Notes from the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Commission (SBSC), September 2, Hybrid meeting

Present:

Roxanne McCaffrey, Chair
Patrick White
Gary Kleinerman
John Loiodice
Michael Nathan
Sally Underwood-Miller via Zoom
Michael Canales, Town Administrator

Minutes approved as written
Continued work on review of Lake Management Plan (LMP) – SBSC to prepare summary for public consumption
White concerned that mitigation of cyanobacteria be prominent part of LMP. Cyanobacteria, in other communities, has had negative impact on recreation, quality of life, and property values.
Nathan concerned that Town of Stockbridge should be indicated as preparers of LMP (in some place Stockbridge Bowl Association – SBA — was indicated)
Underwood-Miller concerned that all abbreviations defined — both wanted the actual name of the lake (Lake Mahkeenac) used rather than Stockbridge Bowl
One concern was the external loading of nutrient in Lake – which come primarily from septic systems – putting sewer around lake would help with the problem – McCaffrey often repeats that that is not possible for a considerable period of time (years) for a variety of reasons
Underwood-Miller read document and marked passages with errors or that were unnecessarily confusing relative to Wetland Protection Act (state) and Stockbridge Wetlands Bylaw
Canales said Stockbridge received a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant – unclear how it related to the lake?
Coots/Aquatic plant monitoring, estimated $50,000 on hand-picking aquatic plants, and $6000 on Zebra Mussels (boat washing station) – costs are shared between state grants, Town funds, and SBA donations
Nathan was concerned that permit process for dredging go smoothly and be completed. He said he has been working on it for six years and there seemed to be continual roadblocks. Someone suggested call it "ecological restoration" rather than dredging.

Meeting adjourned

Turns out the sky isn't falling; it's the sea that's rising. Photo: Patrick White