Report of the Lake Management Committee 2009

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 5945 paid launches during the 2009 boating season that generated total revenue of $29,725. 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 2010 in Town Hall.
 

The FBA design consultant has completed the design and permitting for replacement pad systems for both the North and South Ramps. The FBA hopes to put the projects out for bid during 2010, pending release of state bond money.
 

The LMC completed work on the Board of Selectmen’s request to develop a Local Permitting Program (LPP) for water structures (docks, moorings, swim floats & buoys) in accordance with DEP Chapter 91 regulations. After nearly four years of work, the proposed LPP process was approved by the Conservation Commission, Harbormaster and Board of Selectmen. Southwick is awaiting the final Memorandum of Agreement from the DEP and hopes to have the new simple process in place for the 2010 boating season. 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 24 navigational buoys for the Harbormaster. The LMC has now replaced 13 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:

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

Steve Legault, Associate

Ken Phillips, Associate

Ray Reardon, Member

Keith Roy, Associate

Chris Sears, Member

Norm Stolzenberg, Member