Cooperative management plan for Lake Fairlee?
Upper Valley residents should watch the outcome of the 7pm Thursday Fairlee Town Hall meeting to discuss a proposed three town effort to manage Lake Fairlee. This meeting will explore the budgetary constraints the towns face in managing this 450 acre community asset, the legality and practicality of the joint town management proposal on the table, and whether other options exist. The milfoil infestation that appeared over the last decade required an expensive commitment of dollars to treat in 2010 and 2011 and will require a follow-up treatment in 2012 to deal with the remaining major infestation at the mouth of Middle Brook. The Vermont League of Cities and Towns, (which rallied meaningfully to Hurricane Irene), has not yet decided on a recommendation for Thursday’s meeting. Also unclear is the current status of the Thetford Dam. The board faces a May 2012 tax appeal meeting which could be contentious if the issue of taxing residents to buy the Thetford Dam gets pushed. The current Dam owners have yet to convey their position on the potential transfer of dam ownership to the three town dam alliance. Having control of that key resource would enable the alliance to fund the dam improvement and management costs, leaving residents and lake users free to enjoy the beautiful watershed with reduced risk. For more information on the Upper Valley and waterfront sales in the region please email Celina Barton at celina.barton@sothebysrealty.com.
