Water quality in the Briggs Lake Chain appears to be improving - albeit slightly.

 

That was the report of BLCA Member Walt Munsterman to the Palmer Twp. Board Monday.

 

Munsterman took 10 minutes to update the board on their 2017 water testing program, reporting quality of the lakes was marginally improved.

 

Testing has been done for several years to determine total phosphorus for the chain, Secchi dish testing for water clarity and chlorophyl. Charts produced show levels for the phosphorus and chlorophyl remain far above desired norms. Briggs Lake has been the only lake of the four to show Secchi dish clarity reading in the positive (more than one meter clarity).

 

“As you will see in the report, the changes that are taking place are very small, but they are moving in the right direction,” their report indicated.

 

“We must remember it has taken many years for the lakes to deteriorate to the point of being placed on the impaired waters list and it will take many years to get off this list.”

 

The township board has been supportive of the efforts over the years, and Munsterman thanked them for their help.

 

Another segment of their report: The Secchi dish readings are important in that they show the clarity of the water. If the total phosphorus (usually induced to the lake through fertilizers) the clarity becomes less and we also have a higher level of chlorophyll that is the result of algae that gets much of its mutrients from the phosphorus. 

 

By continuing to different types of conservation projects such as shoreline re-vegetation, rain gardens, upgrading septic systems, non-use of fertilizers on the laws and other conservation practices, we will slowly improve the quality of our lakes.

 

The BLCA will continue to do water monitoring on a twice-a-month basis May through October.

 

Keith Josewski, Mike Flannery, Dan Merchant, Munsterman, Gary Anderson and Barb and Darrel Tucker were lake samplers in 2017.

 

DNR officials will also be cooperating with the BLCA this year on shoreline projects.

 

Munsterman also reported the annual Lakes Chain Garage Sale will be set for May 10-13.

 

Much of the Palmer board agenda consisted of hearing reports.

 

Lack of snow this winter has been good for the township, as it has eased snowplowing costs.

 

“I’ve got nothing (to report),” said Road Maintainer Clint Schendzielos. “Praying for snow.”

 

Apparently kids and cars and garbage cans have been getting in the way of each other and road maintenance vehicles have connected with them too. Schenzielos advised residents to not put the cans on the road surface; they should be safer off the surface.

 

Cpt. Bob Stangler of the county sheriff’s office presented a quiet report, other than seven fish houses on the chain had been broken into. A suspect vehicle, he announced, was a “small white pickup.”

 

During January, his office had 31 calls for service, including 58 traffic stops (30 more than January a year prior). More officers are on the road this year, he said.

 

Supervisor Richard Larson expressed his dismay over indiscriminate shooting out of lights on an LED STOP sign in the township. 

 

“All the lights were blown off the STOP sign,” he said. “You’d think someone would have heard it (the shots).”

 

Stangler announced an upcoming youth firearms certification course; persons can get more information by contacting the sheriff’s office. 

 

Chair Mike Ganz, who sat in on a recent Clear Lake-Palmer discussion on a proposed fire protection contract, said one is yet to be approved.

 

“Palmer really doesn’t have a dog in this fight,” he said, because thrust of the communications is for Clear Lake city and township officials to agree to new terms. Impact of a new contract on Palmer will be perhaps “a half of a percent,” he said. 

 

As for their last meeting, Ganz said discussions were “just ridiculous, an intimidation factor,” he asserted, pointing to the arguments of Clear Lake Councilman Dale Powers.

 

Fire Chief Ron Koren reported 16 calls to the township in January, of which 13 were medicals. There was one fire - a car.

 

Supervisor Richard Larson argued the Palmer facility should be Signed Palmer Twp. Fire Hall, to let residents know it was owned by Palmer folk. 

 

Treasurer Roger Johnson also suggested a new sign: Palmer Government Center.