5574-R5_ML&P_LSLA_2018_Web_SummerNewsletter_Web

Courtesy Boat Inspector-Mt. Hunger Boat Ramp Pam Wilkinson

February isn’t too early to be thinking of being prepared for this summer’s fun with excited people wanting to utilize our/ or the State’s boat ramp and enjoy this beautiful lake. The Jim and Jackie Fitzgerald team will attend the DEP mandated training the first of March to get updates on any changes. They will be vigilant watching for all types of invasive species, including our own variable milfoil, being transported in and out of our lake. We need to watch for and prevent other invasive species that are close to our borders from entering the lake. They record boats entering/egressing, license plates , where they are coming from and report any suspicious activities; all to be turned into the State for their record keeping. As of last year, the State required the information to be transferred into an electronic format; which is very time consuming and hired out. Due to logistics, this is not easy to do it on-the-fly due to weather and other considerations. So when you enter the lake please allow time for them to do their job. When I asked Jim what he would like to share, he said “please remind the people there are only 14 designated spots for parking, which fills up fast.” On a hot summer day it has been reported that they have had to turn away 30 people. We have rental companies who bring in boats of all types for day-trippers. The impact of the lake usage is always a concern for safety. Increasing the parking would mean increasing the usage of an already busy lake. Please be respectful of their job trying to record State required information and manage the traffic flow. If you need to contact us, please call 207-809-4706 and ask for Pam Wilkinson.

Fireworks! Fun for a night?

The use of fireworks has become imbalanced. The excitement of fireworks around the Fourth of July is being replaced with continual barrages every weekend. Now the crackling of campfires and laughter from across the lake is replaced with continual booms. The noise is now multiplied by weekends from those who are there for one week of rental joy, not realizing there will be others the next week doing the same. Have you heard the “cry of the loon” after each bang? Take a moment to listen. Have you seen the impact of the debris that falls into the lake, week after week after week? It may be more prudent to allow fireworks a week before and after the Fourth of July to maintain the peace and quiet this lake used to have. Some want fireworks totally banned, others think any sort of rule is silly. The balance between the lake resident’s quality of life, the visitor’s vacation fun, and the wildlife nurturing does need fine tuning. A balance should be struck.

As a reminder, by State Law, fireworks are permitted daily from 9am to 10pm, exceptions being July 4th and December 31st (and weekend preceding and immediately following these dates), hours can be extended until 12:30am. Fireworks must be on your own property. If you rent property, you must get permission of the owner. Check your local town ordinances for their laws, and Maine State Laws Title 8 Amusements & Sports Fireworks regarding what is permitted without a permit. Please be courteous to your neighbors! Be safe when handling or using fireworks. Accidents can happen that can lead to loss of property and/or life. Areas to be concerned are transportation of fireworks, storage of fireworks, use of within safe distances, proper safety handling practices, and use during poor weather conditions such as dry windy evenings. Don’t add to the fire and EMS incidents with accidents that could have been avoided. We all want to have fun! We all need to be safe!

29