Happy New Year to all and know that we all are looking forward to lives nearer to
normalcy plus further great times at the lake.
DUES
As in previous years, dues for this year, 2021, are $35. Please make your check payable to FLPOA and mail to our treasurer Dave Lewis, 8 Sherman Avenue, Bronxville NY 10708. You also have the option of using PayPal. Please indicate the lake property address and relevant email address in your correspondence. A self-addressed envelope for this purpose and your convenience is enclosed. PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DGRYQKXALV5BN
EASEMENT
As we discussed at our Annual Meeting, Michael DeLuke has generously offered to provide an easement on property he recently acquired. Negotiations concerning the establishment of the easement on his property, involving his and the Town’s Attorney, are underway. Be mindful that we have arrived at this juncture in the past, with other alternatives, only to be stymied.
On its face, this alternative provides all the safeguards that the DeLuke family, the Town and FLPOA have sought. We are hopeful that the Town Supervisor will be able to achieve consensus in the coming months. Such success would demonstrate that the Town has been acting in good faith over the 5+ years that we have been seeking to satisfy this Town imposed requirement for a Lake access easement which lasts in perpetuity.
INVASIVE SPECIES
A quantitative survey of the aquatic plant population was undertaken by Larry Eichler a Scientific Consultant who has participated in multiple surveys in the past. The survey was undertaken in the fall with a focus on the presence of any invasive aquatic plants. He has conducted similar surveys in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2016 at the request of the Friends Lake Property Owners Association and other entities also conducted similar surveys during this period.
The survey consisted of: an analysis of the frequency of occurrence of all aquatic plant species for points within the lake, and a comparison of historical surveys to current conditions. Friends Lake currently supports a diverse native plant community with twenty-nine submersed species, two rooted floating-leaf species and four native emergent species. There were no invasive species present in Friends Lake at the time of the survey conducted this past autumn.
Interestingly, eighty-three percent of sampling points in Friends Lake were vegetated by native plant species in 2020, an increase from the 67% of survey points reported for 2016. These species provide food and habitat for a healthy fish population and help to maintain water quality.
In addition to this survey, the FLPOA has participated in the New York State’s Lake
Association’s Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) activity for decades through the efforts of dedicated volunteers. The reports generated from this program indicate that the condition of our Lake has remained very healthy and has not materially changed over at least three decades. As we approach the spring and summer, Larry Estill who has championed this program over the years, could use some additional hands to assist him. If you wish to assist in this important work, please let us know.
Because of the vigilance of property owners and, to some extent, the ongoing effort by this Board to educate and inform you of steps necessary to protect the Lake, there are no invasive species in the Lake. We need to be mindful that our neighbors on Loon, Brant and Lake George all have invasive species. Without you cleaning your boats and other water equipment, preventing the introduction of “foreign watercraft” that may have been used elsewhere, requiring an inspection at the Town Boat Wash Station for such craft and taking other prudent acts, the Lake could have been contaminated.
As the planet warms, we are faced with a new challenge. Invasive insect species have been discovered and threaten our watershed. We need your help to monitor their locations and destroy them before they kill the trees. Please check the web site and learn how you can get involved: https://blogs.cornell.edu/nyshemlockinitiative/community–science
ALGAE BLOOMS
We experienced several blooms on the Lake last August, which seem to have been of relatively short duration. Samples were submitted to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, which concluded that these blooms were not toxic. To repeat information that we previously shared:
- Blooms require three things– warm water, still water and food, namely nitrogen and
phosphorous, plus they seem to occur during August when water temps may be
highest, particularly during this era. - The bacteria which causes these blooms is ubiquitous and has been around for over 3
billion years. - We have had 4 blooms since 2015, and we are destined to have more.
- The more blooms we have the greater the possibility that one of the blooms will be
toxic. - There are three actions we can take to reduce the number of occurrences, their duration
and potential toxicity: the single most provident is to better maintain our
septic systems. The remaining two: eliminate or use greater caution in the
application of fertilizers and implement steps to reduce run-off into the Lake,
may have lesser impact.
In subsequent discussions we have been informed by folks, whose tenure on the Lake includes the 1970’s, that there were blooms on the Lake as early as that decade. This is consistent with verified reports of blooms on Lake George during that same era. This statement is not intended to diminish the need to address the cause of the blooms, septic waste, but is intended to provide historical context.
The Towns of Chester, Queensbury and Bolton Landing have local laws which require that septic systems be inspected preparatory to the sale or transfer of any property either near the lakes or, in one Town, all sales or transfers. The results of these inspections are revelatory: in Queensbury over the course of 200+ inspections, approximately 80% of them uncovered septic problems, while the number of tests in Bolton was not provided, the data is nearly identical — 80% of the Septic systems required additional maintenance. (The Town of Chester’s regulation concerning Septic Tank maintenance follow below; however, similar statistics were not available as of this writing.)
While the extent of the maintenance required in the aforementioned Towns was not well documented, anecdotal information that they provided indicates that in many instances the cost of compliance was less than $100.
In addition to the above three factors, there may be an additional factor facilitating these blooms. In discussions with several scientists, one of whom did her dissertation on this specific alga, it was suggested that the” flipping” of the Lake’s water may also be a contributing factor.
During the course of the year, the summer sun warms the uppermost strata of the Lake’s water and during the autumn it cools. At some point, as the upper strata cools it becomes denser than the lower strata causing it to sink and the others to rise. The lake water “flips” naturally and the turbulence may cause nutrients to migrate before settling anew. This natural event likely occurs in the Fall when air temps are insufficient to cause algae to bloom.
This “flipping” may also occur during the summer in smaller tranches particularly, in shady sections of lakes where the temperature differentials in the water column may persist for relatively short durations. Seemingly, as small amounts of nutrients originating on the bottom are transported higher, they may feed the algae for relatively short periods. This working thesis might partially explain our circumstances.
The above is intended to provide a better understanding of the cause and nature of the algae blooms occurring more recently. The nutrients freed from the depths would include nitrogen and phosphorous, thus underscoring our assertion that septic systems should be cleaned every 3 to 5 years and maintained accordingly.
Town of Chester continuation of pre-existing septic systems law
“Section 4.010 – Continuation of Preexisting Systems Subject to the provisions of this ordinance, the use or maintenance of a preexisting wastewater treatment system may be continued without a wastewater treatment system use certificate provided it shows no evidence of failure but it shall be unlawful to alter, repair or enlarge such systems except in conformity with the provisions herein. Wastewater systems and or properties within 200 feet of lakes, streams or ponds must be inspected by a licensed professional engineer and Town Zoning Administrator prior to the sale, gift or transfer of the property. This inspection shall include a test pit in the leach field and an examination of the leach field. This article shall not be construed to allow any unsafe use or structure, or permit such structures or their use when such structure or use constitutes a threat to public health, safety, welfare or environmental quality; permits the seepage of wastewater to ground surface; or interferes with the enjoyment or use of property.
Wastewater systems and or properties within 200 feet of lakes, streams or ponds must be inspected by a licensed professional engineer and Town Zoning Administrator prior to the sale, gift or transfer of the property. This inspection shall include a test pit in the leach field and an examination of the leach field.”
BUBBLERS
We have purchased 7 signs which warn snowmobile sledders, dog walkers, strollers and xcountry skiers of the presence of bubblers. There are two remaining signs that can be acquired by emailing us. Presently, it appears that all lake front residential properties with bubblers, save one or two, either display their own signs or those the FLPOA previously procured.
SOCIAL EVENTS
With the expectation that current circumstances will prevail at least into the summer and that something approaching “near normal” won’t be achieved until late summer or the upcoming fall, we are not anticipating FLPOA social events this summer. Things may change, or others may
have some inventive ideas that they wish to share. If so please contact us with comments directed to Frank Cappabianca.
TECHNOLOGY
We launched a Facebook Group for the FLPOA last August and emails announcing this were emailed to the names and addresses in our master data base. We encourage you to fully participate by submitting texts and pics to foster a greater sense of community on the Lake.
Our traditional web site provides a more formal and secure method to inform our membership of matters that are of interest and to receive responses to our inquires. We encourage you to respond to us directly through this facility. As with the FB page we encourage all members to routinely use these forums to stay abreast of matters on the Lake.
UPCOMING FLPOA BOARD VACANCIES
The FLPOA By-Laws establish the terms and the term limits for the Board. All new members are approved by the overall membership at our Annual Meeting. This year we have at least 3 openings, pursuant to our By-Laws. If you are interested in serving, the form is available on the FLPOA web site: https://friendslakeny.org/
Please click on the drop down heading FLPOA Members and then the bottom entry Association Nomination and complete the form and send it. The forms submitted will not be discarded after the Annual Meeting, rather they will be retained for consideration in filling future vacancies.
FRIENDS LAKE SWAG
We have had conversations with Adirondack Etching to add the Friends Lake design to their offerings of a variety of customizable items that could be ordered by our members, with the association receiving a portion of the price. Additional information will be forwarded as the details become forthcoming.
2020 RAFFLE WINNERS
In previous years, we have drawn winners at our end of Summer Season Cocktail Party. The pandemic interfered, so we held a drawing, witnessed via ZOOM, at a recent Board Meeting.
50:50 Raffle Winners:
- $200: Leigh Stevenson Cobb
- $50: Cindy Monaghan
- $50: Thomas Kugler
- $50: Beverly McCarthy
- $50: Al Muench
The overall revenue from the raffle was lower, as demonstrated by the winning shares; only $800 in total and just another consequence of the times. At the conclusion of this newsletter, as is our custom, you will find the raffle form. Please try your luck, since the Board’s split is used to the benefit of all members.
CHESTERTOWN LIBRARY
The Town of Chester Library is seeking ideas for improving the library, and has prepared a community survey to guide their planning for now and the future. You can help by taking the survey. Please check out the survey and the Library website: https://forms.gle/CjcYCwTKQWog2XDm7 or http://www.chesterlibrary.org
FLPOA MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: NON-MEMBERS
This newsletter is provided to the addresses of all properties that have access to our beautiful
Lake and approximately one-third of whom are not members of the Association. Since you may not be familiar with them, the Association’s bylaws provide that the purposes of the Association are, but not limited to, the following:
“To improve, maintain, monitor and protect the ecology and quality of life on and around Friends Lake
- To support responsible development of land around Friends Lake.
- To promote the activities of boating, fishing, swimming and other recreational
activities. - To actively observe the drafting, enforcement and interpretation of laws and
regulations regarding the ecology and the quality of life on and around Friends
Lake. - To maintain the earthen dam to control the lake water.”
The Association through its governing Board has been steadfast in addressing these significant responsibilities. As this newsletter’s topics firmly indicate, we are continually working to preserve and improve, where possible, the Lake experience for all.
Our dues have been used and may be used in the future to hire consultants to monitor the water quality of the Lake; to monitor the waters and determine whether hostile invasive flora and fauna are present; to hire engineering consultants whose reports were used to persuade the State that the $400,000 or more expensive dam improvements that they advocated were not needed (These consultants costs of over $70,000 were only borne by our dues-paying membership who represent 2/3rds of all.); to interact with the Town and its elected leadership on behalf of the Lake property owners; and to provide enjoyable social programs. These and other worthwhile programs and activities are the sin qua non of our organization.
We ask non-member who received this newsletter to weigh the value of these and other benefits and join the Association by remitting the relatively modest $35 in annual dues.