Report of the Lake Management Committee 2008
The Lake Management Committee (LMC) consists of seven regular members and four associate members who are appointed annually by the Board of Selectman. The LMC's charter includes promotion of lake safety, management of the two Massachusetts Office of Fishing & Boating Access (FBA - formerly Public Access Board) owned boat ramps, the public fishing pier and parking areas located on Middle Pond. In addition, the LMC works with the Citizens Restoring Congamond (CRC), Southwick Conservation Commission (SCC), Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) on many lake projects.
In accordance with the Town's agreement with the FBA, a $5.00 per boat launch fee is charged at both boat ramps during the boating season. There were 5610 paid launches during the 2008 boating season that generated total revenue of $28,050. The contractual agreement between the Town and the Commonwealth requires that all launch fees collected at these ramps be used only at the ramps for general maintenance, sanitary facilities, security lighting, phones, attendants, and improvements. The thousands of visitors to these facilities spend considerable money in area businesses. In addition, several bass tournaments benefit local organizations like DARE, the Town Library, Food Shelf, Family Coalition and Disabled American Veterans. As part of the LMC’s continuing lake safety initiatives, the LMC plans to sponsor another Massachusetts Environmental Police Boating Safety Course in 2009 in Town Hall.
At the LMC’s request, the FBA has contracted with an engineering firm to design replacement pad systems for both the North and South Ramps. The design and permitting process should be completed during 2009, with construction currently planned to begin in late 2009 or early 2010.
The LMC completed work on the Board of Selectmen’s request for the LMC to develop a Local Permitting Program (LPP) for water structures (docks, moorings, swim floats & buoys) in accordance with DEP Chapter 91 regulations. After nearly two years of work, the proposed LPP process was approved by the Conservation Commission, Harbormaster and DEP and was then presented to the general public at a 12/1/08 meeting in Town Hall. Southwick and Suffield Town Officials are working on the lake patrol funding and fee aspects of the LPP. All fees received from the LPP process are required to go into a fund for lake patrols.
The LMC also seasonally installs, maintains and removes the handicap-accessible boarding docks at the North Ramp and the 20 navigational buoys for the Harbormaster. The LMC has now replaced 11 of the older style buoys in accordance with the recommendations of the USCG. The Southwick Police Dive Team also continues to use the LMC’s service boat for diver training, rescue and recovery.
While LMC members continue to volunteer many hundreds of hours annually, the LMC would also like to thank the following people and organizations for donations of labor and/or materials during 2008 that have made many of these improvements possible:
• Southwick DPW – Plowing of the two boat ramps and public parking areas during winter storms so that the public has parking for ice fishing, skating, etc.
• CRC – Donation of $400 to help pay the cost of trash pickup from the 24 trash receptacles located around the lakes.
The Lake Management Committee meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Land Use Boards Meeting Room at Town Hall. The meetings are open the public, and anyone with interest in lake safety, ramp operations, or any of the LMC's various lake and ramp betterment projects is encouraged to attend. Also, volunteers are always welcomed to assist in implementing projects.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dick Grannells, Chairman
Scott Graves, Vice-Chairman
Sue Hepburn, Secretary
Jerry Crane, Associate
Tom Fabian, Member
Scotty Graves, Member
Steve Legault, Associate
Bill Murty, Associate
Ray Reardon, Member
Chris Sears, Member
Norm Stolzenberg, Member