About
Potawatomi Property Owners Association Information
Potawatomi is located in the Town of Barnes, County of Bayfield, Wisconsin.
Our association is organized to provide for the preservation of the values and amenities in the community known as Potawatomi Estates.
The organization is charged with administering and maintaining community properties including:
- The beautiful Island! Rental cabins, playground, and swimming beach are nestled amongst great pines and surrounded by Island Lake (please refer to the Rental Policy under Association Info).
- The Wanigan! A community kitchen and meeting facility free to use by PPOA members and their sponsored guests. Bonus…there’s WIFI (please refer to the WIFI Policy under Association Info). Rainy day on the Island? Head over to the community room and play some board games or enjoy reading a book.
- The Campground! Featuring newly remodeled bathrooms and showers. This is a large, open area with tent and electric hookup sites available for rent (please refer to the Rental Policy under Association Info). In Fall of 2022, a PPOA member hosted a large Kubb event with nearly 40 participants (pictures to come).
- Other amenities such as the golf course, the screen porch picnic area and lake accesses.
Potawatomi Property Owners Association Board of Directors
Potawatomi Property Owners Association Calendar
Potawatomi Property Owners Association 2025 Calendar |
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| January 1 | Annual property assessments due |
| January | No monthly meeting |
| February | No monthly meeting |
| March 31 | PPOA Special Board Meeting- 5pm @ Wanigan |
| April 1 | Reservations open up for cabins/campground |
| April 1 | Last day to pay annual property assessment w/o penalty |
| April TBD | Regular PPOA Board meeting- time TBD @ TBD |
| May 20 | Regular PPOA Board meeting- time TBD @ Wanigan |
| May 23 | Potawatomi Campground rentals open |
| May 23 | Potawatomi Island rentals open |
| June 9 | Spring Firewise Chipping-Deadline to have brush roadside |
| June 17 | Regular PPOA Board meeting-time TBD @ Wanigan |
| July ? | Firewise event and picnic- TBD (check website) |
| July 15 | Regular PPOA Board meeting-time TBD @ Wanigan |
| August 23 | PPOA Annual Meeting-time 9:30 am @ The Wanigan |
| TBD | Fall Firewise Chipping-Deadline to have brush roadside |
| September 16 | Regular PPOA Board meeting-time TBD @ Wanigan |
| TBD | Potawatomi rental facilities closed for the season |
| October 21 | Regular PPOA Board meeting-time TBD @ Wanigan |
| November | TBD |
| December | TBD |
Potawatomi Property Owners Association Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I make a reservation?
A. Click on Cabin/Campground Rentals on the Home page to make your reservation online. If you do not have a computer or phone, call 1-715-869-6200 and leave a detailed message. A Board member will respond and assist.
Q: Who do I call if there is an emergency?
A: Call 911! The Town of Barnes, Bayfield County and the State of Wisconsin provide emergency services in our area.
Q: Who do I call if I have a complaint about water activity?
A: The Association does not enforce laws or ordinances regarding water activities. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Department or call 911 if it is an emergency.
Q: Who do I call about the roads and streets in Potawatomi?
A: The Association maintains very few roads in Potawatomi (typically on common property). The Town of Barnes is responsible for maintenance of the town roads in Potawatomi. Contact them at www.barnes-wi.com.
Q: Are there restrictions to the use of my property?
A: Yes, the Restrictive Covenants are outlined under “Association Info” on the website.
Q: Who regulates zoning in Potawatomi?
A: Bayfield County provides zoning regulations and enforcement. The PPOA Board of Directors will alert the proper authorities to any zoning violations provided to them.
Q: When are assessments due?
A: The assessment for each succeeding calendar year becomes due and payable on the first day of January of each year and shall be paid not later than the first day of April of each year.
Q: How much is the annual assessment?
A: The annual assessment is $50.00 per lot. It is the policy under the Restrictive Covenants that property owners may adjoin up to four connected lots as one, for assessment purposes (Article 1, Section 1(d)). More information can be found on the website under “Association Info.”
Q: What is my annual assessment used for?
A: From the Restrictive Covenants: Section 2. Purpose of Assessments. The assessments levied by the Association shall be used exclusively for the purpose of promoting the recreation, health, safety and welfare of the residents in The Properties and in particular for the improvement and maintenance of properties, services, and facilities devoted to this purpose and related to the use and enjoyment of the Common Properties, including, but not limited to, the payment of taxes and insurance thereon and repair, replacement and additions thereto, and for the cost of labor, equipment, materials management and supervision thereof.
Q: Where can I find more information about assessments?
A: Complete information on assessments, voting rights and governance can be found under “Association Info” on the Menu Bar.
Q: What are the amenities of Potawatomi?
A: Potawatomi offers some great amenities! Exclusive access to a private campground with new electric hook-ups and a newly remodeled shower/bath facility, the Screen Porch picnic area on the east side of Island Lake, a 3-hole practice golf course and common access to multiple lakes within Potawatomi. As a member, you have access to The Island, providing rental cabins for owners and guests, a playground, picnic area and basketball hoop, restrooms and showers, a marina area boasting one of the best swimming areas in Barnes, a community kitchen and gathering facility and an Association of members working to make Potawatomi a great community to live, work and recreate.
Q: Who can use the Potawatomi amenities?
A: Property owners and their sponsored guests.
Q: Who can rent our cabins and stay at the campground?
A: Property owners and their sponsored guests. As sponsors, property owners assume responsibility for their guest’s behavior while using Potawatomi amenities.
Q: Where can I find information on PPOA rental properties?
A: Click on “Cabin/Campground Rentals” on the Menu Bar (yet to be built).
Q: What if I see something that needs repair or attention?
A: Let us know! We are all in this together. Click on “Contact Us” on the website.
Q: Where does the money from the rentals go?
A: Revenues from rentals goes into the general fund and is used with assessments for the purpose of promoting the recreation, health, safety and welfare of the residents in The Properties and in particular for the improvement and maintenance of properties, services, and facilities devoted to this purpose and related to the use and enjoyment of the Common Properties, including, but not limited to, the payment of taxes and insurance thereon and repair, replacement and additions thereto, and for the cost of labor, equipment, materials management and supervision thereof.
Q: What does the Board of Directors do?
A: The Board shall act in accordance with and support the Covenants, act in the best interests of the association, maintain the common property, establish rental policies for use of the common property, maintain the financial solvency of the association and maintain the financial and other records of the association. (b) The Board shall hold an annual meeting of the membership. (c) The Board shall have the authority to hire and release any employees of the association. (d) The Board shall have the authority to sell, acquire or otherwise transfer common property of the association subject to approval of the property owners at a meeting duly called for that purpose. The quorum for voting at said meeting shall be as set forth in Article V Section 4 above. (e) The Board or its designee shall object to and report any violation of any township, county or other land use to the proper authority. The Board of Directors shall prepare a roster of the properties and assessments applicable thereto at least thirty (30) days in advance of such assessment due date. Such assessment rosters shall be kept in the office of the Association and shall be open to inspection by any owners. In addition, all powers as shall be necessary for the administration of the affairs of the Association shall be exercised by the Board of Directors.
Q: How do I get on the Board of Directors?
A: New Board members are elected at the annual meeting of the membership. If there are vacancies on the Board after the Annual Meeting, the Board may appoint members. Contact any Board member if you are interested.
Q: When does the Board of Directors meet?
A: Regular meetings of the Board of Directors are held at 6:00 p.m. the 3rd Tuesday of each month from February to October. Special meetings are called as needed. View All meeting announcements are posted on the website.
Q: How do I add something to the Board’s agenda?
A: The President presides over all PPOA meetings and will post the meeting agenda prior to each regular meeting. Membership can present comment at any regular Board meeting in accordance to the Meeting Guidelines. When in doubt, contact the Board President and together we will decide if it is appropriate for the comment period, or as a stand-alone agenda item.
Q: How can I communicate with the Board of Directors?
A: There are several ways. First, you can always communicate directly in person, by phone or by email. Board member contact information is at the “About” tab on the website. Second, you can send a message through the “Contact Us” tab on the website. If all else fails, there is a standing agenda item on every Board agenda providing a Membership Comment Period. Show up in person! Tell us your concerns or positive suggestions. We only ask that you be respectful and limit your comments to 5 minutes. We always place that agenda item at the beginning of the meeting, so you don’t need to sit through the rest of the agenda items.
Q: How can I volunteer?
A: Call a Board member or use the contact form on the “Contact Us” tab of the website.