October 15, 2007 Meeting

EWM Committee meeting

Monday,  October 15, 2007    6:30 p.m.

Barnes Town Hall

Ingemar Ekstrom called the meeting to order. Members present: Ingemar Ekstrom, Barb Romstad, Gerald Gustafson, David Pease, Mitch McGee, Jim and Patti Joswick

Also present: Bev Lowery, Tomahawk Lake resident

Absent: Lee Wiesner

Agenda items:

1.      Minutes from the September 17, 2007

Minutes from the last meeting were reviewed. A motion to accept the minutes as submitted was made by Dave Pease, seconded by Gerald Gustafson; approved.

2.      EWM Committee Update – Ingemar Ekstrom

Ingemar indicated that the work of the committee is winding down for the season. We will probably be active again the middle of February. Ingemar will decide when we need to meet though he indicated that we would meet in February for sure. The lake level on Sand Bar and Tomahawk lakes has risen and it looks better, though the Eurasian Water Milfoil is still present.

3.      CBCW Grant

Ingemar indicated that the DNR people are very happy with the job that the committee, and Gerald Gustafson in particular, have done on the documentation for the program. All the paperwork is done and submitted for the grant and the town should receive reimbursement soon.

4.      Tomahawk Lake status during research project

Ingemar indicated he has been talking with Pamela Toschner about the grant activites next summer. It is possible that the DNR may put up a fence between Tomahawk and San Bar Lakes so watercraft cannot move between the lakes. Ingemar brought the issue to the table about having a no-wake ordinance on Tomahawk Lake this coming summer during the research project. Some discussion followed concerning how such an ordinance could be enforced. All four Tomahawk Lake residents present at the meeting supported the idea of having the no wake ordinance.

Dave Pease made a motion that the EWM Committee officially request the Town of Barnes board to pass a no-wake ordinance for Tomahawk Lake; seconded by Gerald Gustafson; approved.

Patt Joswick asked if the public boat landing can be closed during the research project. Ingemar indicated that the DNR claims they cannot close a public landing.

Some discussion followed concerning the rationale behind that.

Patti expressed a continued concern over the future use of the chemicals on the Tomahawk Lake in the research project.

In the months between now and the meeting in February, Ingemar and Gus will outline a plan for the landing monitor program in 2008. Ingemar has some ideas about expanding it to the smaller lakes in a more structured way, by using some key volunteers.  Both will review Jack Conklin’s recommendations and consider ideas to maximize the coordinator’s impact, increase the pool of paid staff  and make scheduling more flexible.

If information is forthcoming from the DNR and/or the Corps of Engineers between now and the February 2008 meeting it will be distributed via email to all members. If we feel it should also be distributed to the property owners we will send information in a mailed update.

5.      Overview of the 2008 CBCW schedule

Monthly Meetings Start with February 18, 2008 6:30 p.m. Town Hall

March – April – Hiring Process

Volunteer Appreciation Lunch and Training May 2

Monitoring Program Starts on May 3

Motion to Adjourn: Gerald Gustafson, seconded by David Pease; approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.