19:27A significant portion of the meeting revolved around the contentious issue of lake levels. Committee members discussed whether maintaining the current lake level might exacerbate erosion problems for most lakefront property owners. Some participants argued that the high water level benefits only a few dock owners while leading to financial losses for others. One member expressed personal financial concerns, stating, “it cost me money when I bang my prop,” highlighting the economic impact of the lake’s management. Another participant suggested that lowering the lake by three inches could alleviate erosion issues.

However, there was strong opposition to lowering the lake level. A member expressed firm resistance, stating, “I don’t want to lose any more water,” emphasizing their expectation that the lake level would remain stable when they purchased their property. This division among property owners, with some advocating for immediate erosion control and others prioritizing stable lake levels for dock access, highlighted differing priorities within the community. The discussion also touched on additional management challenges, such as beaver populations affecting lake dimensions and the potential benefits of dredging.

The management of the lake’s wear gates was another point of contention. One member noted significant elevation drops between various points in the lake. Despite ongoing erosion issues, the committee decided to set aside the topic temporarily due to a lack of progress and time constraints. The need for a unified approach was emphasized, with a participant stating, “you have to represent the whole lake, you don’t just represent North Pond,” underscoring the committee’s broader responsibilities.

The meeting also addressed procedural matters, such as voting on proposals and ensuring fair representation of property concerns. A member argued against the current prioritization process, stating, “It’s unfair to allow someone to only do five and put zeros in for the other seven,” advocating for a more accurate representation of all issues. A proposal to create a new column for evaluating the impact of changes was suggested to clarify the committee’s stance.

The committee then received an update on the collaboration between the Harbor Master, select board, and Lake Management Committee (LMC) on lake health and safety issues. A recent vote by the board highlighted the necessity of this collaboration to include all relevant parties in decision-making. The meeting also discussed new boating safety certificate requirements, linked to legislative changes, with plans for future discussions to educate the public.

Further frustration was expressed regarding past decisions on the gem marina, where committee members noted a lack of consultation. Concerns were raised about transparency and communication between governing bodies, with a participant stating, “we were not even consulted,” regarding recent dock approvals. Members emphasized the need for clearer communication and a collaborative approach to address ongoing challenges.

36:42In another matter, the committee discussed Doug’s upcoming meeting with Ken Egleston about marina operations, specifically boat space rentals. Doug’s proposal of reinstating a dock section accommodating four boats drew scrutiny over potential shallow water issues. The meeting with Egleston is expected to clarify these concerns, especially regarding boat placements in shallower areas.

Additionally, the committee reviewed the Great Brook clearing and dredging project, currently under contract with P Engineering. The NRCS consultant is preparing a detailed work statement, outlining the costs and necessary actions. Concerns were noted about potential impacts from federal funding cuts, which could affect this project and hydrilla management efforts. Financial support has been earmarked by a senator and supplemented by CPC funds.

The committee also addressed beaver-related issues, approving a variance request for a resident whose dock was partially encompassed by a beaver lodge. The motion was supported unanimously, recognizing the resident’s predicament. Staffing changes were noted, with Chelsea Pratt resigning as ramp supervisor and Ellen Herd expected to assume the role.

In an organizational improvement, the committee decided to catalog all lake addresses into folders for better record-keeping, streamlining access to past documentation. A proposal to simplify dock layout applications was discussed, including a statement for applicants to affirm unchanged dock configurations, with penalties for non-compliance.