Thanks to the state and the work of volunteers in our three towns, there is constant progress being made to control invasive milfoil on the lake…but it’s a never-ending battle. Each year the state writes a summary report detailing where our milfoil is located, and what is being done to control it. Everyone who lives on the lake or recreates here is encouraged to read the report in order to understand the challenge and the work being done to address it.
NEWS
Westward Shores Campers Given Deadline to Comply With Zoning Regulations
In a letter from Westward Shore’s management, campers have been told that their trailer or RV must comply with the requirements of Ossipee’s Floodplain Ordinance by October 20. The compliance requirement is of one of the outcomes of a settlement agreement that ended Freedom’s lawsuit against Ossipee over the campground’s planned expansion.
State Milfoil Spending Is Up, But Towns Still Pay the Most
A new Ossipee Lake Alliance survey shows state spending to control milfoil almost doubled between 2012 and 2017, but was still less than one-third of the total cost. Lake communities and associations paid the rest.
Ossipee Admits It Erred with Meeting Venue
Ossipee’s town attorney told a Superior Court judge the Select Board is committed to developing a plan to prevent the kind of crowding that occurred at the November 28 special town meeting, at which some people were kept outside during the discussion. The court will consider the town’s plan at a review hearing in August or September. The town attorney also said discussions to resolve legal issues between the town and Camp Sokokis seller Dianne Sheehan are proceeding, with responsibility for legal fees still on the table.
Country Ecology: Gray Jays
If you hike, chances are good that you’ve encountered a Gray Jay–a smart, impulsive, relatively tame bird that will approach looking for food crumbs from your snack or lunch. Gray Jays hide small caches of food throughout their territories in late summer and autumn so they’ll have a ready larder for winter. As such, they can survive cold winter conditions in which other birds can’t exist. But now, studies show unseasonably warm weather is threatening Gray Jays’ reproductive success.