According to recent weather reports, we have had more than 36 inches of snow this season versus less than seven inches last year. Spring cannot come too soon. However, the lake took a pounding in the month of February and the first two weeks of March, not from the snow but the heavy rains.

Apparently, in February we experienced the heaviest rainfall on record.

I am sure you have noticed the brown stains on the ice, evidence the soil and leaves have been pouring down the many streams entering into the lake. It was especially evident in Taylor Brook Cove during the rains of early February. I have a stream next to my property, and this deposit of soil and leaves is the worst I have ever seen.

A friend of the lake has taken some excellent pictures of the effect of these rains, and I have passed them on to the new mayor and explained the long-term effects of this problem. I also have shown them to the Commissioner of the DEP, Ms. Gina McCarthy.

I had the opportunity to meet with Ms. McCarthy in the Town Hall on January 31, 2008, thanks to an invitation from our local State Representative, George Wilber. George called for the meeting to introduce Ms. McCarthy to Winchester and Highland Lake. In attendance were the mayor, the interim town manager, the heads of the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission (IWWC) (Sue Peacock) and Planning and Zoning (P&Z) (George Closson), and Cathy and Frederick Mason. Cathy and Frederick provided a presentation regarding their proposal to open the Taylor Brook Campground and to build a community center. A community center may be an excellent idea for the Town and the lake. However, the proposal is in its early stages and the support of the proposal will eventually depend on the details.

The meeting allowed me to present to Ms. McCarthy, in addition to the pictures of the lake, the other current issues we are currently discussing with the DEP. They are:

1. Diquat Application July 2008. We turned over approximately 650 clam/mussel shells to the DEP. Five or six Eastern Pond mussels were discovered, which is on DEP’s “Special Concern” list. The DEP has required the Town provide a professional survey prior to the application of Diquat in July.
2. Trash Problems. A great deal of trash has accumulated near the Sucker Brook Dam, and we are working with the DEP to have them clean up the mess in the spring.
3. Tournament Fishermen. We have been notified of some incidents of unruly “bass fishermen,” as well as trash being deposited in the lake by fishermen entering the lake through the DEP boat launch.
4. Boat Launch Plants. The HLWA has received a grant from the DEP for plantings at the boat launch this spring.
5. Boat Launch Catch Basin. The DEP has promised to reengineer the current runoff at the boat launch which is currently adding to pollution in the lake.
6. Blue Circle Award. We explained our concept of the HLWA Blue Circle Award which Ms. McCarthy had previously approved. The HLWA award is for the person(s)who have provided the most help to the environment of the lake. Ms. McCarthy suggested she would like to present our first award if she could attend our annual meeting in July.