PERU – Newly-elected Worthley Pond Association president Dave Clement introduced himself and three other officers to the Board of Selectmen Monday night. Present was Sherry Clement, treasurer; Sheila Delamater, secretary and John Shea, a member.
Clement thanked the board for supporting the water testing and reported that water quality in the pond is staying good. He said the testing will be done once a year to see if anything is changing in the pond as far as oxygen and phosphorus levels.
The association had not backed the proposed state boat ramp construction, but has reversed its stand since the store was sold and no other site was available for launching boats. Even if the store is for sale again, the group maintains that the beach is better for swimmers access than for launching boats.
Clement addressed the need for a public toilet facility on the pond.
“A major concern for the association,” Clement said, “is to have East Shore Road rebuilt.” He said in light of new laws coming in 2010 concerning road construction near ponds, the project should be done right the first time and not have to be redone after new laws go into effect.
John Shea said East Shore Road is in critical need of rip rap. He brought to the board’s attention that they had verbally agreed years ago to do one section a year. One section was done but nothing else has been done since and soil is getting into the pond, he said.
Bill Hine said there was one specific spot that was targeted by the state Department of Transportation and that was when the work was done. Money for the sand and salt facility has taken precedence over any other major road jobs.
Shea said, “I am sad nothing more has been done to the banks on East Shore Drive.” The Association has offered to buy the material if the road crew could get the work done. Clement pointed out some good examples of rip rap on Pleasant Pond and Crystal Lake.
Clement said the association wanted to be more involved in any Shoreland Zoning changes. He said state laws are restrictive enough and “the state has it right on Shoreland zoning.”
Clement also requested the board write a summary of the terms affecting taxes for the next Worthley Pond newsletter so people can better understand their bills. Clement said he would post the letter on the association’s Web site, worthleypond.org.
Sherry Clement invited the board to attend Christmas in July on July 28 and 29. Selectman Rodney Jamison volunteered to be a judge. Boats and camps will all be decorated for Christmas and boats will parade at dusk.
In other business, Road Commissioner David Gammon asked the board to visit the sand/salt shed site to look at a hairline crack that goes completely through the foundation. The meeting adjourned to make the visit. After touring the site, selectman Andy St. Pierre said he didn’t think it would be a problem but the engineer should be informed. The board agreed with St. Pierre.
Warren Oldham had asked the board at the last meeting to review his assessment of $18,900 for waterfront land too narrow to be built upon. Board Chairman Bill Hine asked for a list of comparable properties on the lake that are not buildable. The list given the board Monday showed 16 such properties. Hine said they would give the list to the Planning Board to determine if the lots were indeed unbuildable and would qualify for a 50 percent discount.
There will be no meeting on July 24.
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