The Prudential Committee for Lake Buel would like you to take note of the following:

1. We are updating our EMAIL emergency contact list. Whether you have submitted your email address previously or not, please provide us with a current email address for no more than two people per residence. Your email will be  used only by the Prudential Committee.

2. Please visit www.lakebuel.org and SUBSCRIBE. Postings on this site include: Prudential Committee meeting minutes and schedule for future meetings, lab reports from water testing on the lake, information on the fireworks and other lake topics.

3. We are pleased to announce the creation of a new PRIVATE google group for Lake Buel residents ONLY and is limited to those who receive the Lake Buel tax bill. It will provide updates about our lake, enhance group communication and group activities. Please provide email addresses for no more than (2) people per address.

Fill out in PRINT the following and send it back with your payment tax bill.

Name____________________________________

Lakeside Address __________________________

Email Address  1__________________________

Email Address 2______________________

Participation in the google group (circle).      YES    NO

The address to send your tax payment and this form is:

Tax Collector
Lake Buel District
PO BOX 236
Mill River, MA 01244

Please note there is a new option to pay your tax bill online.

www.mytaxbill.org/inet/bill/home.do?town=lakebueldistrictma

 If you should choose this payment route, do NOT forget to print out, fill out & return this form to the Tax Collector address above. 

If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact the Collector’s Office at: lakebueldistrict@yahoo.com.

LAPA’s Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program

Lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water have microscopic organisms living in the water. Some of these organisms can be toxic in large quantities to humans, pets, and local wildlife. A particular group of potentially toxic organisms are called cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are aquatic bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis (a process of obtaining energy using sunlight). Cyanobacteria are more commonly called “blue-green algae”. There are many different species of cyanobacteria, but not all of them produce toxins. When optimal conditions are in place, the cyanobacteria can grow in large blooms which could be toxic to the body of water. Optimal conditions include warmer temperatures, abundant sunlight, more intense rainfall, pollution from human activities and plentiful nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

The program consists of taking a temperature and dissolved oxygen profile from the surface to the bottom of the lake. The lake is also tested for turbidity by using a secchi disc. Light can reach up to 2 to 3 times the amount that is seen with the secchi disc. With all of these parameters considered, it can provide a viable location below the surface as to where the cyanobacteria maybe blooming before the bloom arrives at the surface. Dissolved oxygen below 2 mg/L allows for the nutrients located in the sediments to be released providing food for the cyanobacteria. Nutrients, mainly total phosphorus is collected and tested by Microbac to determine the levels. Any amount over 0.02 mg/L is considered to be too high.

Cell counts are conducted to provide a quantitative reading on the genus’s present in the lake along with the phycocyanin levels (blue-green pigment specific to cyanobacteria). Testing is conducted every two weeks. The states threshold for unsafe levels for recreational use of the lake are 70,000 cells/mL of cyanobacteria. Every citizen can participate in the monitoring by watching the lake for any sign of blooms (anything abnormal on the surface and/or water column) and letting us know so we can test it.

Lake Buel District Board Meeting

March 14, 2022

 (note: March 9^th meeting was postpone due to weather conditions)

Dolby – 28 Corashire Road, New Marlborough

Members present:  In person: Chris Hassett, Mark Amstead, and Wayne Dolby.  Kyle Pierce via phone.

Meeting was called to order by Acting Chair, Mark Amstead at 6PM.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to approve the minutes of December 8^th as amended.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to accept Peter Hagen resignation with regret.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted Mark Amstead as chairman of the Board.

The Board discussed possible candidates to fill the vacancy on the Board.  Kyle Pierce will reach out to see if Ms. Catino would be interested in serving as the moderator.

Complete budget 22/23:

The Board reviewed and discussed article #5 General Government most of the line items were voted to stay level funded, with only a few increases for salaries and new laptop for the Tax Collector/Treasurer.

New business:

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to join LAPA.  Kyle Pierce will contact the representative from LAPA.

Mark Amstead will contact the Monterey Fire Monterey to see if the District book the pavilion for the annual meeting.  Mark will also contact Mount Everett Sanitation for use a portable toilet.

Kyle Pierce will work on the cover letter for the annual warrant package.

Mark Amstead will contact the beaver trapper to see if still available to work for the District.

Next meeting is scheduled for May 28^th 2022 after annual meeting is completed.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to adjourn at 7:02 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Chretien, Clerk

Lake Buel District Board Meeting

May 28, 2022

Monterey Fire Department Pavilion, Monterey 

Members present:  Kyle Pierce, Chris Hassett, Mark Amstead, Wayne Dolby, & John Halbreich.

Meeting was called to order by, Mark Amstead at 11:16 AM.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to nominate Mr. Amstead as chair.

The Board members welcome Mr. Halbreich to the Board.

FY23 Tax Rate:

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to approve FY23 tax rate of $.59 per thousand.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to have only a single tax rate.

Next meeting is scheduled for August 17^th at 6PM or 1800 Mr. Hassett residence at 168 Peter Menaker Rd, New Marlborough.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to adjourn at 11:33 AM.

Post note: There was an error that occurred when the tax rate was approved with the values bring down the tax rate.  The Department of Revenue is reviewing the corrected information and should approve a new tax rate of $.76 per thousand for 2022. 

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Chretien, Clerk

The Lake Buel Lake Association invites you to our tag sale Sunday August 21st

New Marlborough Town Green, next to the Farmer’s Market 10:00-4:30

The fundraiser is to help offset maintenance costs of the Lake.

LAKE NEIGHBORS & TOWN FRIENDS: Please drop off goods to sell on Sunday morning between 8:30-10:00 AM.

All items should be “in good shape & not too large” to allow for their removal should they not sell. Collectibles, antiques, clothes, bric-a-brac, tools, etc will be allowed.

Hope to see you there!

Dolby – 28 Corshire Road, New Marlborough

Members present:  Peter Hagen, Kyle Pierce, Chris Hassett, Mark Amstead & Wayne Dolby.

Meeting was called to order by Chair, Pete Hagen at 6:08PM.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to approve the minutes of August 31^st as prepared.

New vendor for District billing:  

The Board reviewed a quote from Quality Data Service Inc. that includes software support, data conversion, training, software and hosting fees.  It was mentioned that this company only works with municipalities and is a member of the Massachusetts Collector Treasurer Association, works with 96% of city/towns in Connecticut and have a total of 250 city/towns in New England.  Quality Data Service Inc. offers online tax payments and the ability to see all their tax billing information.  After review a motion was made, seconded and so voted to accept the quote from Quality Data Service Inc. as long as the quoted amount stands.

Outlet discussions:

Ms. Shannon Poulin was present to review the year end water quality and cyanobacteria report for 2021.  Ms. Poulin mentioned that the water temperature was warmer in the beginning of the summer and cooler later in the summer.  Ms. Poulin also mentioned that a lot of nutrients are entering the lake and this year has been a usual year which also included flooding.  The Board thanked Ms. Poulin all of her work and will continue with the same testing for next summer. 

Create budget 22/23:

The Board reviewed and discussed article #5 General Government most of the line items were voted to stay level funded, with only a few increases.

New business:

Mr. Wayne Dolby mentioned that his two sons are interest in assisting the Board and possible serving on the Board.

Next meeting is scheduled for March 9^th 2022 at 6PM – Dolby residence 28 Corashire Road.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to adjourn at 7:47 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Chretien, Clerk

August 31, 2021

Hassett – 168 Peter Menaker Road, New Marlborough

Members present:  Peter Hagen, Kyle Pierce, Chris Hassett, Mark Amstead & Wayne Dolby.

Meeting was called to order by Chair, Pete Hagen at 6:18PM.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to approve the minutes of July 15^th meeting as prepared.

Fireworks:  

Mr. Hassett mentioned that the display of fireworks is all set and ready to go.  Mr. Amstead mentioned that all permits required have been issued.

Year to date financials:

The Board reviewed account balances for both fiscal year FY21 & FY22 in preparation for FY23 upcoming budget. 

Outlet discussion/fish & game trapping assist/DEP:

The Board discussion hiring Gary O’Brien’s team to assist with clearing debris of the outlet from banks.

Mr. Hagen mentioned that he has tried to contact fish & game multiples time and no one has returned a reply call.  Mr. Hagen will continue to try to get in contact with fish & game since the Board needs an answer if the trapper can have someone assist him.

Mr. Hagen mentioned that he has spoken with Mark Stinson, Regional DEP representative for guidance and Mr. Stinson isn’t able to make any recommendations.

Signs/damage to dam:

Mr. Hagen had a few signs made to be placed around the dam area, to prevent damage occurring to the dam.  It was mentioned that 4 or 5 boats traveled through the dam area and did significant damage.

Testing results/weeds/continue harvesting/create committee/letter to land owners:

The Board mentioned that the testing results have been good so far regarding.  Phosphate testing has been high.  The Board will wait for the end of the year results.  The Board would be interested in having Ms. Shannon Poulin attend a meeting to discuss the testing results.

Mr. Amstead mentioned at this time there have been 86 truckloads of weeds removed so far this season.  The Board discussed having the harvester continue working 2 more weeks past labor day.

The Board discussed creating a committee to investigate zebra mussels.  It was mentioned that zebra mussels grow and grow like weeds, and boats should be clean when they enter into the lake.  It was decided to revisit this item again next year.

Mr. Hagen will draft a letter to send to land owners regarding trapping at the inlet to the lake.

District tax billing/district assessor:

The Board discussed the current company that handles the tax billing for the District.  This year they have made multiple errors, and have made errors in past years.  The Board is researching new billing companies for information and quotes.

It was mentioned that the district assessor died and a replacement has to be hired. 

Next meeting is scheduled for December 14^th at 6PM – Dolby residents 28 Corashire Road.

A motion was made, seconded and so voted to adjourn at 7:32 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Chretien, Clerk