HARTFORD – The heads of local organizations worried about the effects of construction around local lakes and ponds presented their concerns to the Board of Selectmen Thursday night, hoping to get some help in fighting the problem.
Mary Wallace, president of the Bear Pond Improvement Association, told selectmen that extensive testing of the water in Bear Pond over the past few years show a steady decline in quality.
Wallace cited construction around the pond as one of the reasons that erosion problems have gotten worse.
“We would like to see the code enforcement officer do more follow-ups after permits have been issued,” to assure that people are not doing more work than allowed under the permit, she said.
Wallace is also worried that trees and bushes are being cut down without any replanting.
John Conley of Pine Shores informed the selectmen that the state Soil and Water Department is not giving more grant money. He suggested that town officials budget money for watershed studies.
Judy Hamilton, of the Lake Anasagunticook Association, stressed the importance of looking beyond the land abutting the water. Timber harvesting in areas farther away cause erosion that ends up in the lakes and ponds.
Hamilton suggested that people with summer homes on the water be encouraged to attend town meetings and be allowed to speak if not able to vote.
After hearing the various concerns and suggestions, David Bowen, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said he’d like the associations to form a partnership.
He asked how the selectmen could help. He also said that selectmen would meet with the Planning Board and the code enforcement officer to discuss raising the cost of permits to allow for more follow-up inspections.
Comments are no longer available on this story