2005 POA Annual Meeting

*Saturday, July 16, 2005

*9:00 am

*Barnes Town Hall

 

Come by for muffins and coffee and the annual meeting.  Stay to hear about the Eurasian Water Milfoil project from John Kudlas, Darienne McNamara and Keith Groehler.  Bring your friends and neighbors to hear about this potential threat to our lakes. 

 

BARNES EURASIAN WATER MILFOIL ACTION – John Kudlas

 

Last fall Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) was discovered in Tomahawk and Sandbar Lakes by the DNR. The discovery generated a great deal of interest and action by the Barnes Eau Claire Lakes Property Owners Association. Through their leadership an Ad Hoc Committee representing a broad spectrum of organizations was formed to address this important issue.

 

The Ad Hoc Committee proceeded to develop an action plan which included goals, objectives, guidelines and timelines. A grant proposal was developed, forwarded and endorsed by the Town of Barnes and accepted by the State of Wisconsin. The $49,000 grant is the second largest awarded in the state for EWM, so the committee feels especially honored and challenged. This grant includes an “in-kind” share which will be supported by volunteer work.

 

The action plan also included hiring individuals for leadership and research. John Kudlas was recently hired to coordinate volunteer action and to head the lake plant survey research. Darienne McNamara and Keith Groehler have been hired to assist John with the lake surveys and aquatic plant identification work.

 

This summer’s goal is to assess the extent of EWM in the Barnes area, including Beauregard Lake. Twenty seven lakes will be surveyed, with the 13 lake Eau Claire chain, Tomahawk and Sandbar lakes having most extensive surveys.  Pontoon “volunteers” will be needed on each lake to conduct the research work. Members willing to provide pontoons for their lake’s research work should contact John Kudlas at (715) 795-2031 or [email protected]. We will need a great deal of cooperation to follow the study’s protocol. Depending upon the results of the survey, the Ad Hoc Committee may apply for a follow-up grant for EWM control methodologies.

 

VOLUNTEERS WORK FOR “CLEAN BOATS, CLEAN WATERS” – John Kudlas

 

The boat landings on the fishing opener and Memorial Day weekends were especially busy this spring with boats coming from Wisconsin and many other states, including some that have lakes infested with Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM). A hearty group of more than 45 volunteers inspected more than 350 boats/trailers for aquatic vegetation in an effort to prevent EWM introduction into local lakes.

 

We are especially thankful to the lake leaders Dick Hanson (Robinson), Clarence Tollefson/George Kornstad (Beauregard), Leigh Jordahl (Potawatomi lakes), Paul LaLiberte (Lower Eau Claire), Lee/Sue Wiesner (Middle Eau Claire), Don Barnes (Pickerel), Gerald Gustafson/Jim Joswick (Tomahawk/Sandbar) and Leslie Hall (Upper Eau Claire) for organizing their neighbors into vigilant observers. Robert Ambrose needs to be congratulated for volunteering more than 13 hours of service on Upper Eau Claire. And, of course, thanks to all the volunteers for your hard work.

 

The Centennial weekend (June 25- 26) and Fourth of July weekend volunteers will now need to get organized. Anyone interested in helping at the landings should contact the appropriate Lake Leaders or John Kudlas, EWM  Coordinator, at (715) -795-2031 or

[email protected]. If everyone spends a few minutes training and a couple of hours monitoring the landings the task will be very easy and rewarding.

 

 

 

Higher Density Development Planned for Local Lake – Ingemar Ekstrom

 

A condominium and/or duplex development is being planned for an 800 foot lakeshore property on Bony Lake.  It appears that property owners and developers have found a loophole in the Bayfield County Zoning laws for maximizing their profits.  But even more serious is that the density of lake residents can now be doubled,  when compared to a 150 foot single family lot. Those of you who own property on Class I lakes are particularly vulnerable.  A class I lake is a lake which has an outlet or inlet.

 

The Property Owners Association has written the following letter about this situation to both the Bayfield County Zoning Committee and the Town of Barnes supervisors.  If you wish to join us in these efforts, you can e-mail: [email protected] and www.barnes-wi.com.  Or, you can send a letter to the Zoning Committee at P.O. Box 126 Washburn, Wisconsin 54891 and to the Town of Barnes at 3360 County Hwy N Barnes, WI, 54873.  A large mailing by a large number of us might get their attention.  By the way, the county and the town do make copies of your letter available to all of its committee members.

 

June 9, 2005

Bayfield County Zoning Committee:

Town of Barnes Supervisors and Chairperson:

 

We are writing in reference to the proposed condominium development on Bony Lake in the town of Barnes.  The present owner is Mr. Ecton.  This property, according to the Bayfield County Zoning Administrator is 9.8 acres and it has 800 feet of lake frontage.  A developer is now proposing to build 10 condos on this site.  He also has the option to build as many as 13.

 

Bony Lake, according to the Wisconsin DNR is a drainage lake of 191 acres with a mean depth of 23 feet.  This lake has an outlet which flows into the Eau Claire chain of lakes.  Therefore it is categorized as a class I lake. 

 

We, the Barnes/Eau Claire Lakes Area Property Owners Association have several concerns about the proposed development:  First of all, we are concerned about the DENSITY of residents being proposed for this property.  And, the impact this will have on Bony Lake.  Bony Lake is not a large lake, it is also very shallow in the area of this property and it already has extensive development surrounding this lake.  If this development were instead developed into single family lots it would allow for only five lots of 150 feet on this 800 feet of shoreline.  But, this condo development would allow for 10 to 13 families on this same property.  Therefore this would increase the density of families to one family per every 62 to 80 feet.

 

Secondly, we are concerned that the developer is proposing to have 30 day RENTALS.  Once again we are concerned about the impact this will have on Bony Lake.  This is because renters have the tendency to accept little or no responsibility for how they impact the lake and the land environment.  And we do not have the necessary resources to hold them responsible for any unacceptable behaviors.

 

Thirdly, the residents of the Town of Barnes have also spoken to these same issues.  This was done with the assistance of the Cedar Corporation and the University of Wisconsin Extension in the form of a survey dated February, 2004.  This survey had an excellent response rate of 51%.  The concerns and issues by the people of Barnes are:

 

1)    95.6% agreed to the statement..."it is important for the town to retain its north woods character".

 

2)    93% agreed with the statement... "the Town of Barnes needs to protect its lake shores and riverfronts".

 

3)    71.5% agreed with the statement..."we need to limit development in order to preserve our natural environment".

 

In summary it is our belief that the people of Barnes have made a clear statement about the future development about lake property in this area.  Therefore if development has to take place on this property it is our belief that it should be developed into single family lots and not into condominiums or duplexes.  In other words, the lowest density development possible...or that which would have the least impact on the lake environment.

 

Barnes/Eau Claire Lakes Area Property Owners Association

Dave Thorsen, President

 

 

 

 

WATER QUALITY REPORT – John Kudlas

 

Barnes/Eau Claire Lakes Area Property Owners association members, under the watchful eye of Dave Blumer, WI-DNR Self Help Lake Monitoring Coordinator, continue to monitor the health of our lakes. Oxygen, temperature, clarity, chlorophyll, phosphates and general appearance are measured, recorded and reported monthly. Presently twelve lakes are being monitored.

 

Lake volunteers are Mary Walters (Ellison), Tom Brovald (Robinson), George Wisdom (Shunenberg), Tess Radecke (Bony), Jon Harkness (Cranberry), Mike Gottwald (Lower E. C.), John Kudlas (George), Leigh Jordahl (Island), Lee Wiesner (Middle E. C.), Don Barnes (Pickerel), and Bart Mueller (Upper E. C.).

 

In addition to the chemistry study, nine lakes continue to be monitored for clarity with the secchi disk three times a month. Volunteers are Richard Hanson (Birch), Mary/Rich Sadenwasser (Kelly), Ronald Pearson (Shunenburg), Dean/Wayne Wanbaugh (Devil’s), Steve Kaner (Breakfast), Gloria Froelich (Sand Bar), Doris Suomi (Ole), Ingemar Ekstrom (Turtle) and John Kudlas (Muck). Chemistry volunteers are reminded to continue their secchi disk readings three times per month in addition to their chemistry work.

 

Volunteers are still needed for Tomahawk and Sand Bar Lakes! This is important because these lakes are now infected with Eurasian Water Milfoil. Interested volunteers should contact John Kudlas (715) 795-2031. The work is interesting and rewarding.

 

 

 

Town of Barnes Comprehensive Land Use Plan Update – Leslie Hall and Lee Wiesner, members of the Town of Barnes Citizen Advisory Board

 

The end is in sight!  Since September, 2002, the Town of Barnes has been involved in the development of a comprehensive land use plan.  The ten volunteer members of the Citizen Advisory Board (residents and property owners) have been meeting monthly with consultants from Cedar Corporation of Menominee, WI to develop a long range, broad spectrum and integral view of the community’s past, present and future.  The plan responds to and anticipates change and seeks to ensure preservation of desired community characteristics and appropriate growth.  It includes statements of the community’s values, an inventory of the community’s resources, an analysis of trends, an identification of issues and a visionary yet realistic “road map” for achieving what the community envisions.

 

The Town of Barnes is responding to the Wisconsin Legislature’s most thorough planning legislation yet.  The October, 1999 bill requires that after January 1, 2010 local governments must make land use decisions such as zoning changes, annexations and subdivision plat approvals consistent with its adopted comprehensive plan.  The plan is intended to be advisory in nature and is required to be updated at least every 10 years.

 

The state law requires 9 elements to be in the comprehensive plan:

           *issues and opportunities

           *housing

           *transportation

           *utilities and community facilities

           *agricultural

           *natural and cultural resources

           *economic development

           *intergovernmental

           *land use

           *implementation.

 

The first step was to conduct a community-wide survey in December, 2003.  Of the 1674 surveys mailed out, 858 were returned.  The survey revealed that the Town of Barnes residents and property owners are drawn by the beautiful and abundant natural resources of the area and enjoy the north woods character of the town.  This attraction to Barnes has led to what some people perceive as unwanted growth or growth that should be managed.

 

In April, 2004 the Town of Barnes was awarded three Lake Management Planning Grants totaling $26,250 for Upper, Middle and Lower Eau Claire Lakes.  These funds will pay for the community-wide survey, the development of the comprehensive plan for the Town of Barnes and Lake Management Plans for the three large lakes.

 

The Citizen Advisory Board has developed the following goals for the Barnes Comprehensive Land Use Plan:

1.    Encourage all development to blend in with the surrounding environment to minimize the impact on the Town’s natural resources and protect the Town’s north woods character.

2.    Protect the Town’s lakes and natural resources.

3.    Identify potential areas for a future central business district

4.    Develop ways to provide community facilities and services for area residents.

 

The Citizen Advisory Committee plans to present the completed plan to the Town Board in November, 2005.  The committee meets monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at the Town Hall.  The meetings are open to the public and everyone’s input is welcomed and encouraged.  In the next issue of the newsletter look for more updates including finalized goals of the committee and more details on the Lake Management.

 

Town of Gordon Comprehensive Land Use Planning – Paul Laliberte

 

Gordon has started the Land Use Planning investigation based on recommendations in May 2004 of an Ad Hoc Planning Committee comprised of three Gordon residents:  Pete Mataya, Roger Wilson and Paul LaLiberte. 

 

The Gordon Town Board approved a presentation by UW Extension and subsequently appointed a permanent Planning Committee.  Pete Mataya is a permanent member and Paul LaLiberte is an alternate.  Pete and Paul also ran for the Town Board in the April 2005 elections.  Unfortunately, they weren’t successful, but both did reasonably well.

 

The Gordon Planning Committee meets monthly and recently organized a presentation by Cedar Corp., the same company that assisted Barnes.  This presentation was organized and conducted without much public notice, so there is limited public information available at this time. 

 

Interested parties should contact the Town of Gordon, (715) 376-2693 for more information.

 

 

 

Volunteer for the Birds    - Dave Hojnacki

 

Wanted!  Volunteers to monitor bluebird nesting boxes in Douglas and Bayfield counties.

 

The Bluebird Restoration Society of Wisconsin (BRAW) is a non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin.  Its purpose is to monitor and increase bluebird and other native cavity-nesting birds throughout the state.  BRAW seeks to expand public knowledge and enthusiasm for the Eastern Bluebird.

 

When BRAW was organized in 1986 it was estimated that Bluebird populations had decreased by 90% due to changes in agriculture practices, competition from the English sparrow, European starling, and loss of nest sites such as tree cavities and old wooden fence posts.

 

I’ve been successful in maintaining and monitoring a bluebird trail of up to 60 houses in Douglas County for the past 12 years.  These houses have fledged over 800 bluebirds, 900 tree swallows, and occasional wrens, chickadees and nuthatches.

 

For health reasons, I’ve decided to retire as Douglas County coordinator of BRAW.  If anyone is interested in a very rewarding project, I will be happy to assist them in getting started in finding new locations and will explain the procedure.  It could be a feel-good family or cooperative project in assisting in restoration of species of birds that are losing habitat.  Much logistic support is given by the state organization of BRAW.  Call me at 715-376-4579 or 218-728-4678 if you are interested.

 

Barnes/Eau Claire Lakes Property Owners Association, Inc.

Financial Summary June 2004 – May 2005

 

Income and Expenses

 

 

INCOME

 

 

POA Monogrammed Materials

 $     48.00

1.58%

Administrative

 $   125.00

4.11%

Annual Meeting

 $   588.00

19.32%

Other Contributions & Donations

 $   215.00

7.06%

POA Membership Dues

 $2,030.00

66.70%

Interest Income

 $     37.66

1.24%

Total Income

 $3,043.66

100.00%

EXPENSES

 

 

Administrative

 $   678.46

18.07%

Annual Meeting

 $   985.00

26.24%

Bank

 $     98.99

2.64%

Eurasian Water Milfoil Conference, Projects & Training

 $   678.32

18.07%

Forums & Educational Presentations

 $   139.17

3.71%

Town of Barnes

 $   618.70

16.48%

Wisconsin Association of Lakes

 $   555.00

14.79%

Total Expenses

 $3,753.64

100%

Net Increase/(Decrease)

 $  (709.98)

 

 

Current Assets

 

Checking Balance as of June 1, 2005

 

$1,385.53

Six Month Certificate of Deposit as of 5/2/2005

 

$1,072.61

Twelve Month Certificate of Deposit As of 11/3/2005

 

$2,083.93

Total Current Assets

 

$4,542.07

 

 

Welcome to new board members – Ingemar Ekstrom

 

The Property Owners Association welcomes two new board members.  They are Carol Tierney and Paul LaLiberte.  Carol's year round residence faces the Upper Eau Claire Lake in the town of Barnes.  Paul's residence faces the Lower Eau Claire Lake in the town of Gordon.  They are both retired.

 

Carol has been married to Patrick for 40 years and they have two children.  Carol's work career centered on public relations, communications and fund raising.  She has been employed by the Duluth school district, the Superior school district, and St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth.  She enjoys music and has sung with many different groups, presently with the Barnes Singers.  Carol was originally trained as an English teacher.  And, she is fulfilling these career skills during her retirement years.  She has been teaching English to high school students in Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania at summer language camps.  Next October she will be living in Spain for some weeks where she will be teaching conversational English to Spanish business executives.

 

Paul has been married to Ann for 40 years.  They have six children and eight grandchildren.  Paul is originally from Duluth but he spent his work years in the Minneapolis area.  His career was connected to the computer world.  Paul continues with a part time computer business out of his home on the Lower Lake.  Paul has also been instrumental in putting a halt to a proposed drag strip in the Simms Lake area two years ago.

 

We offer a warm welcome to both Carol and Paul. 

 

 

Property Owners Association, Inc.

Barnes/Eau Claire Lakes Area

2004-05 Board of Directors

Dave Thorson 376-4260 - President

Lee Wiesner 795-3156 - Vice President

 Ron Carlson 376-4531 - Secretary

Paul LaLiberte 376-4494 - Treasurer

Don Barnes 795-3014

Ingemar Ekstrom 795-2183

Leslie Hall 795-2525

Dave Hojnacki 376-4579

Keith Kromer 795-2228

John Kudlas 795-2031

Bart Mueller 795-2101

Carol Tierney 795-2428

If you have concerns, questions, comments,

or suggestions for the organization, please give

any of our Board members a call.

 

                                                                                     Thank you!

Property Owners Association, Inc                                Please return to:  Paul LaLiberte

Barnes/Eau Claire Lakes Area                                                            13709 S Fowler Circle

                                                                                                             Gordon, WI 54838                                                                                                                               

 

Yes, I would like to join the Property Owners Association, Inc.

           Annual Membership Dues $20

 

New member?  Yes____ No___

 

First Name(s)_________________________________Last name________________________

Lake Address_________________________City___________________State______Zip_____

Home Address________________________City___________________State______Zip_____

Lake or Area__________________________E-mail _________________________________

Telephone 1___________________________Telephone 2_____________________________

 

 

 

The Property Owners Advocate

Property Owners Association, Inc.

Barnes/Eau Claire Lakes Area

46830 Cranberry Lake Road

Gordon, WI 54838

 

 

 

 

 

Go to the Town of Barnes web site to read the latest Property Owners Association newsletter and to keep up to date on what’s going on in Barnes:  www.barnes-wi.com

 

 

Interested in becoming a Property Owners Association board member and working on these exciting and worthwhile issues?  (We have a few laughs, too.)  Contact Dave Thorson (376-4260 – [email protected]) or Lee Wiesner (795-3156 – [email protected] ).

 

 

Many thanks to all the Property Owners Association members who volunteer time and talent to make this organization effective and to work on the issues that affect us all.