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WLA is open and upfront
By Richard Cazeault
Webster Times
To the Editor:
Concerning the
article by Ginger Costen today (8-18-04), and the quotes of Mr.
Finamore, I was quite surprised. In response to Mr. Finamore’s
statements, and as President of the WLA, let me set the record
straight:
- The WLA never made a request
of the Town of Webster for $25,000. Last year we notified
the Board of Selectmen of our intent to begin a lake survey to
determine the condition of the lake. This survey was to
provide information for the development of a lake management
plan. The survey would address many variables affecting
the lake’s health and serve as a benchmark for the future.
We stated at the meeting that the survey could cost as much as
$25,000. Mrs. Martel, who was on the BOS at the time,
asked the Town Accountant if there was any money in the
Waterway’s Account to possibly apply to the cost of the survey.
The account was depleted and no money was available. All
money spent on the survey was provided by the WLA.
- Based on the survey done by
GeoSyntec, the WLA was able to determine the sites and size of
invasive plant species threatening the lake. GeoSyntec
also provided a plan for containing these species. This
plan was also funded by the WLA. As allowed by State Law,
the WLA proceeded to obtain the proper permits to begin control
of the invasive species. Once the permits were obtained, a
contractor was hired to proceed with a weed treatment program to
contain the invasive species as recommended by GeoSyntec.
All weed control was funded by the WLA. To arrive at this
point took thousands of volunteer hours to review the
contractors, study the various species and methods of control,
and to raise the money to fund the projects.
- To obtain a $10,000 sediment
control design and permit grant from the state, the WLA will
contribute $3,500 while the town will provide $6,500 in services
to match the state grant. Once the design and permitting
is complete, the town will receive and additional $168,000 for a
sediment control project on Thompson Road. This will
reduce sediment from running into the lake and feed nutrients to
the invasive weeds at these sites. The WLA will work with
the town and state during the entire project, but will not
control any of the funds.
- We recruit our members, door
to door, word of mouth, at our fundraisers, on our website, by
the good public relations we have developed with the various
town and state officials, and our local papers, radio stations,
etc. The methods used are too long to describe.
- Our officers are listed
publicly with the Secretary of State’s office, the IRS, the
Attorney General’s Office, and on our Website:
www.websterlakeassociation.com. My phone number is listed,
and I can be reached pretty easily at zcazeault@charter.net.
- Our financial filings can be
obtained from the IRS and the Attorney General's Office of
Public Charities.
- Our meetings and membership
are open to the public. Everyone and anybody are welcome
to attend.
The WLA is a dedicated group that
not only protects and preserves the lake, but strives to serve the
community. We support Ken Parkers efforts to clean and
improve the French River and try to support other community
endeavors, including Webster Pride.
Our activities and funding is
closely monitored by the IRA and the State of Massachusetts.
We feel our non-profit status is a privilege and will strive to
maintain it for the good of the community.
Our success is based on the
support of the community and town and state government. We
respect them as they respect us. Without them we would not
have accomplished as much as we have. We feel we have filled
an important void in the community that our self-funding has
allowed us to meet.
More importantly, large numbers
in our community have answered the call of “Volunteerism” to move
Webster in a positive direction. I salute you.
As our stature and reputation
grows, we hope to attract more membership and grants for the town.
We hope to continue to grow with the town in a positive direction.
The people of Webster deserve the best.
Richard Cazeault PE
President of the WLA
508 949-0826
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