The water testing issue was a significant focal point during the meeting, as the committee acknowledged past difficulties in maintaining the required frequency of water sampling. With the recent improvement in testing practices, there is a renewed focus on monitoring the lake’s health. The presence of enterococci bacteria, which had previously led to a 68-day beach closure, was a topic of debate.

Furthermore, the committee discussed the progress of the proposed task force aimed at investigating funding options to mitigate stormwater and soil contamination. The Select Board has expressed the necessity for the task force to be under their jurisdiction, emphasizing a townwide approach to stormwater management leadership. The task force’s scope and membership, along with the need for a formal committee charge approved by the Select Board, were also subjects of discussion.

Dam activities were another area of focus, as the committee examined the complexities of the permitting process and the importance of establishing a historical precedent for the lake’s drawdown. Efforts were underway to communicate with the engineering company and the natural heritage endangered species group to address potential environmental impacts. The committee also contemplated the task of locating records from as far back as the 1980s to substantiate the history of the lake’s drawdown, which would influence the permitting costs associated with dam activities.

Financial considerations surfaced when discussing the expenses related to the engineering company tasked with obtaining permits and filing applications for dam maintenance and repairs. A budget of approximately $25,000 for the current year, set to increase to $45,000 the following year, was outlined, with the possibility of grandfathering the dam drawdown to facilitate the permitting process.

The meeting also touched on the logistics of future committee meetings, debating the merits of in-person, Zoom, or hybrid formats. While some members favored the hybrid model for its inclusiveness and flexibility, concerns about scheduling and the efficacy of hybrid meetings were raised.

Technical difficulties, specifically recurring issues with the generator cycle, disrupted the proceedings and aroused frustration among committee members.