tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post3099851114736858019..comments2024-02-18T06:41:44.121-05:00Comments on Thinking Out Loud In Sturbridge: Let's Read the Newspaper!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-46451114855315879592009-05-21T14:44:10.071-04:002009-05-21T14:44:10.071-04:00An initiative under consideration by the Town of S...An initiative under consideration by the Town of Sturbridge and its governance to remove three dams on the Hamant Brook, a tributary of the Quinebaug River, has the enthusiastic support of Trout Unlimited (TU). With 105,000 members in 434 chapters across America, TU is dedicated to preserving America's coldwater fisheries (for more information go to: www.tu.org). TU has been involved in the removal of dams across the country. Within the past five years, the MA-RI council of TU has been involved in the removal of six dam in Massachusetts, alone.<br /><br />With the realization of the impact of impoundments on natural fishery wildlife, the removal of dams has become a nationwide priority for a variety of conservation organizations in addition to TU. Removal of dams is vital in restoring coldwater fisheries. It begins the process of reconnecting streams that have been interrupted by multiple barriers, usually in the form of mill dams and ponds. Dam removal helps brook trout in headwaters reconnect to mainstem rivers. Dam removal also provides a return to natural stream flow conditions and helps lower water temperatures by removing the thermal impact of the ponds created behind dams. Thus, it will allow other coldwater species of trout to migrate upstream as temperatures rise in the Quinebaug River during late spring and summer. <br /><br />Publication of the stream work will lead to more fisherman traveling to fish in that stream, and will have a positive impact on local businesses. The Red Brook Project in Wareham, and the Quashnet project in Falmouth, both draw visitors from as far away as the mid-Atlantic states. <br /><br />Due to a recent re-chartering of chapters within the Massachusetts-Rhode Island council of TU, the Quinebaug River and its tributaries are now within Central Massachusetts Trout Unlimited’s territory. CMTU will provide the manpower for additional work involved in restoring the natural habitat of Hamant Brook after removal of the dams, should it come to fruition. This will help reduce the overall cost to the Town of Sturbridge. Of course, any and all such work would be performed with the cooperation and approval of the Town of Sturbridge, the Conservation Committee (ConCom) and any other appropriate governing bodies. <br /><br />In addition to the increased migration of fishermen to an un-impounded Hamant Brook watershed, there is another economic incentive for the town and its governance to remove the dams. It is my understanding that Sturbridge has been notified by the State of Massachusetts that one or more of these dams is in gross disrepair. The town can either bear the cost of repairs, estimated at $700,000 or incur stiff daily penalties for failing to do so. Removal of the dams, on the other hand, would not cost the Town of Sturbridge, as the Mass Division of Fisheries and Wildlife as secured funding for dam removal. <br /><br />In conclusion, CMTU strongly supports dam removal on Hamant Brook and urges the residents and leaders of Sturbridge to move in a direction that fosters return of this watershed to a more natural habitat and makes economic sense. <br /><br />Larry R. Bush<br />President, Central Mass Chapter of Trout UnlimitedUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102794614140022580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-87456610187378379112009-01-12T09:29:00.000-05:002009-01-12T09:29:00.000-05:00Yes, "New to Sturbridge, this blog is still active...Yes, "New to Sturbridge, this blog is still active! Welcome to town! Go to www.sturbridgecommon.comWally Herseehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11052949223548827269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-57554995521140018952009-01-12T09:17:00.000-05:002009-01-12T09:17:00.000-05:00Is this blog still active? I just moved to Sturbri...Is this blog still active? I just moved to Sturbridge and appreciate reading thoughts like this. I cannot find a new post, however.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-6654467600248948842008-03-03T16:16:00.000-05:002008-03-03T16:16:00.000-05:00Regarding cedar lake ...As for the weed control, I...Regarding cedar lake ...<BR/><BR/>As for the weed control, I believe $75-$100 membership fees for certain residents is acceptable. However, as a Cedar Lake resident, I have observed many guests on our lake that do not reside on the lake, or even in our town. I imagine that this is the case for the other lakes in town with exception to Leadmine which is private. I would propose a Town of Sturbridge non-resident lake permit, similar to the boating permits that many neighboring states strictly require for entrance into their waterways. With the Sturbridge Police Department actively patroling our lakes, it would be simple to monitor for the presence of properly permitted boats. Such permits for non lake residents would also raise accountability for the actions of boaters as they might think twice about unsafe practices if the privilege of visiting our lakes was revoked. <BR/><BR/>As far as the life jackets on Cedar Lake go, it's a great idea, but I agree with many of the comments on a number of blogs/message boards that point out the lack of supervision at the recreation area. If the town is going to provide any sort of suggested increased level of safety, then we are alluding to a safe swimming area. Without the correct ratio of properly trained staff, annual swim evaluations of day-campers by professional staff, and a swim area marked and separted for different age groups/swimming proficiency levels, then there should be SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK signs posted and notices provided by parents to sign and return that states their acceptance of the potential risks of unsupervised swim. Life jackets are only a safety tool. The right number of PROPERLY TRAINED / CERTIFIED life guards will be the foundation for any safety and accountability at the rec.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-30992472476703676802008-03-03T07:45:00.000-05:002008-03-03T07:45:00.000-05:00Just an FYI: last year, I had been informed by one...Just an FYI: last year, I had been informed by one of Cedar Lakes past president's that he had raised the fees at some point, I think he said $100/household (not sure though), and that was sufficient to treat for weeds with no income from anywhere else. <BR/><BR/>When you think about some of the lakes, they have businesses on them. Isn't it possible for those businesses to pay a bit more? They certainly generate more use of the lake. <BR/><BR/>And could nonresidents pay a fee to use the lakes? If a sticker system was used, that could be accomplished. There's no reason why only lake residents should bear the cost of weed treatment, but neither should just the town, or non-lake residents. <BR/><BR/>And it would be great if the lake associations would get back to writing grants to pay for it. Then the lake association money could be used for something else instead of weed treatment. <BR/><BR/>Are any of the lake associations writing grants??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-78683421059360860772008-03-02T12:22:00.000-05:002008-03-02T12:22:00.000-05:00I gave misinformation myself and I apologize. Big ...I gave misinformation myself and I apologize. Big Alum membership fees are $50.00 according to their web site and Cedar Lake has $50.00 and $75.00 for membership on their web site. Just wanted to clear that up.<BR/>Still a Lake LoverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-22842880391127148032008-03-02T11:47:00.000-05:002008-03-02T11:47:00.000-05:00Your article on the lakes might have some misinfor...Your article on the lakes might have some misinformation.South Pond was not part of the $22,000.00 voted last year at Town Meeting. South Pond did go to selectmen recently and asked for money I forget how much. I watched that meeting. I agree we can’t let the lakes fall to the Milfoil. I also agree the $60.00 a year fee is ridiculously low and Cedar lakes $25.00 per year is insane for association fees. Each lake has their own association and governs themselves but any lake charging less then $100.00 per year needs to take a second look at their fees. I also think any lake with a town boat landing should get some type of funding towards weed reduction. Does anyone know if the town actually combats the weed infestation on its beaches and boat landings?<BR/>Lake loverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-28792978023385020802008-03-02T11:26:00.000-05:002008-03-02T11:26:00.000-05:00As far as the skate park goes I recall when it was...As far as the skate park goes I recall when it was rebuilt 6 years ago the people who came forward with the proposal stated no tax money would be used for it. The kids would fund raise and help build it to show ownership and therefore not trash it. Well it has not worked. If the skaters can not behave then close it down. Where are the original builders of the park why are they not stepping in to help? The Town should not pay a monitor for the park the skate park should. It is an attractive nuisance as it stands now. The skaters need to take responsibility for their actions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-11482831914764114432008-03-02T11:25:00.000-05:002008-03-02T11:25:00.000-05:00I think the Town will have to draft a tightly craf...I think the Town will have to draft a tightly crafted legal document stating that the life preservers are optional and the Recreation assistants are in no way responsible of being sure these preservers are in use. These are teenagers who hold a summer job to entertain kids, through crafts, sports, scavenger hunts, etc. It would not be fair to add the job of parenting to their job description, for the minimum wage that they earn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1377411732843394854.post-46558938561371915382008-03-02T11:06:00.000-05:002008-03-02T11:06:00.000-05:00Life preservers for the Summer Recreation Program ...Life preservers for the Summer Recreation Program is important to study, before purchasing life preservers. My kids participated in the summer rec program and enjoyed every minute of their time there. I looked to the teens, working at the rec, to entertain my kids, whether it be with arts and crafts, or organizing a ping pong tournament. I felt it was my responsibility to be sure that my children were safe, and this is why I did not leave them. If the rec program offered life preservers I still would not have left my children. These are hot summer days, and the idea of spending the time wrapped in a life preserver doesn’t make sense. Kids will end up dropping of heat exhaustion, or dehydration from sweating. Also, a life preserver will not protect a child from getting hit by a car, or getting picked up by a stranger. The most important life preserver in a child’s life is his/her parent. And even a parent can't always protect a child from horrible accidents.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com