The meeting addressed concerns about how to effectively enforce existing bylaws and improve safety protocols on Lake Wyola. The chief of police participated in the discussions to provide guidance on enforcement strategies. The committee deliberated on how law enforcement could be utilized on the lake, emphasizing the necessity of both a visible police presence and effective community reporting mechanisms. Members were particularly interested in learning how enforcement could be managed, exploring the possibilities of fines and community participation in reporting violations or concerning behavior.

A notable suggestion was the implementation of “intermittent reinforcement,” a strategy designed to make police presence unpredictable, thereby encouraging compliance with speed regulations. This approach could involve the increased use of handheld radar equipment to monitor speeds, a practice that had seen some success in a trial conducted at the end of summer. The idea is to make it less obvious when enforcement might occur, thus promoting adherence to speed limits among boaters.

There was a considerable discussion on the role of the Shutesbury police boat, which historically had not been frequently utilized. Plans are in place to have the police boat operational more consistently. This measure is part of broader efforts to ensure that the lake remains a safe environment for all visitors.

Community involvement was also emphasized, with the committee encouraging residents to report any incidents directly to the police. A clear distinction was made between emergency and non-emergency situations, advising community members to use the non-emergency dispatch line for the latter to ensure prompt communication with officers. This method was preferred over leaving voicemails at the police station, which may not be checked as frequently.

In conjunction with the enforcement strategies, there was a dialogue on potential changes to bylaws, specifically related to boat horsepower limits. The conversation acknowledged that horsepower alone does not determine a boat’s speed, with factors such as design and environmental conditions also playing significant roles. The committee is considering these nuances in their discussions on speed limits and overall safety on the water.

Suggestions were made to possibly limit the use of outboard motors, which could reduce the need for constant police presence. However, the necessity of having law enforcement was underscored as essential for maintaining safety and addressing community requests for increased monitoring.

The committee also explored the relationship between local bylaws and the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the EPA enforces state laws, it generally does not handle local bylaws due to the sheer volume of regulations across various towns. However, there was a possibility discussed for increased EPA involvement, especially given the rising number of visitors to Lake Wyola. This could potentially see EPA officers working in tandem with local police patrols, contingent on agreed-upon schedules and mutual notification.

Additionally, the committee updated members on the establishment of a new web page for the Lake Wyola Board and Safety Committee. This platform is intended to facilitate public inquiries and correspondence, although it is still in the early stages of becoming fully operational. Members were tasked with ensuring the website’s functionality and exploring ways to conduct test runs for email forwarding.

The meeting concluded with logistical updates, including the scheduling of future meetings and the cancellation of a previously planned session on December 4th. The committee plans to provide updates to the select board by mid-December, focusing on their progress and educational recommendations related to lake safety and bylaw enforcement.