Dear Members,
Here are the minutes from today’s brunch:
SMLA Membership Brunch June 13, 2026 10 a.m. to noon
Thirty-four attended. (If the sign-in sheet included all attendees)
Set-up at 9 a.m. was done by Linda VanAndel, Kathryn Bell, Ralph and Bobbie Corwin.
Board members in attendance: President Ross Maxwell, VP Ralph Corwin, Treasurer Linda VanAndel, Secretary Kathryn Bell, Communication/Membership Cherie Hogan, Gregg Valerio, Jeff Rogers. Absent Heather Beem and Philip Zoller.
Ross introduced Leslie Meyers, Operator of dams and drains for Antrim CO., who spoke early due to a scheduling conflict. She reported Milton Township, Elk Rapids Township, and the village of Elk Rapids pledged $117,000 to begin the first steps of fixing the Bellaire Dam.
After prayer by Kathryn Bell, everyone enjoyed the potluck buffett.
Fred Gasper shared the current situation with the dam, the dredging, and the Ellsworth culvert. Charlevoix County commissioners need to sign on to a SAD district to insure repairs to the dam. Currently, three northern lakes (Six Mile, St. Clair and Ellsworth) are not included in the original court order which stops jurisdiction at the north end of Wilson Lake. On those lakes are 189 Charlevoix County property owners which is why Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners need to give approval to expand the current jurisdiction to include those lakes. Charlevoix County board sent a letter asking Charlevoix County lake residents their opinion on the potential SAD near Thanksgiving 2025. . How many were returned and the votes yea or nay were not reported. Shawn Hunt volunteered to lead the information sharing by going door-to-door to every Charlevoix resident on SML to explain this issue and share a petition for Charlevoix Co to join the SAD. Cherie will send her a list of addresses and the 81 property owners (of 189) who are members of SMLA. The Charlevoix Commissioners need to take action on this SAD request by August 1. Agreeing to join the SAD does not set the dollar amount for the SAD; that is under the purview of the Board of Commissioners. To learn the latest information on the dam work, go to the Antrim County website and click on “Dams” for very thorough information.
All available information will be posted on the SMLA Facebook pages as well as sent in an email to all members.
A study on the Bellaire Dam and Ellsworth culvert has already been funded and completed. On June 25 at 6:30 p.m. the Ellsworth City council will meet at the Banks Township Hall to discuss proposals to replace the expired current culvert. The options are 1) a bigger box culvert, 2) a 28’ bridge, and 3}) a covered bridge.
Updates on the Wake Boat ban request were shared. South Arm Township agreed to submit the DNR application for a six-month temporary ban on Six Mile Lake, although it is not apparent if they held a public hearing, as required. Echo Township will submit a letter of support but has not yet agreed to submit the petition to the DNR. Sheriff Hoch has agreed to enforce the ban if approved. Kathryn is following up with personnel on the DNR and Cherie is checking with South Arm Township to see if a public hearing was held or could be scheduled. Senator John DaMoose needs to sign on as co-sponsor of the bill currently in committee to ban wake boats on lakes where the operating area is more than 500’ from shore and in 20’ of water, as well as lakes with small water areas. SMLA members are encouraged to contact DaMoose and Roth by emails to request action on this issue.
Tee shirts, sweatshirts and hats are now available from Modern Printwear in Bellaire on Eddy School Rd. They have the Six Mile Lake Association embroidered logo. The information will be posted on the SMLA Facebook pages and the supplier can be contacted directly at 231.533.8181 to order. Credit cards are not accepted. The board decided to make these available at cost as a promotional item and not receive any proceeds from the sale. Pricing is reasonable with embroidered t-shirts starting at $14.
Two loon chicks on the south platform died; one chick remains on the north platform. The platforms will stay up until July 1 in hopes the south platform loons will nest again.
Secretary’s and Treasurer’s reports were read and accepted/approved.
Reminder: Ladies of the Lake meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 at the Front Porch Cafe in Ellsworth.
Kathryn Bell, Secretary