Pequaywan Lake Association Membership Meeting – June 7, 2025

Location: Pequaywan Lake Firehall

Present: President Mark Johnson, Treasurer Steve Hamilton, V President Joe Miller, Secretary Diana Potter

Absent: JoshPelovsky and Steven Rye

Guests: Katie Delenbach, the new Pequaywan Fire Dept. Chief

Meeting called to order by Mark Johnson – Mark discussed an over view and accomplishments of the association, it’s mission and its history.

Introductions of Board members and association members. Introduction of guest speaker Katie, the New Fire Chief of the Pequaywan Fire Dept. 

Treasurers Report- Steve H is the newly elected treasurer, many thanks to Carol Nelson, the past treasurer for her years of service to the association. The Association presently has $14,303 dollars in the account. The annual dues are presently $10 per household. To be a voting member of the association, dues must be current.  Motion to approve the treasurers report made and seconded. Motion Passed.

Secretaries report- Past board minutes are on the website for review.

Old Business

DNR Owned property on Big Lake – The association is continuing to monitor any developments regarding a possible boat landing on the DNR property on the big lake. Joe Miller has spoken with the DNR representative for our area. The DNR plans out 2-4 years and there are currently no plans for any development on that site. We continue to encourage the lake residents to be mindful about allowing guest boats on our lakes. The best way to keep the DNR from putting in any public access is to keep our lakes clean of invasive species.

Brush Drop Off – was held last weekend. The next drop off date is scheduled for October 4th,10:00-1:00. 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. 

Updates of Wild Fires- Katie gave a quick update on the recent fire progression and what their department did during the fires.  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.   Motion made to donate $300 to the Pequaywan Lake Fire Dept. as a thank you for all their service. Motion seconded, Motion approved. Katie also discussed the different zones recommended to help mitigate damage to structures as much as possible, as well as to make the property defensible. Please be mindful of fireworks when things are so dry. Katie stressed the importance of having an Emergency Preparedness Plan for your family and animals. Have your valuables and paperwork ready to go if needed.  The Fire Departments annual Pancake breakfast will be at the Fire Hall, July 6th. Please plan on attending and supporting our volunteers. Thank you, Katie and all the members, for their service.

Bouy Markers- Thank you to the Alison Family for putting out the markers on the Big Lake.  One of the orange Balls on the powerlines on the little lake blew off, the power company will be notified.

Secchi Disks – This is a quick check of water clarity of our lakes. Dale Brooks reported the visibility on the little Lake is 20 feet. Jeff Mammenga sent in a report that the Big Lake as clarity to 7.5 feet, which is similar to last year’s report. Thank you Both for your input. Joe mentioned that a more detailed report of our water quality has not been done since 2011. The association is looking into having this done again, hopefully this summer. Results will be posted.

Loon Reports – Please report nesting areas, babies, adults to Bonnie Dressen on the Big Lake. It was reported at the meeting, that a family with 2 babies has been spotted on the big lake. Please stay away from nesting areas, especially with wake from boats as it disturbs the nests. Ross has signs posted on the little lake and he believes it has been very helpful with boats slowing down in those nesting areas. We are looking for a representative of the little lake to make our yearly loon report.

National Night Out – We will be coinciding with the National Night out Day this year, that is Tues. August 5th, at the Pequaywan Inn, 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. 

Lakeside Chapel- Service is at 10:00 every Sunday throughout the summer and is non-denominational. All are welcome. The Chapel is hoping to put on a BBQ for the community this summer. More information to follow. 

Shoreline Management – 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.

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. A motion was made to have signs made up discouraging wake boats on the lakes. Motion was amended to say signs made up to Discourage wake boats on our lakes after all permits are obtained. Motion seconded, motion passed. 

Board Positions –The board consists of 2 Vice Presidents; Joe Miller will be moving to President this year for a 2-year term. Josh Pelovsy will remain as V President.

Vice President:  Jeff Westman has volunteered to be the 2nd, Vice President. We will vote to confirm Jeff at the annual general meeting on August 5th.

Contact Manager: is responsible for maintaining the email list, newsletter, and data base updates. Judy Strom had been doing these duties but she has moved out of the area. We thank Judy for her service.  Peggy Hanson has volunteered for this position. 

Little Lake Ambassador – Ann Cutts has volunteered for this position

Thank You to those who volunteered!

Mark Johnson has fulfilled his term as President of the Association. Joe Miller, who has been V President has volunteered for this position. 

Motion made to nominate Joe Miller as President of the Lake Association, motion 2nd, motion passed. Congratulation Joe!!

Thank You Mark (and Lyn) Johnson for your years of service to your community. 

Road Clean Up – Joe and the “crew” will be meeting at the Inn 9:00, June 10th to walk the ditches and clean up Pequaywan Lake Road. Volunteers are always welcome! Joe has the vests and bags ready to go. There is always a contest to see who finds the strangest item on their trek!

Directory – Several hard copies of the directory were made available at the meeting. If you are interested, you can email Joe and he will email you a digital copy.  The directory will NOT be posted on the website. 

The next association meeting will be held 10:00, July 5th at the firehall

Thank you again to all who volunteered and those who have served their term.

Meeting adjourned 11:55

Respectfully submitted, Diana Potter