BLHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWSLETTER

Bayles Lake

Bayles Lake business, committee updates, news, maintenance, security and special issues reported quarterly to you by your BLHOA Board of Directors

A Quarterly Newsletter www.bayleslakehoa.com Issue No. 24 – Fall, 2013

President’s Message - Nick Schuit

The last Board of Directors Meeting of the year, October 23, at 7:00 pm, will be held at the Loda Lions Club, next to the Fire Station in Loda. The Board of Directors meetings have been held at the Loda American Legion since the fire at the Lions Club in 2011. We really appreciated the help from the Legion; they stepped up and took good care of us. We have been pleased with the Lions rebuilding process and look forward to being able to hold our board meetings again at the Loda Lions Club.

The October meeting will be the last meeting of the year. Our next meeting will be February 26, 2014.

Building Permits - Jim Flaherty - Jim Bash - Dale Foster

Fall is upon us and residents are probably finishing up any projects prior to winter setting in. If you do have projects or renovations to begin, please remember to contact Ray Soltysiak for permits before beginning those projects. Also check your handbook or the on-line website, www.bayleslakehoa.com.

Contact Ray or myself for any questions or concerns you may have.

October, 2013 Page 1

BLHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWSLETTER

Building Inspector - Raymond Soltysiak

When getting a building permit, it is important to remember a few things. No permit will be issued for the construction of or placement of an outbuilding, free standing gazebo or storage building on any privately owned lake lot as these structures are not permitted by regulation. A gazebo, however, may be incorporated into and become part of a house connected deck project, provided a sketch as been submitted to and approval given by me, the lake Building Inspector.

When planning a project, a satisfactory blueprint or drawing must be submitted to the Building Inspector 2 weeks before any project can be started or a building permit issued.

Lakes and Parks - John Konieczka - Jim Keenan - Tom Parker

We would like to thank Bob Siddall, Maintenance / Grounds, for all his work at the lake this past summer. Bob takes pride in his job and we appreciate all the little things he does for all of us.

Lakes and Parks purchased a “Samurai” Brush Cutter to help trim the outer edges of the perimeter road. Bob has now been able to cut back the brush, shrubs and trees that grow too close to Skyline Drive and reclaim our road space making it easier and safer to travel around the lake.

Due to last summer’s drought, we had 8 trees removed from our parks and green space. We will be removing these stumps and several others this fall. We also did some extensive trimming of weeds and brush in a couple of areas on the west side of Newell Dam and the boat ramp.

As part of our “Legacy Tree Planting Program” we will plant 3 new trees. The Auxiliary will plant 4 new trees and we have had three residents plant new trees.

As we continue to evaluate BLHOA shoreline maintenance work around the lake, we worked on the area at the end of Etty Kay Bay, cleaned up weeds and brush, trimming the tree and adding some additional rip-rap. We have improved the appearance and it will be easier to maintain. We also encourage homeowners to take inventory of their shoreline and take the appropriate steps to maintain the shoreline and eliminate any eroded areas that you may have. Eliminating erosion and maintaining an appropriate appearance is important to this committee.

Thanks to John Healey as he donated a pine tree that had died from last summer’s drought to Lakes and Parks to serve as a flag pole and had it erected near the Robinson Pavilion. He also donated the flag that flies from it.

October, 2013 Page 2

BLHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWSLETTER

It was great to see the Robinson Pavilion utilized more this summer, highlighted by a June Wedding and Reception and an August Wedding Reception as well as several other residents’ functions. Contact Barb Parker for reservation information.

We worked with Lake Iroquois to replace 30 broken posts along the Bayles Lake / Lake Iroquois property line. We appreciate the help of Darrell Templeton, LIA Maintenance, and the support from their Board of Directors.

Clean Up Day-Huge Success

The Bayles Lake Clean-Up Day was a huge success this year. Residents filled three huge dumpsters at the Maintenance Shed on July 13. We also took two big trailer loads full of steel-related items to G & D Salvage in Loda and almost filled another trailer with aluminum products. We owe a big thank you to Bob Siddall, Ray Soltysiak and Nick Schuit for helping load the dumpsters. Thanks to you for all of your contributions and we will do this again next year.

Fireworks Review

Thank you for helping make the 2013 Fourth of July the best one ever. Thank you for the donations and your attendance at all of the events. The Flotilla, JMT Trio Concert, Fireworks Music and the Fireworks Show made for a great day at Bayles Lake. The weather turned out to be perfect and everyone seemed to enjoy the day. Please mark your calendars for the 2014 celebration event as it will take place on Friday, July 4.

Storage Agreement Forms

As some of our residents prepare to head for warmer winter climates, please remember any Bayles Lake resident may store their Boat, Boat Trailer, Utility Trailer, Camper, RV Vehicle, etc., free, at the Maintenance Shed as long as you have your lake residence house number on the item.

Regarding boat storage, the BLHOA Board of Directors asks that you fill out a Storage Agreement Form for your boat. You may do this with our Maintenance / Ground Man, Bob Siddall, or by contacting Rick Goben or Dan Lamb.

Leaf Enclosures in our Parks

Leaf burning bins will go up in October. Because of the dry conditions, please use caution when burning. Please use them for disposing leaves, twigs, branches, garden items, etc. that have accumulated in your yard. Burn them up in these enclosures and burn these piles on a regular basis; don’t let the pile get too big. Please do not put grass in these bins. Grass does not dry out and as a result, smolders and makes a stinking mess for your neighbors. And please do not blow leaves into the lake.

October, 2013 Page 3

BLHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWSLETTER

IEPA-Weed Management Permit

June 24, 2013 the Bayles Lake Homeowners Association (BLHOA) received its Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) Pesticide Application Point Source Discharges General Permit as part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and the Clean Water Act. This permit expires October 30, 2016.

This permit is available to operators (BLHOA) who discharge to the waters of the State from the application of biological pesticides or chemical pesticides over waters of the State or leave a residue on any waters of the State and relates to:

 Mosquito and Other Insect Pest Control  Weed Control  Wildlife / Pest Control

From the IDNR

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is asking boaters, anglers, swimmers and others who enjoy Illinois’ lakes and rivers to keep their eyes open this summer for an aquatic “superweed.” Citizen volunteers are on the lookout for a highly invasive aquatic plant named Hydrilla verticillata, or simply “hydrilla.”

Recognized as one of the world’s worst weeds, hydrilla can grow an inch per day and form dense mats of vegetation at the water surface. Within the past few years, hydrilla has been discovered in Wisconsin and Indiana and it is expected to arrive in Illinois. Our desirable native aquatic plants, sport fishing, native wildlife, waterfront property values, and recreational uses might all be seriously impacted.

For more information, including how to become a Hydrilla Hunt! volunteer, a Hydrilla Identification Sheet, fact sheets, and other resources, visit www.niipp.net/hydrilla.

DNR Water Usage Stamps Now Available

Non-motorized / non-sail watercraft, canoes, kayaks and paddle boats are no longer required to be titled / registered in Illinois. Instead, Illinois’ new Water Usage Stamp is now mandatory for all non-powered watercraft, except those with a non-expired Illinois registration.

Use the DNR website to renew your registration or contact our Security Officer, Ray Soltysiak, for more information.

October, 2013 Page 4

BLHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWSLETTER

DNR Renewal of Watercraft Registration

PLEASE NOTE: The Department of Natural Resources is NOT sending out watercraft renewal notices any longer. It is your responsibility to make sure that your watercraft registration is current. Use the DNR website to renew your registration or contact our Security Officer, Ray Soltysiak, for more information.

DNR Fish Sampling Program Summary

Conducted by Mike Garthaus, District Fisheries Biologist

On June 11, 2013 Bayles Lake was sampled for a total of 54 minutes using DC electrofishing. The lake was divided into 2 sampling areas with the first area being sampled for 30 minutes and the second area for 24 minutes. The first run started at the boat ramp and proceeded up the west bank. The second run started in the southern basin and proceeded up the east bank.

His comments and recommendations are:

Largemouth Bass Catch rates for were very good, similar to the catch rate for bass in the 2009 survey. Recruitment of bass to the fishery has been a problem in this lake for a long time and is still a problem. Providing nesting cover might help. This would entail providing some aquatic vegetation near spawning sites. BLHOA could also add bass spawning structures in the southern basin where there is more silt present.

The distribution of bass sizes was good at both sites and the health of the bass is not an issue. The only issue we have is numbers. In many lakes bass stockings are not improving bass populations and the sporadic bass stockings at Bayles Lake probably have not done a lot either. I would focus on habitat for bass and not on bass stockings.

Bluegill Catch rates were higher in 2013 than in 2009. Numbers are high and more predators in the lake would improve the size structure of the . Few over 6.5 inches were collected. Allow people to harvest bluegill as they want.

Walleye Walleye catch rate was very good. The walleye stocking has produced a good walleye fishery. If money is available, continue the walleye stocking.

Channel Catfish The catch rate for channel catfish was average, but there is a good channel catfish fishery in Bayles Lake. Periodic stockings of catfish are needed to sustain the fishery.

White The catch rate of crappie is okay but the size distribution is poor. I would encourage anglers to remove crappie from the lake in order to reduce numbers and improve growth rates. Even though our results show a decline in numbers, the numbers still seem high.

White Catfish The large change since the last survey was the collection of white catfish. This species is not native to Illinois and is not on the approved stocking list in Illinois. This catfish resembles the other bullheads in the lake but has a forked tail.

October, 2013 Page 5

BLHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWSLETTER

Discussion Your primary concern should be the number of white catfish and bluegill. I think adding to the lake will take care of the white catfish and bullheads and also reduce the number of bluegill, shad and yellow bass in the lake.

I would also stock other predators to help control bluegill, shad, and yellow bass. Walleye and Hybrid Striped Bass have been added in the past and continue to be possibilities.

Maintenance/Grounds - Bob Siddall

 Our July Bayles Lake clean up day was a huge success! 3 dumpsters were loaded, and sorted; the metal scrap brought in over $200.00.  While continuing to flush water hydrants during the hot weather, I collected the water in a 350 gallon tank and used that to water the newly planted plants and trees, trying to be "green" when possible.  We have replaced 30 worn, broken, and non-appropriate posts lining the property between both lakes.  The shoreline at the end of Etty Kay Bay was cleaned, sprayed, trimmed, and tons of rock were installed to prevent eroding.  Having done the usual mowing and trimming as required, it now appears to be slowing down somewhat.  For those who might not know, there are picnic tables available to use at your house; just let me know when and where and I will be happy to bring them to you. I have delivered 14 in the past months for fish fries, cookouts, reunions, and just having company over.  I will continue to trim the roadway bushes, using the hydraulic hedge trimmer, to keep limbs a good distance from the edge of the road.  The boat storage is cleaned and ready for boats. Please try and remember to sign a storage agreement.

With fall approaching, leaves will be falling, and burning bins will be installed. When placing your leaves in the enclosure, and only leaves, lighting of the leaves would then be appreciated. Let me thank you in advance for doing this.

October, 2013 Page 6

BLHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWSLETTER

Rules and Regulations - Tom Parker - John Konieczka - Nick Schuit

My name is Tom Parker. I have a house on Weaver Court, and became the new chairman of the Rules and Regulations Committee this year. Several issues have come up for review by the committee this year including:

1. Garage sale signs during the annual community sale. 2. Age limits and rules for golf carts, ATV's, go carts, etc. 3. The use of casting nets to catch shad minnows.

The Rules and Regulations Committee made the following recommendations which were approved by the full board at the August meeting:

A. Garage sale signage: No change to the rules is recommended. Current rules limiting where a resident may put a sign applies to private garage sales, not BLHOA-sanctioned events. Signage rules should stay the same and be enforced for non-Board approved events. Residents are encouraged to please remove, on their own, any extra signs they put up directing customers to their homes during the annual BLHOA community garage sale.

B. Golf Carts, ATV's, etc: Current rules and regulations are adequate, no change recommended. Any individual situation should be looked at as a parenting issue and security should inform parents. The Board can always address the homeowner directly if any problem would persist, however, we are aware of no issues like that at this time.

C. Casting nets: A discrepancy in perception may have evolved due to the wording of previous multiple rules. Furthermore, an explosion in our shad population coupled with a desire to keep outside minnows out of Bayles lake (limit disease and invasive species) so the committee recommended replacing rules 2, 6 and 7 with the following single new paragraph combining and clarifying:

2. Fishing in Bayles Lake by any method other than a pole and line is prohibited. One and only exception is the use of a small (under 8 ft. in diameter) hand thrown casting net to collect shad minnows to use as bait in Bayles Lake. The use of minnows from any other source is prohibited. Any species other than shad minnows accidentally trapped in the casting net must be released immediately.

That's all for now. Please feel free to contact me directly if you would like the Rules and Regulations Committee to review anything new or obsolete. Thanks and I look forward to seeing you all on the water!

Tom

Security - Raymond Soltysiak

Not a lot of good news. Some person(s) unknown took a statue of a boy fishing from one of the resident’s dock. It is a cement statue of the boy sitting holding a fishing pole.

When renewing your boat registration, the DNR will no longer send out renewal forms. A new on-line renewal system is now available via the DNR website. Search “Renew Watercraft Registration. I’ve used this site and found it easy to use.

October, 2013 Page 7

BLHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWSLETTER

You can also use a touch-tone phone number, 1-866-867-3542. If you use the phone, you must have a credit card or e- check on hand.

Non-motorized watercraft no longer have to be registered in Illinois but owners must purchase a water usage stamp from a DNR direct license/permit point-of-sale vendor. If you have problems renewing your registration by phone or on-line, call IDNR’s Water Registration/Title office at 1-800-382-1696 or 1-217-557-0180.

Roads and Drainage - Gene Merkle - Jim Bash - Jerry Bauman

As a reminder to all lake residents during the late winter / early spring time, there are road weight restrictions in place February 1-April 30. They are posted at most entrances to Bayles Lake.

If you are anticipating any major projects during this time frame that will require heavy trucks, please contact Ray Soltysiak, Bayles Lake Security, or a board member.

Due to these weight restrictions, garbage trucks will be picking up with a standard truck and open top trailer from February 3 through April 28, 2014. More information will be posted on our website in January.

Our committee would also like to thank all of our residents for their patience and cooperation this past summer as we seal- coated many of our inner roads. We will complete this project next summer and we will be notifying the community by way of our newsletter, a mailing and email blast.

Water and Sewer - Jim Keenan - Dale Foster - Nick Schuit

When the spring newsletter was printed, we were awaiting an E.P.A. permit required prior to adding phosphates to our water. The permit has been received; the phosphates are now running and should start removing rust from our water.

While work on the centralized sanitary system continues with Berns, Clancy and Associates and is on track, there is not much news to report. These wheels do turn slowly.

October, 2013 Page 8