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WEBSTER LAKE
ASSOCIATION
The seeds for
the beginning of the WLA were planted in the spring of 2001 when
the town meeting passed a revised bylaw on dock registration for
Webster Lake. The bylaw generated a lot of controversy among Lake
Residents. Some residents supported it while others thought it
was just another tax and another bureaucracy. At the fall town
meeting, a group of Lake Residents presented a petition to rescind
the bylaw. After a heated discussion, the petition to rescind was
passed over. The following spring of 2002 saw the new dock
registration bylaw enforced.
The new bylaw
enforcement generated more controversy. Lake Residents found the
enforcement too intrusive and the fines for non-compliance
unreasonable. There was also a question as to the money actually
going back to the lake as required by state law and promised by
the people supporting the bylaw. To address these issues, a group
of Lake Residents attended a Board of Selectmen’s meeting. The
meeting ended without addressing the issues. At the meeting, it
was determined that the fees and fines collected would not go back
into the lake as originally agreed.
Around the 4th
of July a group of Lake Residents proposed forming an association
that would be more effective in getting stronger representation.
By the end of July the enforcement of the dock bylaw was resulting
in notices being handed out to Lake Residents for non-compliance.
Shortly after, a much larger group attended the Selectmen’s
meeting to protest the notices. The Selectmen notified the
enforcement authority to suspend the registration process until
the process could be “fine-tuned”. The notification was ignored
and the notices continued.
In August, a
meeting at Point Breeze by Lake Residents, and some non-residents,
resulted in the formation of the Webster Lake Association (WLA).
An election of officers and the appointment of committees
followed. The purpose was not only to address the dock issue, but
also to begin an association that would encompass a variety of
goals to benefit not only the lake, but also the community.
Since that first
meeting the WLA has registered with the State of Massachusetts as
a non-profit corporation and is pursuing non-profit status with
the IRS. Non-profit status will allow the organization to raise
funds and seek grants for the benefit of the community.
Our Mission
Statement Committee came up with the following statement to define
our new organization:
"Webster Lake
Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing,
preserving and protecting the quality of the lake and its
watershed through the promotion of responsible, effective
environmental & educational policies. We shall strive to
strengthen and unite the Webster Lake Community through
recreational, social and civic activities. Our mission is to
preserve this regionally unique resource as a pristine legacy for
future generations."
As part of this
mission, the WLA created several committees to research and
recommend actions to fulfill the mission goals. One of these
committees was the Environmental & Safety Committee. The
committee’s first priorities was to address runoff and weed
control issues affecting the lake. The committee enlisted the
help of Representative Kujawski along with other state officials
to address the problem. Representative Kujawski immediately
recognized the importance of the newly passed Environmental Bond
Issue to Webster Lake and began work to get funding.
On September 13,
2002 the Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of
Environmental Affairs, Bob Durand, along with Senator Moore and
Representative Kujawski presented the Town of Webster with the
first commitment of $600,000 to begin the planning and permitting
of a comprehensive “Webster Lake Environmental Management
Program.” The total commitment to this program will be $4.35
million dollars. The money will come from a recently passed
Environmental Bond Issue that was passed with the recent state
budget. This issue authorizes the state to borrow money for
important environmental projects.
The
Environmental Committee also enlisted the help of John Desmond,
the Basin team leader for the French River Watershed from the
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, and P. Bradford Cheney
of CME Associates in reaching this goal. Part of the program will
be a continuing management plan to maintain the health of the
lake. It will be a an ongoing program, and it has finally
begun.
At the October 21st Town Meeting
the WLA was instrumental in supporting a citizen’s petition
(Article 35) to modify the dock registration process and to assure
the funds are used to improve the lake. The article passed with a
unanimous vote. The lake residents look forward to the
implementation of a process that will be acceptable to everybody.
The WLA Dock Committee, who formulated the revision of the bylaw,
will be working on a position paper to aid in the changes and
future implementation.
Some of the other committees that exist
within the WLA are:
Safety
– This committee is a spin-off of the Environmental Committee and
will specifically address issues to reduce injuries and risk.
Social &
Charitable Committee
- The aim of the Social Committee is to foster a feeling of
community through social and charitable events. So far they have
implemented a fund raising auction at Point Breeze on November 2nd,
are planning a shopping trip to Maine on November 30th,
and a New Years Eve Beach Party at Point Breeze.
Membership
Committee
– This group is working to make the WLA known to all those
interested in supporting the protection and improvement of the
lake. The membership is open to all people who believe in our
mission.
Newsletter
Committee
– The premier issue of the WLA has just been issued to further
bond and inform our membership. In addition the WLA has a website
at WebsterLakeAssociation.com.
Other possible
committees are being considered to address more issues in the
future, including historical and youth programs.
The WLA is headed by a group of officers that
include:
-
Richard
Cazeault, President
-
Scott Goulet,
Vice President
-
Jane Hill,
Secretary
-
Robin Wade,
Treasurer
-
Arlen Johnson,
Clerk
Each pond has
three representatives that make up the Board of Directors:
-
North Pond –
Linda Littleton, Howard Raphaelson and Gloria Ricker
-
Middle Pond –
Paula Chauvin, Paul Turner and Joan Wentland
-
South Pond – Charlie Paquette, Dave Rossetti and
Gary Williams
While the dock registration issue resulted in the
birth of the organization, once the organization was born, the
potential good that could be accomplished in the community was
recognized and incorporated into the mission of the WLA. The
resources of the WLA are the imagination, enthusiasm, and the
determination of the WLA members to make our community a better
place. The members believe these resources will be enduring, and
self-renewing through the WLA in future generations.
The WLA appreciates the support it has received
from the community and welcomes all new members to grow the
organization. There is a fresh breeze blowing across the lake
called the WLA, join and enjoy it. |
