The Nicatous Lake Camp Owners Association was formed in 1959. Meeting minutes from most years (as many as we can find) will soon be found 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 probably mine).
This page contains a draft of 2010 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.
Nicatous Lake Camp Owner’s Association
Minutes of Meeting, August 7, 2010
The annual meeting of the Nicatous Lake Camp Owner’s Association was called to order at 11:15 AM by president, Ron Pelletier, with 63 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 read and approved, as read.
Ron welcomed guests Nels Kramer, Maine Fisheries biologist and Wes Hatch, Maine Forester to the meeting.
New Business:
An election of officers was held and the same slate of officers was unanimously re-elected.
Ron gave condolences to the family of Arthur Dayton who passed away earlier this year.
Steve Buzzell gave a loon count report. Thirty-two adults and one chick were counted. He thanked all the folks that counted the loons this year. Loon counts results are turned over to the Maine Audubon so they can monitor the health of the loon population in the state.
Nels Kramer, Maine Fisheries biologist spoke about the effects of stocking brown trout in the lake. Nels addressed concerns of camp owners that feel the stocking of the brown trout has caused the decline of bass fishing.
The declining smelt population on the lake was also discussed. Nels stated that often it is the beaver dams that causes the smelts to not be able to reach their destination. Many camp owners feel that over fishing of the smelts is causing a shortage. A motion to look into the possibility of closing smelting on the lake for period of time was made and passes. Ron will send letters with this suggestion to the proper authorities.
Next on the agenda was the 32-00-0 road fund with discussions on the annual fee paid by camp owners. Steve spoke about the 32-00-00 road management and our part in it. He also mentioned that he was trying to coordinate with AFM to cut back the trees on the side of the road. A motion to continue the annual fee of $100.00 was made and passed unanimously.
Ron said that he had looked into the landing on the north end of the lake and was told that there is no public landing.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made, seconded and passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Gladys L Buzzell
Secretary/Treasurer
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.