4/11/07 

    The ice has melted and frozen back over several times this month. It might seem too early to plan a general membership meeting for June 2nd, but our lake study is moving forward this month. Tim Hoyman, an Aquatic Ecologist with Onterra Lake Management, will make a kick-off presentation on the entire lake study process on June 2nd. Take a look on the main web page (top left) and click on "Lake Study Kick-off Preview with Tim Hoyman" find out more about it. Spring seems to come slowly to the northwoods, but summer fun is just around the corner. It's time to make plans for safe outings all summer long.   

11/13/06 

    Lake activity has been reduced to watching the ice form and melt as winters' grip increases on the Northwoods. Ice fishers are preparing their shanties, hoping the ice will thicken enough to allow safe travel on the lake. Our aerator has been operating for awhile, now, and should afford the fish some protection from oxygen loss and our lake from excessive fish kill.

    Our lake commissioners met on Monday, Nov. 6th and here are the highlights:

        As many of you know, our Lake Study Grant Proposal was accepted by the DNR and will be funded beginning in spring, 2007 as soon as the ice goes out. Our initial obligation will be around $3,000, which includes volunteer work which is called "in kind". So, if you want to help save us money on the project, pitch in and volunteer to help out. Among other things, we will need to make up a questionnaire and tally. Helping to implement the "Clean Boats/Clean Waters" boat inspection program also counts in our favor. You can volunteer to inspect boats and hand out literature during high-use weekends AND you'll get a T-shirt!Obviously, we are looking forward to having a current scientific report as a basis for our lake decisions.

     The beavers have been busy below the dam. They've built a lodge downstream and it's so good the water has backed up all the way to the dam. Beverly Fagan observed in October, the water was only about 10" below lake level. After making numerous calls, she contacted a man who works with the DNR. He has agreed to set traps below the dam to catch the beavers and also he will attempt to dismantle the lodge. Beverly also made the necessary contacts to have branches and built-up silt dredged from in front of our dam. The work has now been completed.

    Commissioners discussed the addition of items to the agenda at the Annual Meeting. In order to avoid conflicts with the Open Meeting Law, it was decided that all agenda item requests will have to be made prior to the June budget meeting for approval. Any "last minute" items placed on the agenda, at the Annual Meeting, will be for discussion purposes only, and cannot be "action items".  

    Linda Houghton-Bowen has brought the by-laws document and resident roster up to date. Everyone should now be receiving newsletters and meeting agendas. Contact Linda if you're having trouble with mailings.

    The web page continues to be a success, with just over a thousand "hits" registered. You can see the current number by just looking to the very bottom of the front page. We are happy so many people are looking to the web site for lake information. Possibly someday, we might have a web camera showing the lake in "real time". Due to the popularity of the web site, the commissioners have decided to cut down to two newsletters a year; one after the June budget meeting, and the other after the annual meeting. In this way, we can eliminate quite a bit of copying and postage costs. As is now the case, someone who does not have internet access can get copies of minutes and other web site information. Linda Houghton-Bowen will mail it to you upon request.

    The Town of Lake Tomahawk is working on a web site of their own. Gary Sowatzka reported that when it is finished, the Town would like to have their link on our web site and vise-versa.

    Commissioners discussed a recent increase in vandalism occurring on the lake. During the fall, vandals smashed our collection box near the south landing on two occasions. There was a report of water in a boat gas tank. Please be on the alert and help your neighbors by watching houses and boat landings. Notify the police promptly if you see any suspicious behavior.

    Tom Rudolph, Oneida Co. representative on our board, informed us that Oneida Co. has hired an Invasive Species Coordinator. Thanks to any resident who contacted the county board to urge the passage of this proposal.

    Our next commissioners' meeting will be on Monday, April 2, 2007 at 6 PM at the Sloan Community Center.

    The commissioners want to thank everyone for staying informed on issues facing Horsehead Lake and their willingness to support our efforts - financial and otherwise.

                                                                                                                        Dennis Batchelet