By Gail Peckler-Dziki~Correspondent
The Hooker Lake District annual meeting was held on Sept. 14 at the Salem Town Hall. Four boards members and three other residents attended. Hooker Lake District Frank Bell was absent because of scheduling issues. He did submit a treasurer’s report.
The 2013 budget was unanimously approved. The tax levy rose 33 percent from $10,815 in 2012 to $14,488 in 2013. The mill rate for 2013 will be $ 0.183.
In 2011 the district spent $9750 for weed spray and post treatment survey. That cost is expected to rise in 2012 to $12,590. The group was not completely satisfied with the success of the treatment this season and plans to hit the problem harder next spring.
The annual meeting also approved changing no-wake hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from sunset to 10 a.m. Previously the no-wake had started 30 minutes prior to sunset. It was mentioned that was confusing.
The change would move the hours on Hooker Lake closer to the state statutes and further from the town’s more restrictive ordinance.
The measure must now be voted on by the Salem town board. Hooker Lake District board member Jim Grumbeck commented, “The state statutes are less restrictive than the town ordinances. The DNR (Department of Natural Resources) and SEWRPAC (Southeastern Regional Planning Commission) have weighed in on the state statutes and they must know something.”
Hooker Lake District chair Greg Kruchko said, “I thought more people would be here to discuss this change in the no-wake hours. People are evidently pretty happy with how things are and must not be too concerned about any changes.”
John McIntyre was elected to fill the board position that was open this year. Grumbeck has held a seat since 1990 when the district was formed. He nominated McIntyre, who was elected unanimously. McIntyre handles the web page for the district.
Grumbeck also commented that since the town of Salem has given money to both Rock Lake and Silver Lake for plant surveys, Hooker Lake should see if the town will contribute to theirs. Diann Tesar, who is secretary for the group as town board appointee, said she would bring the request to the town board.
Issues with Rock Lake came to a head when Salem town administrator Pat Casey entered the fray by coming to the aid of Dave Hoke. Hoke asked for help to create a lake association. Rock Lake already had an association, Rock Lake Highlands. Casey put the plant survey on the town board agenda.
He also suggested that town attorney Rich Scholze help Hoke with the task. The town later received a bill from Scholze for the work.
Tesar explained that she received a letter from the Village of Silver Lake to share the cost of the plant study for Silver Lake. Tesar explained that while riparian owners on the northwest side of the lake are in the village, the lake itself and the riparian owners on the southeast side are Salem residents.
Tesar said that Silver Lake riparian owners have formed an association and are planning to handle the lake management plan themselves.
The next Hooker Lake annual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Salem Town Hall. For more information on the hooker Lake District, visit www.hookerlake.com on the web.