OXFORD — A public hearing on changing the water level of Thompson Lake is set for Aug. 30.

Members of the Thompson Lake Dam Advisory Committee, who represent Casco, Oxford, Poland and Otisfield, voted on the date Tuesday.

Aug. 30 is the last Thursday before Labor Day weekend. It could be the best shot at getting the best attendance from people who own seasonal and year-round properties on the lake.

Two weeks ago, Scott Bernardy, environmental chairman for the Thompson Lake Environmental Association, spoke to the Oxford Board of Selectmen and the dam committee about the need to prevent flooding, which erodes phosphate-rich soil into the lake and fuels the growth of water-clouding algae.

The TLEA recommends a water level of 32 inches below the top of the dam, which would be set in October after most lake activity is done. That level is slightly lower than the winter level in past years.

Members of the dam committee also expressed concern about the town’s access to the dam as Oxford works to sell the Robinson Mill. Oxford Town Manager Michael Chammings said the prospective buyers aren’t interested in the waterway and that the town will retain rights to the dam even if it sells the mill.

The public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 in the second floor room at the Oxford Town Office. The building has an elevator.

treaves@sunjournal.com

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