Welcome to Fallsburg Fishing & Boating Club
News for Pleasure Lake Members
Special Announcement (March 6, 2024)
Dear Members:
As President of the Fallsburg Fishing & Boating Club (“FF&BC”) and on behalf of our Board of Directors, we are reaching out with some important news.
First, we are seeking permits from the NYS DEC and have engaged a certified applicator (who is familiar with our lake and helped with our Lake Management Plan) to treat the lake again this year to continue our fight against the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil weeds. We have remained vigilant and this invasive plant has returned to Pleasure Lake over the last two years after we treated the lake in 2016 with excellent success. Following the 2016 treatment, we had clean weed-free use of the lake for more than double the 3-year effectiveness of this product expected by our consultant. The DEC-required notification letter Has been mailed out to all members for your review. (You can see more information about this in the DEC Permitting Tab of this website)
Second, although the membership discussed allowing some time between ice off and the refilling of the lake from winter levels, the setting of a refill date of March 31 to allow about an extra week to work on docks etc was based on the assumption was that the ice off date would be in late March as it has been for many years. Surprisingly, ice off was a month early on February 29th this year. The Board met last night to address the emergency nature of our potential harm to fish stocks if we were to hold off on refilling the lake several more weeks; the Board has decided that the lake will commence refilling of the lake later this week to avoid loss of our smallmouth bass population (which would be seriously harmed by any extended delay in refilling the lake). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but our fish population is too precious to risk. We will discuss this issue further at our May and September membership meetings.
Finally, we look forward to a great summer filled with plenty of fun, friends, events and lots of fishing & boating. We have enclosed a handy reference card with the full slate of our upcoming events schedule for 2024. Please volunteer to help with some of these events!
Should you have any questions or require anything further, please do not hesitate to contact us.
As President of the Fallsburg Fishing & Boating Club (“FF&BC”) and on behalf of our Board of Directors, we are reaching out with some important news.
First, we are seeking permits from the NYS DEC and have engaged a certified applicator (who is familiar with our lake and helped with our Lake Management Plan) to treat the lake again this year to continue our fight against the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil weeds. We have remained vigilant and this invasive plant has returned to Pleasure Lake over the last two years after we treated the lake in 2016 with excellent success. Following the 2016 treatment, we had clean weed-free use of the lake for more than double the 3-year effectiveness of this product expected by our consultant. The DEC-required notification letter Has been mailed out to all members for your review. (You can see more information about this in the DEC Permitting Tab of this website)
Second, although the membership discussed allowing some time between ice off and the refilling of the lake from winter levels, the setting of a refill date of March 31 to allow about an extra week to work on docks etc was based on the assumption was that the ice off date would be in late March as it has been for many years. Surprisingly, ice off was a month early on February 29th this year. The Board met last night to address the emergency nature of our potential harm to fish stocks if we were to hold off on refilling the lake several more weeks; the Board has decided that the lake will commence refilling of the lake later this week to avoid loss of our smallmouth bass population (which would be seriously harmed by any extended delay in refilling the lake). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but our fish population is too precious to risk. We will discuss this issue further at our May and September membership meetings.
Finally, we look forward to a great summer filled with plenty of fun, friends, events and lots of fishing & boating. We have enclosed a handy reference card with the full slate of our upcoming events schedule for 2024. Please volunteer to help with some of these events!
Should you have any questions or require anything further, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Announcements (February 14, 2024)
The 2023 Season was a great success - and 2024 is looking to be terrific as well. Thanks to all who make Pleasure Lake the greatest place in the world !!!
Our annual ice party with a campfire along the shore and a chili cookoff contest will be held this Saturday, February 17th, and our annual skiing event will be held at the new Holiday Mountain on the following day - Sunday, February 18, 2024. We hope many members and their families can join us for some off-season fun!
We had a few changes at our Annual Shareholder Meeting in September 2023:
Big thanks to Bob Scott who retired as Vice-President and congratulations to Jerry Chiocchio for his election to VP.
With this change in roles, Jerry's Board of Directors position was vacant and Wray Voegelin was appointed on September 5th by the Board of Directors to fill the one year remainder of Jerry's unexpired Director position.
At the September 5th Board of Directors meeting, Mick Meier also announced that he was stepping off the Board of Directors, leaving another position open; the Board of Directors appointed Bob Giaimo to fill the two years remaining on Mick's unexpired term on the Board of Directors. Congratulations Bob!
The Board of Directors and all of the membership wish to express our grateful appreciation to Bob Scott and Mick Meier for each of their many years of hard work and contributions to our Club. They have both earned a well-deserved break from the many meetings and projects that each of them have been involved with, and the Club is indebted to both for making Pleasure Lake a better place!
Our water quality is good but we plan to seek permits from the DEC to attack the growth of the invasive Eurasian watermilfoil plant. News and permit information about the DEC permit, treatment details, product label information and other messages will be posted on a new tab her of this website for easy reference.
Please free to contact us if you have any questions as we continue to test our water and upstream point sources and watch for potential problems upstream and advocate for clean water and environmental protection in the Pleasure Lake and Neversink watersheds. We will continue to hand pull invasive water chestnuts this year as we plan our attack on the growth of invasives in 2024.
This coming season will bring a full menu of great events, including monthly Happy Hours, a kids Ice Cream Social, our annual Member/Guest Fishing Contest and BBQ, the 37th Annual Kids' Fishing Contest and BBQ, an amazing lake Fireworks show, continuing our newest Boat Parade event, our Around the Lake Dock Party, Bingo Nights, and more!
Watch for the Call To 2024 Semi-Annual Membership Meeting
Memorial Day Weekend - Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 9:30am
Our Call to Meeting and related documents are found on the Member Documents tab of our website (password protected for members only) when available, along with the minutes from prior shareholder meetings and other important documents, forms and information.
Thank you all for pitching in and making the Fallsburg Fishing & Boating Club the best place to spend your summers!
The Events information will be posted on the Events tab of the website.
GARBAGE ISSSUES:
DUMPSTER IS CURRENTLY CLOSED AND WILL REOPEN IN THE SPRING FOR MEMBERS' HOUSEHOLD GARBAGE ONLY.
We will also continue our single stream recycling system, so all cans, bottles and FLATTENED cardboard go in the same smaller dumpster for pickup and sorting at the Thompson facility.
We now have two stump dump areas for stumps and large branches - please remember only organic material at these locations.
Keep doing a great job!
HAB WATCH:
Please stay vigilant throughout the summer - the Lake is generally clear and in excellent shape throughout most of the year, but warm weather conditions in the summer can set up lakes around NYS for the “bad” algae to collect into a HAB (harmful algal bloom). Be especially careful with dogs and children if you spot a HAB condition. We will continue to watch this coming year, but please use caution as HABs often move around depending on wind and other conditions. Our frequent testing gives us good & timely information, but we all need to stay vigilant.
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Thanks so much to Bill V and Mick M & our caretaker Jim R for their hard work keeping our water levels where they need to be during all seasons and for ensuring that our dam remains safe and well maintained! New dam boards are ready to be in place for our return to regular summer season water levels (assuming ice is out) beginning on March 31, 2024.
Our 10 year engineering study for the dam was completed last year and our annual DEC inspection showed that all is in good shape.
Check the Member Documents password protected page for more info.
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Life Jacket Law Notice
From May 1st through October 31st, NYS Law requires that all youth under the age of 12 must wear a securely fastened personal floatation device in any boat.
NYS Nav. Law Section 40.1(d).
From Nov 1 - May 1, all people in a boat regardless of age must wear a PFD.
"This includes canoes, kayaks, rowboats and motorboats ..." NYS Nav. Law Section 40.1(e).
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Clean Your Ditches and Avoid Fines:
All members should ensure that your road ditch is clear and water can run freely – this is critical to keep our roads in good shape at this time. Please note that Members who fail to do so will be fined per our House Rules.
Note that information on events and latest news, forms and updates are regularly posted here on our web site.
Members and family may also join our FaceBook Pleasure Lake Group for timely news updates, event reminders, photos, social messages and neighborhood items of interest. Request to join at:
www.facebook.com/groups/fallsburgfishingandboatingclub
The dumpster is FOR MEMBER USE ONLY.
This dumpster is ONLY for members' household garbage (nothing is to be placed around the dumpster - no BBQs, boats, chairs etc). Please continue to separate your recyclables and PLEASE BREAK DOWN CARDBOARD BOXES!
Remember that our cameras at the dumpster are operational and fines will be imposed for any improper dumping.
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More news and updates are shared periodically in membership emails, on the Events tab of this website and on our Facebook Group Page.
Keep up the good work everyone!
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As always, it is important to remind everyone to
stay safe and use common sense since road conditions are constantly changing, particularly in winter. While we endeavor to rough plow the roads within three days of a major snow event, members should not stay at the lake during storms in winter as road access my be limited or closed for safety. As always, be cautious of icing.
Avoid soft areas during the spring thaw and after storm events.
Parking areas at the yellow gate and at the clubhouse are always open for your use and are recommended for use in winter.
Please be sure that all docks and boats are properly secured so that they do not break free during storm events, etc.
House Rule AW (Amended)
As part of our ongoing efforts to preserve the Pleasure Lake watershed, and at the direction of the membership at the Club's Annual Meeting on September 2, 2018, the Board of Directors has amended House Rule AW (effective 1/1/2019):
“A new member land preservation assessment fee of $3,000 will be collected from every new member to the Club upon any transfer of a share except a transfer between spouses or between a parent and a child where no consideration is exchanged. Revenues from the new member land preservation assessment fee shall be deposited in the Club’s Land Purchase Fund. Such assessment fee shall apply to any transfer of shares occurring on or after January 1, 2019. The purpose of this assessment is to assist with the funding plan to preserve Pleasure Lake and its surrounding watershed. The Club’s Land Purchase Fund has been established to help fund acquisitions of interests or rights in real property for the preservation of Pleasure Lake’s watershed, including preservation of open space, brooks or streams flowing into the lake and preservation of forested lands surrounding Pleasure Lake. (Amended 09/18/2018)”
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PLEASE BE SURE ALL USED BOATS UTILIZE THE NEW
CLEANING STATION AT THE CLUBHOUSE BEFORE
THEY ARE LAUNCHED INTO PLEASURE LAKE.
Launch sites are located at the Clubhouse and
on the West Shore (between the dam and the hill)
Amended House Rule AO Adopted by Membership:
AO. All boats new to the lake (including guest boats which must bear the name of the member in 3 inch letters) must first be approved by the Board of Directors. For a boat previously used on any other lake or waterway, the member will be required to provide to the Board of Directors proof of steam cleaning of the used boat, or certify that the boat has been checked, cleaned and dried/disinfected in accordance with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation regulation 6 NYCRR Part 576 Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention; in addition, every boat/watercraft (as well as equipment trailer) from another lake or waterway as well as any Pleasure Lake boat that has been stored anywhere outside Club property must be cleaned and inspected at the clubhouse cleaning station and the member must certify completion in the log prior to being launched into Pleasure Lake by members and/or third-parties in order to prevent the spread of any aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Pleasure Lake environment. (Amended 5/29/2016)
(UPDATED HOUSE RULES ARE POSTED IN THE SECURE MEMBER DOCUMENTS SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE)
Get a copy of the New York State DEC's
I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing
fishing guide by going our Links page or go directly to the DEC site at:
www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/98506.html
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*MEMBERS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO REGULARLY VISIT & READ THE FF&BC MEMBERS DOCUMENTS PAGE (A Password Protected area on this website which provides valuable member info including our Lake Management Blog, Meeting Minutes, Rules, Member Lists & more)
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Cabin Evaluation Forms:
Please return one if you have not done so already.
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MEMORIALS
Our FF&BC Memorial Tribute area is a great place for members to remember a past member or loved one in a very special way here at Pleasure Lake.
A patio area with two stone benches has been constructed behind dam (southwest side), & it has been very well received by the members.
Engraved pavers can be purchased for only $50 to remember former members or loved ones who have passed away; those pavers will be mounted on the wall of the dam facing the new memorial patio and benches. We hope you agree that this is a tasteful and appropriate way to remember those who helped to make Pleasure Lake such a special place.
Memorial Tributes information can be found on the page
on this website for more information.
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NYS Law now requires all people born in 1978 or later under "Brianna's Law" must now hold a Boater's Certificate in order to operate a motorboat of any kind in any waterway in New York. This requirement extends to ALL motor boat operators beginning in 2025.
Please be sure to comply with these important laws to ensure your safety.
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THANKS TO ALL OUR MEMBERS!!!
Help Protect Pleasure Lake and all our New York Waters from AIS
The EVENTS CALENDAR IS ON THE EVENTS TAB
(The 2023 schedule is posted for informational purposes. The 2024 schedule will be posted soon (subject to change).
More details and flyers for Club events are posted on our Events page and in our private Facebook Club group page.
Connect with your Neighbors via Facebook
Are you on Facebook? Connect with other Pleasure Lake members, family and friends at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fallsburgfishingandboatingclub
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35394955833
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=35394955833
If you have any questions or would like to contact the Board of Directors,
please contact our caretaker, Jim Reynolds via email at caretaker@pleasurelake.org
or by telephone at (845) 434-5782 [home], (914) 799-1416 [cell].
Mail can be sent to his attention at P.O. Box 604, 168 Lake Street, South Fallsburg, N.Y. 12779
President James Creighton
Vice-president Jerry Chiocchio
Secretary Cliff Smith
Treasurer Nora Obringer
Directors Steve Altman
Wray Voegelin
Ken Lang
Mary Barresi
Bob Giaimo
Committees:
House - Cliff Smith (chairman), Bob Scott, Ken Lang, Bill Voegelin,
Mick Meier, Jim Reynolds, Ike Jennings & Roger Wild
Legal - James Creighton (chairman), Jim Reynolds
Dam - Bill Voegelin, Jim Reynolds, Mick Meier, James Creighton
Membership - James Creighton & Cliff Smith
Boundary - Michael Meier, Bob Scott, Doug Keating & Jim Creighton
Tree - Jim Reynolds, Ken Lang, James Creighton, Mick Meier & Bob Scott
Water testing - Mick Meier, Bob Scott & Bob McPhillips
Annual Fishing Contest - Ken Lang and committee
Communications Committee - Mary Barresi, Jim Creighton
Pavilion Scheduling/Use Committee - Jim Reynolds (caretaker)
AIS Subcommittee - Jerry Chiocchio (chairman), Lorine Harr, Bill Voegelin,
Mary Barresi, Michele LaBagh, Gretjen Clausing, Matthew Pringle, James Creighton
Town Liaison Committee - Steve Altman (chairman), James Creighton, Bob Scott &
Jerry Chiocchio
Land/Property - James Creighton, Bill Voegelin & Steve Altman