Category: Uncategorized

Contact GLCA President John Buhrmaster or your Grove Director for more information.

Lake level: Kurt Ladu reported that the lake refill is on target at 92% full, about 19 feet, as of the meeting [and has continued to increase]. The drawdown began on October 1 and was completed November 21. The refill began January 20 with ice-out on March 6.

Facilities: Committee Chair David Hennel reviewed work on the dam facilities, including taking advantage of the drawdown to remove tree limbs and debris previously identified as potentially hazardous to the tower and gates. Additional projects included examination and maintenance of the dam structure and tower, planning for work on the dam tube lining and gate, dam tower maintenance, and tree removal.

Conservation: Ed Piotrowski will be continuing water sampling of the lake, as part of GLCA’s participation in the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP), a volunteer lake monitoring and education program that is managed by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Federation of Lake Associations. He will be working with Heidi Muschick.

Town comprehensive plan: Brad Bischoff noted that the Town of Galway is conducting a public workshop meeting on April 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Town Hall for attendees to share their thoughts on the development the town comprehensive plan.

Finance and insurance: Secretary-Treasurer Peter Zakriski gave an update on finances, including dues collection at 94%, up from 93% last year at this time. The insurance policies for general liability and directors and officers are in force and next due for renewal in 2025. Communication was read from Mark Cieslak that his review of GLCA financial records for July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 were found to be in excellent condition and met appropriate accounting procedures.

Member engagement: Committee Chair Hasna Kaddo presented plans for various activities for the summer season including a kickoff of the season with bagpiper on the lake on June 15; presentation about the dam on June 29 at 7 at the dam by boat; storytelling July 27 at 10 a.m. at Rubacks pavilion; boat parade August 3 at 6 p.m.; and fishing tournament August 17 at 7 a.m.  More information and updates will be posted on the GLCA website.

Communications: Beth Krueger reported that the planned revamping of website content and format is moving forward and discussed categories and the look of the site.

GLCA Members,

Happy New Year to you and your families!  With the Winter Solstice behind us, every day is now getting longer, signaling that summer at our beloved Galway Lake is not far away.

We are pleased to report that the drawdown was accomplished just as scheduled in November and that the lake level is now remaining at the lower level until late January when the refill will begin. The ring of weeds that encircled the lake this year between the 8-10-feet level has now been exposed for numerous freeze/thaw cycles, without insulating snow cover. We couldn’t have asked for better conditions for mother nature to work her magic. We also have been encouraged to hear many stories of members removing old concrete, raking up dead weeds and other nutrients on the lakebed, and even removing or cutting some of our 100-year-old stumps. Thank you to all who are working hard to make our lake as healthy as it can be!

In addition to the work on the shorelines, the Facilities Committee (formerly Engineering) has been hard at work on deferred and preventative maintenance of our dam, tower, and canal. Thank you to Dave Hennel, Kurt Ladu, Brad Bischoff, and others who are braving the wind, rain and cold to get these projects completed while the conditions are optimal.

If you have a chance to walk the old 1800s dike that runs between Ruback’s and Point Road, you have less than a month to do it.  Go see for yourself some of the amazing history of the old Amsterdam Reservoir. It could be quite a while before this historical treasure is exposed again. And if anyone has any pictures of the dike now or in the past, please forward them on to us so that we may share.  That also goes for any aerial photos you may have that show this or past drawdowns.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE: The deed to the lake prohibits motorized vehicles on the lake or ice and prohibits ice fishing. Each year, some members ignore that restriction either themselves or by authorizing non-members to cross their property to access the lake for prohibited activities. This winter season it is especially important to abide by these rules. With exposed stumps eventually covered by snow, thin ice caused by our spring-fed lake, and shifting cracks or soft spots caused by the refilling of our lake, the chance of an accident is high. Please do not risk your life or financial well-being, this winter. Every winter we see tragedies at other lakes. Let’s keep Galway Lake off that list.

Have a safe and pleasant rest of your winter, and we look forward to seeing you out on the water in a few months!

John Buhrmaster

President for the GLCA Board of Directors

We wanted to remind you that this year’s drawdown will commence on October 1, 2023. Please remember to schedule any services needed to help you pull your boat out early this year as the lake will drop approximately two (2) inches per day. Planning ahead will help as there is limited capacity at the boat launch and we currently have many boats that use the launch each year.

Kurt Ladu’s phone number has been updated on the Contact Us page. Should you need to reach him please reference his new number.

2023 Storytellers Tales of Galway Lake EBook

GLCA Board Meeting Summary: September 2, 2023

Deep drawdown this fall: Plans, as previously announced to the membership, are underway for the deep drawdown of the lake this fall for weed control. The drawdown of 10 feet will begin October 1 and will be complete in late November to allow sediment to dry prior to deep freeze. This information has been sent to current members and is posted on the GLCA website. Members are reminded to make arrangements for their pontoon boat and dock removals, as the October 1 start date is three weeks earlier than last year’s regular drawdown.

Lake preservation: Glen Rundell, newly appointed to chair the Lake Preservation Committee, reported that water testing is continuing. GLCA participates in the Citizens Statewide Assessment Program (CSLAP), a volunteer lake monitoring and education program managed cooperatively by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and NYS Federation of Lake Associations to help understand lake conditions and use the data to aid in lake management plans. He also reported that the Preservation Committee is updating the GLCA lake management plan.

The Board discussed the importance of boat washing (clean, drain, dry) prior to placement in the lake for boats that visitors, renters, and others are bringing from other bodies of water. This includes kayaks and paddle boards as well as larger boats. Also discussed were invasive plants on shore, such as the Japanese knotweed, which needs to be bagged or similarly removed to keep the plants from resprouting. Members were encouraged to take advantage of the Association’s pump-out program with Odorless Sanitary Cleaners.

Lake level: Kurt Ladu reported that, at the time of this meeting, the lake was full at 20.68 feet. The Board thanked him for his work managing the lake levels in this season of frequent rainfall.

Conservation: Ed Piotrowski reported that he and others are seeing healthy fish. He noted that the fishing tournament serves as a good education resource, in addition to being a fun event that brings together campers of all ages.

Facilities/real property: David Hennel reported that downed or damaged trees are being identified for removal and plans are in the works for maintenance on the tube lining of the dam structure.

Finances and insurance: Updating the Board from the last meeting, Secretary-Treasurer Peter Zakriskian announced that a new liability carrier has been secured since the current company is exiting the business of insuring dams such as the Galway Lake dam. The new insurance has a modest increase in cost that was anticipated in the budget, given the trend of higher insurance costs generally. Appreciation was expressed by the Board for his work in the search process and for securing a new carrier at this rate in these challenging times. He also reported that 87% of the 2023 dues had been received to date, compared to 81% last year at this time.

Membership Engagement: Hasna Kaddo reported that the GLCA’s participation with a float in the August 26 parade for the Galway Fire Company’s 100^th anniversary was very successful. She thanked the volunteers for this project. In other events, the tales from the storytelling time are being compiled in a booklet that will be available on the GLCA website and other venues. The fishing tournament and Bruce Rowell’s geology and ecology talks on the lake and at Ruback’s pavilion were popular.

Questions: Contact John Buhrmaster, President, or the director from your Grove.

GLCA Board Meeting Summary: August 5, 2023

Deep drawdown this fall: Following discussion, the Board of Directors unanimously approved a deep drawdown to begin October 1 for weed control, as recommended by the Lake Preservation Committee. The drawdown by 10 feet will be complete in late November to allow sediment to dry prior to deep freeze. It was noted that deep drawdowns of the lake of at least 10 feet every 10 years have been the most effective way to combat Eurasian milfoil and have resulted in a significant decrease of this weed over the years. The last deep drawdown was done in 2010.  It was planned to send a letter announcing the deep drawdown and to post the letter on the GLCA website. Members will be reminded in the letter to make arrangements for their pontoon boat and dock removals, as the October 1 start date is three weeks earlier than last year’s regular drawdown.

Lake preservation: Bruce Rowell, Chair of the Lake Preservation Committee, reviewed preservation initiatives, including inspection of all beaches for bacteria, which were found to be within appropriate levels for recreational use, and water clarity, which extends to 14 feet this season. Monitoring of weeds has seen a predominance of native sago pondweed and white stem pondweed in patchy locations but also a strip of milfoil running nearly the circumference of the lake at a depth of approximately 8-10 feet. GLCA members were encouraged to take advantage of the Association’s pump-out program with Odorless Sanitary Cleaners.

Lake level: Kurt Ladu reported that, at the time of this meeting, the lake was full at 20.7 feet.

Officer elections: John Buhrmaster was elected as President of GLCA and Beth Krueger as Vice President. They took office at the conclusion of this meeting. Secretary Treasurer Peter Zakriski is continuing his term. Immediate past president Glen Rundell was thanked for his service. 

Facilities/real property: David Hennel reported that mowing has been increased to three times, as planned. He also discussed additional tree cutting for damaged trees.

Finances and insurance: Secretary-Treasurer Peter Zakriski noted that 60% of the 2023 dues had been received at the time of the meeting, which is in line with last year’s receipt of dues.  Regarding insurance, he reported that the GLCA’s current carrier has sent notification of nonrenewal as they are exiting the business of insuring dams such as ours, but GLCA has it out to bid and expects several companies to be interested. However, as with all insurance this year, a significant increase in cost for the same coverage is expected.

Membership Engagement: Hasna Kaddo, Chair, reviewed activities held and planned for the season including the boat parade, geology and ecology tours on the lake, and fishing tournament. She advised that volunteers are sought for the GLCA float at the August 26 parade in the village which will honor the Galway Fire Company’s 100th anniversary. She should be contacted (hasnak50@yahoo.com)  for more information or to volunteer.

Questions: Contact John Buhrmaster, President, or the director from your Grove.

GLCA Member Letter 08 10 2023 Final

I want to welcome John Buhrmaster to the position of GLCA President and Beth Krueger to the position of GLCA Vice President. They are both willing to serve the GLCA and were elected by the board during the August 5, 2023 board meeting.  Glen Rundell stepped down after serving an interim year after Bruce Rowell stepped down from his position as President and Lake Preservation chair after a life of service to the GLCA. Bruce will continue to provide support to the Lake Preservation Committee.

John and Beth are both life-long members of the GLCA and grew up on Galway Lake. They will be outstanding stewards of the GLCA and ensure Galway Lake is protected for years to come.