Call to Order
Beth called the meeting to order at 10:00.
Members Present Board Members present: Beth Bush, John Hedstrom, Jim Henderson, Ed Hummelt, Fred Koch, Jim Nagle, Jeff Price, Julie Verhaalen, Beth Wells.
Review of Action Register
Beth will review Treasurer Reports
Board members contacted other members to serve on the Invasive Species Committee.
Ted and Sue Van Dyke, Sarah Kirchoff, Nick Meisner
Beth B contacted people who paid double dues to let them know she will apply that to the coming year.
December Meeting Minutes
December meeting minutes were approved as published.
Treasurer’s Report
Jim Henderson gave a detailed report of the PLPOA finances.
Dues payments continue to come in.
The bank account link to the merchandise sales works correctly, so merchandise sales will flow directly into our checking account.
We are continuing to remain in a relatively liquid state in expectation of upcoming, but yet unknown, expenses.
Lake Health
We have applied for another grant from the DNR. Fred estimates we will have a decision by the end of February and is optimistic that we will receive the grant.
Fred does not believe we will be permitted to use new herbicides this year. This is not likely to affect us this year, however, because at this point it is estimated that we do not need them.
Spring and August 2025 Lake and Pond Resources surveys show that the size of the areas where milfoil were found increased. It is believed that the total amount of milfoil has not increased, but rather that it is simply more scattered. It does not seem to be tightly packed like it has been, but a wider area contains more scattered plants.
We have planned 3 years of DASH treatments via Aquatic Resources. But if milfoil is too widely scattered, DASH treatments become inefficient.
In 2025 we did 5 days of DASH treatments
We estimate we will incur costs of approximately $10,000 per year for 3 years.
The DNR grant will reimburse us for 75% of expenses, but we must pay monies upfront.
In 2026 we will use a slightly different survey method (point vs meander) to get a more detailed assessment of the location and density of the milfoil.
Bylaws
The subcommittee has run each bylaw through CoPilot AI for suggestions and noted potential changes.
The Board will review and comment on suggested changes prior to the next meeting.
We are reviewing the 2015 Lake Management Plan for language to inform sections of the bylaws.
Based on Board comments and suggestions, the sub-committee will draft a “final” document which will be brought to the membership for approval.
Once the Board is in agreement, we plan to put the board’s “final” document on the website with “key changes” noted.
The spring newsletter will announce the potential changes and solicit membership comments.
Board Transition
We agreed that a board member needs to lead the Invasive Species Committee, due to the critical nature of their work.
Four non-board members have volunteered to serve on the committee. They are Sarah Kirchoff, Nick Meisner, and Ted and Sue Van Dyke.
The committee will engage with Fred until the Annual Meeting to learn the processes
Fred and Beth W will create a transitional plan
Old Business
We discussed asking rental property owners to ask guests to contribute to the milfoil fund but not try to impose a “tax” on their guests.
We will create a flyer for Pine Lake merchandise with QR code which rental owners can post in their units.
Water testing
Jim Nagle has worked with the lab at UW Stevens Point on timing, scheduling and testing protocol.
We are a deep water spring-fed seepage lake.
Jim will manage monitoring and the relationship with UW Stevens Point
We discussed potentially doing water testing of wells via bottle testing.
Town of Springwater
We received $2000 reimbursement from the Township.
Funding for any improvements (porta potty, landing repair/regrading, etc.) will be taken from this account.
New Business
None.
Adjournment
The next board meeting takes place on February 21 at Beth’s house.
The meeting concluded at 12:05.