Subdivisions Advisory Board Representatives  by Gary Gibson, V. President

 The Board of Directors would like to be prepared to address all your issues or concerns, therefore, an Advisory Board has been formed.  The Advisory Board consists of a representative from each of the 10 subdivisions.  The representatives will be responsible for  consolidating and presenting the concerns and issues of their subdivision to the Board..  Please contact your representative prior to the scheduled meeting date with questions, concerns or issues that you would like addressed at the meeting.  The appropriate board member will attempt to address it in their prepared comments at the meeting.  This format will give all members the opportunity to address their issues.  We hope this system will allow more participation by a greater number of members. Please try to contact your representative in a timely manner to allow us time to research and present possible resolutions to the issue at our scheduled general meetings.  Listed below are your representatives and their contact number:

Shay Lake Heights Subdivision             James Wiley       (989) 843-5454

Shay Lake Heights Subdivision #2       Karen Miller                                               email:  karenbaron@yahoo.com

Shay Lake Heights Subdivision#3        Ron Gibson         (989) 325-1719              email:  fixit472@yahoo.com

Shay Lake Heights Subdivision #5       Ed Horn             (248) 470-7246Shay Lake Heights

Subdivision #6       Ed Horn              (248) 470-7246 

Shay Lakes Subdivision                        Henry Harris      (313) 477-7715              email:   hjhjr468@yahoo.com

Shay Lake Subdivision #2                    Norm Brackins  (810)744-0495

Shay Lake Subdivision #3                    Henry Harris      (313) 477-7715             email:   hjhjr468@yahoo.co,

Shay Lake Resorts Subdivision    Leroy Bankston  (989) 843-5658

Shay Lake Resorts Subdivision #2       Queen Robinson  (989) 843-5317 

If you are unsure of your subdivision please contact Advisory Board Chair Richard Overton (313) 300-0041 

FROM THE LAKE  BY Carl and Gladys Main  - Lake Maintenance Co-Chairs

If you live on lakefront property, maintaining your septic system requires more care and work than maintaining similar systems in other places.  That’s because soil and water conditions near the shoreline may make the system, less efficient in treating waste, which could, in turn, cause harmful pollutants to get into the lake.  Because septic systems on lakefront property are often close to the water and are sometimes saturated during high periods they are very likely to leak wastes into the lake.  Also, when shorelines erode, the distance between the septic system and the shoreline gets shorter and shorter, making it more likely that liquid waste could move horizontally through the soil to the bank and then quickly over the surface to the water.  This pollution can happen even though your system appears to be working properly and complies with local health codes.  Nutrients(especially phosphates) from leaky septic systems play a major role in causing excessive weed and algae growth in lake s.  Just a small amount of additional phosphates in a lake can make a huge difference in the amount of aquatic weeds that grow during the spring and summer.  Excessive weed growth, in turn, affects the ability of fish to grow.  Too many weeds and algae make the water less enjoyable to use.  Liquid wastes from your septic system that reach the water increase the chance that swimmers near your shore could catch a variety of diseases and ailments, some serious. There are a variety of things you can do to help prevent the problems associated with having a septic system near shoreline areas:  regularly pump and maintain your septic system; redirect surface water flow away from your absorption field; conserve water usage in your home; plant a greenbelt between your absorption field and the shoreline; if constructing a new home, put the septic system as far away from the shoreline as possible.

Sources: Dean Solomon and Eckhart Derch, Maintaining your Septic System, Michigan State University, Extension Bulletin WQ13, June 1987

 The lake weed problem in Shay Lake is really severe and if we don’t do something  soon  we will not be able to enjoy the recreational and sporting opportunities the lake provides our families.  We live at Shay Lake because of the lake—we must take care of it!  Gladys and I have worked on several sections of the Lake this summer using Copper Sulfate and lake raking to try to get a handle on our weed problem.  Our problem is so severe that the Copper Sulfate treatment is not working—the lake weeds are re-blooming within a week.  Our lake is at the point that only professional treatment can help.  This is an expensive proposition but it has to be done.  The lake has never been treated and weed control has been sparse and sporadic at best; the weeds have a had a decade or two of establishing themselves.  We have researched several sources and references and at this point Aquatic Nuisance Plant Control, Inc. of Swartz Creek looks like a good deal.  We have received an estimate approximating a cost of about $12,000.00.  This costs includes the contour map of the lake which is required for applying for State of Michigan permits to treat the lake.  The areas that need to be treated amount to less than 20 acres of our 42 acre lake. Approximate costs breakdowns are as follows:      $425.00                    Contour map of lake      $8,700.00               $435.00 per acre  X 20 acres    Contact Herbicides to treat                                             Northern Milfoil, Horned Pondweeds, and Illinois Pond-                                               Weed.       $850.00                     Phragmites treatment      $400.00                     State of Michigan PermitsThe first treatment in May is for both weeds and algae, a mid season treatment algae treatment and then another treatment for weeds and algae in late July.  The reason for the two treatment for weeds and algae is we have some plants that may not come in until summer.  50% of the costs is due in Early March and the balance in July.  The contour map at $425.00 needs to be done now so that an exact costs can be calculated.  HOW DO WE PAY FOR THIS…………..?  If no one has a rich uncle who wants to foot the bill for this project we must do some serious fundraising.  The  most profitable fundraiser we can think of would be to hold winter races on the lake—snowmobiles, etc.  Other lakes that have hosted these races have found them to be very profitable.  We will need the permission of all the lakefront property owners in order to hold the races. It will take place when the lake is frozen over—around February and would be a one day event.  We really need everyone’s cooperation because we need to really raise some serious funds in order to pay a 50% deposit in March.  We will have all the information available at the September Association Meeting and we will have permission slips for the lakefront property owners to complete at that time.  We need to hear your voices on this issue so please contact your subdivision representative or contact Carl Main at 989 660-9579. Volunteers needed for the Lake Maintenance Committee—ideas needed and sure could use some help with researching options available for maintaining control of the lake weeds once treatment is completed.  Please get in touch with Carl and lend a hand!