Pequaywan Lake Association Membership Meeting
July 5th 2025
Pequaywan Lake Firehall
Present: President Joe Miller, Treasurer Steve Hamilton, V President Josh Pelovsky, Secretary Diana Potter
Absent: Steven Rye
Other volunteers for the association: Big Lake Ambassador Phyliss Mead, Little Lake Ambassador Ann Cutts, Contact Manager Peggy Hanson, Big Lake Loon Watcher Bonnie Dressen
Meeting called to order at 10:00 by President Joe Miller
Treasurers Report– Steve H. presented the treasurers report. Motion to approve the treasurers report made and seconded. Motion Passed.
Steve has an invoice from Minnesota Lakes and Rivers for the yearly membership of $185.00. Motion to approve the payment of the invoice made and seconded. Moton Passed. Information on the Lakes and Rivers Organization will be posted on the web site.
Secretaries report– Diana Potter handed out minutes from the June Meeting. Motion to approve the secretaries report made and seconded. Motion Passed.
Old Business
The Annual Pancake breakfast – will be held Tomorrow,Sunday July 6th 8:00 AM to 12:00 at the Firehall. Everyone is welcome, this is a yearly fundraiser for the Department and is always well attended. Please plan on attending and supporting our volunteers.
Wild Fires – Make your home defensible by removing brush and trees around your home’s perimeter. If the Department cannot safely get into your property, they will not be able to protect your structures. Discussions regarding allowable size of contained campfires and distance from any other structures or flammable materials and the need for burning permits and how to obtain them. Please have an Emergency Preparedness Plan for your family and animals. Have your valuables and paperwork ready to go if needed.
Brush Drop Off – Two dates have been scheduled for brush drop off, August 30th as well as Oct 4th. Both dates will be from 10:00am-1:00pm. The drop off location is right off Rossini Road on the Township property. Please follow rules for drop off by removing limbs and logs of 10’ in diameter or less. Thank You to Doug Dressen for mowing the trails on the property and removing the dead trees that had fallen across the trail.
Wake Boats – The Association discourages the use of Wake Boats on our lakes, due to the impact on the shoreline and the sediment release from the lake bottom. These boats also disturb nesting areas and fish habitat. Wake boats have a Ballast tank that holds hundreds of gallons of water, even if drained, are never fully dry. These tanks can carry invasive species from one lake to another; the first time they enter the water. Members should educate themselves on these boats and how they differ from Boats that cause a normal wake. The Township will be discussing these boats at their next meeting and if an ordinance is passed and permits obtained, signs maybe changed to Pequaywan Township prohibits wake boats
Aquatic Invasive Species – Our lakes are currently considered PRISTINE by the DNR. It is the lake owner’sresponsibility to help maintain this designation and to protect our waters. Please refrain from bringing guests boats/trailers onto our lakes.
Shoreline Preservation – Members have mentioned a larger amount of shoreline weeds this year compared to previous years. It is important to have a barrier between our lawns and the water to help filter out unwanted contaminates into our lakes. The Association has information posted on the website for best practices and helpful plants used to create a filter strip along the shoreline. Keeping the lakes clear and clean is one of the main goals of the Association. Please follow all state and local laws regarding clearing, creating, and maintaining your shorelines. The Association does have binder that maybe checked out if a member is interested with a lot of good information. The best information is available on the DNR website.
Directory – Joe Miller passed out a few hard copies of the directories. Discussions regarding publishing emails and publishing the directory on line followed but due to privacy concerns, that was not done this year. We can re exam for future directories. If you would like a digital copy, please contact Joe miller. A gift certificate was given to Judy Strom as a thank you for helping us with the data base even after she moved away from the area, and for training in our new contact manager.
Welcome Packet – the association is putting together a welcome packet for new residents to our area. Joe Miller will distribute to any new residents. If you know of new family that has recently moved to our area, please contact Joe.
Thank You for fireworks – both lakes had wonderful firework displays for the 4th. A big Thank you goes out to those who provided such great entertainment. Please support these neighbors if possible so we can continue to enjoy this yearly celebration as a community.
New Business
Lake Water Testing – It has been 10 years since the lakeshave been tested for Chlorophyl and phosphorus levels. The best time to test is in the fall. Motion made to approve up to $250 for the water chemistry test, motion seconded, motion approved.
Water Clarity Report – Jeff Mammenga reports clarity of 9 feet on the big Lake, Dale Brooks last report was 20 feet on the little lake.
Loon Report – 5 loons reported on the Big Lake with 1 baby, the little lake reports 3 Loons, no babies.
National Night Out – The Association will be hosting a National Night Out Event on Tues. August 5th at the PequaywanInn starting at 5:00. This will be our last annual meeting of the membership for this year. Each household that is a current member of the association will be given 2 tickets for the dinner, extra tickets for family/friends will be available for $8.00 at the event. Music will be provided by the Northside Ramblers. Flyers will be delivered into the area’s mailboxes. Steven will print them up; they will be delivered by Ann and Peggy. Thank you all for volunteering. We look forward to seeing everyone there.
Volunteers Needed – Doug Dressen could use some help with mowing and caring for the trails on the Township land. The township is looking into purchasing equipment for the area’s maintenance. If anyone is interested, please contact Doug Dressen.
Thank You to Pat Hamilton who has volunteered to maintain and stain the benches on the Township property and to Jeff Westman who has agreed to maintain and paint the PequaywanLakes area sign. A big Thank You also goes out to Jim Wilson for mowing that area.
Meeting adjourned at 11:03
Respectfully submitted Diana Potter Secretary