By Ginger Costen
Times Correspondent
"We started when a group of people gathered together with one
common goal: to help improve the quality of Webster Lake and unite
the Webster Lake Community through recreational, social and civic
activities," said Webster Lake Association (WLA) President, Dick
Cazeault, as he opened the first meeting of 2003 at Point Breeze
on Tuesday, February 11th.
"Now, we're a group of almost 200 families who still have that
same goal and many more," added Cazeault. "A WLA cable program is
now running on one of the local Webster Cable stations and
Reader's Digest will be featuring an article about the lake in
their April issue. Local corporate partnerships are being explored
to help financially support environmental projects. We've come
along way; yet we still have much further to go," he said.
In an effort to build a close positive relationship with the
Board of Selectmen, WLA board members are also volunteering to
work with the individual selectmen updating them as projects and
activities occur.
A newly formed program chaired by, JP Stevens, will focus on
the history of Webster Lake. "I'm looking forward to sharing the
results of our research on Webster Lake with members, as well as
the general public," said Stevens.
"With the success of the New Year's Hula Party, we are off to
the races at our next big fundraising event when we "cash in our
chips and bring up the ponies" at the Casino and Kentucky Derby
Night being held on May 3rd from 4 - 8:00 p.m.," said Jeanne
Rossetti, Chairman of the "Fun-Draising" Committee.
In addition to a boat parade being held on July 6th with judges
awarding trophies for the most creative and best decorated boats,
and a WLA Summer Birthday Party, a 2004 Webster Lake calendar and
photo contest is also underway.
"The contest is open to amateurs and professional
photographers," said Rebecca Leonard event coordinator. "Photos
need to be an original work that have not been previously printed
or copyrighted and must be of Webster Lake,"
she added. The photos will be displayed at Point Breeze and the
winners will be announced at the August WLA meeting. Contest rules
and release forms will be posted on the WLA web site,
www.websterlakeassociation.com.
A Waterfront Landscaping Seminar is scheduled for Saturday,
April 19th. "We have GeoSyntec Consultants, Sunset Nurseries and
several very talented WLA members planning an informative seminar
that will showcase effective ways to landscape your property
keeping within the environmental concerns of our precious lake,"
said Secretary Jane Hill. WLA is also developing plans to
participate in Earth Day.
At the February 10th Board of Selectmen's meeting it was stated
that the entire Waterways Fund was used for police patrols. The
WLA requested more information regarding the account with
Selectmen Ray Regis and Bob Miller offering to help.
The Safety Committee has developed educational signs designed
to help prevent the spread of aquatic weeds and increase boater
safety. The signs will be posted at nine different areas around
the lake. The committee is also meeting with Webster Police
Officer Bagley to discuss safety ideas with him as well as the
possibility of developing a Crime Watch Program for lakefront
property owners.
"The committees and members are working hard and we need to
have patience in allowing them the time necessary to collect
required information and work towards accomplishing the goals we
have set," said Vice President Scott Goulet. "We could use more
volunteers in the Membership, Environmental and Safety
Committees."
Anyone interested in joining the WLA or working on committees
can contact the following persons: Dick Cazeault (zcazeault@charter.net)
for Membership, Paul LaFramboise (nplafram@aol.com) for
Environmental and Randy Wade (rwade@charter.net) for Safety.
The next WLA Meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on
Tuesday, April 8th, at Point Breeze.
