Lake Boon Commission meeting rescheduled to October 5

The Lake Boon Commission originally scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled to Wednesday, October 5, 2022. It will be held via Zoom. Public participation via calling in or using your computer is encouraged.

On the agenda:

1. Welcome opening remarks
2. Public Comment
3. Meeting Minutes – Review/Approve
4. Budget review
5. Bills for Payment – Review/Approve
6. Police radio for LBC boat
7. Review end of season tasks, including drawdown, buoys retrieval and others
8. Winter on the lake, snowmobile, dirt bikes and policing
9. Old Business
10. New Business
11. Date of Next Meeting
12. Adjourn

For instructions on how to participate via zoom or telephone, see the agenda posted at the Town of Hudson website, here. Note that the Zoom link has been changed from the link for September 28.

Lake Boon drawdown begins in mid-October

The fall Lake Boon drawdown, done each year, will begin on or about October 17, 2022. The level will go down slowly over the subsequent few weeks, reaching its base level by late November, about 1 foot lower than at present.

We’re also keeping a watch on Hurricane Ian, currently approaching Florida. If its path veers north, with significant rain for Stow, we may take out one board earlier, as a precaution.

Lake residents should take this drawdown into consideration when scheduling removal of boats and/or shoreline repairs or clean-up.

This drawdown is in accord with the Conservation Commission Order of Conditions. For any questions or concerns, contact Dan Barstow (DanBarstow@gmail.com) of the Lake Boon Commission.

Submitted by the Lake Boon Commission

Regatta rescheduled for Sunday, September 18

All hands on deck!

The regatta postponed from Labor Day is being rescheduled for this Sunday, September 18th at 2:00 pm, forming at the Pine Point buoy in the first basin.

This is an informal, fun sailing race for an LBA T-shirt and bragging rights around the lake.

Course TBD depending on wind direction. Observers at the Pine Bluffs beach or in other boats are welcome since it will be during quiet hours.

Randall Library/Sustainable Stow talk with guest Rep. Kate Hogan

Rep. Kate Hogan will join Sustainable Stow at the Randall Library’s Speaker Series on Wednesday, September 21 at 7:00 pm. She will provide an update on PFAS in the Commonwealth and particularly the work of the Legislature’s Interagency PFAS Task Force, which Rep. Hogan legislated for and co-chaired.

The PFAS Task Force released its final report and recommendations in April 2022. The report offers a review of PFAS in the Commonwealth and recommended legislative and regulatory action to address PFAS use and contamination.

Rep. Hogan will also provide an update on recent state efforts related to PFAS mitigation.

To register for the event, visit https://bit.ly/3AEoYMS.

Algae bloom in 1st Basin

Another algae bloom was observed Monday in Basin 1 along the southeastern shore near the northern Davis and Kingland Road intersection. It has tested positive for cyanotoxins and should be avoided. Treat it like poison ivy, especially with small children and dogs who may take a gulp and get very sick.

Unfortunately we can anticipate additional blooms in various places in the lake this season.  Be very cautious about swimming.

Lighting of the Lake video

Stow TV captured last weekend’s sunset, Lighting of the Lake and Music Boat on video. Watch it here.

(Speaking of preserving beautiful images… it’s time to begin collecting exceptional photos on or near the lake for the 2023 Lake Boon wall calendar! More info coming!)

Found: black and green tube

This black and green tube was found at 191 Barton Road in August, and has yet to be claimed. Drop a comment if it’s yours and we’ll let you know how you can pick it up.

Bad news and good news

The bad news: Algae blooms have been observed on either side of the town beach and tested positive for cyanotoxins. With little wind today, they are likely to linger. Remember that small children and dogs that may ingest the water are at high risk of getting sick. Conditions from drought and lake cooling and turnover are ripe for additional algae blooms to show up anywhere on the lake into the fall. Look before you leap into the lake!

The good news: The boat parade video by Stow TV is available on the Stow TV Youtube channel here. If you can’t swim you can enjoy a different perspective of the parade.

Water carnival regatta postponed

As we’ve grown to become fair weather sailors, we’ll pass on the regatta scheduled for 2:30 this afternoon and postpone to a Sunday during quiet hours later in the month, date tbd.