At the February Webster Lake Association General Meeting, the guest speaker was Representative Kujawski. The subject was funding of Sediment Control Projects in Webster, specifically Webster Lake.

Stormwater runoff from the surrounding watershed eventually finds its way into the Lake. This stormwater contains sediment, pollutants, and nutrients. It fills in our Lake, provides food for the weed population, especially the invasive species that are not native to our Lake, while the pollutants affect the quality of our water. All of these threaten the various functions on our lake, such as water sports and fishing. Since the Lake feeds our drinking supply, the Town water supply could be eventually affected.

Due to the efforts of Representative Kujawski and the WLA, money has been provided by the State to begin a series of Sediment Control Programs. In 2004, the Town received $168,000 for the first project. Another $168,000 was received by the Town in 2005. Representative Kujawski explained that he is determined to continue seeking further, increased, funding for 2006 and succeeding years. He explained that this money is not part of the original $4.5 million bond that was passed by the State several years ago. That money has been held up by the Governor’s Office due to the tight economic conditions. Hopefully with tax revenues improving, this money can be released for sediment projects in the near future. He promised a continued effort to acquire this funding for Webster.

Paul LaFamboise, Head of the WLA’s Environmental Committee, read a letter from Dennis Westgate, Head of the Webster Department of Public Works, outlining the progress made to date on the Sediment Projects, and a tentative schedule for the future, including the formation of a Town Committee that would oversee future Sediment Control Projects. The WLA has been offered a seat on the Committee. The Town has contributed “in kind” services to initiate the engineering, design, and permitting process for the projects. The first project is scheduled to begin in the spring. This project will reduce the sediment entering the Union Point area from the storm drains on Route 395. This sediment enters the Lake through a 50” pipe and is filling the cove near the Nipmuck Ski Club.

To date the WLA has spent over $100,000 to create a Lake Management Program to control invasive weed populations and monitor water quality in each pond that is a first line of defense for our drinking water supply. Thousands of volunteer hours have gone into this effort. Local businesses have contributed money and services to supplement this effort. In addition, some of these same businesses have begun to implement their own stormwater corrections on their own property to help the Lake.

Representative Kujawski has opened doors on Beacon Hill and allowed us the opportunity to present our case. The efforts of the community in protecting and preserving the Lake are being recognized by our state government and other organizations. The result is more potential of funding our projects.

Due to these efforts, Webster is gaining a state-wide reputation of being a progressive environmental town. The WLA will continue to encourage community participation in these projects and the continued growth of other organizations, such as the French River Connection. In the end we will not only protect and improve our natural resources, but make our community a better place to live.