Minutes

The Nicatous Lake Camp Owners Association was formed in 1959. Meeting minutes from most years (as many as we can find) have been posted here. We believe that they make for interesting reading and give us a sense of the history of ’our’ lake for almost fifty years. The first meeting minutes are just after the current ones below. As more of the meeting minutes from past years are added, they will be accessed from the year in the table below. Please note that minutes have been typed as they were written (except for any typo’s that you find – those are mine).

This page contains a draft of 2011 meeting minutes. If you were unable to attend the meeting, this will be a great place to see what was discussed and/or voted on. Please be aware that these minutes are a draft and will not be approved until next years meeting

The annual meeting of the Nicatous Lake Camp Owner’s Association was called to order at 11:15 AM by president, Ron Pelletier, with 55 camp owners and guests present.

Old Business:

Association minutes and treasurers’ report were read and approved, as read.

32-00-0 road maintenance fund treasurers report was read and approved, as read.

Ron welcomed guests Greg Burr, Maine Fisheries Biologist (Downeast Division) and Wes Hatch, Maine Forest Ranger, to the meeting.

New Business:

An election of officers was held and the same slate of officers was unanimously re-elected.

Steve Buzzell gave a loon count report. There were 35 adults and five chicks counted this year. He thanked the volunteers and asked that anyone interested in doing next years count to contact him.  Loon count results are turned over to the Maine Audubon so they can monitor the health of the loon population in the state.

Steve Buzzell gave a road condition update and spoke about the improvements that had been made to our section of the 32-00-0 road this year, both by AFM and by using some of the road maintenance funds. He spoke about the difference between AFM standards for the road and our need to have a good road to not only get to our camps but also to help maintain the value of our property. A motion was made and passed, to keep the $100.00 fee for the 2012 year.

Greg Burr, Maine Fisheries biologist, spoke about the new-style, open-bottom culverts that are being installed in many roads in our area. Project Share, along with many state and federal agencies and other individuals, make the program possible.

Greg explained that while the changes that are being made are to benefit the Atlantic salmon, they also benefit brook trout, shiners, smelts and other species of fish.  This, in-turn, benefits many of the lakes and streams that we fish in the area.

Greg also touched on the subjects of  brown trout, smelting, and beavers but told us that Nels Kramer, the biologist for the Nicatous area, would need to be contacted for anything specific.

In 2010, a motion was made and passed to look into the possibility of closing smelting on the lake for a period of time. Nothing was done and after further discussion this year, it was decided that with the spring road closures, it should not be necessary to close any part of the lake to smelting. A motion was made and passed not to pursue the matter any further.

A discussion was also held on the part of the beaver dams that restrict smelt runs on the streams and tributaries to the lake. The regional biologist needs to be notified of the large beaver population and dam network. The authorities may be able to approve dam removals and/or beaver removals, in order to open up any blocked tributaries.

Wesley Hatch, Maine forest ranger spoke about the Lake Smart and Fire Wise program and how by applying certain principles to your property, you may have a much greater chance of your structure surviving a forest fire. He also spoke about burning permits and when they are needed. You do not need a fire permit for a cooking/warming fire IF it is on your property or an established campsite that allows burning. When in doubt, contact your local forester to see if you need a permit.

Jim and Linda Varney contacted Lifeflight of Maine about designating a Lifeflight medivac landing zone on the southeast side of  Nicatous Lake. The medivac landing zone at Gassabias is not accessible to us because of the motor vehicle  bridge closure. Lifeflight is  willing to have a site in the area and they were open to suggestions as to areas that meet their requirements. Jim and Linda will follow up with Lifeflight and report back to the group.

At 1 PM, a motion to adjourn the meeting was made, seconded and passed unanimously. The potluck lunch was enjoyed by all.

Respectfully submitted,
Gladys L Buzzell
Secretary/Treasurer

I also would like to take a minute to thank Bill and Karen Clements for providing us with the name tags this year. Great idea!! Thanks also to Ron for FINALLY bringing in a loud speaker so everyone could hear him.

These are the minutes from the very first Nicatous Lake camp owners meeting.

Saturday, December 5, 1959

Coburn Hall, U of M

Orono, Maine

Dr. Arthur Dayton spoke to a group of some twenty-five people representing camp owners on Nicatous lake. he suggested the formation of an association to strengthen the stand of all camp owners in things to their mutual benefit. he mentioned the use of water in lumbering operations of what is now almost a bygone era; and praised the State of Maine Fish and Game department for their progressive policies. He suggested that an association might pull more weight with he Fish and Game department than one individual; and that in the politics of all areas of the State requesting more help from the Fish and Game department, the Nicatous region should show a united effort to get in on the ground floor.

Then Dr. Dayton turned the meeting over to John L Easton who drew up the bylaws of the association with numerous suggestions, discussions and votes from the floor.

Then Mr. Magee moved that Vernon Bowers be president and Edmond Laing be Secretary/Treasurer. of the association. Since no other candidates competed for these offices, the above two were rail-elected!

President Bowers assumed office. Twelve camp owners paid their dues (out of twenty-one).

Dr. Dayton asked for someone favoring high water to speak on their side of the question.

Mr. Chamberlain said he thought the water had been too high this past summer and was in favor of what the majority might want.

Mr. Magee suggested trying to maintain a 20” to 24” head at the dam.

Quite a discussion followed including: (1) the dam leaks, (2) how to maintain it, and (3) notify the camp owners by May 1st.

President Bowers appointed Joe Laing, Russell Lovejoy and H. D. Chamberlain to that committee.

Bill Brughler suggested that the association might assume some responsibility for the Nicatous road. Mr. Brughler told of his troubles in getting funds from the County Commissioners of Hancock. County.

A road committee was appointed consisting of John L Easton, Joe Laing and Bill Brughler.

The first meeting terminated.

Respectfully submitted,

Ed Laing

Past Meeting Minutes:

Click on any year on links to the right, to read the minutes from that year. If you don’t want to read all the minutes, there is a brief synopsis of the first twenty-five years at the beginning of the 1984 meeting minutes page, written by the secretary at that time.