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Meeting
Summary
July
11, 2005
Our
second general session was attended by 68 people. Of the 68, 45 had
attended the June 27 meeting. Our membership has now grown to 200
people.
The
meeting began with a short introduction from Brian Selwa and an
explanation of the creation of six (6) working sub-committees. These
sub-committees were identified by the membership during the registration
process and comments from our first organized meeting.
The
attending members were asked to choose their primary or secondary
interest to assist in identifying and prioritizing the items to be
addressed by the sub-committees.
o
Safety
Impact Committee
§
This
committee will focus on boating safety, specifically working with DNR
and local boat dealers concerning the education and notification of the
public regarding safety.
o
Economic
Impact Committee
§
This
committee will examine the total impact of all factors, which affect the
value of our real estate and the community. Many topics covered by other
committees will contribute to the economics of the Morse Community.
o
Environmental
Impact Committee
§
One
element currently identified is the Water Quality of Morse Reservoir.
This committee will keep abreast of the Little Cicero Creek surveyor
study, take samples of our reservoir water, and study other factors
affecting the quality of the water.
o
Water
Level and Reporting
§
This
is a subject that concerns and affects virtually all of the Morse
community and is already beginning to impact our property values. What
can we do about it?
o
Excessive
Boat Noise
§
Depending
on where you live on the reservoir, this may or may not be your issue.
This committee will identify the issue, review options, and coordinate
with DNR regarding enforcement of existing state laws.
o
Property
Owner Issues
§
This
committee will touch many issues impacting property owners including
lake debris, buoys, docks, shorelines, etc). This committee will provide
information for property owners and develop action plans as needed.
Once
the attendees selected their interest, they were asked to sit at one of
the six round tables setup for discussion. Approximately 20-30 minutes
was spent at each table to identify the direction that each committee
should pursue. The
summaries of those discussions follow:
Environment:
Facilitator
– Mike Murphy
1.
It was suggested that the group contact the Indianapolis Water
Company to find out if a historical data base of water quality existed.
2.
John South, who is with the Hamilton County Soil and Water
Conservation Department, suggested we need to present educational and
awareness programs to the Morse Waterways Association.
He volunteered to do one on the Little Cicero Creek project.
3.
The group felt education was an important agenda item for the
environmental group. We
think many factors affect Morse water quality, such as pollution in
flowing streams, storm run-offs, Cicero sewage treatment plant, and
residents applying lawn chemicals.
We are planning presentations on each of these topics
4.
Committee members offered to help Mike with the Riverwatch water
testing. It was suggested
that we test the Cicero Creek instead of the Little Cicero Creek.
Economics:
Facilitator
- Dean Denhart
The
following 6 points were the main discussion items.
1.
Educate each other through investigation and reporting to develop
a large group of thoroughly educated lakefront property owners.
2.
Educate Politicians, State Senates, State Representatives,
Governor, Local Politicians, and the general public on issues affecting
Morse Reservoir and the community.
3.
Determine the number of people that live around Morse or are
users (marina launching #'s if possible) of the reservoir.
Try to determine the economic impact of Morse on businesses, as
well as Hamilton County, Noblesville, and Cicero in general.
Determine the total property tax dollars paid by the 1800
families living around Morse and if we can carry political influence and
create awareness of key issues.
4.
Raise awareness for the need of Veoila Water to develop a plan
for future water consumption as growth continues in Hamilton, Hendricks,
and Marion counties.
5.
Develop data to determine if the current perception is correct
that Morse’s water level is in fact reduced more than Geist’s.
If true, this perception may be limiting sales of properties on
Morse.
6.
There is need to promote the value of Morse Waterways Association
to owners of Morse lake property and other users or interested lake
people as a vehicle to get answers and express concerns to create more
consistent future interest in the Association.
The more people involved the more clout Morse Waterways
Association will have in the future.
Water
Level and Recording: Facilitator
– Roger Goings
The
majority of our first committee meeting involved a discussion of the
waterway flows to support the Indianapolis Water Company Processing
Plants. After a discussion
of various methods of communicating, we agreed to use a "Frequently
Asked Questions" format. The
first series of questions and answers will be available by the next
meeting. Here is a sample of some of the questions.
Questions:
1.
Why
does Morse seem to be the first lake to be drained?
Over
the last few years two things have changed that have increased the flow
requirements for the White River. These
have not impacted the Geist or Eagle Creek Reservoirs.
1. The
addition of the “White River North” processing plant located in
Carmel.
2. Increased
water flow requirements downstream from the Broadripple Dam to meet the
increasing
environmental requirement
2.
How is the dam controlled?
The
Morse Reservoir Dam has three valves which are manually opened and
closed.
3.
What
does the reservoir feed?
Morse
Reservoir feeds the Cicero Creek which flows into the White River south
of Noblesville. Water is
withdrawn from the White River in Carmel to support the “White River
North” processing plant. Water
flows from the White River just upstream of the Broadripple Dam via the
Canal to the “White River” processing Plant.
4.
Does
the water from Morse affect the water treatment plants fed from Geist or
Eagle Creek?
The
White River, supplemented by Morse, supports only the White River North
and White River processing plants.
Geist and Eagle Creek have their own dedicated processing Plants.
Excessive
Boat Noise: Facilitator
– Gary Helgemo
1.
Gary will continue to follow up on the letter sent to
Noblesville’s City Attorney requesting details on lake patrols and
enforcement.
2.
The committee will investigate the allegation that all lake
citations are prosecuted in Carmel. Why?
Are the rulings fair?
Where do the fines go? How
can we support our cause in court?
3.
We would like the Morse Waterways Association website to provide
phone numbers to call about violations:
Noblesville Police, DNR, Sheriff’s Office, and our respective
City Councilperson.
Safety:
Facilitator
– John Swanson
1.
Biggest concern: keeping current idle zone areas idle zone.
2.
Need to get the issues out to public, especially tow-ins who
don't know the rules. It was recommended to contact Alan Rosenberg
(owner of Marina) to discuss handing out maps of lake with idle zones,
islands, shallow water areas, etc. clearly marked.
On the other side of this map would be a list of the Indiana
state boating laws that we feel are especially important for the safety
of all, e.g. speed at dusk to dawn, noise levels, age requirements for
operating jet skis and boats, etc.
3.
We will also contact Mr. Rosenberg about posting a large sign at
the marina’s ramp listing safety rules. We discussed possible fund
raisers (?) to pay for this. Apparently Geist has large sign at ramp,
supported by Marina Partnership Limited.
4.
More police presence on lake.
5.
Assign an “address” to each dock on the lake.
This will assist safety personnel (fire, police, etc.) in
locating and responding to emergency situations.
Sheriff Carter apparently already has all docks plotted.
6.
Boater safety class schedules posted and advertised. Perhaps we
could even conduct one class per year at beginning of season. Coast
Guard Auxiliary class vs. On-Line access was discussed. Post web site
link on our web page.
Property
Owners Issues: Facilitator
– Jim Schneider
Three
items were discussed during the round table discussion.
1.
General discussion concerning buoys covered a variety of topics
including the following:
·
distance
from shore line, movement by ice during winter months
·
rationale
on location of idle zones
·
consistency
of buoy types (official, home designed) and increasing usage of rubber
balls
2.
Debris
·
Discussed
various ways to gain assistance in removal of the large logs and
floating stumps. Best idea was to ask cities of Cicero and Noblesville
to contribute equipment.
·
The
committee will research the idea of a weekend cleanup with multiple
locations on the lake to take the debris and trash. Will work with both
cites and property owners on this subject.
·
If
the water level of lake drops significantly this year, organize to
remove some of the big hazards in the lake such as large boulders,
stumps, etc.
3.
Pier numbers or addresses were very popular idea. This would be
advantageous for search and rescue missions. Contacts will be made with
Sheriffs department, plus city of Noblesville and Cicero fire
departments.
Donations
now being accepted.
The MWA is accepting donations to begin funding some of the needs of our organization. It was suggested that members contribute $100. This is a voluntary donation. You may contribute more or less, the choice is yours. Make checks payable to Morse Waterways Association. You can send your check Morse Waterways Association c/o Bill Steves, 1520 Bayswater Ln. Cicero, In. 46034.
Next meeting will be held on Monday August 8 at 7:00PM at the South Harbour Community Building, 1156 South Harbour Drive.