SBA President Pat Kennelly called the meeting to order.
The business of the 501c3 nonprofit organization was conducted. For example, the Reports of the Treasurer and the Nominating Committee.
The total cash assets appeared to be $1,765,000. The current officers are listed below.
The President’s Report laid out the FIVE STEPS for 2023 called “The Way Forward” — the initiatives for this year.
1. Dredging
The SBA will assist the Town in working with GZA, a consulting geotechnical firm. Together, we will: (a) finalize plans for dredging as per the Bullard Woods dewatering site design; (b) obtain cost estimates and a timeline for completion of the project; (c) consult with the Town to determine how much of the dredging it will fund. If Town funds combined with monies already raised by the SBA are insufficient for the dredging project, we will work with the Town to determine how to close the financial gap.
2. Mechanical harvesting
The SBA will help the Town obtain a more robust mechanical harvesting permit that will allow for more cutting than the 10 acres allowed under the current permit. The SBA will provide the resources of our lake management consultants as well as legal review to draft a new Notice of Intent (NOI) for mechanical harvesting to be reviewed and filed by the Town.
3. Hand harvest
(a) The SBA will continue its partnership with the Town to monitor and hand harvest the invasive water chestnut that has been found behind the Kwuniikwat Island and down the outlet.
(b) The SBA is piloting a program to offer financial assistance (of up to $5,000 in matching funds) to our member lakeside residential organizations to hand pull invasive and nuisance vegetation from their communal swimming and boating areas.
4. Herbicide
In pursuing possible use of the herbicide Fluridone, SBA will pursue the use of a newer herbicide, ProcellaCOR, which is more targeted and allows for spot treatment of Eurasian Watermilfoil rather than full lake treatment. We will seek approval of the use of ProcellaCOR by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Once granted, we will file a new Notice of Intent for the project.
5. Bullard Woods
The SBA will establish programs for Bullard Woods that will protect the old growth trees and remove invasive plants.
Kennelly explained planning, permitting, funding, and fundraising for these five projects are currently part of the core mission of SBA. She then opened the meeting up to questions. One or two used the opportunity to vent anger at the Town. Kennelly made it clear that they were off topic and further that the best way forward was in cooperation with the Town.
Patrick White, SB member, said the sewer master plan will be discussed and developed this year. White urged second homeowners to organize and participate. White said elected officials could not do it alone and offered as arguments in favor that the sewer was good for the lake, would help avoid cyanobacteria blooms, and was a sound step in light of climate change.
Following was a presentation about Shadowbrook by Amy LaFave, Lenox Library, and Kevin (Moose) Foran, Kripalu.
Editor’s note: 1. Sewer around the lake may help avoid cyanobacteria blooms, but it will also open undeveloped land around the lake to development. Non-conforming lots have been approved for 75 years and enforcing two- or four-acre zoning may be difficult. The marketplace will drive the rest and the number of homes on the lake will multiply. Density too may have an effect on the long-term health of the lake and the immediate ability to enjoy it. The various impacts must be weighed.
2. Point of personal privilege: before the SBA annual meeting, a woman approached me and said she wanted to thank me for sending out the SU News Alert about the meeting. She was in charge of the event, was anxious that it would go well, and thought the good-sized turnout might be in part due to the SU email blast.
She then told me, “I know we probably don’t agree on anything but thank you.”
I don’t know her name and have no idea on what we agree or disagree. This I do know: I don’t have to agree on anything to help if I can — to advertise an event, post a letter, or article. I am happy to do it. We don’t have to agree to greet one another on a sunny Saturday and I am grateful she walked over and said hello. I take this opportunity to thank her.
