OXFORD – Boaters will be warned about the stump hazards near Pismo Beach through signs, not buoys, selectmen agreed Thursday.

The board went along with the recommendation of the Lake Thompson Advisory Committee, but the final say will need to come from voters next June.

The board tentatively set the date for the annual town meeting for June 12, a Saturday.

The committee had investigated the feasibility of installing permanent state-sanctioned buoys to mark the deep-water channel near the shore. Over the years, boaters using the town boat landing have mistakenly ventured into a shallow water farther from shore where many stumps are only a few inches below the surface.

Committee member Arthur Bellwood told selectmen the panel balked at the estimated $3,000 cost of marking the channel with buoys. Some shorefront owners also were concerned that the buoys would mar their view of the lake.

The committee did favor strategically placing four “no-wake” buoys and some swimming buoys to increase safety, Bellwood said.

A kiosk with a large laminated map describing the water hazards was felt to be a good compromise between those who favored the channel marking and those who opposed it, Bellwood said. The kiosk and sign would cost around $500. Smaller flyer-size versions of the map could also be made available.

Members of the committee beside Bellwood were Bob Cotton, Kerry Halterman, Peter Morrison, Sharon Jackson, Bill Compton and Marcia Pottle.

In other action, selectmen agreed to put out to bid a non-conforming tax-acquired lot at the corner of Coldwater Brook and Edgerly roads. The minimum bid would be $1,500.

Town Manager Michael Huston said a woman who lives out of state inquired about buying the lot so she can park her motor home on it and be near her father, who lives nearby. Huston said that other than that particular woman’s interest, the lot’s only real value would be to an abutter.

Local realtor Tom Kennison questioned that assumption, saying “There’s no such thing as a non-buildable non-conforming lot.”

Selectmen also accepted $370 in donations made in memory of Donald Guilford to the town’s recreation department. The money will be placed in a reserve account for use by the department.

Another donation was accepted of a “rescue boggan” from the Rock-O-Dundee Riders Snowmobile Club. The club wants the town to equip and maintain the rescue boggan so that it will be ready for winter emergency rescue.

Western Maine Youth Hockey also gave a $25 donation to the rescue department in appreciation of the department’s hosting of their bass tournament at the Pismo Beach boat ramp.

ggeraghty@sunjournal.com

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