Big Cedar Property Owners Association
December 2020 Newsletter
MERRY CHRISTMAS – SEASONS GREETINGS
This has been a tough year for many residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The POA has managed to cope with COVID-19 with zoom meetings and social distancing. Understandably, attendance at the annual meeting and even our director’s meetings has been down this year. Yet, POA membership is strong, even surpassing our membership records. We are carrying on the work of the POA and appreciate the support of all our members.
FINANCES (Dec 15, 2020)
The financial policy of the POA is to manage a balanced yearly budget. We are not trying to build reserves, nor do we wish to deplete what reserves we have.
Income
Membership Dues (361 members x $20) $ 7,220
Membership Dues (7 members x $10) 70
Donations ____60
TOTAL $ 7,350
Expenses
Actual year to date $ 3,553
Projected expenses _____3,092
TOTAL $ 6,645
The expenses breakdown is;
Communication (Web site, newsletter, zoom, reward signs) 35%
Administration (online payment, PO box, tax, 501c4 filing) 20%
Yearly project funding (fireworks and fishing club/stocking) 30%
One-time project funding (specific projects vary year to year) 15%
Examples are; biodiversity study, DNR water quality study, aquatic plant study.
MEMBERSHIP
At the Dec 17 board of directors meeting, Terry Mestan, the membership chairman, reported we had 379 paid members for our fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. Note that the number is slightly different than the financial report. That is due to the different dates when these two reports were prepared. That puts our membership at a new high. We have one or two directors who indicate they may yet turn in some more membership dues. That would raise our membership even higher.
2018 374 paid members
2019 308
2020 375
2021 379
DECEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
We typically hold four director meetings a year. At the December meeting, the executive committee presented reports on our finances, membership, and our participation with the fishing club in their walleye stocking program. In addition, we discussed several issues that are also described in this newsletter (lake patrol, CD3, Town of West Bend comprehensive plan). We also had an open discussion on several issues brought up by our directors. The input was welcome. The POA leadership wants an organization that accepts and fosters member input. We count on our directors to know how residents in their neighborhood feel about issues and bringing those thoughts to our board meetings. Our website Big Cedar POA Website has provisions for submitting comments. It also has a page that lists all the directors with their email so members can communicate any concern to their neighborhood representative. We hope our members will use these facilities as needed.
Jan Gesch has served as POA director on West Lake Drive for many years. She is leaving her position after providing great service to her area for those many years. We appreciate her long commitment to the POA. Thanks, Jan for your service.
LAKE PATROL
Property owners on Big Cedar, Little Cedar, and Silver Lake have requested increased lake patrol on their lakes. Weekends are a major concern mentioned. At the December meeting, the Big Cedar Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District (PRD) announced steps they are taking to address this need. The PRD plans to significantly increase the number of officer patrol hours on summer weekends. To help attract the additional officers needed, the PRD authorized an increase in pay for weekend work.
The POA supports this action. The feedback we get from property owners is that many residents believe there is a need for more and better lake patrol. We applaud the action of the PRD.
CD3 BOAT CLEANING STATION
The PRD is in the process of acquiring a CD3 waterless boat cleaning station for the Gonring Drive public launch. The use of this system will help protect the lake from the introduction of invasive species such as Starry Stonewort. The POA supports this initiative by the PRD.
The handicap parking has been moved from the Southside of the road to the launch to the Northside, as shown below. The area has recently been paved.
The road to the launch has a trench, shown below, that allows runoff to flow into the retention pond rather than the lake. The trench needed repairs. The repairs have now been completed. The road was closed briefly while repairs were in progress. The road is now open.
The picture below shows the boards used to set the flow level in the retention pond next to the Gonring launch that has recently been replaced.
TOWN OF WEST BEND
In our last newsletter, we reported The Town of West Bend is working on a new twenty-year comprehensive plan. A survey, providing input for that plan was sent to all Town of West Bend property owners with 2020 tax bill. We think it is important for residents to respond to the survey. The plan is important because it will guide future decisions about zoning and permits. We hope everyone will participate in this civic process.
NABOB SNOWMOBILE – FISHEREE
The Nabob Prairie Riders 22nd Annual Winter Fest/Fisheree on Big Cedar Lake will be January 9, 2021, 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM. The event begins at the Gonring boat launch 6 AM to 3 PM. House of Heileman’s is again hosting the event. Winterfest tent there will be open 10 AM to 8 PM. Fishing prizes to be awarded at 3:30 PM in the tent with raffles throughout the day. Fishing may be altered based on ice conditions, but the event will be held regardless. Any questions about the event can be addressed by sending an email to NabobPrairieRiders@gmail.com.