Newsletter

View the full PDF version here: BLIA June Newsletter
Ballston Lake Improvement Association
June 2018 Newsletter
BLIA has a new website!
See the New & Improved BLIA Website
Go to BallstonLake.org
Check it out and tell us what you think. Have an idea? Leave us a message on the “Contact” page. We value the input of our members. - Nick Trotta
BLIA Annual Membership Meeting
On Tuesday, June 19th, at 7:00 PM, the Ballston Lake Improvement Association will hold its annual membership meeting at the Ballston Lake Firehouse. Please mark your calendar and plan on attending this important event. The agenda includes updated sewer project information, committee reports and election of officers for next year. BLIA needs your support. - Peter Herman, president.
See Details & Board Election Information at BallstonLake.org
From the Safety Committee
Now that the boating season is upon us BLIA will be offering its second boat inspection day. It’s free and it’s just a good idea to know how your boat stacks up against the list of NYS requirements. You will find all the details of the inspection day below (when, where and how to sign up).
Learn More at BallstonLake.org
Watch for swimmers!
With the popularity of triathlons increasing and swimming just being a great way to exercise, we have more and more early morning long distance swimmers (7 AM and on) in the lake. If you are an early morning motorized boater, be extra vigilant when looking for those bobbing heads working their way parallel along the shoreline.
News on the Lake
NYS Speed Regulations for Boaters: Did you know? -...
Did you know that... - NYS has a 5 mph limit within 100' of the shore OR a dock extending into the lake. AND - a skier or tuber 75' behind a boat is considered part of that boat. Most of the narrow southern end of the lake ranges from 232' to...
Read more
ballstonlake.org
It's All About Safety: BLIA Boat Inspections - Ballston...
On Sunday, June 10, from 9 AM to 12 PM and again from 1PM to 4 PM BLIA in conjunction with the local Power Squadron will offer FREE certified boat inspections at two dock sites at the south end of Ballston Lake. Each inspection is expected to...
Read more
ballstonlake.org
Clean Up Day and Beautification Projects in the Burnt...
Scores of volunteers from preschoolers to octogenarians participated in the Ballston Lake Improvement Association and the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Business & Professional Association's Annual Clean Up Day last Saturday. The project was in...
Read more
ballstonlake.org
Sewer Update - June 2018 - Ballston Lake Improvement...
By Drew Hamilink, Sewer Committee Work continues to progress. The detail engineering design has been completed including the construction documents that will go out to bid. Significant progress has been made on securing easements but the team is...
Read more
ballstonlake.org
Flag Day Parade- June 7th- Be A Pirate! - Ballston Lake...
The 17 th Annual Flag Day Parade will be held, Thursday, June 7, along Route 50, Burnt Hills, NY. The parade is sponsored by Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Business and Professional Association. The parade steps off at 7:00. Saluting the 100 th...
Read more
ballstonlake.org
Thank you to Villago and the Town of Ballston
Porta Potties have been installed at both the boat launch at Villago and at the parking lot for the town pier. BLIA thanks both the town of Ballston and Sandy at Villago for making this possible. These efforts help to maintain the quality of water in Ballston Lake.
The Dock Ordinance for The Town of Ballston
Summary of dock regulations for Ballston Lake:
Docks may not exceed 350 sq feet of surface area.
Docks cannot extend more than 35 feet into the water from the mean high water level of the lake which is 251 ft above sea level.
New dock construction requires a building permit from the Town of Ballston.
Mooring balls shall not be placed so that any part of the boat on the ball is more than 50 feet from shore. Only 1 mooring is allowed per waterfront property.
Only boats registered to the property owner can be berthed at a dock. No dock rentals.
Boathouses must be less than 18 ft high and cannot contain sleeping or sanitary facilities.
Read the full ordinance at BallstonLake.org
Keeping Ballston Lake's Water Healthy
Status of Water Quality of Ballston Lake 1990-2017 -...
By Dave Pierce - Lake Management Water clarity varies from day to day as well as year to year. This is due to conditions such as wind speed, water temperature, precipitation, algae activity, and abundance of zebra mussels. The yearly average...
Read more
ballstonlake.org
DEC is seeking volunteers for stream and river...
Want to learn more about the environment? Want to help youth get involved in a hands on scientific study? Water Assessments by Volunteer Evaluators (WAVE) is citizen-based water quality assessment developed by the NYS Department of Environmental...
Read more
ballstonlake.org
Upcoming BLIA Events
BH-BL BPA FLAG DAY PARADE - Thursday, June 7 (7pm)
BOAT SAFETY INSPECTION - Sunday, June 10
ANNUAL MEETING - Tuesday, June 19
4th OF JULY BOAT PARADE - Wednesday, July 4 (3pm)
BOARD MEETING - Tuesday, July 31
ANNUAL "POTLUCK" PICNIC - Tuesday, August 7 (6pm)
BOARD MEETING - Tuesday, September 11
BOARD MEETING - Tuesday, November 6
Ballston Lake Improvement Association Annual Meeting
Tues. June 19th - Ballston Lake Firehouse - 7:00 pm
Annual Boat Parade
Wednesday, July 4th
Join your friends and neighbors as we celebrate our nation's birthday! Decorate your boat, kayak, canoe or jet-ski with patriotic red, white and blue! Meet-up at the south (narrow) end of the lake. BLIA volunteers will be there to organize everyone behind the Parade Leaders (Dale and Carol Gerbing) for the 3pm kick-off. Can't join the parade? Cheer from your dock in your own patriotic attire!
Villago is a great place to watch the parade and enjoy beverages, snacks or dinner!
THERE IS NO RAIN DATE FOR THIS EVENT
Check for updates on our website (ballstonlake.org) or on our Ballston Lake Improvement Association Facebook Page.
Ballston Lake Improvement Association Annual Picnic
Date: Tuesday, August 7th at 6:00 pm
Place: Lake Side Farms Pavillion, Lake Road
Bring: Dish to share, your beverage
Activities for kids, meet your neighbors, see old friends, expand our lake family.
Our thanks to Jeff, Lisa and Rich at Lakeside Farms for supporting BLIA and this picnic.
If we haven't heard from you...
Please consider renewing your dues or joining our organization to work together with your neighbors who support BLIA’s mission to preserve and protect Ballston Lake and its watershed.
Your BLIA Membership:
Supports important volunteer activities.
Advances initiatives that address environment, health & safety concerns.
Communicates in various ways: newsletters, social media, e-blasts and mailings to keep the public informed of warnings, events and issues.
Promotes a desirable image of our lake community.
Broadens our sense of community and unity.
Renew your BLIA Membership online at BallstonLake.org
Thanks to the nearly 150 members who have renewed and the new residents who have joined their neighbors to support BLIA. We are the only organization dedicated to preserving and protecting Ballston Lake and its watershed. We accomplished so much last year! We also bring the community together with events like: Clean Up-Day, representation in the BH-BL Flag Day Parade, our own special July 4th Patriotic Boat Parade, a summer picnic and other activities during the year. Your participation and financial support are vital.
Please consider joining or renewing your dues using the form provided. Again, we will be conducting our "Neighbor-toNeighbor Membership Drive" during the summer. It's important to meet our neighbors, encourage them to become BLIA members and listen to their concerns. Volunteers are always needed to help canvas the streets. Volunteers would attend a preliminary planning meeting in June and then donate their time during the summer as they choose.
A special "Thank You" to the 75 members who have asked to go "paperless" and receive this newsletter via email. It saves us money and is a sound environmental practice in keeping with our mission!