will be installed so vehicles can not enter the property. We would encourage no or other motorized vehicle use as it the near future new seedlings will be planted and such use could damage these new trees.

The township is working with the County to enlarge the area on West Branch Road for turnaround for County snow plowing. The County has plans to resurface County 44 and 256 in 2018.

Letter sent by Association and Town board to owners who rent out property regarding aquatic invasive species

Letters have been mailed to 4 property owners that are known to provide rental property. It encourages them to attend township and/or lake association meeting to discuss their allowing renters to bring in their own boats (thus the possible introduction of AIS into our lake). The township has no legal authority to enforce this but would encourage them to protect our lake and their and our property values.

Elections
Motion was made and approved for Bob McDonough to remain I Vice President for the next two years. As there was no nominations for the secretary position held by Marialice, the position is now open. If there is no nominations by the September meeting the result may be that there will no longer recorded minutes of the meetings If you are not sure of being able to each meeting, consider asking someone to take notes for you.

As President Phyllis Mead, and Vice President Judy Strom are considering not running for re-election next year, we would encourage all of the lake association members to consider running for those positions next August. We currently have 114 members.

Discussion was also held about the desire to have a town hall built and members will encourage further talks to see if there could be some interest in this. Also Smoky the Bear sign has been requested by a member to replace the one that was disappeared a number of years ago.

Thanks to Becky Larsen and Mary Ellen Wade for the treats.
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 10:45. Motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted,
Marialice Arndt, Secretary