HLWA Goals
Goals Committee Chairman - Ray Fugere. Goals Committee Members - Mike Peacock, Clare
Stevens
Primary Goals
1. To
Protect Water Quality (Water Quality Committee)
a. Rationale:
Water quality affects quality of life, property values and recreational
use of the lake for residents of Winchester and the State of Connecticut.
b. Actions:
(1) Expand lake water monitoring/testing
program to minimum of four times per year; work with Town officials for funding
(2) Employ a limnologist to analyze
water-testing data and make recommendations for future protective actions
(3) Provide annual reports of water-testing
results and assessments of lake water quality to Town Manager, Board of
Selectmen and HLWA membership
(4) Conduct ongoing testing of major streams
flowing into the lake to determine their possible impact to lake water quality
(5) Work with Town and State agencies to
enhance lake drainage system (replace storm drains with catch basins as
prescribed in Drainage Feasibility Study-1993)
(6) Work with Winchester and Department of
Environmental Protection officials to implement and assess invasive weed
control methods (herbicide treatment, drawdowns)
(7) Work with the Winchester Water Level
Committee to formulate a drawdown schedule
(8) Work with Public Works Department to assure
timely sweeping of lake roads, cleaning of catch basins and other drainage
receptacles
(9) Work with Northwest Connecticut
Conservation District and Winchester’s town agencies to develop a Natural
Resource Inventory
(10) Work with Winchester Land Trust, Conservation
Commission, and Board of Selectmen regarding open space land acquisition
(11) Develop a plan of action for implementing the
Dredging Feasibility Study, 1991
(12) Network with other lake associations
(Winchester, Connecticut, and national) regarding water quality issues, grants
and protective ordinances, regulations and legislation
(13) Develop a subcommittee to identify, map and
monitor weed growth and presence of invasive aquatic weeds
(14) Conduct lake cleanup campaigns and programs
such as Adopt a Catch Basin and Adopt a Road
(15) Disseminate environmental information through
newsletter articles and
handouts
at the Annual Meeting; initiate an educational component through the web site
covering such items as Property Owners' Manual, Winsted Ordinances pertaining
to Highland Lake (Dock and Mooring, Boating Regulations, P& Z Regulations,
IWC Regulations)
2. To
interact with Town/State Government (Government
Relations Committee)
a. Rationale: Working with Town/State boards,
commissions and committees enhances HLWA’s effectiveness in protecting the lake
watershed/water quality; HLWA’s role is as a catalyst for Town action.
b. Actions:
(1) Monitor agendas, activities and actions of
the Town; monitor the implementation and enforcement of Town ordinances, Inland
Wetlands and Watercourses, Planning and Zoning and Zoning Board of Appeals
Commissions regulations
(2) Encourage HLWA members to serve on boards,
commissions and committees
(3) Attend and make presentations at public
meetings, hearings and budget proceedings
(4) Consult with/lobby state legislators
regarding watershed protection/open space/lake restoration funding
(5) Conduct research/surveys pertinent to
targeted issues
(6) Initiate Town regulations/ordinances to
protect lake watershed such as viewshed, dock and mooring regulations, boating
regulations, wetlands and zoning regulations
(7) Work with Planning and Zoning Commission to
revise the Town Plan of Conservation and Development (including revision of
Highland Lake Management Plan)
(8) Notify Town of blight situations and
blatant violations of ordinances and follow up for corrective action
3. To maintain/increase Membership
(Membership Services Committee)
a. Rationale:
A broader membership will enhance HLWA’s representation of all watershed
property owners, broaden the pool of people to volunteer and
develop
as future leaders.
b. Actions:
(1) Send a welcoming letter to new owners soon
after their arrival
(2) Welcoming Committee visit with “goodie bag”
of information (“Who’s Who,” etc.)
(3) Follow up contact (phone call inviting to
an activity/meeting)
(4) Mail annual membership dues collection
letter and invoice with two
follow-up
reminder letters
(5) Do “exit interviews” to determine why
members choose not to renew their memberships
4. To
provide timely Communications/Education/Public Relations
a. Rationale:
Communication/education/public relations are important factors in
enhancing membership participation, awareness of environmental information and community
awareness of HLWA’s activities.
b. Actions:
(1) Publish Highland Lake News quarterly
(2) Enhance attractiveness of newsletter
(better quality paper, some color)
(3) Send emails and other mailings as needed to
keep lake residents informed
(4) Develop a “Property Owner’s Guide” with
Best Management Practices for watershed property
(5) Develop and maintain an HLWA website
(6) Initiate “focus groups” to solicit
information from lake residents regarding areas of concern, unmet needs, opinions,
future goals and activities
(7) Revise and publish “Who’s Who and Where at
Highland Lake” at least every five years
(8) Interact with newspaper reporters to cover
HLWA events and activities
Secondary Goals
1. To
provide Social and Recreational opportunities
a. Rationale:
Social and recreational activities provide an opportunity for members to
interact in a relaxed setting, enhance camaraderie and attract new members.
b. Actions:
(1) Organize and implement social functions for
members throughout the year (summer picnic, Valentine’s dinner/dance, caroling,
etc.)
(2) Organize and implement participation in
Town Recreation Department sponsored functions (Penguin Plunge, Laurel
Festival, etc.)
2. To
provide a variety of Fund-Raising methods
a. Rationale:
Fund-raising is enhanced if a variety of methods are implemented.
b. Actions:
(1) Maintain the “gift item” selection of
glassware, clothing with HLWA logo, etc.
(2) Solicit donations for specific causes
(3) Develop a program for bequeathing money to
HLWA in a will
(4) Organize and implement fund-raising
activities such as wine and food tastings, dinner dances, etc.
3. To
research and write Grants (Grant-Writing Committee)
a. Rationale:
There are State and Federal sources of money for environmental projects
that are too costly for the town or for HLWA funding through membership dues or
fund-raisers.
b. Actions:
(1) Develop a Grant-Writing Committee to
conduct research regarding availability of funding for specific projects such
as open-space acquisition and dredging of coves
(2) Attend conferences to learn effective
grant-writing skills; network with other associations
(3) Write and submit grants
4. To
provide for Public Health and Safety
a. Rationale:
The lake community has specific needs that must be forwarded to proper
Town officials and State agencies.
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b. Actions:
(1) Work with the Winchester Police Department
(WPD) to continue the Neighborhood Watch Program
(2) Work with the WPD to maintain and enhance
the effectiveness of the Marine Patrol
(3) Work with the Torrington Area Health
District on projects such as well testing, bacterial testing of lake water or
other health concerns in the watershed
5. To
maintain a record of property sales, real estate tax assessments and
construction activity within the lake district
a. Rationale:
Provides information for identifying new member prospects and tracking
the economic contribution of the lake to the Town
b. Actions:
(1) Track property transactions through town
records
(2) Obtain/maintain lists of lake property
records from Town and internet databases
(3) Coordinate with Town on periodic property
assessment revaluations
(4) Advocate for equitable assessments on lake
properties and in relation to other properties in town
(5) Obtain/maintain lists of variance and
permit approvals involving lake properties
6. To
buy property to protect watershed (open space)
7. To
purchase/lease/fund/contract maintenance services (e.g., catch-basin cleaning)
otherwise (or not) provided by the Town
8. To
hire professional lake management