Norm Cher commenced the meeting by updating attendees on various unresolved issues. He highlighted dock usage violations and recommended that affected homeowners on Sunset Drive reactivate their association to mitigate these concerns. Cher also mentioned a property at the chestnut entrance of the brook, where the owner lacks lakefront rights, prompting a letter requesting a copy of the owner’s deed for further analysis.

Cher’s update on the LPP agreement with Suffield revealed two unresolved issues: the demand for an independent audit of the Lake Management Committee (LMC) inventory for 2024 and the absence of LPP representation on the Conservation Commission. Though Southwick has a liaison to Suffield, Suffield seeks voting representation on Southwick’s Conservation Commission. This issue remains contentious due to the established mandates governing these positions.

The committee presented a summary of the LMC inventory for 2023 and 2024, revealing discrepancies. Swim platforms and lifts increased between the years. Cher emphasized that only 43% of required properties had compliant stickers. Of the 124 homes needing stickers, only 63 had at least one. The terms “ignored” or “snubbed” were debated but ultimately, the committee settled on “noncompliance.” Despite these variances, the financial implications were minimal as charges are only based on certain items.

Discussions also covered the implications of local permitting and the enforcement of Chapter 91 regulations concerning environmental conservation. The committee leaned towards continuing with the LPP, as reverting to Chapter 91 would not benefit the town financially. It was noted that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) had committed to patrolling the lakes, potentially changing the enforcement landscape.

Chief Enforcement Officer Nicole Parker highlighted the lack of compliance with dock numbering and emergency identification requirements. She stressed the importance of adherence to established laws, stating, “if we got a law then we should enforce it.” Persistent violations on North Lake were recalled, including docks without necessary Chapter 91 licenses.

The ongoing issue of green stickers on non-compliant docks on North Lake was scrutinized. Questions were raised about the legitimacy of these stickers and the accuracy of the information used to issue them. The committee decided to contact the dock owner to address these concerns before potentially escalating the issue to state-level enforcement.

Updates from other committee activities included a stormwater management project overseen by John Gard from the planning board, with a timeline extending until December of the following year. The project aims to align with the growing season to avoid unfavorable weather conditions. Dock positioning at North Culver was also discussed, with measurements indicating shifts over the years. The removal of a beaver dam was expected to allow for greater dock movement. However, spatial changes necessitate further communication with the current dock owner.

Maintenance issues, including lake levels and erosion impacting property, were also addressed. One resident expressed frustration over losing substantial shoreline due to erosion, complicating boat lift usage. Suggestions included using PVC pipes to facilitate boat lift placement, though concerns about the legality of manipulating the lakebed were raised.

The committee also discussed the environmental impact of road salt, with inquiries about conductivity measurements. The session concluded with a motion to adjourn, marking the end of the meeting at 8:09 PM.