32:26Central to the meeting was the need for a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan for the area surrounding Lake Wyola. This plan is aimed at encompassing all potential emergencies, notably fire hazards, given the area’s geographical challenges, such as dead-end roads. The committee identified the necessity of developing a townwide emergency evacuation plan that would inform the advisory committee’s actions. There was consensus on the need for this evacuation plan to be distinct from the existing Lake Wyola Emergency Action Plan (EAP), which primarily addresses dam failure scenarios. One committee member highlighted the importance of this distinction by noting that a fire could affect all households around the lake, unlike a dam failure which primarily impacts those downstream. The committee underscored the importance of ensuring that every household in the lake area is informed about the evacuation procedures, emphasizing the urgency of phrases like “Get out, stay out, make sure safely.” The emergency management team (EMT) was proposed to take the lead in developing this plan, with input from past experiences and local insights.

44:33Infrastructure challenges, particularly those related to beaver dams, also occupied a portion of the meeting. The committee examined the potential damage caused by a beaver dam at the Lake View Road culvert, which could lead to significant infrastructure issues if not addressed. Recent heavy rains exacerbated these concerns by washing away brush near the dam, increasing the pressure on the culvert. There was a sense of frustration among the members at the lack of progress in managing the beaver population and the associated infrastructure risks. A prior vote on April 22 regarding beaver management solutions was mentioned, but a decision was made to wait for more information before taking further action. The committee discussed the importance of monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with local authorities to ensure active management of the beaver dam issue, even if immediate action was not deemed necessary.

19:59In addition to these discussions, the committee addressed the maintenance challenges of the Randall Road boat ramp. Concerns were raised about the need for brush clearance and the deteriorating condition of the composting toilet, highlighting potential safety issues due to the unevenness of the ramp. The conservation committee was identified as having jurisdiction over the boat ramp, but there was uncertainty about who was responsible for its upkeep, especially concerning the composting toilet, which was described as a significant gift to the committee. To address these issues, a formal communication to the conservation committee was proposed, outlining the maintenance problems and potential liability concerns if someone were to be injured due to the ramp’s condition.

25:05In discussing dam activities, the committee noted an upcoming inspection scheduled for May 20th, with a recommendation to notify the emergency medical team about the inspection. Concerns were also raised about the dam’s trash rack, particularly following recent heavy rains that created operational issues. The suggestion to hire a diver for cleaning the trash rack was floated, with the estimated budget for the task being around $200 to $300. However, there was debate about whether a committee member could legally undertake this work, given potential ethical considerations. It was agreed that a letter would be drafted to the town administrator and select board to request funds for this task.

The meeting also briefly touched on wildfire management, with updates indicating that the committee was awaiting a response from Phil Gilmore on scheduling future discussions. Art was noted to be following up on this matter, though specifics were lacking due to his absence. The select board’s previous discussions on this topic were referenced, but it was unclear if they had been addressed in their last meeting. Members expressed a desire for further updates as they became available, acknowledging the busy schedules impacting the timeline for addressing the wildfire management plan.