2023 Spring Newsletter
Welcome to our 2023 Otter Lake Association Newsletter. Happy Spring and thank you to everyone for all your continued support.
News and Notes:
· Boat Launch Project: This Summer we are working on the launch! For those that have used the boat launch over the last several years, we have all had similar experiences. Due to erosion, the launch has become steeper, uneven, and we have had issues with the drop from the concrete to the lake. For this project, we will be following best practices from the DEC and other experts in the field. The primary goal is for a safe, long, gradual, launch that is even side to side. As of this writing, the majority of permits have been received. When the work begins, we will need to close the launch for a few days. We are planning to begin around Monday July 17th. Note: The DEC will not allow in-the-water work between 9/15 and 7/15 to help minimize the adverse impacts to fish spawning. We will stay in touch with everyone prior to the work beginning. We want to give Bob Vandewater a big thank you! Bob has been very involved with the project, from the design to obtaining the permits. Thank you, Bob! Note: As everyone can imagine, this project is going to make an impact on our savings account. When paying your dues please think about donating toward this project.
· Online Dues payment option: Last year we started taking credit card payments electronically via the website. This system works well for us. Please consider paying online. http://www.otterlk.com
· Membership:
Membership dues are minimal to allow for the involvement of the greatest number of property owners. We have again resisted the urge to increase dues. We depend on your individual assistance to fund the programs and endeavors that we provide for your benefit. When renewing your membership, please be generous with your contributions so that we may continue to do so. Never been a member? Please consider joining now. Gift certificates are also available upon request. Note: Membership is limited: Article lll of the By-laws, “membership in the Otter Lake Association, Inc. shall be limited to property owners of the Otter Lake community, full-time residents, or their designee. Contributing membership shall be open to organizations and businesses desiring to further the purpose of this organization”.
There are 3 ways you can pay your membership dues:
1. Online via our web page and pay with a credit card.
2. Complete the application and mail in a check. The application is included with the mailing and is also on the website.
3. Renew at an Association Meeting.
If you have any trouble with these options, feel free to send an email and someone will get back to you. otterlakeassociation2018@gmail.com
· Web Site: http://www.otterlk.com
The association is committed to getting the website filled out over the coming months, starting with the history page. Board member Cristine Betters would like to get in touch with families who have been on the lake for at least 100 years, hear the stories of their camps, see some of their old photos, and write up some short histories for the website over the course of summer. Please reach out to her at cristinebetters@hotmail.com. She will be at the lake full-time starting in mid June.
· NYSFOLA/SUNY Oneonta Graduate Program Lake Management Planning
Ben Cuppett from SUNY Oneonta has been working on this project for the last 2 years. Many of you probably remember Ben’s presentation at one of association meetings last year. The estimated completion date is the end of this summer. We are hoping to have Ben back to present at our August meeting.
· Member Email addresses: We are continuing to update our email address distribution list. If you are not receiving our e-mails, then please send an e-mail to otterlakeassociation2018@gmail.com and we will add your address.
· Otter Lake Board Positions: There are officer positions that are up for re-election this year. Elections will be during the association meeting on August 27th. Anyone interested in running will need to reach out to Joyce Ryan with a short bio and a letter of intent to run, no later than July 29th. Here is Joyce’s email address jryan71959@yahoo.com.
· Scholarships: Thank you for your generous donations! We were able to provide (12) $200 scholarships in 2022. Here is a list of the 2022 scholarship recipients: Tyler Schmitz, Michael Kiely, Alec Helmer, Cami Witchkley, Sam Patry, Christopher Kiely, Mari Sosnowski, Rocco Commisso, Petranella Conklin, Andrew Durr, Maja Helmer, and William Nash. Good luck to all in your future endeavors. The 2023 application is available on the website. You can also request an application by emailing the association email address and one will be provided.
· Boat Launch Keys: Launch keys are available to association members. Keys are available for $10 for Otter Lake Association Members and can be purchased at association meetings or by reaching out to Marguerite Judge at Otter Lake Rustics.
· Loons: Please help us protect the loons by giving them needed space and following guidelines within this DEC document. https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/administration_pdf/loon-ethics.pdf
· Facebook: Be sure to check out the Facebook page “Otter Lake (Forestport, NY) Official Camp Owners Page”. This is a nice and easy way to share information with your Otter Lake neighbors. When joining be sure to answer all questions which are related to your Otter Lake address. Only those with property within the Otter Lake vicinity will be allowed access. Currently there are 304 members!
· Important Dates to Remember:
o 2023 Otter Lake Association Meeting Dates are the last Saturday of each month. The 2023 dates are May 27th, June 24th, July 29th and August 26th. The meetings are held at the Otter Lake Fire Department promptly at 10AM. Expect a few speakers at our meetings this summer. Here are a few of the speakers we have lined up; Forest Ranger Amy Bills will be attending our June 24th meeting, Kathy Vanselow from Bioconservation will discuss the BTI program during the July 29th association meeting, and we are expecting Ben Cuppett from SUNY Oneonta to be at our August 26th meeting. The 2023 meeting greet date has yet to be set. We will send out a communication via email and the Facebook page when we know more.
· NYSFOLA and CSLAP: Once again we are renewing our NYSFOLA membership. This is the New York State Federation of Lake Associations (www.nysfola.org). Yearly dues are $100. We will also be participating in the Citizens Survey Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP). The fee is $370. By participating in CSLAP, our volunteers collect 8 water samples, collected twice monthly in June, July, August and September. The samples are analyzed and made available for our use. We have been participating in CSLAP since 2009.
· Otter Lake Dam: The Association is responsible for controlling the water flow through the dam overflow. We are lucky to have a couple of Otter Lake residents help with this task. They do a great job and have been helping for several years. This is not an easy job! It requires removing debris from the dam and Autumn is challenging with raking out the leaves. In the Fall, if the wind shifts toward the dam, then the overflow and dam may need to be cleaned out multiple times per day. There is some control of the amount of water going out through the overflow, though there is no way to control the amount of water coming in!
· Feedback: Any feedback would be appreciated. Please send all ideas and thoughts to otterlakeassociation2018@gmail.com
Sincerely, Otter Lake Association Board of Directors
President: Jim LaFountain Vice-President: Joyce Ryan Secretary: Adam Helmer Treasurer: Tom Kiely
Directors: Rob Reilly, John Stowell, Cristine Betters